More than three years ago, I introduced you to the Ansuz PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme and the matching Digitalz Ethernet cables on this site. This combo surpassed everything I had encountered in this field so far, not only in terms of sonic performance, but unfortunately also in terms of expenditure. In the meantime, Ansuz went on to develop the new Gold Signature line.

Back in August 2021, Lars Kristensen, one of the co-owners of the Audio Group Denmark, and Morten Thyrrestrup, the Sales Manager for Europe, showed a not-yet-final version of the Digitalz D-TC Gold Signature Ethernet alongside the Darkz Z2 Signature and the prototypes of the Sortz during their visit to my place in Gröbenzell. But it didn’t end there: I was granted to briefly loop the prototype Ethernet cable into my system - in place of the Digitalz D-TC Supreme, which handled the data between the media converter and the PowerSwitch, and which had been all-around convincing so far. Although this is most likely not the most exposed routing of the Ethernet connection sonically - we were listening to files sourced from the Melco, and not streaming from the internet -, the nearly finished Gold Signature rendered an even more believable spatial illusion, as well as provided more openness and richer timbres. So, the use of gold and zirconium definitely made a positive impact.

During my last visit to Aalborg, not only was the entire audio system there wired with Gold Signature connections, but the PowerSwitch had undergone a revision, too. Since the planned test of the preamplifier and power amplifier of Aavik’s 880 series will still be a bit delayed, I ordered quite spontaneously the Switch along with matching cables during the Munich High End show for testing purposes. As happens with all components provenient from the Audio Group Denmark (AGD) with their brands Aavik, Ansuz, Axxess and Børresen, the Digitalz D-TC Gold Signature also uses the ever evolving noise reduction, resonance control and dither technologies. As already mentioned earlier, the current top-of-the-range model benefits from the exclusive use of gold and zirconium. Like the D-TC Supreme, it also features eight Tesla active coils, each configured with 70-centimeter wire, wound directly onto the outer part of the cable to protect the signal from absorbing RF interference from the air. This absorbs noise, with the active version being about three to four times more efficient than with the passive cable Tesla coils. In both cable models, the Teflon insulating layer is also electrically charged.

One of the three unique selling points among Ansuz Ethernet cables in the Gold Signature series are the twelve double helix coils or Double Inverted Helix Coils (DIHC). The idea behind this technology is based on ensuring the lowest possible induction: When the coil and counter coil are wound tightly in a double helix pattern, induction can be significantly reduced. In addition, the Gold Signature features two double-spiral coils of Gold Signature wire. The addition of gold is intended to help further improve resonance control and ensure even smoother signal transport. Third and finally, Ansuz also lists two "Active Zirconium Cable Anti Aerial Resonance Tesla Coils" for the Gold Supreme in a comparison table of all technologies used in Ethernet cables. To this end, the website states: "Based on their studies on the properties of zirconium and their recent experience with the use of zirconium, Ansuz has developed a Tesla coil with an active zirconium cable against the antenna effect of RF resonance. The new design includes no less than three zirconium bars. Moreover, the Tesla coil itself has also been enhanced. This all-embracing solution dramatically improves signal processing - both in terms of noise elimination and resonance control. The active zirconium cable is also wound directly onto the outer part of the cable." So, in addition to the effect of the active Tesla coils mentioned above, mechanical resonance damping is added here.

When you take a look at the switch, it instantly gets clear where the name of the new line of devices and cables is derived from: the Ansuz logo on the leather-covered enclosure shines in golden colour here, as do the signatures of Lars Kristensen and Michael Børresen, the chief developer and co-owner of AGD. Of course, if you look a little closer, you'll discover the signatures on the two "module casings" at either end of the cables as well. The suffix "Gold" naturally also refers to the gold content in the conductors. The challenge throughout the development process is said to have been to find the optimum percentage of gold in the composition with silver and copper. The product description of the Gold Signature Ethernet cable merely states that the conductors are made of shielded, gold-plated and silver-plated copper.

But let's get back to the enclosure of the PowerSwitch. Like that of the D-TC Supreme, it is not made of metal – in contrary to what I suspected when writing the review years ago in the absence of information from the manufacturer - but an innovative natural-based composite material. In the meantime, AGD has fortunately fundamentally changed its information policy, and I know that Lars Kristensen in particular avoids the use of aluminum whenever possible for sonic reasons. To keep mechanical vibrations away from the circuits even more effectively than through the composite cabinet alone, Ansuz has given the Gold Signature an additional base plate, which is built as a sandwich structure. As basic material a heavy, compact laminate plate is used with titanium layers on top and bottom. The base plate is also equipped with Ansuz Feet, prepared to accommodate for Ansuz Darkz. Since they are not included, it's easy to drive the price of the Switch significantly up by adding these accessory items.

While five dither circuits were featured in the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme, the Gold Signature only shows four of them, these, however, now being of the third generation. For all those readers who are not – or, not anymore - familiar with the idea behind the analogue dither technology: It originally dates back to the radar technology, where it provided a greater range. Here, active Tesla coils send out pulsating signals with precisely defined frequencies. These signals are sent in antiphase. This should significantly amplify the music signal and eliminate the background noise. After further analysis and study - and lots of listening hours - Ansuz has now developed the third generation of this technology by optimizing the most effective frequencies.

The Supreme and Gold Signature variants each feature two active cable Tesla coils and two Anti Aerial Resonance Tesla coils. In the new top-range model, the number of square active Tesla coils applied to the PCB as conductor paths has been increased by 50 to a total of 140. There are also differences in the active Tesla coils: In lieu of 60 active Tesla coils, the Gold Signature only boasts 32 of them, while 31 Active Zirconium Tesla coils have been added instead. Their zirconium rod is supposed to significantly improve the resonance behaviour of the coil and thus reveals even more fine detail information.

Since I want to listen to the differences between the switches and the cables in an unaffected way, I remove the Waversa Isolator-EXT-1, the ifi Audio LAN Isolator and also the two Ansuz' Sortz from my digital playback chain. I also unplug the ground cable of the Synergistic Research Active Ground Block SE from the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme. But before starting the comparison, of course, I let the PowerSwitch and the three cables from the Gold Signature series go through a burn-in procedure for a few days of continuous use. During installation, I noticed that the Digitalz now comes with very high-quality cables for connection to the PowerSwitch's voltage output. Four conductors are available for transporting the low-frequency AC voltages generated by dither circuits, as it happened to be with the thin cables supplied with the D-TC Supreme. Also, the feeder cables of the Digitalz D-TC Gold Signature now even carry directional arrows.

After intensive listening to one of my test records, I loop in a Gold Signature between the ADOT media converter and the PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme, as I did when I tried out the prototype: If I had been a bit disappointed by the sonic result before - probably due to the removal of the previously proven tuning measures - the D-TC Gold Signature reconciled me with the sound of my digital gear. The Gold Signature made me completely forget the omission of Sortz, the isolators and the additional grounding. The Duisburg Philharmonic Orchestra now threw in a greater deal of dedication, while the Theater am Marientor had at least the familiar dimensions again - if the stage did not even seem a little deeper. Absolutely convincing!

The differences are no longer quite as dramatic when letting now the second Gold Signature taking care of the connection between the Melco and the Supreme Switch: The gradation within the spatial depth gets a bit more precise, individual sound events such as hits on the triangle reveal even more structure and instruments or instrument groups are differentiated a bit better and surrounded by more air. But before I reach out to the changes that the third Gold Signature implements between Switch and Aries G2.1, I should perhaps note that even with "only" two Gold Signatures in the signal path during Mahler's Symphony No. 3, the portrayal of space, especially in the highs, clearly reminded me of what I experienced when listening to the M3 and M6 during my recent visit to Aalborg. And, regarding fine detail and rhythmic precision, now something of what had fascinated me so much in the Aavik-Ansuz-Børresen system kept flaring up in my system as well.

But let’s now listen to the third Gold Signature Ethernet in my chain: The expansion in space, detail and micro-dynamics was clearly noticeable, but was by no means striking. The additional Gold Signature, however, revealed richer timbres and engendered a better coherence - not to say naturalness – which is hardly to be described: The more of AGD's top-of-the-range cables and components are implemented in a system, the more homogeneous their performance becomes. But before I throw in the PowerSwitch D-TC Gold Supreme, I treat myself to one of my favorite tracks by Eberhard Weber: "Pendulum" from the solo album of the same name. Here the bass virtuoso can be heard several times in parallel thanks to modern studio technology. I have never before been able to enjoy this almost nine-minute low-frequent indulgence in such a powerful, finely structured, dynamic and, above all, emotionally appealing way. The upgrade from the Digitalz D-TC Supreme to the Gold Signature clearly raises the performance of my digital system to a higher level. But regardless of which chain you listen to: If you like lows and rhythm, don't miss Pendulum. By the way, heard at moderate volume it's only half as nice!

Patrice Heral's "Improvisation" on Le Concert Des Parfums makes me marvel at the impact and accuracy within the low frequency range even before switching to the new PowerSwitch. The D-TC Gold Signature then fills the mid-high frequency range in this track with a similar energy boost as it happened to the lows when experienced with the Digitalz Gold Signature: The room now seems huge, even in height. The air appears to vibrate when deep timpani and bright percussion excite the room, but it gets as well perfectly still and silent - except for the crickets in the background - after the impulses have faded away. Be it detail, transparency, dynamics - especially within the fine range - structure and vibrancy: There is a little more of everything thanks to the PowerSwitch D-TC Gold Supreme. And the enhancement is anything but small, considering the extremely high level from where it all started. Nevertheless, after all it's not the improvements within the aforementioned hi-fi criteria and the absence of any nervousness that enthuse me so much, it’s, however, the coherence of the performance now achieved and, above all, its intensified emotionality.