WBT PlasmaProtect For Higher Quality Connection
HIGH END 2019 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin

  During HIGH END 2019 WBT held a very informative press event on Friday afternoon and for a geek like me it was very informative. CEO Wolfgang B. Thörner had a wonderfully prepared speech to accompany their informative video. As many audiophiles know, WBT is one of the industry's leading manufacturer of connectors, which are used by Kimber Kable and many other manufacturers.

For numerous years, enthusiasts of outstanding sound quality have been enjoying the nextgen connectors of WBT. With their sophisticated signal conductors made of pure copper or fine silver in combination with innovative functional materials, the nextgen series offers everything the audiophile heart desires.

The think tank at WBT wanted to go even further, and so they have introduced their new PlasmaProtect technology. According to WBT, "This endeavor often seemed very difficult. The in-house production facilities in Essen had to be restructured. A PVD plasma production line had to be established. Already during the construction phase, dedicated production processes particularly designed for WBT were developed and implemented on a newly established production line."

So what does PVD plasma production (PlasmaProtect) mean to you? Contacts have to be protected against corrosion, we all know this. And so WBT is the first manufacturer of connectors replacing electroplating by the much more precise PVD technology. This innovative nanotechnology replaces the (obsolate) electroplating technology. For this process, the signal conductors made of pure copper are cleaned in a high current polishing line and the surface is polished to a high glossy finish. This is done completely without any harmful chemical additives i might add. The resulting surface is absolutely pure without any imperfections like chemical inclusions.

Afterwards, the conductor is subject to physical vapor deposition (PVD) for a physical fine gold plating. In this process, atomic gold is released by plasma discharge ignition in a high vacuum. In the vacuum, this gold is literally shot on the copper conductor to realize atomic bonding for inseparably anchoring (Van der Waals forces). The result is a homogeneous material compound with a 24-carat gold surface.

The Key Points:

1. The surface has a defined crystalline structure. This allows for a precise broadband signal flow!

2. It is pure, tightly sealed, and non-porous. That means good corrosion-resistance!

3. It is thin but flawless, hard, and at the same time flexible. That makes it scratch and abrasion-resistant!

And remember kids, this is all done in an environmentally friendly manner. Gold is used in thin film nanotechnology! Another added benefit is that the energy consumption is >25% lower compared to electroplating! With an eye towards giving back to the community, existing jobs at WBT are secured through innovative production processes and products. This creates good and sustainable growth opportunities in their own country compared to global competition.

Obviously I came away very impressed by the presentation, and the tech is a move forward both environmentally and, most important to us music lovers, it increases the signal transfer and thus increases your musical pleasures.

Bravo WBT and you've earned a Best Of HIGH END 2019 Award for your new PlasmaProtect technology!

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