Allnic Audio Mu-8R

We looked at Allnic Audio’s Mu-7R interconnect cables in issue 159. Recently, Allnic developed the Mu-8R. As seen in previous ranges, this is a step-change in the product line, building on the company’s ZL (‘Zero Loss’) Technology. This is more ‘evolution’ than ‘revolution’ (that happened earlier), but that evolution comes in the shape of significantly improved performance. And to those who already get what Allnic is doing with cables, this amplifies how right they were!

 As the cable’s name suggests, Kang Su Park’s contribution to the audiophile cable world is using Mu-metal as a braided shield. This replaces most cable shields’ copper and/or silver mesh. While conventional shields are good at combatting electrical noise, they do not affect magnetically induced noise. Using a Mu-metal shield, Allnic suggests the electromagnetic noise level is reduced by -30dB, about 30 times the reduction provided by conventional shields. It also remains effective on electrically generated noise.

In addition, Allnic uses 1,000°C hot-melt welding instead of solder or clamping between cable terminations and wire. This also makes for a more continuous conductor and means no terminal housings falling apart over time. Then, contact resistance is reduced by precision-milled, slit, heat-treated beryllium-copper terminations to help maximum cable contact.

Step on the brakes!

Allnic believes the midrange is vital in audio and strives to apply a spot of ‘braking’ to prevent exaggeration in this frequency range. This is performed by metal plating some wires in the cable and heavier gauge wires for the bass. Allnic calls this ‘MRCT’ or ‘Mid-Range Control Technology’ and is the result of a lot of listening and measurement to select the right metal plating and cable gauge.

These developments are common to Allnic Audio’s ZL Technology cable iteration. However, every ZL Technology cable until Mu-8R used copper conductors, whereas the new cable uses solid copper and silver conductors (not silver-plated copper). This change allowed Allnic to revisit other aspects of cable design and double the amount of EMI/RF blocking Mu-metal shielding in the process.

The result is an elegant cable (and one beautifully packaged for those looking to buy their significant audio other a present!), but possibly not the most flexible cable on the market. The cables do curve well, but you need to give them some space to curve naturally… no ‘placing products close to a wall and bending the cable through sharp right angles’ here! The previous 7R cables were already demanding in this sense, and the 8R only builds on those demands. However, unless you use extremely light products that could hover on their phono plugs, this is more an observation than a criticism.

No looms given

Looking back at our last session with Allnic’s ZL Technology cables in issue 159, there’s a difference; last time, we were sent a whole ‘loom’ of cables (power, interconnects, speaker cables). This time, it was just the interconnects on offer. I want to claim there’s some conspiratorial reason for no power cords or speaker cables, but the real reason is simply that it wasn’t possible. Even though Allnic now has silver and copper conductor speaker cables available, its power cables haven’t had the same upgrades.

I liked the Mu-7R a lot, partly because I agree with the notion of getting the midrange right and under control, and in a far larger part, that equated to an extremely good sound. But Mu-8R is better!

Where the previous cables did very well in making the midrange focused and not too forward, the Mu-8R has even greater extension than before, with a tonality that matches the midrange well. And, like the Mu-7R before it, that midrange is precise, lyrical and rises out of a lower noise floor effortlessly.

It’s a low-hash, low-noise, low-distortion sound. While those are aspects of performance more commonly associated with active electronics in the signal path, it’s surprising how much less can be had by playing audio components through a cable so electromagnetically invisible. I can’t say for sure whether that’s the action of the cable itself, or the action of the cable on the products to which it connects, but academically, however it does it, it quietens the system.

Unzingy zing

You get a strange, yet refreshing and positive, experience from listening to the Allnic Audio Mu-8R cables; a zesty, zingy treble but one that isn’t itself ‘zingy’ or bright. It’s only there when called for. The Mu-7R was great because it did no harm; the Mu-8R does not harm a more extended range of frequencies.

This remains a very neutral cable that helps other active components ‘catch’ neutrality, bringing out the neutrality in a component. However, it does this by not changing the character of the electronics, just by making them do less work and thereby do less damage.

I still maintain the balance of performance that makes the Allnic Mu-8R an ideal partner for tube-based systems, but this is less clear-cut than it was with its predecessor. Sure, Allnic Audio makes tube/valve amps and DACs, and the combination of ‘hollow state’ electronics and ZL Technology cables remains extremely alluring, but with Mu-8R, ‘alluring’ increases.

There isn’t a lot to dislike here. This is not the cable for you if you use cables as tone controls or filters. Also, if your view of cables is seen through a ‘bright and beaty’ tint, you’ll probably want a cable more directed toward the upper bass. However, like its predecessor, its leading-edge delivery is excellent. But, it doesn’t highlight this, and some live for the highlights!

Allnic Audio’s cables are not to be sniffed at. It’s rare to think of a brand that achieves success both in amp AND cable design, but Kang Su Park’s brand is one of the rare exceptions. Naturally, the cables are an excellent match for Allnic Audio’s electronics, but they go far further than that!

Price and contact details

Mu-8R interconnects (RCA/XLR)  $3,995/1m, $300 per additional 0.5 metre

Manufacturer

Allnic Audio

www.allnicaudio.com

Distributor

Kevalin Audio

www.kevalinaudio.com

+1 503 292 5592

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