The Pinnacle Interconnect of the Leif 3 Series | Available at Trimira Audio
The Nordost Red Dawn 3 Analog Interconnect represents the flagship interconnect within Nordost's Leif 3 Series, combining low-mass construction, silver-plated solid-core conductors, controlled geometry, and extensive shielding.
Designed to provide a fast, low-loss signal path between source components and amplification, the Red Dawn 3 uses six 24 AWG conductors arranged into three individually shielded twisted pairs, providing strong isolation between signal paths while protecting delicate analog signals from external electrical interference.
For systems seeking a significant step beyond conventional analog interconnects, the Red Dawn 3 combines high-speed signal transmission with carefully controlled electrical and mechanical construction.
Key Features & Technological Innovations
Six 24 AWG Solid-Core Conductors
The Red Dawn 3 uses 6 × 24 AWG solid-core conductors constructed from high-purity OFC copper with silver plating.
The solid-core construction is designed to avoid unwanted strand interaction while maintaining consistent signal transmission.
Individually Shielded Twisted-Pair Layout
The six conductors form three precision-twisted pairs, with each pair individually shielded before being enclosed within a secondary outer braided shield.
This architecture is designed to minimize:
- Inter-pair crosstalk
- External electromagnetic interference
- Radio-frequency interference
- Mechanical interaction
97% Overall Shield Coverage
The dual-layer shielding architecture provides up to 97% overall braided coverage, protecting the low-level analog signal from environmental RF and electromagnetic interference.
High-Grade Extruded FEP Insulation
Each conductor uses Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) insulation, selected for its low-loss dielectric characteristics and high signal propagation performance.
The cable is specified with a velocity of propagation of 80% of the speed of light.
Precision Low-Mass Neutrik Terminations
Red Dawn 3 interconnects are hand-terminated with gold-plated:
- Neutrik Profi RCA connectors
- Neutrik XLR balanced connectors
Providing secure mechanical connection and low contact resistance.
Technical Specifications
| Specification |
Red Dawn 3 Analog Interconnect |
| Series |
Leif 3 Series (Flagship Interconnect) |
| Insulation |
Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) |
| Construction |
3 Twisted Pairs (Individually Shielded) + Outer Braid |
| Conductors |
6 × 24 AWG Solid-Core |
| Conductor Material |
99.9999% Solid-Core Oxygen-Free Copper (OFC) with Silver Plating |
| Overall Shield Coverage |
97% Braided Shielding |
| Velocity of Propagation |
80% Speed of Light |
| Termination Options |
Gold-Plated Neutrik Profi RCA or Neutrik XLR Balanced |
| Standard Lengths Available |
0.6 m, 1.0 m, 1.5 m, 2.0 m, 2.5 m, 3.0 m, 3.5 m + Custom Lengths |
Consult with the Experts at Trimira Audio
The Nordost Red Dawn 3 Analog Interconnect is the flagship interconnect of the Leif 3 range, making it a logical choice for listeners looking to maximize signal integrity while retaining Nordost's distinctive low-mass cable architecture.
Trimira Audio can assist with:
- RCA versus balanced XLR configuration
- Ideal cable length
- Source-to-amplifier matching
- System-wide cable upgrades
- Custom cable requirements
- System audition arrangements
For a high-performance analog signal path, Red Dawn 3 combines silver-plated solid-core conductors, individually shielded twisted pairs, 97% shielding coverage, FEP insulation, and precision low-mass terminations.
