TRA 9 with in-akustik AIR wiring
Our TRA 9 models are now also available with in-akustik’s renowned AIR wiring!
Point-to-Point – The Direct Connection
AIR Technology – In the Tonearm and Cable
Air Dielectric – Ultra-Low Capacitance and Dielectric Losses
Pure Silver Conductors – The Best Electrical Conductor
For an outstanding listening experience, the turntable, cartridge, tonearm, connecting cable and phono preamplifier must be carefully selected and perfectly matched. Even the smallest source of interference can affect the sound. While this may seem obvious, achieving it presents a number of challenges.
As a result of the highly sensitive tracking process, the MM or MC cartridge generates a signal that represents the analogue image of the recorded music – and ultimately determines what is heard through the loudspeakers. However, at just a few thousandths of a volt, the signal level produced by an MM or MC cartridge is extremely low and highly sensitive. Any alteration at this stage is amplified along with the signal and therefore has a direct impact on the sound.
Frequently underestimated sources of interference include unsuitable cable designs using conventional insulation, resulting in correspondingly high capacitance and dielectric losses. Added to this are transition points between the delicate tonearm wiring and the usually much heavier phono cable, as well as connectors and other interfaces. A variety of physical effects can influence signal transmission at these points, inevitably resulting in audible alterations to the analogue audio signal.
This is precisely where the combination of a Transrotor tonearm and an in-akustik AIR cable comes into play.
Point-to-Point Connection
Ideally, audio signals should be transmitted directly from point to point. This principle is implemented consistently in this combination. The delicate signal conductors run continuously from the cartridge, through the tonearm and all the way to the connectors at the end of the cable – without interruption and without intermediate connection points.
AIR Technology
MM and MC cartridges have an inductive characteristic. In combination with the capacitance of the cable, they form what is known as a resonant circuit, which emphasises certain frequencies. If excessive cable capacitance shifts these frequencies into an unfavourable range, it can have a significant impact on the tonal balance.
This makes in-akustik AIR technology ideally suited to phono applications. At its heart is an almost perfect air dielectric known as the Air Helix. Specially developed clips keep both the signal conductors and shielding precisely spaced apart, effectively suspending them in air – both inside the tonearm and throughout the entire cable. The result is a connection with extremely low capacitance and exceptionally low dielectric losses.
Pure Silver Conductors
Another crucial aspect of the connection between the cartridge and the phono preamplifier is, of course, the signal conductors themselves. Their task is to transmit the already extremely weak music signal with as little loss as possible.
For this reason, this AIR cable uses high-purity silver, which under normal ambient conditions is the best electrical conductor. The distinctive sonic character of high-purity silver, delivering greater detail across the entire frequency spectrum, is primarily attributed to the high drift velocity of its electrons.
Pure silver cables should not be confused with the much more common silver-plated cables. Silver-plated cables are sometimes associated with a metallic or aggressive sonic character – something that is definitely not the case with this pure silver cable.
Shielding
Electromagnetic interference from sources such as mobile communications, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks is constantly increasing. This can cause interference that overlays and alters the sensitive audio signal. The dense shielding of the AIR cable is therefore essential, protecting the delicate music signal from such interference and ensuring that even the finest details are preserved.
Handcrafted
A very special moment is the “marriage” of the Transrotor tonearm and AIR cable at the in-akustik manufacturing facility. Every combination is assembled with the utmost care.
The delicate signal conductors are threaded by hand through the tonearm and the numerous specially designed clips. The construction is then fitted – again by hand – with its shielding and PE Network Jacket. The “lifelong union” is sealed with comprehensive functional testing and quality control.
Why go to such extraordinary lengths? The result is a tonearm with an even more direct and refined signal connection, transporting the delicately tracked audio signal straight to the phono preamplifier – without signal-restricting insulation, without unnecessary transition points and using the finest conductor material.
It is difficult to imagine a more refined way of reproducing the sound of a great vinyl record.
To find out how our collaboration with in-akustik came about and why AIR technology convinced us, read the in-akustik blog post:
