iFi Audio - Mercury3.0 - USB Power/Signal Shielded (USB 3.0 A to B)

iFi Audio - Mercury3.0  - USB Power/Signal Shielded (USB 3.0 A to B)

The new Mercury3 – the best just got upgraded.

As we don’t believe in sibling rivalry, we’ve given the Mercury single run cable the same treatment as the Gemini to create the new Mercury3.

With generic mass-produced USB cables, the data and power cables are normally packed together. This means that they do not conduct as well as they should and they are not sufficiently shielded from each other. This has a negative impact on USB signal integrity and degrades sound quality.

The Mercury3 breaks the mold.

The Mercury3 has quadruple shielding to fully separate and protect the delicate USB data signal from the USB power.

It employs heavy OFHC continuous copper silver matrix conductors for the best possible signal transfer. The construction is a custom minimum inductance parallel type with quadruple shields – this protects the cable from RFI and EMI noise to provide the cleanest transfer medium possible.

With custom machined FINAL connectors and an even better RF3 filter design, sonically, the iFi Mercury3 USB computer audio cable sets a whole standard for USB3.0 and USB2.0.

Need for speed

USB3.0 is vastly superior to USB2.0 at handling high-data volumes.

The USB3.0 platform mandates better connectors and higher quality cables – the new Mercury3 meets these needs with ease. This much higher standard transmission platform means USB audio passes with the least disturbance. It is akin to driving on a newly paved highway compared to one with potholes. The former enables faster, smoother, and less-jittery audio & power transfer. The sonic benefits are proof for all to hear.

As audio transmission standards improve, the Gemini3 with its USB ultra-speed bandwidth of 5.0Gbps is also future-proofed.

Shielded to the max

With quadruple shielding, the Mercury3 protects the cable from RFI and EMI noise to provide the cleanest transfer medium possible for the USB signal.

This means the sound quality is not compromised as with many ‘off the shelf’ versions where inadequate shielding is commonplace.

Exceptional from beginning to end

In the Gemini3 the signal runs through the cable and the connector. This means the connector too must be exceptional.

Most USB cables use molded plastic-covered connections that do not shield the high frequencies present in the USB data link, so noise will radiate out. Durability is also compromised as very few make their own connectors.

The FINAL USB connectors provide impeccable end-to-end RF shielding, being machined entirely from solid, aircraft-grade aluminum. Plus gold-plated connections make for years of steadfast service.

The power of RF3

Most standard USB cables do not address RF issues. Most ‘off the shelf ‘ versions that are fitted with filters work over too narrow a range. And even then, this is only fitted at the ends of the cables, leaving the length of the cable to act as an antenna.

The Mercury3 is fitted with three custom-made metal oxide ceramic RF noise silencers. Each has a different effective range so that they greatly broaden the range over which RF noise is silenced. Furthermore, the middle silencer is adjustable and can be moved along the whole length of the cable. This then “detunes” the antennae formed by the cable, depending on the conditions and requirements in the system. The other 2 silencers should be kept as close to each respective end as possible.

A match made in USB heaven

Where the Gemini3 cannot be used is a tablet with only ONE USB port. The Mercury3 is a perfect match for the iGalvanic3.0 and the micro/nano USB3.0.

The iGalvanic3.0 fully galvanically isolates the USB3.0/2.0 signal and power.

The micro/nano USB3.0 both boast a Super Regulator, not only with super low-noise (0.1uV/0.5uV) but also with super low output impedance (around 0.00015 Ohm at 1KHz, as low as 0.00003 Ohm at 100Hz to DC) to maximize the total USB connection.