Darwin Cable RCA Interconnect Evolution of Sound

Let’s cut right to the chase. You have to ask yourself why you are looking at yet another cable advertisement. You’re convinced your system could sound better, right? Well, Bill Magerman and Tony Bender, owners of Darwin Cable Company, think so, too.

In the arena of premium audio components, there are varying tastes, so perhaps there is no “be all and end all” component, but Magerman and Bender believe that when it comes to interconnects, the Darwin Cable is a close as it gets.

This cable evolved from pure personal frustration with the high cost and disappointing performance of most cables. It all started when Bender, an obsessed hi-fi enthusiast from the prairies of North Dakota, bought a set of DIY cables constructed of silver wire and packing tape by Magerman of Palmerton, Pennsylvania. “The cables were ugly as sin and fragile, to boot, but suddenly I was hearing things from my reference system had never heard before,” Bender said. He quickly ordered more, sold his $1200 cables, and struck a partnership with Magerman, who had already developed a small cult following for his EPI/Epicure crossovers.

“Bill, had built an amazing sounding cable based on principles that run contrary to the design of most cable makers,” Bender said. “The effect of the cable was instant and transformational. Together, we began brainstorming to see how far we could develop the concept, discovering early on that every minute detail was critical.”

It was a painstaking process. In an early misguided effort to make the product more eye-appealing, “We ended up with a cable that looked much like all the other audio jewelry out there and sounded just as bad,” Bender added. “In the process, though, we realized the mistakes that some very famous cable makers were making in the interest of eye-appeal. Once we peeled away those common mistakes, we rediscovered what made Bill’s initial design so good—and then we made it better.”

During one of many long distance brainstorming sessions, the two-man think tank imagined the design you see here, which employs .9999 pure silver and the finest known dielectrics. They tested numerous RCA-style connects before discovering the right synergy.

“We learned that the tiniest detail could have a dramatic effect,” Magerman said. The duo experimented with a variety of materials and building techniques before the Darwin Cable was born. “It was a true evolution,” Magerman said. The intricate nature of the build process was somewhat maddening, and led to Magerman engineer his own unique tools to build the new design.

Bender, a one-time album producer and former radio DJ, was stunned by the final product. “I heard inner detail coming from music I thought I knew well. The bass is incredible—taut, low and huge. Every other silver cable I have tried fell far short in that department. Not so here. The midrange is organic and sweet. This Darwin Cable is remarkably balanced top to bottom.”

Real world beta testing led to the development of a Darwin XLR Cable for balanced systems. A key beta tester was “shocked” to discover the Balanced Darwin Cable was instantly as good and likely better than his $1200 big name brand cable.

The Darwin Cable gets raves for the unique, sleek look and the clean, suspended, graceful loop formed when plugged in. No more droopy tangles—another sonic benefit. Improper cable management is known to degrade sound. These cables are the most well-behaved on the market.

While Magerman and Bender believe in the virtues of a break-in period, there are suspicions that it is sometimes used as a crutch to excuse poor performance. “Darwin Cables sound great right out of the box. You’ll pretty much know what you have right away. After that, it’s just layers of polish,” Magerman said. There is no need for any customer to make a snap judgment, however. Darwin Cable Company offers a 30-day money back guarantee.

The company is making an introductory offer in an effort to generate interest and feedback.

• 3-Foot IC: Regular Price: $295.00
Introductory Price $195.00*
Add $20 per foot for Custom Lengths • Sorry, No Return on Custom Builds.

• 3-Foot Balanced Regular Price $350.00
Introductory Price $250.00*
Add $30 per foot for Custom Lengths • Sorry, No Return on Custom Builds.

FREE Priority Mailing

* Buyers may purchase multiple sets at the introductory price with the understanding that only the first is returnable. All cables purchased at MSRP come with the standard 30-day guarantee. Dealer inquiries welcome.

Photos: Crocodile from the Eocene Age, 50-55 million years old, Morocco, Khouribqa Phosphate Mine.