IsoTek EVO3 Ascension (C19) 2m

At the top of IsoTek’s EVO3 range, this power cable brings together the British manufacturer’s most advanced design choices. The brand has specialized in the quality of the power supply for audio and home theater systems, and the Ascension takes that approach far: conductor purity, air dielectric insulation, layered shielding. Enough to power electronics whose sound reproduction remains sensitive to the nature of the current they receive.

Three silver-plated OCC copper conductors

The cable’s electrical foundation is based on three 4.0 mm² conductors arranged in parallel, with a slight rotational twist. This twist forms a first barrier against radio-frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI), a common problem as soon as a cable runs through a domestic environment filled with electronic devices.

The chosen material is continuously cast copper using the Ohno process, designated by the acronym OCC. This manufacturing method reduces the number of grain boundaries in the metal, resulting in higher purity and conductivity than conventional OFC copper. Each conductor is then silver-plated, a metal that is slightly more conductive than copper. The 4.0 mm² cross-section and thick strands allow generous current delivery: the conductors are rated for 55 A.

The final stage of their preparation is deep cryogenic treatment at -196 °C. Extreme cooling permanently alters the structure of the metal, a common practice on high-end cables to stabilize the electrical properties of the conductors.

An air dielectric close to a vacuum

Insulation is the second area of focus. Rather than directly encasing the conductors in a plastic material, IsoTek reduces their contact with solid matter and surrounds them with air. Air remains the best insulator after vacuum, with a very low dielectric constant, which limits losses and the cable’s capacitive effects.

This principle, which the brand calls a Virtual Air Dielectric, relies on minimal conductor contact and an FEP bridge, a fluoropolymer close to Teflon. The stated dielectric constant drops to 1.1, a value very close to that of a vacuum. A sealed FEP tube closes this air space and maintains its geometry over time. Transparent FEP air tubes surround each conductor, which stabilizes the internal structure while preserving this low dielectric constant.

Multiple shields against mains noise

The fight against interference continues with a series of layered shields. Each conductor assembly first receives a Mylar wrap, a film that acts as a barrier to RFI and improves rejection of so-called common-mode noise, that is, noise present simultaneously on the live and neutral.

Next comes an oxygen-free copper (OFC) braid specific to each conductor, connected to earth. This individual shield rejects RFI, protects the live and neutral from common-mode noise, and reduces magnetic interactions between conductors. A paper wrap reinforces the assembly’s mechanical strength. The outer jacket, made of high-flexibility PVC, provides flexibility and durability, even though the 20 mm diameter still gives the cable a certain stiffness that must be anticipated during installation behind a piece of furniture.

Custom connectors and C19 termination

The connectors are manufactured by IsoTek for its own cables. The body is made of solid OFC, the conductors are plated with pure silver, and the contacts receive a 24-carat gold finish. On the wall side, the plug is in Schuko format, compatible with French power outlets.

On the equipment side, this version ends in an IEC C19 connector. This format differs from the C13 found on the majority of audio electronics: wider, it accepts higher current and plugs into the C20 inlets fitted on current-hungry devices. Before choosing this termination, it is therefore best to check that the intended device does indeed have a C20 inlet.

Which devices to connect to this cable

The C19 format directs the EVO3 Ascension toward components with high current demand. Power amplifiers and integrated amplifiers are among the most logical candidates, since they are the ones that draw the most from the electrical network. CD players, preamplifiers, tuners, Blu-ray players, and music servers can also benefit from it provided they are equipped with a C20 inlet, as can certain televisions and soundbars.

One sensible reservation remains: the contribution of a power cable varies from one system to another and from one piece of electronics to another. On an already carefully optimized setup, the EVO3 Ascension acts on the noise floor and the clarity of the soundstage; on a more modest system, the improvement may prove less obvious. The cable is available in lengths of 2, 3, and 5 meters, this version measuring 2 meters with an outer diameter of 20 mm.

Technical specifications

Overview

• Most advanced power cable in IsoTek’s EVO3 range
• Silver-plated OCC copper conductors, treated with deep cryogenics
• Air dielectric with partial FEP contact, sealed by an extruded FEP jacket
• Each conductor wrapped in Mylar, fitted with individual OFC shielding, the whole receiving a slight rotational twist with FEP air tubes
• Objectives stated by IsoTek: lower noise floor, wider soundstage, precise reproduction of micro-dynamics

Conductors

• Configuration: three conductors in a parallel arrangement with slight rotational twist, first line of defense against RFI and EMI interference
• Cross-section: 3 × 4.0 mm²
  • Higher amperage and better current delivery
  • Thick strands for better electrical performance
• Material: silver-plated Ohno Continuous Cast copper (OCC)
  • Higher purity than traditional OFC copper
  • High conductivity
• Treatment: deep cryogenics at -196 °C, improving conductor potential

Insulation and dielectric

• Dielectric: air with partial contact in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP)
  • Virtual Air Dielectric (VDA) achieved by minimal conductor contact and FEP (Teflon) bridge
  • Dielectric constant close to that of a vacuum
• Dielectric constant: 1.1
• Sealed FEP (Teflon) tube insulating the VDA and maintaining its performance
• Filling: transparent FEP air tubes around each conductor
  • Maintains a low dielectric constant
  • Construction stability and ease of assembly

Shielding and jackets

• Mylar jacket around each conductor assembly
  • Individual shielding and additional barrier against RFI
  • Improved common-mode noise rejection
  • Stabilization of the cable structure
• Individual shielding of each conductor by grounded oxygen-free copper (OFC) braid
  • Maximum RFI rejection
  • Protection of live and neutral conductors against common-mode noise
  • Reduction of magnetic interactions between conductors
• Paper jacket serving as a barrier and stabilizing the cable structure
• Outer jacket: high-flexibility PVC, providing suppleness and mechanical resistance

Electrical specifications

• Current capacity: 55 A

Connectors and termination

• IsoTek audiophile connectors
  • Solid OFC body
  • Pure silver-plated conductors
  • 24-carat gold plating
• European Schuko mains plug
• IEC C19 connector

Dimensions

• Length: 2 m
  • Standard lengths: 2 m, 3 m, 5 m
• Outer diameter: 20 mm

Compatibility

• CD players, preamplifiers, tuners, power amplifiers
• Blu-ray players, music servers
• Televisions, soundbars, and other audio-video equipment