AudioQuest Sydney Interconnect Cable - 3.5mm to RCA

Sydney Moves to Air-Tube Insulation and Silver-Plated Plugs

A 3.5mm-to-RCA interconnect lets a source built around a small headphone-style jack — a phone, portable player, or compact streamer — feed a stereo system's RCA inputs directly, with no separate adapter in the signal path. What separates a premium cable from a bargain one is conductor quality and shielding against outside noise.

AudioQuest's Sydney keeps Big Sur's Perfect-Surface Copper+ conductors but moves to Polyethylene Air-Tube insulation and cold-welded, direct-silver plated Pure Purple Copper plugs, in a Dark Gray/Black Braid jacket. It sits between Big Sur below it and Yosemite above it in the range.

Solid Perfect-Surface Copper+ Conductors

AudioQuest says Perfect-Surface Copper+ is its highest-purity copper grade, minimizing distortion caused by grain boundaries. Sydney's Polyethylene Air-Tube insulation reduces what AudioQuest calls the 'out-of-focus effect' compared to solid-core insulation.

Direction-Controlled Conductors

Sydney uses Direction-Controlled Conductors for noise dissipation, the same approach used on Tower, Evergreen, Golden Gate and Big Sur. Carbon-Based Noise-Dissipation and the 72v DBS are found only on Yosemite and Angel; Sydney does not have them.

The Connectors, Explained

Sydney ends in a 3.5mm mini plug on the source side and a stereo pair of RCA plugs on the amplifier side, both cold-welded rather than soldered and direct-silver plated over Pure Purple Copper.

Who Is This Interconnect Best For?

• You already own a Big Sur and want a different insulation and plug approach, not just better copper — Sydney moves to air-tube insulation and direct-silver plated plugs on the same conductor grade
• Your source has only a 3.5mm output and your amplifier only takes RCA — Sydney bridges that mismatch with no separate adapter
• You want air-tube insulation without stepping all the way up to Yosemite — Sydney carries Polyethylene Air-Tubes with Direction-Controlled Conductors on Perfect-Surface Copper+
• You are feeding a source with real resolution to protect over a short desktop run — Sydney sits between Big Sur and Yosemite in AudioQuest's 3.5mm-to-RCA range for exactly that kind of upgrade
• Your budget stops at Big Sur's price and that tier already covers your gear — AudioQuest Big Sur is the lower-priced cable one rung down

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Plug the 3.5mm end into your source's headphone or line-out jack, and the two RCA plugs into the matching RCA inputs on your amplifier or receiver, matching red to red and white/black to white/black.

Then power up the system as usual.

Pairs Well With

A 3.5mm-to-RCA interconnect is one link between a source and an amplifier or receiver. It usually joins these categories.

• Music Streamers — many portable and desktop streamers use a 3.5mm output
• Headphone Amplifiers — a common source for a 3.5mm line-level feed
• Digital-to-Analog Converters — some compact DACs use a 3.5mm output instead of RCA
• Stereo Amplifiers — the usual destination for the RCA end of this cable

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does this cable have a 3.5mm plug on one end and RCA plugs on the other?

Many portable players, phones, and compact streaming devices only offer a single 3.5mm headphone-style output, while most home amplifiers and receivers expect a stereo pair of RCA inputs; this cable bridges that one mismatch without an extra adapter.

Does direction matter when I connect this cable?

AudioQuest controls the directional grain structure of its conductors so induced noise drains away from the circuits it would otherwise disturb; where AudioQuest marks a direction on the cable, connect it running from source toward amplifier as marked.

Does this Sydney cable have AudioQuest's 72v DBS?

No. The 72v DBS is found only on Yosemite and Angel. Sydney uses Direction-Controlled Conductors.

Is there a step up?

AudioQuest Yosemite is the next rung, and adds FEP Air-Tubes, Carbon-Based Noise-Dissipation, a 72v DBS and direct-silver plated Pure Red Copper plugs. Angel sits above Yosemite.

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about interconnect cables, system setup, or matching your gear? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.