The Chord Company has launched a new version of its Signature speaker cable. Signature Reference has been completely redesigned using the lessons learned in the development of Chord’s flagship speaker cable, Sarum. It has new shielding, a new conductor-spacing configuration and new materials in the shield. The cable’s two conductors are held in place with a precision-machined aluminium clamp and twisted along their length to improve flexibility; Signature Reference is markedly more flexible than the original Signature. The aluminium clamp has been designed to hold the cable securely whilst avoiding any compression, Chord’s research has shown that compression of the shield and insulation on either speaker or interconnect cable, can alter its performance characteristics.
Signature Reference has 10 AWG multi-stranded conductors, like Signature. However, rather than oxygen-free copper Signature Reference has silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors, as used in Epic Reference and Sarum models. The insulation has been changed to PTFE insulation and it has a higher density braided shield, while the spacing between conductor and shield has been further optimized. Both Signature and Signature Reference have PVC outer jackets but the new model has a different density of PVC to help minimise mechanical noise. Signature Reference is fitted with The Chord Company’s custom-machined gold-plated banana plugs. Gold-plated spade connectors and BFA Camcon connectors are also available. Signature Reference is available in either red and black, or all- black and costs from £600 for a 1.5m pair.