Stealth Audio Sakra V16 RCA

The Śakra V16 is quite different from the standard (original Sakra): the cables are indeed directional – since they are CONICAL inside and outside, and feature our new “vari-cross” geometry – the cross-section of the cable varies along their length; this is done to improve the impedance matching between the source and the receiving end;

Sonically, the cables are more relaxed right out of the box, and sound yet more full-bodied (and thus natural) while having improved resoluti0on and transparency over the "original" Sakra.

Because of the improved geometry the Śakra V16 is more relaxed and natural (right out of the box, in a brand new condition the V16 sounds more “broken in” – compare to the original Sakra with 1000+ hours on it). On top of that, the Sakra V16 has improved resolution and transparency over the "original" Sakra.

In other words, the Śakra V16 is simply a better cable and is our flagship analog interconnect for 2022, and up to date.

...For almost 5 years, making and gradually improving the Indra cable, we thought that the Indra would remain the pinnacle of our designs (in the line-level, analog interconnect domain). As with all our designs, we improve them as we go, introducing new "revisions"; Indra has gone though three revision changes, and each next revision sounded better than the previous one, but the overall, general sound character of the Indra remained similar through all revisions. However, while the ŚAKRA can be considered just the next, updated revision of Indra, it has a different name, and it IS a different cable overall: it is a clear upgrade from any Indra revision, and the magnitude of the difference is very substantial. What makes such a profound difference? - it's simple: better geometry and better dielectric. How does it sound, compare to the Indra? - we will know more once reviews are published, and we accumulate feedback from the Śakra users, but as of now - after testing the Sakra in a dozen of very good systems, and collecting comments from a couple of dozen of experienced listeners, we are certain about three major Śakra performance advantages over the Indra:

1. Śakra V16 offers considerably better low-end extension, more subjective "body" to the sound AND better midrange transparency AT THE SAME TIME. These two characteristics: better transparency and better "body" (and bass performance) practically always contradict each other - at least, it's been true in all cables and in all gear we have heard. Usually, it's "either-or": improved midrange transparency or improved body.... But the Śakra V16 offers BOTH!
2. Without any break-in, right out of the box, the Śakra V16 sounds more "relaxed" than a well broken-in Indra, and fuller in body than the original Sakra... And it improves further as it breaks-in!
3. Śakra V16 offers more layered, larger, and better defined soundstage; the effect of changing the Indra for the Śakra is similar to adding a good preamplifier to a system, where a DAC was connected directly to a power amplifier...

...We will add more comments as we receive and analyze them. But for now, before the Śakra is officially released - we suggest you talk to your STEALTH dealer about special, introductory offer to upgrade your Indra to the Śakra! It is a major upgrade, and you will not be disappointed - or your money back!

KEY DESIGN FEATURES

• Amorphous conductive media (wire) - which is perfectly homogeneous, grain-less – i.e. identical in all directions, since it has no crystal structure at all;
• Ultra thin wire: 0.001” (one-thousands of an inch) thick. Very thin wire is important for:
  
  • minimizing skin effect (no harshness in the upper midrange and treble);
  • minimizing time-domain errors (necessary for the clean, well defined bass, and perfect imaging);
  • in realistic cable dimensions, allows the use of the STEALTH proprietary distributed LITZ geometry**
• Proprietary non-resonant cable geometry: STEALTH vari-cross distributed LITZ**:
  Characteristic impedance control: optimized relationships among capacitance, inductance and DC resistance: the ŚAKRA characteristic impedance and its resonant behavior (“Q” at RF frequencies) are different from any machine-made cable.
  • Individually insulated strands (to eliminate direct electrical contact, i.e. galvanic interaction between strands – otherwise the multiple bare strands behave like a single thicker wire)
  • Non-inductive bifilar winding - the advantage of the STEALTH multicore geometry.
  • Electrical resonance control: the advantage of the STEALTH distributed LITZ geometry.
  • Mechanical resonance control: dielectric and jacketing mechanical properties: optimized density and damping. Too much damping usually sterilizes and deadens the sound, while too little damping is even worse because of excessive “ringing” (unwanted uncontrolled resonances).
• Ultra low energy storage dielectric: STEALTH para-vacuum*** (Helium gas) + porous - i.e. foam-like Teflon. The Helium dielectric, combined with the multicore geometry, are the MAIN technical advantages of the Śakra, compare to the Indra. Porous Teflon has the lowest dielectric constant of all solid and semi-solid materials. Low dielectric constant = low energy storage = low distortion = fast sound. Helium gas dielectric properties is much better than even porous Teflon, better than air, and better than realistic (commercial) vacuum.
• Proprietary STEALTH connectors: custom and highly advanced; very low overall mass, solid silver contacts, machined ultra-modified PTFE (Teflon®) dielectric, Kevlar composite frame, Carbon Fiber/Titanium shells.
• Advanced termination technique (high pressure crimping = cold weld) – a direct contact = seamless transition between the wire and the contact – no intermediate agent (solder) involved;

CONNECTING THE SAKRA CABLES WITH RCA

When connecting the Śakra cables with the STEALTH RCA connectors to equipment, please remember that you need to apply a significant axial force to make sure the connectors go all the way onto the RCA females (on the back of an equipment piece). When you insert these connectors, the feel is like forcing a knife through a cold chunk of butter: it goes slowly and smoothly, but with significant resistance. Please be patient to overcome this resistance and DO insert the connectors all the way (deep) onto the RCA females. This usually requires either approaching your equipment rack from behind, or partially removing a component from a rack - to have a clear access to its back panel to insert the connectors using the axial force (along the connector's axle, along the cable).