AliceDesigned to complement its range of consumer audio products, Leema Acoustics has launched a comprehensive range of audio cables. The new Reference 1 and Reference 2 ranges comprise speaker cables, plus several digital and analogue interconnects, all carefully built to specification.
The cable configurations have been specified by the ex-BBC sound engineers behind Leema Acoustics: Lee Taylor and Mallory Nicholls.
Features include advanced continuously cast mono-crystal 6N-purity copper conductors, Teflon-insulation and Beryllium-copper plugs.
The range includes the Reference 1 and Reference 2 interconnects, which comprise analogue cables in RCA and XLR terminations, digital cables in RCA, TOSLINK and USB configuration and loudspeaker cables.
Speaker cables
Leema’s entry-level Reference 1 speaker cable features a flexible dual core made from multiple strands of thin (0.1mm) silver-plated, high-purity copper. The conductors are double-insulated with a foamed-polyethylene dielectric under a durable outer PVC jacket. The cable is then enclosed with a robust expanding mesh in blue. Despite its low price, the Reference 1 speaker cable lends itself to a wide range of applications.
Moving on to the Reference 2, this is Leema’s highest quality speaker cable, made from flexible, silver-plated, ultra-pure copper cable and braided from 16 individual conductors giving a total cross sectional area of 6mm². For added flexibility, Reference 2 can be ordered in a bi-wire configuration for a supplement.
Both speaker cables are terminated with high-quality, silver-plated, hollow-pin banana plugs, made from Beryllium-Copper with a durable-steel outer shell.
Interconnects
Leema’s Reference I interconnect is constructed from what the manufacturer calls ‘very’ high-purity mono-crystal copper, with dual multi-stranded conductors in a double-shielded symmetrical (dual-inner conductor) configuration. The cable benefits from polyethylene insulation, surrounded by a polypropylene protective mesh, under an aluminised-Mylar-wrap shield.
Meanwhile, the Reference 2 interconnect is fully symmetrical and features Continuously Cast mono-crystal 6N-purity copper conductors. These advanced conductors are Teflon-insulation and encased within a mechanically robust polyethylene-fibre jacket.
The cable is then wrapped within a copper mesh outer shield and enclosed in a PVC outer jacket with a braided protective outer mesh sleeve.
Leema’s RCA connectors use hollow-point low-mass inner conductors, sprung-loaded dual-earth shields. The conductor material is Beryllium-Copper which is direct-gold or Rhodium-plated.
The assembly is enclosed in a lightweight but durable aluminium housing. The balanced cables feature high-grade XLR connectors with a full metal outer construction; both interconnect cables are dual-conductor designs and can be ordered with single-ended RCA or balanced XLR terminations. A USB cable is also available.
All cables are available now for the following prices:
Reference I interconnects
50 cm RCA-RCA 249.00
1m RCA-RCA 295.00
50cm XLR-XLR 295.00
1m XLR-XLR 345.00
Digital Optical 1m 175.00
50 cm Digital RCA 125.00
1m Digital RCA 150.00
USB cable 1m 145.00
Reference I speaker cable
3m pair terminated 445.00
5m pair terminated 549.00
Extra 1m (pair) 90.00
Reference II interconnects
50cm RCA 449.00
1m RCA 495.00
50cm XLR 495.00
1m XLR 549.00
USB cable 1m 485.00
Reference II speaker cable
3m pair terminated 900.00
5m pair terminated 1,500.00
Extra 1m (pair) 280.00