Allnic Audio Mu-7R RCA Cable

The key technology Allnic Audio’s owner/designer Kang Su Park calls ‘Zero Loss’ is used in all his cables and power cords including the previously reviewed ZL-5000 Power Cable and the subject of this review, the Mu-7R RCA Cable.

Cables can be difficult to nail down in review, specifically their ‘sound’ and the effect on the overall sonic picture. Much like the ZL-5000, which totally exceeded my expectations, I treat cables as a component, nothing less.

The MSRP for a 1 metre pair of the Allnic Audio Mu-7R RCA Cables is $2300, with a $200 surcharge for each additional 0.5 metre /pair customization. As such, my 1.5 metre cables would retail for $2500.

A little information about the Zero Loss tech from Park:

Traditional soldered or clamped connections between terminations and conductor create two resistant barriers (solder has much greater resistance than copper or silver). Our direct, high temperature melt welding (1000 degree C), without solder, removes two obstacles in the signal path by melting terminations and wire conductors into a single, seamless material.

Further discussions about the welding method with worldwide distributor David Beetles from Hammertone Audio offered some insights about the intensity of the process—the first time employed, it drew so much power from the factory grid, the entire factory lights dimmed, much to the surprise of the workers.

Features of Mu-7R RCA Cable

• Mu-metal as braided shield.
• Zero Loss Technology. Allnic audio’s own technology of eliminating any loss of audio cables by minimizing 3 resistance; Linkage Resistance, Contact Resistance, and Wire Resistance.
• Linkage Resistance minimized. 1000℃ hot melt welding between cable terminal and wire. Not screwing, nor soldering.
• Contact Resistance minimized.
• Wire Resistance minimized. Optimized thickness of wire.
• MRCT®. Mid Range Control Technology.

For a deeper dive into Park’s magic box of acronyms such as ‘Mu-metal’ and ‘MRCT’ check out Key features below My use.

My use

Beetles kindly sent me the company’s entire loom of cables. He suggested I review them en masse for maximum effect. I prefer one ‘component’ at a time in order to see its singular effect on my system and then compare it to my reference wires (presently, Antipodes Audio and AntiCables).

I used the 1.5 metre length Mu in several situations; between the Vinnie Rossi L2 Signature Preamplifier Out and Bypass on my Jeff Rowland integrated, but primarily between the Rowland and Mytek Manhattan DAC II, and even as a ‘phono cable’ between my Bergmann Audio Magne Turntable and Sutherland Engineering DUO Phono Preamplifier, which worked perfectly well—Allnic sells a specific phono cable with ground in the Mu series.

The interconnects acted as advertised for the lengthy review period. They come in a gorgeous blue/grey shade with flawless RCA terminations. The Mu is also available in an XLR termination for the same price.

Because the sonic effect of Allnic’s technologies are considerable, I’ll quote the descriptions from the website:

Key features of ZL Technology

• Zero Loss Technology defined : Allnic Audio’s own technology for eliminating any audio cables signal loss by minimizing three resistances: Linkage Resistance, Contact Resistance, and Wire Resistance.

• Linkage Resistance minimized : Allnic uses 1000℃ hot melt welding between cable terminations and wire; no screwing, no soldering.

• Contact Resistance minimized : three innovative contact improvement methods, one for each of our power cables, speaker cables, and interconnect cables. Furthermore Allnic does proper heat treatment for longer contact pressure and uses our ‘patented’ double blades spade speaker terminal. Every terminal for XLR, RCA, Banana is splitted to multi-faces with constant bulging inside elastomer core.

• Wire Resistance optimized : After incesstant technical test and listening sessions, we have found optimized thickness of wire.

• Mu-metal shield : All other audio cable maufacturers use, without any doubt, copper or silver shield for signal cables which are effective only for electric noise, not for magnetic one. Allnic uses ‘Mu-metal’ as a braided shield in interconnect cables (RCA & XLR), that protects completely from both noises, which is world-premiere in audio domain.

• MRCT®. Mid-Range Control Technology. Allnic considers that protruded midrange is the most formidable obstacle for harmonious signal transfer. Allnic’s MRCT uses metal platings for slight midrange braking and thick wire gauze for encouraging low frequencies, and controls capacitance for ever evading high frequencies.

As you can see from the Features, a lot of research and expertise goes into maximizing the sound from Park’s cables. The technical acronyms seem not to be from the ‘bullshit baffles brains’ wing, but solid engineering translating into exceptionally effective cables.

Sound

I focussed on one cable task at a time to try and dig down to the essence of the effects the Mu had in my system. And then came the swapping. If you’re not careful, swapping cables can drive you nuts. Copious, detailed notes have to be kept. And having a supportive wife meant I could have some fun blind testing after my Mu audition had finished.

During cable reviews, it helps to have a fixed methodology, especially task specific repertoire, music that highlights bass, midrange, treble, coherence, extension, timbral accuracy, etc. Also, is the cable honouring your outstanding preamplifier, amplifier, DAC, etc?

It’s axiomatic, the finer the components, the less effect excellent cables have on the musical picture. Of course, improvements can be heard just as the ZL-5000 Power Cable effected my reference system in a profound way. But that profundity is difficult to measure. In my case, it was an emotional measurement; a musical determination. The 5000’s $2000 price was worth the very subtle but powerful effect. Minute differences were musically important. Others may say, what’s the diff? But, in general, always match quality cables with quality components.

In an alternate universe, I threw a pair of AntiCables Level 6.2 ABSOLUTE RCA Analog Interconnects ($720/ 1.5 metres) into a buddy’s digital system (a little harsh, IMO; Roon Core on a Mac, PSB Speakers, Ayre amplification, Moon DAC, etc; since then, much improved) and the effect was extraordinary. ‘A cable—really?’! Immediate but in primary colours. He ordered a set of AntiCables; so did the other guys in the room. I did not have the 7Rs at the time to compare in his system, but in mine, the effect was very much like its big brother ZL-5000 Power Cable. Subtle, but very beautiful. And once heard, very difficult to give up.

Comparative list, all RCA terminated, included the Antipodes Audio Reference Interconnects ($2500 /1 metre) and aforementioned AntiCables Level 6.2 ABSOLUTE RCA Analog Interconnects, the former, my reference for several years and no longer showing as available on the Antipodes website, the latter my go to ‘budget’ cable. At $720, not really a budget cable, but this cable performs well above its cost. However, many highly respected cables these days are going to run you a couple of thousand dollars, with some legacy companies charging many thousands more for their top of the range models.

Back to Allnic Audio.

I used my tried and true bass barn burner track ‘Dead Again’ from Thomas Newman’s American Beauty soundtrack. On the FLAC file the bass was flawless—defined, very low, and differentiated between analog and synthetic bass sources. Not sure how low the electronic bass samples go, but my 29 kHz speakers always seem to max out. The 7R easily matched the Antipodes reference and if pushed, I’d say offered a more open, refined sound. Very slightly louder? At volume matched, it seemed so.

Like all fine cables, the Allnic gets out of the way of the musical information—no rapids, no blocking boulders, just a free flowing river. Other cables add tension and stress. Your audiophile temperament is safe with Allnic Audio.

This free flow was apparent on a tough test for midrange and treble, also on the American Beauty track. Shortly after the marimba and Latin Percussion (musical corporation not musical family) introduction, there is a electronic glissando from quite low to comfortable treble. It’s not the range I listen for, but the ‘instrumental’ layers within the confines of the gliss. When I began listening to this track in 2000, I’d hear an impressive musical effect. It was on very good gear/review kit gleaned for the magazine, which was about 5 years old. Over the past two decades, and as my equipment both owned and reviewed got better and better, I kept experiencing more and more layers (and the accented note at the top of the phrase). The best equipment did not X-ray the gliss, but revealed the layers and the timbres of the samples. With the excellence of the Mytek DAC and Jeff Rowland combo, the Allnic cable fit right in—I’ve not heard this track better. And I’ve heard it many times with my reference Antipodes interconnects. The layers were more easily discernible—electronic for sure, but strands of a whole.

If you already have a good cable around the same price that is well matched to your system, you may be surprised at what the Zero Loss tech adds to (or deletes from) the musical picture. For the Thomas Newman soundtrack, the many orchestral and chamber music recordings, and umpteen singers and soloists heard, I would not want to be without the Mu-7R.

Summary

While listening for many hours, I never felt I was missing anything the artist or composer wanted me to hear. The cable is scrupulously honest with information delivery and accurate timbres. And all this under the most refined umbrella. You’ll feel a musical contentment with the Mu-7R that is not always a given with higher priced cables. As such, I count the Allnic Audio Mu-7R RCA Cable as a must audition if your budget is mid 2s or even much higher. A lovely cable and very highly recommended.

Further information: Allnic Audio