Transparent Audio OPUS Phono Interconnect (Balanced)

The Opus Phono Interconnect (Balanced) is Transparent’s Opus Phono cable ordered with differential-balanced termination — a genuine balanced-line signal path from tonearm to phono stage, not a single-ended RCA signal converted downstream. Under the sleeve it uses the same iconic outrigger network housing, IFER (Integrated Flexible Epoxy Resin) filling, PMMA-and-IFER platform, and precision-wound OFHC conductor as Opus Phono (RCA), with the network calibrated to the balanced-topology impedance and to the electrical characteristics of a differential-balanced phono preamp input rather than a single-ended one. It sits within the TRANSCENDENT collection as the reference balanced phono cable for reference-class vinyl chains.

Compared to XL Phono Balanced, Opus’s network measurement parameters are far more precise, the platform is thicker and heavier, and the component matching is executed at a level XL production doesn’t reach. Custom-machined gold-plated connectors mate to precision-wound OFHC stranding. Optional custom DIN termination is available at the tonearm end at additional cost, fabricated to precise tonearm, turntable suspension, and phono preamp requirements. The differential-balanced termination itself is an upcharge over base Opus Phono (OPHDIFBAL, $3,000); every other element of the cable is Opus-tier construction. The performance step over XL Phono Balanced typically shows up as extended low-level detail, quieter noise floor, and more accurate transmission of the delicate cartridge output through the balanced topology.

Opus Phono Balanced is designed for reference-class vinyl chains where the phono stage has true differential-balanced inputs — not simply XLR jacks wired to a single-ended input stage — and where the resolution of the turntable, tonearm, cartridge, and phono stage is sufficient that XL Balanced Phono has become the limiting element. Level-matched TRANSCENDENT companions include Opus RCA, Opus Balanced, Opus Speaker Cable, Opus Power Cord, and Opus Power Cord Source. Fully upgradeable to Magnum Opus Balanced Phono through Transparent’s Upgrade Program, with original investment retained. Warranty registration extends to lifetime and entitles owners to free network recalibration when a cartridge change requires network adjustment.

Balanced phono only makes sense if the phono stage is actually differential-balanced end to end — if it isn’t, the base Opus Phono (RCA) is the correct specification and will get more out of the phono stage than a converted balanced signal would. Walk in during business hours or book ahead if the audition is an XL-vs-Opus balanced comparison and the actual cartridge, tonearm, and phono stage need to be part of the test.