Furutech DSS4.1 Limited Edition : Ultra-high-end audio grade OCC-DUCC speaker cable
Furutech has released their limited edition ultra-high-end performance DSS-4.1 speaker cable (off-the-reel); consisting of a revolutionary new copper technology called α (Alpha) OCC‐DUCC.
Alpha OCC-DUCC is constructed using a combination of DUCC (Dia Ultra Crystallized Copper) and Furutech’s world-famous Pure Transmission α (Alpha) OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper.
Furutech DSS4.1 Limited Edition : Ultra-high-end audio grade OCC-DUCC speaker cable
Features:
Furutech has released a limited edition ultra-high-end performance DSS-4.1 speaker cable (off-the-reel); consisting of a revolutionary new copper technology called α (Alpha) OCC‐DUCC.
Alpha OCC-DUCC is constructed using a combination of DUCC (Dia Ultra Crystallized Copper) and Furutech’s world-famous Pure Transmission α (Alpha) OCC (Ohno Continuous Casting) copper.
Furutech α OCC-DUCC – supplied and regulated with strict quality control by Mitsubishi Materials Industries (MMI) – is one of the best conductors Furutech engineers have found for signal transmission and sound reproduction. MMI is the leading manufacturer of the highest-purity oxygen-free copper in the world. MMI processes this extremely pure oxygen-free copper with a new technology that optimally aligns the crystals while reducing the number of crystal-grain boundaries, resulting in a tremendously efficient conductor.
Other ultra-pure copper cable types, for example OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) and PCOCC (Perfect Crystal Ohno Continuous Casting), are about maximizing the length of the crystals in one dimension and improving the purity of the conductor to eliminate the so-called “diode distortion” generated during a signal’s transition between neighboring crystals. Straight OCC copper benefits are thus its larger “fibrous” crystals and creating as few crystal junctions as possible. OCC copper is however sensitive to directionality, i.e. one path exhibits the least resistance. Furutech’s world famous Pure Transmission α-OCC is the result of further processing of OCC with their Alpha Super Cryogenic and Demagnetizing treatment.
MMI’s research has however shown that impurities still arise inside the crystals of OCC copper; and not just at the contact areas. Their DUCC process goes a significant step further and involves re-crystallization of the copper during which pollutants are released and removed. MMI has thus managed to design their new DUCC conductor to optimally align the copper crystal grain structure in addition to reducing crystal grain boundaries. As a result, DUCC copper is less sensitive to directionality than OCC and also far more superior.
The design of the DSS-4.1 speaker cable is intriguingly sophisticated:
Each of its three cores is constructed of three layers of conductors – wires, differing in number, direction of winding and material they are made of. The inner bundle consists of 89 Alpha-OCC wires with a 0.18 sqmm gauge each, twisted to the right. The next layer is wound onto it, made of 39 DUCC (7N) wires with a 0.18 sqmm gauge each and twisted left; and finally on top of these two, there is another core with 62 DUCC (7N) copper wires with a 0.18 sqmm gauge each and twisted to the right. The final bundle has a diameter of 2.78 sqmm. The overall cable diameter is 18.5mm.
Specifications
Conductors treated with Furutech’s Two Step Cryogenic and Demagnetizing Alpha Process
• Conductor: (Alpha) α-OCC + (Alpha) α-DUCC (7N Class)
• Wire size: 11 AWG / 4.08 Sq.mm
• Wire construction:
— Inner – 89 strands / 0.18mm α-OCC (Right rotate)
— Middle – 39 strands /0.18mm α-DUCC (Left rotate)
— Outer – 62 strands / 0.18mm α-DUCC (Right rotate)
• Inner insulation: Audio Grade FEP (Fluoropolymer)
• Outer insulation: Audio Grade P.E.( Brown for “+”, Blue for “-“)
• Inner sheath: Audio Grade Flexible PVC (Black) incorporating Nano-Ceramic and Carbon particle compound damping material
• Shield: Cu-Foil + Braided OFC + Paper
• Outer sheath: Audio Grade Flexible PVC (Dark purple)
• Outer diameter: 18.5mm Approx.
“It cannot be denied, that the Furutech DSS-4.1 is an incredibly interesting, but almost three times less expensive, maybe not alternative, but introduction, to what the top (Furutech) Nanoflux can offer. The DSS-4.1 has the same sound aesthetics, internal calmness combined with incredible resolution and refinement, while the “older brethren” has more to show in terms of the size of generated sound, its saturation and the darkness of the background. I am writing about this, because I had the opportunity to host the (Furutech) Nanoflux in my system for a longer time, and I had it quite fresh in my memory, so I compared it with the tested cable more or less automatically. Without this comparison, there would be less of the “but” for the tested cable, but having the reference point at appropriately high level, it is much easier to assess the assets or shortcomings of a lower model. And the DSS-4.1 not only proved itself in such an uncomfortable comparison, but it is very hard to find any shortcomings in it. In short, this is a splendid cable, which has good odds to satisfy maybe not all, but at least 99% of the audiophile population. And what with the missing 1%? For them there is the Nanoflux…….” – Marcin Olszewsk
“To be honest, the improvements made by using the Furutech cables were so impressive that I put aside my reference cables and used the Furutechs for all subsequent reviews during this five month period.
Really, the improvement in audio performance was so pronounced that I occasionally replaced the Furutech speaker cables and power cord just for the pleasure of hearing how much better the system sounded when playing music.
If you like cables that express your system’s characteristics, then you’ll love the Furutech DSS-4.1 speaker cable and DPS-4.1 power cable. Expressiveness is their strong point, and this is done on a grander scale than most cables I’ve heard.” – Dean Seislove (of Positive Feedback)
the audiophile weekend warrior (TAWW) – 3 September 2021
“The Furutechs were remarkably consistent in their sonic impact. Both the speaker and power cables impart a wide-open feeling, with striking resolution at the frequency extremes, powerful low-end response, highly agile dynamics, super low noise floor and no readily-discernible coloration. They are extremely fast and clean without curtailing any sweetness or richness intrinsic to the music
They both strike me as reference-calibre cables, exacting enough to round out a tweaked-out $100k system, yet balanced enough to elevate something more modest, with plenty of headroom to grow into more ambitious gear.
In particular, if you have a system with significant extension at the frequency extremes, they’ll help extract the most out of those capabilities.
And as well as they work with my reference Gryphon separates, I absolutely love how they elevate Pass Labs gear, enhancing their intrinsic warmth and musicality with greater clarity, dynamics and precision.
They’ll be staying in the system for the long haul as a TAWW reference cable. Very highly recommended!” – Marc Y