posted on Friday, 13th June 2025 by Steve May
Russ Andrews is re-introducing the original Kimber Kable PBJ analogue interconnect to the UK market. With a heritage that stretches back decades, PBJ will be a name familiar to Hi-Fi enthusiasts and AV professionals alike.
Originally launched in the 1980s, PBJ became a go-to upgrade for audiophiles seeking to improve upon the generic cables bundled with audio separates. Praised for its clarity and detail, it remained a fixture in the Russ Andrews catalogue until the early 2000s, when it was replaced by the Kimber Timbre.
Now, the PBJ is back - with a crucial upgrade. While its signature design and construction remain intact, the new PBJ is said to use a significantly purer copper conductor for an elevated audio performance.
The heart of the PBJ’s upgrade lies in its exceptionally high-purity copper, with a conductivity rating of 102% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard) - a benchmark that far exceeds traditional OFC specifications. This increase in conductivity translates to lower resistance and improved signal integrity, making it ideal for high-resolution source components and audiophile installations.
PBJ retains Kimber’s distinctive braided VariStrand conductors, with each conductor consisting of seven strands of varying gauges to optimise audio frequency performance. These are arranged in a tri-braid construction that acts as an effective barrier against RFI, both airborne and conducted, ensuring a cleaner signal path between components.
Each conductor is insulated with fluorocarbon (Teflon), a premium dielectric material chosen for its extremely low dielectric constant and high-pressure, low-temperature application process, minimising copper degradation during manufacture. The result is improved signal fidelity and reduced temporal distortion, key for custom installers working on high-end systems.
Despite the technical enhancements, PBJ remains a practical and accessible product. It replaces both the Kimber Tonik and Timbre cables in the Russ Andrews range and is available with a choice of connector options to suit a variety of use cases: Nickel-plated RCA connectors for entry-level upgrades; Kimber UltraPlate RCAs for mid-tier applications; Switchcraft XLR connectors for studio-grade balanced installations
This flexibility makes PBJ an ideal option for both residential and commercial AV installations, where signal fidelity and robustness are non-negotiable.
A 0.5m length is priced at £75, £130, and £145, for Nickel-plated RCA, UltraPlate RCA and Switchcraft XLR respectively. For 1m, prices rise to £103, £158 and £173.
The new Kimber PBJ analogue interconnect is available now, but will receive its official public debut at the North West Audio Show in Cranage on June 21 - 22. It’s covered by Russ Andrews’ standard 60-day money-back guarantee and 25-year warranty.
Inside CI Editor Steve May is a freelance technology specialist who also writes for T3, TechRadar, Home Cinema Choice, Trusted Reviews and The Luxe Review.
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