Out of curiosity, what other interconnects did you compare your Lavricables to?
PS. to the OP: I use the TWL Seven Plus with my Gryphon integrated and the Digital American with my DAC. Love them both.
Triode Wire Labs or NRG Custom The Five for my 300b SET tube amp?
So currently, my Cayin HA-300 300b SET tube amp is powered by the Morrow Audio MAP3 power cable, which I think is quite a good cable with a smooth, neutral sound fairly wide soundstage and very nice vocals and detail. I listen mostly on my LCD-3 headphones and my DAC is the Chord Hugo TT2. I also have the Western Electric 300b and Sylvania 6SN7W metal base tubes on the HA-300.
What I'd like is a bit more dynamic punch and meat without sacrificing resolution and soundstage, as well as not going too warm or too cold.
So I'm looking at two power cables, the Triode Wire Plus Seven Plus or the NRG Custom The Five. Also, is there a good reason to go with the Ten Plus or The One since the 300b tube amp?
65 responses Add your response
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Yep, Pete's advice was amp - DAC - streamer - wall to conditioner, in that order. I'll have to wait a little while; haven't long changed speakers, and it's Mrs Painter's birthday soon. She's very patient and supportive of my "hobby" so I'm not going to push things. I definitely see more TWL in my future (hopefully not too distant 🙂) |
@painter24 Can't argue with switching, lol. I suppose I'd start with the most impactful one that Pete would recommend |
@jambaj0e That's great. Really glad you continue to enjoy it. I'm glad you wrote your observations of your cable; this is my experience to a letter. Only thing is now, I've got 3 other cables I'd like to swap out for TWL 🤔🫣 |
@painter24 I felt the same way when I got my TWL Seven Plus for my Cayin HA-300 SET amp. The difference between that and my previous Morrow Audio MAP3 was immense! The sound is more authoritative and crisper. There's just more texture and more meat, while the noise floor is also a bit more quieter. This didn't take even a day of deciding, and the sound since then has gotten even better as I continue to burn in my power cable. |
@jambaj0e Hi, I'm not sure where you're up to in your PC search, but after reading this thread, my interest in TWL cables was piqued. After a bit of reading online, I fired off an email to Pete, with a list of my electronics, and asked for advice as to which component I should try first, with his PCs. Pete got back really quick and stated I should upgrade the PC to my amp first (Marantz Model 30 -Class D), and recommended the Digital American High Powered version. (I'm in the UK so with the Furutech Rhodium/NFC UK mains plug FI-1363, and Furukawa C15 IEC plug) I received it yesterday around 1pm, and plugged it in, left it playing while working and until around 10pm. Turned my system on again late morning, and lined up Abdullah Abraham & Ekaya album - Sotho Blue, which I've been listening too a lot lately, and also the Nicolas Parent Trio album - Tori. Well recorded albums to be fair, but the difference was to me, quite a contrast compared to the NRG By the way, the TWL PC replaced the NRG "The 5". I'm not one for hyperbole, or descriptive audio language, so all I'll say is, the NRG cable is now unemployed. All of the positives I and your good self have probably read online of TWL PCs applies. I will plug the NRG in again just to compare, but it's pretty pointless to be honest. I like the NRG cables, and Nawaz is a great guy to deal with, but as much as it pains me to say it, TWL is on another level. 🫣
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@bugredmachine impressive list of power cords!!! You encouraged me to put together a list of power cords I’ve tried over the years. I’ll get to it when I have some time. By the way…great looking room and a cool system! |
@bugredmachine ahh so you also kept the Triode Wire Labs Seven Plus power cables? What do you like about it compared to all the other cables you auditioned? |
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I probably like Pete more than his cables🤣 but he is built for customer service and is very accommodating. He has some unique wire that can work for most. I found the NRG cables to be high quality but heavy in the bass department, and as much as a PC can contribute to the sound, they didn’t help it overall in the tone and soundstage arena. I did order 2 shorter versions of his cables, after auditioning some 5 footers, to power my ADD PWR units since the value is so high from him. Another great guy to work with. Here is a list of power cables I have auditioned in 2023 in search of the Holy Grail: Verastarr Grand Illusions copper and silver Tara Labs The One Elrod EPS-3 Sig Elrod EPS-3 Elrod EPS2 JPS Aluminatas Masterbuilt Reference Sablon Robusto NRG The 5 BMI Whale Elite Harmonix XDC, XDC 350, XDC2 Hijiri Nagomi Signal Cable Kubala Sosna Emotion Kubala Sosna Elation Transparent Premium Power Gen5 Puritan entry level Elemental 316 JPS Analog AC Lessloss C-Marc AntiCables Level 3 Purist Audio Design Proteus Kaplan HE MKII Awaiting a Wywires Platinum HC 2022 and earlier: DCCA Passion Pro XXL
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@audphile1 Yeah! I'm just so surprised how much better it is! It's almost like I just changed my headphones or took out some cotton from the earcups or something, lol. |
@jambaj0e yes the Seven Plus is very good. Not surprised at all you like it. Very open and dynamic. Enjoy! |
UPDATE: So I just received my Triode Wire Labs Seven Plus, and right out of the box, all I can say is WOW! This isn’t just a bit better than my Morrow Audio MAP3, but it’s very noticeably better! Everything seems to be more improved, from dynamics and texture to bass slam/extension and instrumental separation. They’re not kidding when they say they have their PRAT (Pace, Rhythm, and Timing) down pat. |
TWL cables are tremendous values and Pete's customer service is second to one. The 7+ cable is dynamic and was voiced on Pete's system which is 300B based. People all too often think of power cables only in terms of gauge. The geometry of cabling is at least as important as gauge and materials. My MPC Mini++ cable (PFO Brutus Award winner) is a 9 gauge cable. The standard Mac power cable is 18 gauge. Why? Because it took that gauge in a double helix configuration to get the inductance extremely low and the capacitance high, which is the impedance mix that the SMPC likes for optimum performance. The TWL cables are built using terrific materials, advanced geometries and voiced for different applications. Best part is that along with the cables you get a business owner that has his customer's satisfaction as his highest priority. Very seldom does anyone take advantage of the 30-day return policy. Highly recommended! |
@sgreg1 i didn't even know Telefunken makes 300b tubes |
@kodak805 i talked to Pete and he said for my Tube amp, the Seven Plus would be better. So I bought that and will probably buy another cable to compare against. Although I just read Lavricables does not offer any return or trial policy =(
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Your shortlist is for two Cables cost approx' $420 and $500 for a 5' feet length. I have not been demo'd or purchased many Branded and Assembled Cables. I have been demo'd and purchased a variety of Wire Types used for Power Cables, and have rejected the ones that have produced a perception that a colouration is being produced that conceals attractions that are able to be presented. My experiences to date has lead me to PC Triple C Wire as the go to wire used for a Power Cable. Using this Wire Type has allowed for substantial amounts of detail / micro-details to be perceived as being present. The impact the Wire Type can have (for myself, does have), is that the desirable traits already enjoyed from a presentation will become more noticeable/attractive and will certainly be an experience wanted to be maintained. I use on my Valve Phonostage and Valve DAC, a Cable produced by Nanotech and have terminated it with Pure Copper Connectors. I have loaned this Cable out to others interested in PC Triple C, and following their Trials of different Cables, such as SAEC and Acoustic Revive, which have been DIY Terminated with Solid Copper Connectors. I have been informed Acoustic Revive Unshielded 2.5mm Power Cable has edged out other Cables. The Acoustic Revive + Solid Copper Power Connectors can be Sourced for approx' 75% cheaper that your Shortlist Cables. Having this Cable Type at hand, produced by oneself of having somebody to the final assembly, will also open up further option to investigate a Wire Type. If the desire is to have the maintenance of detail / micro-detail that PC Triple C is capable of preserving and would like to add to the presentation a hint of Richness, a D.UC.C Wire used for a Power Cable will do this. D.U.C.C Wire can be found in Cable produced by Mitsubishi (The Wires Manufacturer) or Acrolink. Both PC Triple C and D.U.C.C is a Wire used by Branded Cable Manufacturers that produce terminated ready to use Power Cables. Their products can be found at a cost that can by far surpass the costs of the cables on your shortlist. |
No. That’s a farce and the beauty of LavriCables. When silver cables are designed well, they’re glorious. They strike that magical balance of natural detail, warmth, and neutrality without ever sounding thin or harsh. They’re really the best of all worlds. I don’t know how they do it, but they just sound like music and I think other owners here will back me up on this. They’re a relatively unknown gem IMHO, but my bet is they’re gonna grow and their prices will probably go up. |
@soix aren't silver cables tend to be more on the cool side though? I wouldn't want to loose the bit of warmth I have and sweetness of the 300b if the silver is too cool. Transparent/neutral yes, cool no. |
+1 @soix I use the Lavri Grand RCA interconnects between DAC and amp. Lovely, clear, purity of tone. I'd like to experiment more with Lavri to be honest. I would like to try their power cords, especially on my amp, but they don't do UK mains plugs on the Grand. I suppose I could try the Master on my DAC |
They’re 5N silver and nail it on both counts. I use both their balanced interconnects and balanced headphone cables in my HeadFi rig and I ain’t letting either of them go. I’m using an iFi Zen stream into a Denafrips Iris DDC feeding an i2S signal into a Musician Pegasus R2R DAC that in turn feeds a Linear Tube Audio MZ2 amp that drives my Hifiman Arya Stealth ‘phones just for context. BTW, I also use a LavriCable USB cable that I’d also highly recommend as it features dual 5N silver cables to physically separate digital and power signals that usually comes at a much dearer price from other companies. Just another idea FWIW. https://www.lavricables.com/cables/ultimate-silver-dual-usb-a-b-interconnect-cable/ |
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I went with gold; I wanted a little warmth also 👍 I found Nawaz great to deal with by the way, he has a genuine passion for what he does. When I ordered the 6:6 speaker cables, he'd ust changed the design of the splitters to speaker; he couldn't wait to show me the new design I would be receiving 😊. I love the fact NRC CC is a one man operation, creating great products at a good price |
@painter24 By the way, for your NRG, which ends did you get, the gold or Rhodium? Nawaz from NRG recommended that for my 300b tube amp and the sound I'm looking for with that touch of warmth to go with gold, not rhodium. |
@thyname oh yeah almost $10, 000 for the bike, and I’ve gone as fast as 52 mph on it, as well as ridden 100+ miles in a single day. Those are things I’d never do on a Walmart bike, lol.
I am curious about those Lavricables now, too. How's the dynamic punch and soundstage on them? NRG Customs hasn’t hit me back, so maybe I’ll buy those as my 2nd pair to test against the TWL Seven Plus which I just bought today (thanks Pete!). I’ll read more on that and Zafrino, too. Ugh, too many too choose from. It’s like how to choose the right tires, shoes, or saddles for my bike, lol 😂 Shoes alone, I’ve bought my 6th and 7th pair (other than my first shoe, I’ve gotten two of each in white and in black). This time I got two Shimano Rc903s |
@steakster that is a really strange saddle. I can't imagine going up long climbs on that. As for speaker positioning, luckily I'm headphone only at the moment, lol. |
@sgreg1 i really like my Western Electric 300b tubes though. |
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I agree @soix with regard to the Lavricables power cables. Excellent natural sound without highlighting any particular aspect of the audio. Top to bottom balanced presentation. Again, very natural sound. Definitely an under the radar type of product. They serve beautifully with my 300b SET mono blocks, DHT (101D) tube line stage and a custom made tube DAC (Ukraine built 6080 output tubes). Charles |
I second @soix recommendation on Lavricable PCs. Also, put Zavfino, a Canadian company, in your research list: https://zavfinousa.com/collections/power-cables |
Almost $10,000 for a bike?? Meaning bicycle with no engine? You must be insane! Something from Walmart at a fraction of the cost brings you fine from A to B….
Just kidding. As long as you blind tested the $10,000 bike vs. the $169 bike and you got it right 10 out of ten in blind tests, it’s worth it 🤪
I did learn something about bikes today…. |
@soix oh there's a cut out in the middle. Plus, your bib shorts have the padding so it can move with your body and chafe (which can happen with too much padding on the saddle itself). I've gone 100 miles + in one day with this saddle.
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Multiple bikes, but my main road bike is a Ventum NS1 with full Campy Super Record EPS, ENVE AR4.5's, Quarq power meter (with Absolute Black chain rings). My wife's main bike is a custom Parlee that she's had for years. A whopping sub 13lbs with 50mm carbon hoops, power meter, SR EPS, etc. Tri/du bikes are both Ventum One with SR EPS. All in all, about 14 bikes between us |
