The Kimber Kable NEO is the new top-of-the-line analog interconnect from the Utah cable specialist. Kimber Kable describes it as “the pinnacle of refinement in Kimber Kable’s lineage”, and the company claims it “surpasses every preceding cable in performance and musical fidelity”. The Kimber Kable NEO comes in three versions, all built around a new dual-layer braided construction.
Kimber Kable NEO: a dual-layer braid
Braiding is the signature of Kimber Kable, and the NEO takes the idea a step further. The signal conductors run through the centre of the cable, while the ground conductors are braided around them in a second layer. That outer braid acts as a passive shield around the signal. According to Kimber, this geometry lets the signal travel “with great accuracy”.
Inside the core sit eight signal wires: four stranded and four solid-core. The braided ground layer around them consists of eight stranded wires. Mixing stranded and solid-core conductors is a familiar way for cable designers to balance the character of both types, and in the Kimber Kable NEO that mix is the same across all three versions; only the metal changes.
Three versions: silver, hybrid and copper
The Kimber Kable NEO is available in three conductor recipes:
- NEO-AG: all-silver, for both signal and ground
- NEO-HB: a hybrid with silver signal conductors and a copper ground
- NEO-CU: all-copper
The product photos show the NEO with both XLR and RCA plugs, so the cable can be used in balanced and single-ended systems. If you are wondering which of the two suits your setup, our Academy article on balanced vs unbalanced connections explains the difference.
Made in the USA
Like the rest of the range, the Kimber Kable NEO is made in the USA. Kimber Kable has been building cables for more than 40 years, and its woven designs are a familiar sight in high-end systems around the world. With the Kimber Kable NEO, the company positions a new flagship interconnect above its existing ranges, aimed at listeners who have already built a high-end system and are looking for the last step in refinement. “Neo delivers the complete, unaltered truth of the sound itself,” the company says.
Pricing and availability
Kimber Kable does not publish prices for the NEO; interested buyers are asked to contact the company for pricing. The product page currently mentions USA sales only, so availability and pricing in Europe will depend on the local Kimber Kable distributors. More information is available on the Kimber Kable website.
Key specifications
- Type: analog interconnect (XLR and RCA shown)
- Construction: dual-layer braid, signal conductors in the centre, braided ground acting as a passive shield
- Signal: 8 wires (4 stranded, 4 solid-core)
- Ground: 8 stranded wires
- NEO-AG: silver signal, silver ground
- NEO-HB: silver signal, copper ground
- NEO-CU: copper signal, copper ground
- Made in: USA
- Price: on request
