AudioQuest Pegasus Interconnect Cable (RCA)

The AudioQuest Pegasus interconnect cable (RCA) is the ZERO-Tech tier with an active dielectric: solid PSC+ conductors in polypropylene air tubes, a 72V DBS pack, and a Level 6 noise-dissipation system with significantly increased silver content in the drain wires.

Why the Pegasus?

Compared with the Black Beauty, three things change. First, the insulation: instead of foamed polyethylene, polypropylene air tubes now surround the conductors, further lowering energy storage in the dielectric. Second, the DBS – a battery permanently keeps the dielectric under voltage, so it doesn't have to resettle every time you switch on. Third, the drain wires: the silver content rises from 0.5 to 6 percent. Together, that adds up to more quiet between the notes.

What you get

A ready-made stereo pair from 0.6 to 6 metres, DBS pack included, special lengths on request. The connector sleeves are copper-plated and drain high frequency. Symmetric systems are served by the XLR version with dual 72V DBS.

Who is the Pegasus for – and who isn't it for?

Plain talk: if your chain doesn't already resolve the difference between the Black Beauty and the River series, the Pegasus won't change that – then your budget is better spent elsewhere. On finely resolving systems with high-quality source components, though, it's an audible step, not a homeopathic one. For the connection from the tonearm to the phono stage, a phono cable remains the right choice.

Our verdict

The Pegasus is the tier where ZERO-Tech and active DBS first come together – the point where many chains audibly relax. Whether yours belongs there, we'll clarify with you factually: HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, 044 680 22 00, WhatsApp 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

• Type: analogue interconnect cable, stereo pair, unbalanced (RCA), ZERO-Tech
• Conductor: solid, PSC+ (Perfect-Surface Copper+), direction-oriented
• Geometry: ZERO-Tech, without characteristic impedance
• Dielectric: polypropylene air tubes
• Noise dissipation: Level 6, carbon-graphene network, RF drain wires with 6% silver content
• DBS: single 72V DBS on the RCA version (dual 72V DBS on the XLR version)
• Connector: RCA, copper-plated sleeves, Hanging Silver contacts over pure copper
• Lengths: 0.6 / 1 / 1.5 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 m (price per pair)
• Included: 1 stereo pair RCA cable ready-made, 72V DBS pack

Frequently asked questions

What does the 72V DBS do on the Pegasus?
A battery pack applies a DC voltage to the dielectric and keeps it permanently polarised. That means the insulation doesn't have to resettle every time you switch on, and the cable behaves the same from the very first beat. This is usually audible as a quieter background and a more stable soundstage.

How long does the DBS battery last?
Very long, because practically no current flows in the DBS circuit – the voltage is simply applied. AudioQuest states runtimes in the range of several years. The pack has a test button with an LED so you can check its condition at any time. You can get a replacement pack from us.

How does the Pegasus differ from the Black Beauty?
In three respects: polypropylene air tubes instead of foamed polyethylene, an active 72V DBS instead of none at all, and drain wires with 6 instead of 0.5 percent silver content. The solid PSC+ conductors and the ZERO-Tech geometry are the same in both. The gain shows up mainly on resolving systems.

Is the Pegasus also available symmetrically?
Yes, as an XLR version with dual 72V DBS. It only makes sense if the source and amplifier have genuine balanced connections, especially over longer runs. If your system only has RCA sockets, this version is the right one, since an adapter doesn't turn an unbalanced connection into a balanced one.

Why buy the Pegasus from HD Zürisee?
Because we don't recommend cable tiers from a price list, but based on what your system can actually reproduce. In Wädenswil, our team has years of experience with AudioQuest, plus our own technician for setup and installation. Call us at 044 680 22 00.

Goes well with

An interconnect cable is the bridge between source and amplifier. Take a look at the RCA cables, check out the matching amplifiers, or browse the whole AudioQuest world.