The In-Akustik Kabel‘s Malaysia distributor, D&A Analogue Hifi (M) Sdn Bhd sent in for review their newly arrived Referenz NF-4005 Air Balanced XLR interconnect (retail at €4,499 per 1 meter pair or at €6,499 per 1.5 meter pair). Intrigued by its size, flexibility (ease to bend), sophistication and complication,…I digged into…
the designs, technologies and manufacture of the said cable.
In simplification, it was an impressive design,…materials used were not ‘cheap‘ (they only used “pure, oxygen-free copper in their AIR cables” and other specialised materials/ parts,…that included “Dense Shielding” with polyethylene monofilaments sheaths, etc…),…meticulous Handmade manufacture,… rigorous Quality Control,…and with the followings:-
1)”Point-to-point Air Helix” for authentic sound
2) Air as the ultimate dielectric minimizes capacitance
3) Cross Link Super Speed waveguide for a balanced sound
4) XLR 180° Tellurium copper with Rhodium coated (better than Gold coated) connectors that can be rotated by +/- 90 degrees,…
all for a conduit that was “True-to-Original playback” (?)
Without delay, I connected the Referenz NF-4005 between the digital source, HiFi Rose RS150B Reference Network Streamer to the FM Acoustics 268C preamplifier. The mono amplifiers, Vitus Audio MP-M201AF were powering the Magico M2 loudspeakers with the Skogrand Cables Silverspine SC, Skogrand Cables Stravinsky II AC and Stein Music Excel NF-R XLR, throughout the review.
The entire audio system employed power conditioners from the Audioquest Niagara 7000 (for amplification), Shunyata Hydra Denali (for the source and preamplifier), Frank Acoustics PowerBanks 15000W (3x) and,…’active‘ grounding from Telos Grounding Noise Reducer (3x), and ‘passive‘ grounding from AudioTech (for the loudspeakers, by YF Fong) and Entreq.
Most of the aboves were mainstay in my reference audio system, except the Referenz NF-4005 for the obvious reason.
“TRUE TO ORIGINAL PLAYBACK”?
The Referenz NF-4005 that I received was not run in for optimum performance (as warned by the distributor) therefore it was a ‘test of patience‘ for me. After some weeks of usage, the said conduit started to perform and improved…
I was pleasant surprised at the resolution of the vocalization of Ms.Sowelu at her rendition of the ballad, ‘To You‘ (from the anime Angel’s Heart). Here, through the Referenz NF-4005, I got to enjoy her artistry/ vocalization in controlling her vocal cords thus the vibrations thereof,…that involved several cortical and subcortical structures.
Her pacing in the singing of the words of the lyric to express her emotion was presented with such sensation as if…
Weight was given to the Lyric!.
Eventhough I do not understand the Japanese language but I could feel the emotion poured in by the vocalist,…
that was some (Fine) ‘Exposure‘ of Resolution.
At her rendition of ‘Finally‘ (from the same anime), I found the resolution of her vocalization was not perturbed by the accompanied synthesized music,…so much so, I could enjoy her distinctness, specificity and anchorage throughout the ballad. The entire presentation’s highlight was her rendition,…even amidst other supporting voices,…and that the Referenz NF-4005 managed to…
present the intended/ actual highlight separated from the surrounding elements of the music.
At the track, ‘Wings of Love‘, I found Mr.Toku‘s vocalization to be closer and more intimate,…with weightier voice and breath,…there was even audible echo (bounced from the recording venue) to his voice,…and the sensation of air/ atmosphere of the recording venue.
At the other track ‘More Than You Know‘, I found the presentation of the accompanied instruments to be weightier, profound, delineated, dimensional, spaced, separated and,…
with Punchier Mid Bass and more Founded Low Bass.
Here, at the track ‘Duwadjuwandadu‘, I could (literally) feel the power and energy from each hit at the drum by Mr.Charly Antolini. Each hit was fast, distinct, tight, spaced and weighted for easy following and appreciation, and…the other instruments and effects were equally vivid, distinct, separated and delineated.
The entire presentation, though Heavy, was Fast Paced, Spaced and filled with the Intended Excitement!
The Referenz NF-4005 was a clear conduit to Ms.Julia Fischer‘s artistry with the stringeth instrument, the violin. The instrument was presented with the intended dimension, weight and ‘woodiness‘ and,…the strings played were presented with vibrancy and liveliness (yet not ‘bright’). Her artistry sounded deep and throaty as intended and recorded.
That proved that the Referenz NF-4005 was a transparent conduit to the source material.
As for the Russian National Orchestra conducted by Mr.Yakov Kreizberg was presented with the recorded scale, size, dimensions, space, separation, groups (of musicians/ instruments),…and the air/ atmosphere of the recording philharmonic venue.
A CONDUIT FOR ‘TRUTH’ TO ORIGINAL PLAYBACK.
How much of the truth could be had?
As a conduit of resolution, energy, weight and bass, the In-Akustiks Referenz NF-4005 has…
Very Few Competitions in my Audio Book.
At its level of sophistication, complication, designs, technologies, manufacture and finally at its asking price (retail at €4,499 per 1 meter pair or at €6,499 per 1.5 meter pair),…
(For sure) Even Fewer Competitions!
That’s the truth!