Audio Origami Core One Tonearm Cable
Core One Tonearm Cable
For over 20 years, we have focused on designing and building some of the finest tonearms available. In recent years, we have brought that same focus and discipline to tonearm cable design, taking the time to understand what truly matters at cartridge signal levels, and how to deliver it reliably and cost-effectively. The answer is not mysterious. It’s just physics…
A great cable does not need exotic materials or extravagant pricing. Choose the right conductors, control capacitance and impedance through correct geometry, shield it properly, terminate it well, and build it carefully.
Done correctly, the cable’s job is simple: transmit the signal generated by the cartridge to the phono stage with as little loss and interference as possible.
What this process made very clear is that there is no technical or audible justification for tonearm cables costing thousands of pounds per metre. Cable cost is driven by materials, connectors, and labour. Labour matters, but we are talking hours, not weeks.
Cables do make a difference. Not the dramatic transformations often claimed, but a difference nonetheless. A good cable preserves the signal. A bad cable degrades it. This is not magic; it is basic signal integrity.
Audio Origami’s Core One Tonearm Cable is designed to do one thing only: provide the smoothest, most stable, and most protected path possible for the cartridge signal. Nothing more. Nothing less.
So, how does it sound?
How a cable sounds is not the right question. Cables don’t add to the signal, they can only preserve it or lose it. Using a cable to “tune” a system usually means compensating for issues elsewhere. If something upstream isn’t right, a cable won’t fix it. What Core One does is stay out of the way. You can call that neutral if you like, we call it good physics.
Core One is designed for listeners who value signal integrity above all else, Core One lets a vinyl front end perform at its best. If you’re happy with your cartridge and tonearm, Core One allows them to perform exactly as intended, without adding a character of its own or softening the signal.
Expect a natural, unforced presentation with strong low-level detail, stable imaging, and a refined, clean top end. Bass remains articulate and controlled, while midrange texture and harmonic detail are preserved without glare or artificial warmth.
Try Core One for a fortnight. If it’s not for you, return it for a full refund.
If Core One makes an audible difference to your system, keep it in the knowledge you’ve spent sensible money on a product that does exactly what it should, without hype or claims that physics doesn’t support.
Core One construction…
OCC Conductors
OCC (Ohno Continuous Cast) copper is used in high-end audio cables for its extremely pure, long-grain structure, which greatly reduces grain boundaries compared to conventional copper.
This helps maintain signal integrity and preserve low-level detail, particularly important with the very small signals produced by a phono cartridge.
At the heart of Core One are two independent cryogenically treated 22 AWG OCC copper conductors per pin, providing a low-resistance, mechanically stable signal path that cleanly passes the signal without added character or loss of information.
Insulation
Each conductor is insulated in FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene), chosen for its extremely low dielectric constant, outstanding chemical stability, and resistance to ageing. This ensures consistent electrical performance over time and minimises energy storage effects that can blur transients.
High-End Termination
Core One is terminated with German quality ViaBlue DIN connectors at the tonearm for secure, precise contact, and WBT pure oxygen-free copper RCA connectors at the phono stage. WBT’s dedication to technological advancement, excellent craftsmanship, and sustainable practices make it the go-to choice for high-end cable construction, delivering excellent conductivity, corrosion resistance, and long-term reliability.
