AudioCircle

Industry Circles => Hapa Audio => Topic started by: Pez on 13 Oct 2022, 06:42 pm

Title: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 13 Oct 2022, 06:42 pm
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=214570)

Tørsiøn
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=245580)

I’ve been chatting a lot lately about Aerogel and polishing. Polishing and Aerogel. That in a nutshell is what is behind the tech in my first foray into speaker cables.

Introducing Tørsiøn

Tørsiøn is Hapa Audio’s 3rd statement product after Aero and Haiku. In keeping with my dedication to creating the highest quality product possible, Tørsiøn continues this dedication to fidelity.

More Aerogel than 10 Aero USB cables!

0.1 g/cm³
(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=243475)

That’s right, Tørsiøn uses an absolutely insane amount of aerogel. Because we are dealing with 2 separate legs per channel with 14 gauge UPOCC (15 with silver), Tørsiøn requires more aerogel than I previously thought possible to use in a product. The result, a solid core UPOCC wire that is suspended in pure aerogel dielectric. No one else in the industry has the technological prowess (or patent) to pull this off.

Polished with precision.
In order for me to utilize my hand polishing technique (https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=182776.0) for Tørsiøn, I needed to change a few things to make it possible on such a large design. An undertaking that makes me shake my head every time I think of it.  :duh: It’s a difficult level of work when you can use a jig and need to polish 2 meters worth of UPOCC, such is the case with all other Hapa Aerogel cables, however with speaker cables, it’s a whole new level that is required, retrofitting my facility with the ability to polish 20+ feet of wire. I made it happen, all in the name of creating the most advanced speaker cable on the market.

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=245582)

The Geometry
With speaker cables, most manufacturers have the two legs in relatively close proximity leading to a smearing of phase response and general loss of fidelity. Tørsiøn utilizes a nylon separator that creates an optimized distance between the two legs. The result: the cleanest frequency response without notable aberrations from top to bottom.

Copper and Silver options available
Tørsiøn will have two options, 14 gauge UPOCC hand polished copper or 15 gauge UPOCC Nano-polished silver. Pricing is incoming.

Tour: Let me know
I would like to get your feedback. I currently have the prototype version of the copper cable with Furutech low mass spades ready to go in 9 feet. However, it is feasible that I could build a 9 foot pair of Silver Tørsiøn with the WBT pure silver angled banana’s and nano-polish as well if there is interest in doing it in one tour. It will take me two weeks to complete one pair and thus would require patience from the tour members.

The copper cables will be configured with Furutech FT-211 low mass spades. A really exceptional build.

So the choices are:
Get the tour started with the copper version only.
Include the over the top silver version with WBT pure silver angled banana connectors (minimum two week lead time).
I am also sending out 9 foot length, I am curious to know if this will work for most or not. Comment below and vote! :thumb:
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: jackmonster on 13 Oct 2022, 10:03 pm
Jason,
I would love to sign up for the tour.  All your products are great.  I would say do a tour of both of the cables (copper and silver).  If you just do the copper people will always be wondering about the silver. 
if you hear them side by side people will see if the more expensive silver speaker cable will work in their system and in their budget. Man, you have been busy.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: nlitworld on 13 Oct 2022, 10:56 pm
Jason, you're never one to shy away from over-the-top quality products. I could only imagine the crazy ideas happening behind closed doors and you reacting to everyone's excitement is a little like this. Lol

(https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=245587)
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 13 Oct 2022, 11:49 pm
 :lol:

Honestly, releasing a new product is equal parts excitement and terror. On the one side when I get a product just right I’m really excited. On the other side, I’m also putting it in the hands of really REALLY discerning people who have zero compunction about sharing their honest opinion. I spend a lot more time perseverating over minutia than grinning maniacally.

I think my favorite part of what I do is when I hear how a product has brought someone closer to their music, or helped a family member enjoy the rig more. That one gets me every time.  :wink:

Great suggestion Jackmonster. That’s the way I’m leaning, but I wanted to see what others thought before making a final decision.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: minatophase3 on 13 Oct 2022, 11:53 pm
Sign me up, would love to hear both silver and copper as well.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: MttBsh on 14 Oct 2022, 12:05 am
I was wondering when the speaker cables would come along Jason! I would LOVE to hear them but my speaker cables are threaded through a maze of wires and my living room wall which I would almost have to tear down switch out. I'll wait for the feedback and if it's as good as I expect I may just have to do some re-sheetrocking :lol: ! Thanks, Matt   
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Audiosaurusrex on 14 Oct 2022, 12:12 am
My vote was for silver and copper on the tour and would love to be a part of the demo.  :D
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Early B. on 14 Oct 2022, 12:31 am
Jason -- will you provide a price range for the cables before the tour starts? That way, low-budget audiophiles like me can determine if we're worthy of demoing them. :( 
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 14 Oct 2022, 12:50 am
Early B, I'll commit to that.

I want folks to know, I'm not being coy when it comes to the pricing here. Trying to secure the absolute best pricing I can is a lot of leg work.  Aside from securing the supply chain, I also must really be attentive to the amount of labor involved. When you make a prototype you have infinity hours to do so, but production is a completely different story. I have an idea, but I want to verify everything first.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Tyson on 14 Oct 2022, 03:46 am
I have a pair of the Silver Torsion in my upstairs system.  For me they really opened up the soundstage and allowed the music to emerge more fully fleshed out than before.  The sound is more relaxed AND more dynamic, at the same time.  They are not analytical sounding at all.  If anything, they are a tad warm.  That's a pretty neat trick. 

My ears are happy although my wallet has committed seppuku. 
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: mikeeastman on 14 Oct 2022, 01:09 pm
I also vote for silver and cooper. Very interested in comparing them to the Gold/silver cables I'm using now.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Early B. on 14 Oct 2022, 04:30 pm
I have a pair of the Silver Torsion in my upstairs system.

Tyson -- what did you replace these cables with? I'm mainly interested in how they compare with GR Research speaker cables.

Jason -- are there any sonic issues with using different length cables for those with audio racks on the side wall? For instance, my right speaker is only a couple of feet from the amp, but the left speaker requires a 14-foot run. I'd prefer not to order a set of 14-footers where the right side has 10 feet of slack.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 14 Oct 2022, 05:10 pm
Early B- so you’d have two different lengths for the runs? It wouldn’t necessarily be an issue, we’re dealing with thick gauge cable here so I doubt there would be any sort of sonic changes from one channel to another. I am curious if there is some sort of dictate or theory in such instances.  :scratch: I’ll do a little research to see if there is any discussion on this topic.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Tyson on 14 Oct 2022, 05:57 pm
Tyson -- what did you replace these cables with? I'm mainly interested in how they compare with GR Research speaker cables.

Jason -- are there any sonic issues with using different length cables for those with audio racks on the side wall? For instance, my right speaker is only a couple of feet from the amp, but the left speaker requires a 14-foot run. I'd prefer not to order a set of 14-footers where the right side has 10 feet of slack.

I had the GR Research in my system and it was not as good as my other cables at the time, the VH Audio Chela.  Once I got the Torsion, the Chela was relegated to the closet. 

I do use the GR Research cable in my power cables and it's spectacular there, nothing I've heard beats it as a power cable.  But for speaker cables the Torsion is quite a bit better.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: kmmd on 14 Oct 2022, 07:31 pm
Congrats on your line of cables Jason.  I’m in the market for a pair of speaker cables for my YG’s.  My dealer is sending me a pair of Cardas Clears to audition, but I’m open to try others.  I’d like to compare your copper versus silver in my system. 

Out of curiosity, have you tried combining smaller gauge wires utilizing copper and silver?  I guess this would mimic silver over copper cables much like Nordost.  Also, any thoughts on biwires?  I’d love to remove the metal jumper that YG supplies.  Thanks for your thoughts.

Ken
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: WGH on 14 Oct 2022, 08:13 pm
The Tucson Audiophile Club is interested, so far there are 2 of us. Yes, a combo package or both Copper and Silver would be fun.

A suggestion: Jumper Cables (stocking stuffers?)

The Cardas copper jumpers supplied with my Salk speakers are not the best solution for ultimate fidelity. I currently bi-wire using a double run of Kimber 4VS, one pair to the tweets, the other to the woofs, the copper jumpers are still used too.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: kmmd on 14 Oct 2022, 08:20 pm
The Tucson Audiophile Club is interested, so far there are 2 of us. Yes, a combo package or both Copper and Silver would be fun.

A suggestion: Jumper Cables (stocking stuffers?)

The Cardas copper jumpers supplied with my Salk speakers are not the best solution for ultimate fidelity. I currently bi-wire using a double run of Kimber 4VS, one pair to the tweets, the other to the woofs, the copper jumpers are still used too.

Yes excellent idea on jumpers!  I’ve been using Cardas jumpers for decades in all of my Maggies.  YG Acoustics is sending me the Cardas jumpers at no cost should I decide to buy a shotgun pair of speaker cables.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 15 Oct 2022, 01:28 am
Definitely something I can concoct. What lengths are folks thinking they’ll need? I don’t want to do too short. Thoughts?
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 15 Oct 2022, 01:35 am
Also,
I’m thinking banana style to compliment the spade of the speaker cable. Thoughts?  :scratch:
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Nick B on 15 Oct 2022, 04:40 am
Copper and silver and 8’ should be fine. Bananas would work as well
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: kmmd on 15 Oct 2022, 06:37 pm
For the jumpers, I’d say 6 - 10 inches in silver and copper to match their Torsions.  I’d also offer both spades and bananas, since the coatings may be different…gold spades and rhodium bananas.  I found out last night that Cardas makes a Clear jumper in 25cm and offers spade and banana terminations.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Tyson on 15 Oct 2022, 07:02 pm
If the main speaker cables use bananas, then any jumpers would have to be spades.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 15 Oct 2022, 08:47 pm
If the main speaker cables use bananas, then any jumpers would have to be spades.

That’s what I was thinking. Opposite styles are probably the best way to go.

Sounds like 10”ish jumpers are the way to go.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: WGH on 15 Oct 2022, 09:17 pm

Sounds like 10”ish jumpers are the way to go.

The bi-wire jacks on my Salk speakers are 1" center-to-center and will take spades or bananas. Length probably depends on how small a radius the cable can be formed. Thinking of a pre-formed "U" shape.

Bananas might make more sense. 10" jumpers with spade connectors would stick out 2" on each side of the 9" wide HT2-TL speaker. Good thing all orders are custom.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 21 Nov 2022, 05:32 pm
Folks,
I wanted to get some feedback from you all. I originally intended to launch the tour much sooner. However the timing of things seems to have aligned rather poorly. I’m trying to get a gauge on whether or not it would be a good idea to launch the tour now, or if it makes more sense to hold off until after the holidays. My gut tells me to hold off, but I wanted to ask you all what your thoughts are.  :scratch:
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: mikeeastman on 21 Nov 2022, 07:55 pm
either way works for me.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Nick B on 21 Nov 2022, 07:58 pm
Prefer after the holidays
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: WGH on 21 Nov 2022, 08:33 pm
Either way works for me but arranging a Tucson Audiophile group review before the holidays would be like herding cats.

Sending the speaker cables out for a tour ASAP means you get reviews rolling in a month earlier than waiting. The week between Christmas and New Years is a prime audition time, someone should claim it now.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Charles Xavier on 21 Nov 2022, 09:53 pm
Folks,
I wanted to get some feedback from you all. I originally intended to launch the tour much sooner. However the timing of things seems to have aligned rather poorly. I’m trying to get a gauge on whether or not it would be a good idea to launch the tour now, or if it makes more sense to hold off until after the holidays. My gut tells me to hold off, but I wanted to ask you all what your thoughts are.  :scratch:

I'm good if you want to send them now.
Title: Re: Introducing : Tørsiøn the first Aerogel Speaker Cable
Post by: Pez on 21 Nov 2022, 11:56 pm
Alrighty, I’ll post things up tomorrow for the tour and other info!