Audio T Verdict
Chord Company Sarum T sits one step below the flagship ChordMusic range and is very firmly intended for serious, highly revealing systems. This is not simply a more expensive RCA or DIN lead. The construction brings together Super ARAY conductor geometry, silver-plated oxygen-free copper, Chord Company's proprietary Taylon insulation and an elaborate multi-layer shielding system.
Taylon is one of the defining elements of Sarum T. Earlier generations of Sarum Super ARAY used PTFE insulation, but the move to Taylon created the current T-generation and brought technology previously reserved for Chord Company's most ambitious cable development into the Sarum range.
Audio T currently offers the 1m Sarum T analogue interconnect in three useful configurations: conventional 2RCA to 2RCA, 2RCA to 5DIN and 5DIN to 5DIN. That makes it particularly relevant to high-end conventional Hi-Fi as well as Naim and other DIN-equipped systems.
At this level, demonstration is essential. If the rest of your system is sufficiently revealing to justify Sarum T, we'd strongly recommend hearing it against your existing interconnect rather than choosing purely from specifications.
Chord Company Sarum T Super ARAY Analogue Interconnect
Sarum T is Chord Company's reference-level analogue interconnect range, sitting immediately below the flagship ChordMusic family.
The current design combines:
- Super ARAY conductor geometry
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors
- Chord Company's proprietary Taylon insulation
- Extensive multi-layer shielding
- ChorAlloy-plated connector contacts
- Hand-built construction
Current Audio T Options
Audio T currently offers this Sarum T analogue interconnect in the following 1m configurations:
- 2RCA to 2RCA - 1m
- 2RCA to 5DIN - 1m
- 5DIN to 5DIN - 1m
Which Connection Do I Need?
2RCA to 2RCA is the conventional stereo analogue connection used by a huge range of CD players, DACs, streamers, phono stages and amplifiers.
2RCA to 5DIN is useful when connecting conventional RCA-equipped equipment to a compatible DIN-equipped component.
5DIN to 5DIN is intended for compatible components using DIN connections at both ends.
If you are unsure, give Audio T the exact make and model of the two components and we can check the appropriate version.
Super ARAY Conductor Geometry
Sarum T uses Chord Company's:
Super ARAY conductor technology.
ARAY development began as Chord Company explored ways of controlling unwanted high-frequency behaviour within cable systems. Super ARAY represents one of the company's most advanced implementations of that conductor geometry.
The technology is used across Sarum T analogue connections and sits above the ARAY and Tuned ARAY approaches employed elsewhere in the Chord Company range.
Silver-Plated Oxygen-Free Copper Conductors
Current Sarum T analogue DIN specifications use:
Silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors.
These are arranged according to Chord Company's Super ARAY configuration and hand assembled as part of the complete cable.
Taylon Insulation
The defining technology behind the current Sarum T range is:
Chord Company's proprietary Taylon insulation.
The previous Sarum Super ARAY generation used PTFE as its conductor insulation. The introduction of Taylon created Sarum T.
Chord Company developed Taylon with a particular focus on phase stability, making the insulation material a fundamental part of both Sarum T and the flagship ChordMusic range.
What Does the T in Sarum T Mean?
The T identifies the generation of Sarum using Chord Company's Taylon insulation.
It should not be confused with the earlier Sarum Tuned ARAY or Sarum Super ARAY cables that pre-dated the Taylon upgrade.
From Sarum Super ARAY to Sarum T
Sarum T builds directly on Chord Company's earlier Sarum Super ARAY range.
The Super ARAY conductor concept remained, but the previous PTFE insulation was replaced by Taylon.
This means older reviews and articles referring to Sarum Super ARAY can still provide useful background, but the current product should be described as Sarum T and specified with Taylon insulation.
Five-Layer Shielding Structure
Chord Company's current technical information for Sarum T analogue DIN cables specifies an elaborate:
Five-layer shielding and damping construction.
This combines acoustic and mechanical damping elements with precision foil and braided shielding beneath the outer construction.
The objective is to protect the low-level analogue signal from both electrical interference and unwanted mechanical effects.
Why Shield an Analogue Interconnect?
Analogue interconnects often operate in a busy electrical environment behind the Hi-Fi rack.
Nearby equipment can include:
- Mains cables
- Digital source equipment
- Network switches
- Music servers
- Power supplies
- Wireless devices
Sarum T's extensive shielding is designed to reduce the interaction between this surrounding electrical environment and the analogue signal connection.
ChorAlloy-Plated Connectors
The current Sarum T range uses:
ChorAlloy-plated connector contact surfaces.
ChorAlloy is Chord Company's current proprietary plating system and replaces older connector specifications that may refer to silver-plated contacts.
Sarum T RCA Connectors
The RCA version combines its ChorAlloy-plated contact areas with a:
High-performance PTFE plug surround.
The complete termination is designed as part of the cable rather than treating the plug as a generic component added at the end.
Sarum T DIN Connectors
DIN versions are available for compatible equipment from manufacturers that use this connection standard.
Current Sarum T DIN cables use ChorAlloy-plated connector contacts and the same fundamental Taylon and Super ARAY technology as the rest of the analogue range.
DIN Wiring Can Vary
Not every DIN socket uses the same pin configuration or signal arrangement.
If you are replacing an existing DIN cable or connecting equipment from different manufacturers, contact Audio T with the exact component models so we can check compatibility before ordering.
2RCA to 2RCA
The 2RCA to 2RCA version provides a conventional left and right stereo analogue connection.
Typical applications include:
- CD player to amplifier
- Streamer to amplifier
- DAC to amplifier
- Phono stage to amplifier
- Pre-amplifier to power amplifier
- Other compatible line-level RCA connections
2RCA to 5DIN
The RCA-to-DIN version allows suitable conventional RCA-equipped components to be connected to compatible DIN-equipped equipment.
This can be particularly useful in systems combining equipment from different manufacturers.
5DIN to 5DIN
The 5DIN to 5DIN option provides a high-performance analogue connection between compatible DIN-equipped components.
DIN has traditionally been used extensively by Naim and various other British Hi-Fi manufacturers.
Compatible with Source Components
Depending on the selected termination, Sarum T can be used with compatible:
- CD players
- Music streamers
- Network players
- DACs
- Tuners
- Phono stages
- Pre-amplifiers
- Power amplifiers
Not a Digital Interconnect
This Audio T product family is for:
Analogue audio connections.
Sarum T Digital is a separate product specifically designed for digital audio connections.
View Chord Company Sarum T Digital at Audio T.
Sarum T XLR
Chord Company also manufactures a dedicated Sarum T analogue XLR interconnect for balanced equipment.
The XLR construction is adapted specifically for balanced operation rather than simply fitting XLR plugs to the RCA/DIN cable.
Current XLR versions use high-performance ChorAlloy-plated connectors and are available in standard 1m or custom lengths from Chord Company.
Need XLR?
The selectable options on this Audio T product page are currently 2RCA to 2RCA, 2RCA to 5DIN and 5DIN to 5DIN.
If you require Sarum T XLR or another specialist configuration, contact your local Audio T store.
Hand-Built Construction
Sarum T is a specialist hand-built cable rather than a mass-produced moulded interconnect.
Its conductor geometry, shielding layers and terminations require careful assembly, particularly for DIN and balanced configurations where the internal layout must suit the required connection.
Standard and Custom Lengths
Audio T currently lists the Sarum T analogue options on this page in:
1 metre lengths.
Chord Company can also manufacture selected Sarum T configurations in other lengths or with custom terminations to order.
Contact Audio T if the standard 1m options do not suit your system.
Sarum T Sits Below ChordMusic
Within Chord Company's current analogue hierarchy, Sarum T sits:
Immediately below the flagship ChordMusic range.
Both ranges employ Taylon insulation and advanced ARAY technology, with ChordMusic representing Chord Company's ultimate cable construction.
Sarum T Versus SignatureX
SignatureX sits below Sarum T and uses a different technological platform.
SignatureX Tuned ARAY
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- XLPE insulation
- Tuned ARAY technology
- High-density shielding
- ChorAlloy-plated connectors
Sarum T Super ARAY
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- Taylon insulation
- Super ARAY technology
- Extensive multi-layer shielding
- ChorAlloy-plated connectors
The most obvious technical steps are the move from XLPE to Taylon insulation and from Tuned ARAY to Super ARAY technology.
Sarum T Versus ChordMusic
Sarum T
- Second only to ChordMusic
- Taylon insulation
- Super ARAY conductor technology
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- Five-layer construction specified on DIN versions
ChordMusic
- Flagship Chord Company range
- Taylon insulation
- Super ARAY conductor technology
- Silver-plated OFC conductors
- More elaborate shielding and noise-control construction
Can Older Sarum Cables Be Upgraded?
Chord Company has historically offered upgrades for earlier Sarum cables to the later Sarum T specification where the cable and termination are suitable.
If you already own an older Sarum or Sarum Super ARAY interconnect, contact Audio T with its exact configuration and we can investigate the current upgrade options with Chord Company.
Why Demonstration Matters
Sarum T is intended for highly resolving systems, and at this price level there is little sense in buying on specifications alone.
A demonstration allows you to compare the cable directly with your existing interconnect and decide whether the improvement is worthwhile in your particular system.
Try Sarum T in Your Own System
The higher you move through a cable range, the more important system context becomes.
Speak to your local Audio T store about demonstration or home-trial availability before making a final decision.
Sarum at Audio T
Audio T has been demonstrating Chord Company's high-end Sarum cables since the early generations of Tuned ARAY technology.
Our Brighton team was demonstrating Sarum DIN, RCA, mains and speaker cables as far back as 2013, providing customers with the opportunity to hear the technology in their own systems.
Read: The Chord Company Sarum Tuned ARAY at Audio T Brighton
Read: Cable Guys for a Day - A Visit to Chord Company HQ
Key Features
- Chord Company Sarum T
- High-end analogue interconnect
- Super ARAY conductor geometry
- Silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors
- Proprietary Taylon insulation
- Advanced phase-stable dielectric
- Extensive shielding construction
- Five-layer construction specified for DIN versions
- ChorAlloy-plated connector contacts
- PTFE RCA plug surround
- Hand-built construction
- 2RCA to 2RCA option
- 2RCA to 5DIN option
- 5DIN to 5DIN option
- Current Audio T options are 1m
- Custom configurations available through Chord Company
- Suitable for CD players
- Suitable for streamers
- Suitable for DACs
- Suitable for tuners
- Suitable for phono stages
- Suitable for pre and power amplifiers
- Dedicated XLR version also manufactured
- Sits immediately below ChordMusic
- Designed and built for high-resolution systems
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chord Company Sarum T?
Sarum T is Chord Company's high-end cable range sitting immediately below the flagship ChordMusic series. The analogue interconnect uses Taylon insulation and Super ARAY technology.
What options does Audio T currently offer?
This product page currently offers 1m 2RCA-to-2RCA, 2RCA-to-5DIN and 5DIN-to-5DIN versions.
What does Super ARAY mean?
Super ARAY is one of Chord Company's most advanced proprietary conductor configurations, developed to control unwanted high-frequency behaviour within the cable system.
What conductors does Sarum T use?
Current Sarum T analogue DIN technical specifications use silver-plated oxygen-free copper conductors arranged with Super ARAY technology.
What insulation does Sarum T use?
Chord Company's proprietary Taylon insulation.
Did older Sarum cables use Taylon?
No. Earlier Sarum Super ARAY cables used PTFE insulation. Taylon is the key change that created the Sarum T generation.
What connector plating does the current cable use?
Current Sarum T cables use ChorAlloy-plated contact surfaces.
Is the RCA version a stereo cable?
Yes. The 2RCA-to-2RCA option provides separate left and right analogue channels.
What is the 2RCA-to-5DIN version for?
It connects compatible conventional RCA-equipped equipment to a compatible 5-pin DIN component.
What is the 5DIN-to-5DIN version for?
It provides an analogue connection between compatible DIN-equipped components.
Will a 5-pin DIN cable work with every 5-pin DIN socket?
Not necessarily. DIN pin assignments can differ, so check the exact component models before ordering.
Can Sarum T connect a CD player to an amplifier?
Yes, provided the selected termination matches the analogue connections on both components.
Can it connect a streamer or DAC?
Yes, where compatible analogue RCA or DIN connections are provided.
Can it connect a phono stage?
Yes, between the line-level output of a compatible phono stage and amplifier.
Can it connect a pre-amplifier to a power amplifier?
Yes, where the components use a compatible RCA or DIN analogue connection.
Is this a digital cable?
No. Sarum T Digital is a separate product designed specifically for digital audio connections.
Is Sarum T available with XLR connectors?
Yes. Chord Company manufactures a dedicated Sarum T analogue XLR cable. Contact Audio T if you require this configuration.
Is Sarum T balanced when fitted with XLR?
The dedicated XLR version uses an adapted conductor layout specifically for balanced operation.
Can I order a longer cable?
Audio T currently lists 1m versions on this page. Chord Company also offers custom lengths and terminations for suitable Sarum T configurations.
What is above Sarum T?
ChordMusic is Chord Company's flagship cable range.
What is below Sarum T?
SignatureX is the next major analogue interconnect range below Sarum T.
Can older Sarum cables be upgraded?
Some earlier Sarum cables may be suitable for factory upgrade. Contact Audio T with the exact cable configuration and we can check the current options.
Can I demonstrate Sarum T before buying?
Contact your local Audio T store to discuss demonstration or home-trial availability.
Related Chord Company Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Help choosing RCA or DIN configurations
- DIN wiring and compatibility advice
- Advice on custom Sarum T configurations
- SignatureX, Sarum T and ChordMusic comparison guidance
- System-specific cable matching
- CD player, streamer and DAC setup advice
- Naim and DIN-equipped system experience
- In-store demonstrations where appropriate
- Home demonstrations where appropriate
- Older Sarum upgrade enquiries
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store if you would like to demonstrate Sarum T, check DIN compatibility or discuss a custom length or termination for your system.