Nordost · Leif 3
From $790 per pair
Nordost · Leif 3
Three individually shielded twisted pairs make Red Dawn 3 the fullest-sounding analog interconnect in Nordost's Leif 3 series.
Price is for a pair at the shortest length shown. Choose length and terminations in the selector.
Authorized Nordost dealer · Delivery and installation by Pearl Audio · Trade-ins welcome
The story
The Red Dawn 3 Interconnect carries six solid-core 24 AWG conductors of silver-plated 99.9999% oxygen-free copper, arranged as three twisted pairs. Each pair has its own shield and the bundle sits inside a second braided shield for 97% coverage. Nordost calls it the performance pinnacle of Leif 3, and it follows the company's filter-less philosophy: the cable is meant to be a neutral conduit, not a tone control.
Reviewing the balanced version for StereoNET in May 2025, Mark Gusew called it a well-designed, full-range cable that delivers high performance in no uncertain terms. It pairs well with the Red Dawn 3 speaker cable and power cord, and the XLR build is a natural fit for balanced MOON, McIntosh and dCS components.
Interconnects are sold as a pair, terminated with gold-plated Nordost Neutrik Profi RCA plugs or Neutrik XLRs. Standard lengths run from 0.6 m to 3.5 m in half-metre steps; a single cable for a mono application is available at half the pair price.
| Type | Analog interconnect, pair |
| Conductors | 6 × 24 AWG per cable, three twisted pairs, individually shielded |
| Conductor material | Silver-plated 99.9999% oxygen-free copper, solid core |
| Insulation | Fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) |
| Construction | Twisted pair, double shielded |
| Shield coverage | 97% overall |
| Capacitance | Not published by Nordost |
| Inductance | Not published by Nordost |
| Velocity of propagation | Not published by Nordost |
| Termination | Gold-plated Nordost Neutrik Profi RCA or Neutrik XLR |
| XLR wiring | Pin 1 chassis ground, pin 2 positive, pin 3 negative |
| Lengths offered | 0.6 m to 3.5 m in the selector; other lengths to order |
| Sold as | Pair; single cable at half price |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser |
Nordost Red Dawn 3 Analog Interconnect product page and specifications Specifications from nordost.com and the Nordost USA price list (August 2026). Nordost quotes electrical values per foot; lengths are metric.
Nordost analog interconnects, from Leif 3 to Odin Gold.
The matching speaker cable is the Red Dawn 3 Speaker Cable.
Plan your Nordost system with Pearl Audio
Pearl Audio is an authorized Nordost dealer. We can measure your runs, recommend terminations for your amplifier and speakers, special-order lengths and connectors that are not in the selector, and let you hear Nordost cabling in our Portland showroom by appointment. Call (503) 222-2599 or email sales@pearlaudio.com.
The Pearl Audio experience
A system at this level should be heard, thoughtfully matched, and properly set up. From the first audition to long-term ownership, you work with the same people, in person.
Hear the Red Dawn 3 Interconnect by appointment in one of our two purpose-designed demonstration rooms, with your own music and time to compare without pressure.
We deliver and install throughout the Portland area, taking care of placement, connections, ventilation and system configuration ourselves.
We support everything we sell for as long as you own it, whether the answer comes by phone, in your home, or through factory service.
Trade-in assistance and qualifying 100% Trade-Up options give you flexibility when your listening priorities or your system change.
