NF-2405 AIR | XLR

• "Point-to-point Air Helix” for authentic sound
• Air as the ultimate dielectric minimizes capacitance
• Cross Link Super Speed waveguide for a balanced sound
• XLR connectors can be adjusted by +/- 45 degrees

Breathtaking sound thanks to air insulation - we have already created many innovative designs on the way to perfect insulation, such as DUO-PE insulation or PETS (PE Tube Support). The Referenz NF-2405 cable is another true milestone and an absolute world first in the cable sector.

Normally, the conductors are kept at a distance from each other by more or less high-quality filling and insulation materials. With the NF-2405, however, the conductors run through a series of clips connected in series, which form the inner framework and give the NF-2405 exceptional flexibility for high-end cables.

The NF-2405 is manufactured entirely in Germany, like all speaker and audio cables in the Referenz series. The clips are assembled by hand with meticulous care in the company's own factory and then the Cross Link super-speed waveguide is threaded in. After this, the resulting air helix is also shielded by hand and given a PE network jacket before the finished cable is assembled using the RCA plugs we developed ourselves.

New XLR 180° plug: It is only possible to insert XLR connectors in one direction. This can be annoying as the position of the XLR sockets in devices varies. In order for the cable to fit, it must sometimes be twisted by force. This puts a strain on cables, plugs and device sockets and sometimes simply looks a mess. The new XLR 180° plugs developed in-house can be rotated by +/- 45 degrees, i.e., up to a total of +/- 90 degrees from connector to connector. The finishing touch for perfect cabling. 

To the point

AIR Helix

The Air Helix architecture enables the signal conductors to run freely suspended through the length of the cable and permits signal conductors to be insulated to practically 100% by air.

The dielectric

Using air as a dielectric lowers capacitance to a minimum. In comparison with other insulators, using air as a dielectric leads to no increase in capacitance and creates no dielectric losses.

Multicore structure

By cleverly arranging the conductors in the multiply nested multicore structures, overlapping magnetic field areas are created that significantly reduce inductance.

The conductors

The Cross Link Super Speed waveguide avoids so-called skin effects and delivers a balanced sound, even with complex music passages and high volume levels.

XLR 180°

The Referenz XLR 180° connectors developed by us can be rotated by +/- 45 degrees and can therefore be optimally adapted to individual socket alignments. Cables and sockets are less stressed.

Thanks to the Air Helix design, the conductors run freely suspended through the length of the cable.

The Air Helix architecture permits signal conductors to be insulated to practically 100% by air. Special clips were developed to provide the supporting framework. Positioned at defined intervals inside the cables, these clips keep the helically-arranged conductors apart. Cable flexibility is assured by means of two struts that ensure the clips remain together but also at a precise distance from each other. This architecture is unique, bringing low capacitance and minimum dielectric losses – a true milestone in the search for open and unadulterated sound.

Our physical approach: Minimize losses for true-to-original playback.

Our Referenz AIR cables transport audio signals between source, amplifier and speaker in an authentic way and with a minimum of loss. You can enjoy music that precisely expresses the emotions of the artists at the time of recording – sensual, subtle, light-hearted or orchestral right through to full-blooded and rocking. Vocals and instruments are delivered in unadulterated form. Everything remains vibrant and full of emotive energy. Favorite tracks and pieces continue to trigger strong feelings even when you’ve heard them a hundred time over.

Point-to-point Air Helix for end-to-end connections

A new feature in the 5th generation of in-akustik’s Air Helix architecture is the point-to-point connection. Specially designed transitions are available for each type of cable and connector. Across the complete length of the cable – point-to-point AIR Helix. It may sound trivial at first, but the results are impressive. Sound signals are transported with minimized losses, right through to the final centimeters. The sound is more detailed and dynamic than even before.

The conductor structure

The Cross Link Super Speed waveguide avoids skin effects caused by eddy currents in the conductor. Thanks to the braided structure, the waveguide is able to precisely transport even extreme current peaks. A lacquer coating around each wire prevents eddy currents within the conductor and protects against oxidation. All this results in a conductor that delivers a balanced sound consisting of vibrant and never overemphasized timbres, even in complex musical passages and at high volume levels.

The conductor material

The conductor material is a crucial factor for the transmission of sound signals. Any contamination worsens the conductance and increases the background noise. We only use pure, oxygen-free copper in our AIR cables. We ensure that only carefully selected batches of pure copper are processed. We take great pains to measure the quality of the copper before it is sent to the mill for drawing to the required cross-section over the course of a multi-stage process.

The shielding

EMC interference, from sources such as mobile phone and WiFi networks, is constantly increasing. This interference impairs the sensitive audio signal. Interference occurs when signals of different frequencies overlap. This can result in unwanted distortions that have nothing to do with the original signal. Dense shielding is therefore essential to protect the extremely sensitive music signals from this interference so that even the finest details are preserved.

Cable manufacturing unit

The beating heart of in-akustik is our manufactory. This is where our success story is rooted – permeated by a congenial working atmosphere, a love of music and a passion for detail. At in-akustik, we believe musical enjoyment stems from a listening experience that remains as close as possible to the original recording and the artist’s interpretation of the piece. That’s why we boast a committed workforce that combines curiosity with a keen sense of precision. With a fascination for music and things that are really special – like the development of our complex AIR cables.

Handmade

Each cable is handcrafted with the utmost care. Our extensive know-how and the qualifications of our team enable us to manufacture the complex cables in a customized manner. Apart from the finest of materials, our most important resource is the manual dexterity of our cable assemblers. In assembling our outstanding cables, they demonstrate meticulousness, composure and dedication.

Rigorous quality control

We manufacture in accordance with the highest standards. Rigorous quality control is carried out before, during and subsequent to assembly. We verify the tolerances of ever individual component. At every stage of manufacturing, we check the configuration and electrics for short-circuits. We also conduct functional and mechanical testing. No product leaves our manufacturing unit without a final quality check.

Did you know...

...that our NF-2405 AIR (2 x 1.5 m) is made up of 195 individual components? The copper wire used is 1109 m long, and the PE monofilament is 388 m long. Containing 296 drill holes, the Air Helix design of this cable type demands great dexterity on the part of the assemblers when they’re threading through the conductors.

PE network jacket

Most cables have a PVC sheath surrounded by a textile or plastic braid. This sheath is meant to protect the cable from mechanical damage. At in-akustik, we deliberately don’t use a PVC sheath in order to avoid capacitance and any consequent dielectric losses. The sheaths for AIR cables are made of polyethylene monofilaments. These hold the conductors tightly together, reduce microvibrations and allow extreme dynamic peaks to be processed in an unadulterated fashion.

Rhodium-coated

The best cable requires optimum connection technology. We use tellurium copper, a harder metal alloy that maintains the high conductivity value. Much superior to that of brass connectors. The rhodium coating ensures long-lasting contact and corrosion resistance. The stable conductivity is even maintained with frequent conversions. This is better than gold contacts, which wear out quicker.

Reviews

"There is hardly anything else we use so regularly and know so well as the cables from Ballrechten-Dottingen in Baden [...] There shouldn't be much room for improvement in terms of quality. Rather, the innovative Baden-based company demonstrates how air in the conductor can carry you to the top. Rarely have we been so blown away in the listening room as with the 2405 AIR cable set!" Stereo | 07-2024

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"From the very first contact with the in-akustik NF-2405 XLR small signal cable, which at 1,849 euros for a meter of cable assembly is in an upmarket price category and therefore raises high expectations, there is a sense of joy. It quickly becomes clear that the cable specialists are offering hi-fi fans a serious value for the price. [...] The AIR-fresh, pleasant sound that the XLR cables elicit from high-quality equipment is also a delight from the very first bars. In keeping with the recording, the sound is warm and soulful or groovy and jazzy, always relaxed and without nervousness. When bass comes into play, it is given the necessary contour and dynamics. Always with plenty of space and structure. The in-akustik NF-2405 AIR demonstrate how great “right” can sound. A real tip for hi-fi fans who want to invest in high-quality cables."" HiFi-ifas| 03-2024

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Factory Tour & Listening Session

"When the optimized power supply was added to the mix, the sound was even cleaner and also gained depth. The Audiovector R8 Arreté speakers also radiate mid and high frequencies to the rear. However, the already impressive three-dimensionality was, so to speak, given a clean drawing. The increase in homogeneity and conciseness was downright astonishing. Where one is often gained at the expense of the other (tablecloth effect), here the tablecloth was, so to speak, larger at all corners." Audio Swiss | 01-2024

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Previous cable NF-2404 AIR

"Such timbres, but also details, dynamics, space - the in-akustik LF cable can do everything and never gets on your nerves, perhaps also because of the tiny amount of warmth in the sound and the fun factor that tends to go hand in hand with cables with a strong bass. Strong bass does not mean “unbalanced”, the balance is perfect. But accompanying double basses, plucked or bowed, sound simply stunningly tangible through this cable." image hifi | 05-2021.

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User Reviews