Whether RCA (Cinch) or XLR, high quality audio cables ensure a clean, interference-free signal path between your CD player, DAC, music streamer, preamplifier, and power amplifier. Discover the full range of in-akustik audio interconnects, from high-performance entry-level solutions to uncompromising reference-grade cables featuring our innovative AIR technology. Engineered for maximum signal integrity, meticulously handcrafted, and designed to meet the expectations of discerning audiophiles.
NF-1205 AIR | XLR
Cable capacitance plays a decisive role, especially for audio cable connections between individual devices. As the signal sources are very weak and react sensitively to high cable capacitance, audio cables are virtually predestined for air insulation using air helix technology. 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 newly developed XLR 180° plugs can each be rotated by +/- 45 degrees, i.e. +/- 90 degrees in total. The finishing touch for perfect cabling. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-2405 AIR | XLR
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. The resulting Air Helix is then also shielded by hand and fitted with a PE network jacket before the finished cable is assembled with the XLR 180° connectors developed in-house. 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. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-4005 AIR | XLR
Good sound needs space! In developing our Air technology, we have proven that an audio cable’s insulation plays a decisive role and has a significant influence on the sound. This is due to dielectric losses and the electrostatic properties of the insulating materials, which burden the hi-fi system like heavy luggage and make it sluggish. By “omitting” this strain we then help the entire hi-fi chain to achieve top performance. We do this with special clips that guide the signal conductors through the cable in a row and freely suspended. A cable’s geometry also influences these factors. Bigger distances mean less load. This is exactly where our NF-4005 AIR comes in: The AIR helix design and the cable’s dimensions create even more space and air between the signal conductors. The cable thus forms a wide audiophile corridor and rolls out the red carpet, so to speak, for every sound detail. 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. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-4005 AIR Pure Silver | XLR
Good sound needs space! In developing our Air technology, we have proven that an audio cable’s insulation plays a decisive role and has a significant influence on the sound. This is due to dielectric losses and the electrostatic properties of the insulating materials, which burden the hi-fi system like heavy luggage and make it sluggish. By “omitting” this strain we then help the entire hi-fi chain to achieve top performance. We do this with special clips that guide the signal conductors through the cable in a row and freely suspended. A cable’s geometry also influences these factors. Bigger distances mean less load. This is exactly where our NF-4005 AIR Pure Silver comes in: The AIR helix design and the cable’s dimensions create even more space and air between the signal conductors. The cable thus forms a wide audiophile corridor and rolls out the red carpet, so to speak, for every sound detail. To get closer to the pinnacle of audiophile perfection, we also carefully examined the conductor material. Copper in the right purity is itself already an excellent conductor, but a superconductor with no ohmic resistance to the current would be simply perfect. The material’s superconducting properties, however, require extremely low temperatures of at least -70 degrees. Under realistic conditions, silver is currently the most conductive material. With a conductivity of 61.35 S/m (siemens per meter), it outperforms copper by around six percent. Many manufacturers only use silver-plated conductors, which over time can seem, “bright”, “metallic” and even, “annoying”. We, on the other hand, use pure silver, which has a far more neutral sound. Due to the higher drift speed of the electrons, our pure silver cable delivers a more penetrating and sumptuous sound performance, across all frequency ranges. On the other hand of course, silver is about one hundred times more expensive than copper. 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. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-1205 AIR Pure Silver | XLR
Cable capacitance plays a decisive role, especially for audio cable connections between individual devices. As the signal sources are very weak and react sensitively to high cable capacitance, audio cables are virtually predestined for air insulation using air helix technology. Adding another highlight to this perfect audiophile foundation, we then focused on the conductor material of the cables. Copper in the appropriate purity is already a very good conductor. A superconductor, where electrical resistance is zero, would be perfect, of course. Unfortunately, superconducting materials require temperatures of at least -70 degrees. Under realistic operating conditions, the best conducting material we have is currently silver. At 61.35 S/m (Siemens pro Meter), its conductivity is approximately six percent superior to that of copper. However, this precious metal is about 100 times more expensive. 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 newly developed XLR 180° plugs can each be rotated by +/- 45 degrees, i.e. +/- 90 degrees in total. The finishing touch for perfect cabling. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-2405 AIR Pure Silver | XLR
Our AIR cables have already caused something of a sensation in the world of high-end connections: “The best cable ever connected here between amp and speakers!” (AUDIO 02-2020| LS-2404 AIR PURE SILVER). With the NF-2405 AIR Pure Silver, the analog member of the AIR family is now also available as a pure silver cable. AIR technology is a milestone in our more than 46-year company history and is causing a sensation in the hi-fi industry worldwide. The approach itself sounds relatively banal: The physically induced losses must be minimized in order to transmit the original music signal as authentically and neutrally as possible. And, thanks to the AIR technology, loss-free transmission is closer than ever before. It leads to significantly better sound reproduction, which is not only subjectively audible but also objectively measurable. The insulation (or dielectric) of the AIR cables is practically perfect thanks to the air insulation, and hardly affects the sound at all. The structure, dimensions and arrangement of the conductors are optimized, and approach the limits of what is physically possible. Adding another highlight to this perfect audiophile foundation, we then focused on the conductor material of the cables. Copper in the appropriate purity is already a very good conductor. A superconductor, where electrical resistance is zero, would be perfect, of course. Unfortunately, superconducting materials require temperatures of at least -70 degrees. Under realistic operating conditions, the best conducting material we have is currently silver. At 61.35 S/m (Siemens pro Meter), its conductivity is approximately six percent superior to that of copper. However, this precious metal is about 100 times more expensive. 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. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-404 Micro AIR | XLR
The RCA and XLR outputs on hi-fi components transmit very weak signals and are therefore highly sensitive to a cable’s electrical properties—particularly its capacitance. High cable capacitance acts like a low-pass filter: it attenuates high frequencies and causes phase shifts that degrade the musical reproduction. Micro AIR technology consistently reduces capacitance, thereby preserving the integrity of the audio signal—for unadulterated reproduction across the entire frequency spectrum, from powerful bass to the finest high-frequency details. Another critical factor is signal noise within the conductor structure. Uncontrolled contact points between the individual wires can generate micro-distortions that manifest sonically as an unpleasant “hissing” sound during S-sounds, among other things. The specially developed Guided Copper construction of the NF-404 specifically addresses this problem: The individual conductors are precisely separated and insulated from one another by PE wires. This ensures a defined structure and a consistent, low-loss signal flow. The symmetrical architecture of the NF-404 Micro AIR also offers high immunity to electromagnetic interference. In environments with numerous potential sources of interference, such as switching power supplies, Wi-Fi, or cellular networks, stray signals are effectively compensated for. The result is stable, low-interference transmission. Whether used on its own or in combination with the LS-404 speaker cable, the NF-404 Micro AIR unlocks the full sound potential of your system and delivers an open, precise, and detailed sound. Click here and discover the exciting details
NF-204 Micro AIR | XLR
Because the outputs on hi-fi devices only supply extremely weak signals and are sensitive to high cable capacitance, the capacitance of a cable plays a significant role when connecting components together. A “low-pass filter” can be created that cuts off high frequencies and also causes phase shifts. This is the reason why RCA and XLR audio cables are ideal companions for the air-based insulation used in the MICRO AIR technology. Another special feature of the NF-204 Micro AIR is its symmetrical architecture, which guarantees high immunity to EMC radiation. In addition to this, we have also developed a completely new and entirely solder-free RCA connector for the Micro AIR series. It consists of several component parts that are only joined together during course of the assembly process. The cable ends are prepared in our cable manufacturing unit, with meticulous care and a passionate attention to detail. They are then inserted into contact pins made of tellurium copper and pressure-grouted using a force of 1.5 tonnes. Alone or in combination with the LS-204/LS-204-XL, the NF-204 Micro AIR opens up the connection floodgates and allows your components to perform at their very best. Click here and discover the exciting details
S25 Interconnect Cable | XLR
The S25 Interconnect Cable offers a sonically neutral and technically high-quality connection for demanding hi-fi and studio applications. Its highly flexible design and discreet appearance allow for easy integration into any setup. The signal conductors are made of highly pure, oxygen-free copper (OFC) and insulated with foamed polyethylene - a material with a particularly low dielectric constant that promotes low-loss signal transmission. The true balanced construction with separate conductors for hot, cold, and ground ensures stable, low-noise signal routing and enables effective suppression of hum interference and external noise sources. A dense copper braid made of 186 fine wires serves as effective shielding against external influences such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or power supplies. The gold-plated solid metal XLR connectors guarantee a permanently reliable contact with low contact resistance and high mechanical stability. The Connect 212 is made in Germany and individually tested for signal integrity - ensuring uncompromising quality and long-lasting listening pleasure. Click here to discover exciting details
NF-XLR
The high-quality audio cable boasts a high copper content, ensuring powerful sound. Thanks to the double shielding, the cable provides reliable protection against interference. The dual-mono design ensures optimum channel separation and improved electrical properties. EMC interference caused by mobile phone and WiFi networks is reduced by the double shielding, so preserving the fine details.
Which audio cable gives the best sound?
Professional audio cables play a crucial role in perfectly showcasing your sound. Whether you want to optimize your hi-fi system or are looking for high-quality connections for your home cinema, the right cables make all the difference. At in-akustik, you will find a wide selection of high-quality analog audio cables, especially RCA and XLR cables, which have been developed for a wide range of applications and guarantee an outstanding sound experience.
A good audio cable ensures that the signal is transmitted without any loss of quality – this is particularly important if you want to hear every detail of your favorite music. Whether you are looking for high-quality XLR cables for high-end hi-fi systems or classic RCA cables, the variety is huge and precisely tailored to give you the best possible sound. Not only functionality but also workmanship is crucial here. High-quality materials and precise manufacturing are the key to clean, interference-free sound.
A brief guide to materials
Our professional audio cables are made of various high-quality materials that significantly influence signal quality, provide better shielding and durability in any audio setup. The conductor material of many cables is high-purity copper, often referred to as OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper), which minimizes resistance and ensures a clean signal flow. For the AIR Pure Silver cables, we even use pure silver as the conductor material to further improve signal transmission.
The highlight of our cable design is the innovative AIR technology. This enables us to use air as a dielectric – alongside vacuum, the best insulating material in physical terms. This minimizes unwanted capacities and guarantees precise signal transmission.
The connectors of our AIR cables are made of rhodium-coated tellurium copper. Tellurium copper is a harder metal alloy with high conductivity, which has significantly better electrical properties than brass connectors. The rhodium coating ensures long-lasting contact and corrosion resistance, which guarantees stable conductivity even with frequent modifications.
Our XLR cables and RCA cables are equipped with a high-density shielding that effectively reduces electromagnetic interference.
Which connection is the right one?
Low-frequency cables are used to transmit analog audio signals between different hi-fi components. They are used in a variety of applications, such as:
- Connecting a CD player or network player to active speakers
- Connecting a CD player to a preamplifier or amplifier
- Connecting a preamplifier to a power amplifier
- Vonnecting DACs (digital-to-analog converters) to amplifiers
- Special phono cables are required to connect a turntable to a phono preamplifier
XLR cables, such as the NF-204 Micro AIR | XLR, offer balanced signal transmission with two signal conductors and a shielding, making them particularly resistant to interference. They are not only used in the professional sector, but increasingly also in the high-end hi-fi segment, where the highest sound quality is required. XLR plugs are lockable and, thanks to their three poles (pin 1 for shielding, pin 2 for hot signal, pin 3 for inverted signal), offer a secure fit and larger contact surfaces. They are particularly suitable for long cable lengths and environments with potential sources of interference
RCA cables, such as the NF-1205 AIR | RCA, on the other hand, are widely used in hi-fi systems and are suitable for unbalanced connections between components. They provide reliable signal transmission and can be found in many home audio systems. RCA plugs have two poles (inner pin for signal and outer ring for ground/shielding) and are not lockable. They are ideal for shorter connections in the home. For short distances and in low-interference environments, both cable types can deliver excellent sound quality.
The difference between analog and digital audio cables
Analog and digital audio cables differ fundamentally in the way they transmit signals.
Analog audio cables (such as RCA and XLR cables):
- Transmit continuous electrical signals that directly represent audio information
- Used to connect analog audio devices such as amplifiers, mixers, and speakers
- Are more susceptible to interference and quality loss over longer distances
- Transfer discrete digital data in the form of binary codes (zeros and ones)
- Are used for the connection between digital audio devices such as CD players, DACs and AV receivers
- They are less susceptible to interference and can transmit signals over longer distances without loss of quality.
This distinction is important because it determines the cable's range of application and properties. For the connection between a DAC and an amplifier, analog cables are usually used because the DAC has already converted the digital signal into an analog one. Digital cables, on the other hand, are used to transmit digital audio signals from a source to the DAC.
FAQ Audio Cables
In home audio, the main distinction is between analog RCA cables and balanced XLR cables, which carry the signal between your components. In addition, there are digital cables and special connections such as phono or subwoofer cables. At in-akustik, you will find the analog audio cables of our Reference series in both RCA and XLR versions, each built with AIR technology and made in Germany.
As short as possible, as long as necessary. Analog RCA connections should be kept short because weak source signals react sensitively to high cable capacitance. Balanced XLR cables can handle much longer runs, as they actively suppress interference. For most hi-fi systems, 0.75 to 1.5 meters is ideal.
That depends on the signal. RCA refers to the connector type and is used for both analog and digital connections, while coaxial refers to digital transmission, which often runs through an RCA connector as well. For analog connections between source and amplifier, use the analog audio cables on this page; for digital signals, choose a suitable digital cable. What matters is that the cable and the connection match the task at hand.
HDMI carries picture and sound together and supports high-resolution multichannel formats, while optical cables (Toslink) transmit audio only and are limited in the formats they support. For home theater, HDMI is usually the better choice. You will find our HDMI cables in the Home Theater section; the analog audio cables on this page are made for classic hi-fi setups.
Good sound needs space. Inside the NF-4005 AIR, specially developed clips guide the signal conductors freely through the cable, so that they are surrounded mostly by air instead of conventional insulation material. This lowers the cable capacitance and minimizes dielectric effects on the audio signal. The design is completed by the solderless RCA-SL connector, which is press-fitted at a pressure of 1.5 metric tons for a permanently reliable, contact-stable connection.
Here you can discover our wide selection of different professional audio cables in a range of quality levels – from classic entry-level cables to high-end solutions that will impress even the most demanding audiophiles. You are guaranteed to find the right cable for all of your audio components in order to take your music or home theater experience to the next level.
Audio Cables Highlights
The year 2020 marked the 50th Anniversary of perennial classic-rock favorite, America. Founding members, Gerry Beckley and Dewey Bunnell (along with former band mate Dan Peek) met in high school in London in the late 1960s and quickly harmonized their way to the top of the charts on the strength of their signature song "A Horse With No Name." America became a global household name and paved the way with an impressive string of hits following the success of their first #1 single. Forty plus years later, these friends are still making music together, touring the world and thrilling audiences with their timeless sound. From their formative years, America has been a band capable of transcending borders with its uplifting music and positive message. Embracing a rainbow of divergent cultures, America's audiences continue to grow, comprising a loyal legion of first, second and third generation fans. Greatest Hits In Concert spans a bow over the career of these great musicians. • DAA using an especially new produced analog master
Since 1976 they are on the stage, have performed on more than 4,000 occasions in 14 countries and have released more than 26 albums – these figures highlight the impressive achievements of the Blues Company and demonstrate that the musicians gathered around the mastermind Todor Todorovic have had an enormous influence on the blues in Germany. However, far more impressive than the statistics is the manner in which Todorovic, known by everyone simply as “Tosho”, celebrates the blues with his buddies on stage. Tosho lets the guitar fly with his pieces that bubble with elegance, while his unmistakeable voice gives the songs their distinctive expression. The Blues Company has always been open-minded to new techniques. They were among the audiophile pioneers, who in the late 1980s brought out the first blues CDs, and later the first SACDs and 5.1 surround recordings - so we were the second Blues band in the world. But one thing was still missing in our releases: a live in the studio recording with an audience. The trick with a Silent Concert is that visitors, unlike at normal concerts, do not appreciate the music through a PA, but through headphones. Thus, they are able to receive perfect stereo sound anywhere in the room and can even adjust the volume themselves. However, only a relatively small circle of people can experience this concert enjoyment. For technical reasons, the number of listeners is limited to a maximum of 100. The auditorium was equipped with sofas, chairs, beanbag chairs and floor lamps, and the band did not play on a stage, but rather dispersed in the audience. The sound engineer was able to create an individual in-ear monitor mix at the highest tonal level for each of the musicians involved as well as for the stereo mix for the audience. This culminated in the Blues Company presenting itself at ist very best: with crisp Chicago blues and gentle ballads, with crackling guitar solos and a blasting brass section, with many rock and soul additions, and with highlights from concerts past. The audio recording literally vibrates with vivacity. For the band, as well as for the audience, this was a great, exciting, unforgettable experiment. • DAA using an especially new produced analog master
