Stellar

This review first appeared in August 2024 on HifiKnights.com. By request of the manufacturer and permission of the author, it is hereby syndicated to reach a broader audience. All images contained in this piece are the property of HifiKnights or the manufacturer – Ed.

Reviewer: Dawid Grzyb
Transport: Innuos Statement, fidata HFAS1-S10U
DAC: LampizatOr Pacific (KR Audio T-100 / Living Voice 300B + KR Audio 5U4G Ltd. Ed.)
USB components: iFi audio Mercury3.0
Network: Fidelizer EtherStream, Linksys WRT160N
Preamplifier: Trilogy 915R, Thöress DFP
Amplifier: Trilogy 995R, FirstWatt F7, Enleum AMP-²3R
Speakers: Boenicke Audio W11 SE+, sound|kaos Vox 3afw
Headphones: HifiMan Susvara
Interconnects: LessLoss Entropic Process C-MARC, Boenicke Audio IC3 CG
Speaker cables: Boenicke Audio S3, LessLoss C-MARC
Speaker signal conditioning: LessLoss Firewall for Loudspeakers, Boenicke ComDev
Anti-vibration conditioning: 1²x Carbide Audio Carbide Base under DAC, preamp and speakers
Power delivery: Gigawatt PC-3 SE EVO+/LC-3 EVO, LessLoss C-MARC, LessLoss Entropic Process C-MARC, Boenicke Audio Power Gate, ISOL-8 Prometheus
Equipment rack: Franc Audio Accessories Wood Block Rack 1+3
Music: NativeDSD
Retail price of reviewed component in EU (incl. VAT): $2'450 up to 2m, add $112 for each additional half metre

The C-MARC Stellar is the Lithuanian brand LessLoss' latest power cord based on the most advanced version of their signature noise-rejecting geometry. Even though I review the brand regularly, I never expected the constant rides that would follow my first rodeo in 2018. My most recent review of the Firewall for HeadFi published here just several weeks back. It packed sixteen specialist signal-conditioning modules as one of the company's most important developments to date. Their intricate C-MARC skin-filtering technology is the other. This story is all about its latest version.

The Common-Mode Auto-Rejecting Cable aka C-MARC debuted in 2017 when it replaced the company's previous concept named DFPC for Dynamic Filtering  Power Cables. Both were designed to strip contamination from signal carriers and in the process make them quieter. C-MARC proved more effective for less coin, rather rare in the biz. Its core principle is based on two counter-polarized fractally replicated coils of the same diameter and step, one turned clockwise and its equivalent twisted in the opposite direction. They superimpose mutually to form a bucking-coil connection originally developed in the 1930s and aptly named humbucker. Noise induced on these strands electrically cancels due to their opposite polarity and geometry, creating high S/N ratio across the cable's length. C-MARC wiring comprises hundreds of balanced 0.125mm individually enamelled conductive hairs so it falls into the Litz category.

Until recently the LessLoss roster listed just one C-MARC power cord available either with or without the manufacturer's Entropic processing. Today this model goes by C-MARC Classic and is internally quite intricate. Each of its three legs comprises a white cotton core that's surrounded by 192 electrically isolated clockwise and counter-clockwise turning copper wires inside a gassed and mercerized black cotton sleeve around which goes the second 192-strong clockwise and counter-turning copper braid. A thin translucent Polyolefin membrane under a Polyethylene Terepthalate monofilament jacket forms the outer protective layer. 1'152 tiny copper hairs spread across the Classic's line, neutral and ground legs translate to a 14.137mm² conductive cross section. The Prime divides these numbers by two, so respectively to 576 and 7.069mm². The Stellar ramps them up to 1'728 and 21.206mm². So we could say that two Primes make one Classic, three today's arrival. But there's more to it.

The Prime, Classic, Classic Entropic Process and Stellar start at $486, $1'148, $1'934 and $2'450 respectively. These price tags specify which one is the entry-level, mid-tiered and upper-echelon specimen. The external differences largely don't though the Prime is skinniest, the Classic just a hair thinner than Stellar. Then again, understated appearance is a LessLoss trademark. Their cables are about ease of use, complex yet purposeful geometry and several other means not many manufacturers pay attention to. They are for shoppers who look beyond bling into clearly audible results. The Stellar fits this profile. It represents the latest advancements in C-MARC tech. Its larger conductive means means two things. One, it lowers impedance thus resistance to signal flow. Two, the increased number of balanced conductors means higher noise suppression. I was told that by increasing them the design can theoretically scale up to infinity. This also is a key obstacle. Adding extra layers or strands raises the complexity of the already elaborate cable which is no trifle to make. For now Stellar is the best team LessLoss can make. These Lithuanians are also particular about mechanical connections. 24K gold-plated hand-polished copper contacts in their IEC plugs clamp hard to lower contact resistance and prevent micro arcing. IeGO plug casings are translucent because, according to LessLoss, colouring or solidifying additives like glass-fibre fill impact performance. The IEC plug incorporates a large anti-vibration ring built from laser-cut fins.