Audioquest Perfect Surface Metals


I can not find anything on the web that shows pictures (presumably under a microscope) that demonstrate the qualities/properties of AQ's much heralded PSC/PSC+/PSS metals.  It's hard to believe there are none.  Wouldn't AQ themselves put these up?  You can find the "single grain copper", OFC, etc. pictures, which have been around for a long time.  Before AQ went from "functionally perfect copper" to "long grain coper" (still available on their cheaper cables), they had a lot of back up for these metals (their website still does).  Then out came the three I mentioned above, and unless I am missing something it seems like we are supposed to take it on faith that these metals exist and are somehow different.  I also find it hard to believe that no one with a microscope has cut open some of these cables and posted something to the web.  I just must be missing it.  Is anyone aware of pictures or some other evidence that records the properties of these metals?  I notice that Cardas' website says they polish their copper after each annealing stage, and that good copper is so hard to find they had to make their own.  So where is AQ getting theirs from?   When one of their cables nearly doubles in price because it changes from LGC to PSC I would think there would be more support/evidence for this supposed improvement.  I own several AQ cables by the way.
jimmy2615
A lot of manufacturers are being shy on the 'in depth'. I think it is to not help copycats.
AudioQuest cables are all made in China. I am certain the metal they use is refined in China also
The actual cost to make something is a small percentage of the final cost. So that extra step may cost them less than a penny a foot, but they have a right to make a profit.

Also other companies have similar special wire claims. Kimber has 'Micro pearl'. and it too is a lot more expensive.
Agreed, they are absolutely allowed to make a profit.  I am not questioning how much it may cost them to make these different metals or their cable pricing schemes.  Or even whether it makes a difference in sound quality.  My point is since they do charge more for various materials I would have thought there would have been some objective evidence already out there on what makes the metals different from each other. 

Tom, good suggestion.  I sent the following to AQ:

Hello,

 I own several models of your cables and am considering upgrading. Can you explain (or provide pictures for #2):

1) Is PSC long grain copper that has an improved surface, or does PSC start out as a different based copper?
2) How is LGC different from PSC and PSC different than PSC+ ?
3) Is PSC made differently than your base copper (LGC) - are there additional stages in the process?

Thank you