"The 'Anti-Compression Technology' is used in all of ZCable's current interconnects and digital cables including the Live v5, Live Ref1, Digital Duet, Digital Ref1 as well as the new Passion Ref1 speaker cables. A.C.T has to do with the interaction between the dielectric and the signal's electric charge. We know that any good musical cable should have a low dielectric constant. As the dielectric constant increases -- and if all other factors remain unchanged -- the electric flux density increases. This causes cables to hold their electric charge (or quantities thereof) for long periods of time.
Simply put, high dielectric constants cause signal distortion. Almost all audio cable implement their dielectric in such a way as to have a dielectric constant of 2.0 to 3.4. The following are the most commonly used dielectrics and their dielectric constants: PVC (3.4), Polyethylene (2.2), PTFE Teflon (2.0) and FEP Teflon (2.1). With ZCable's 'Anti-Compression Technology', our cables have an approximate dielectric constant of 1.3. [While the general value data here is perfectly factual, the preceding claim that most all audio cables exhibit dielectric constants greater than two is not where superior cables are concerned. Most bona fide HighEnd designs based on actual engineering use variations on air dielectric schemes to reduce their dielectric constant to below 1.6. ZCable is certainly not alone in knowing about the deleterious time smearing effects that insulation-induced signal absorption and re-release causes - Ed.]
Secondarily, as we tested dielectrics and their applications, we found a subjective aspect to do with signal glare and harshness. As we experimented with reducing the dielectric constant, we simultaneously discovered a way to reduce the glare and bite which many audio systems exhibit as the signal compresses during music passages of high dynamics or transients.
Lastly, we have discovered that the ratio of dielectric versus conductor quantity also influences the naturalness of the sound. Our cables use a very high conductor-to-dielectric ratio to give greater body and better dynamics while decreasing dielectric interaction. However, it is very difficult to increase conductor amounts while maintaining overall design and sonic balance. In other words, it takes plenty of trial and error to get it right.