Zavfino

I am curious @ozzy what did you do with your broken Silver Darts power cord? 

He beat dead horse with it and it come back to life as champion.

Hi Ho Silver? 

I just ordered silver dart power cable. The fusion XLR is really good 

thyname,

I ended up making a deal to exchange my damaged cord for a new one. I got it yesterday and decided to put it on my basement refrigerator for break in time.

ozzy

@ozzy thank you for the update. Glad you were able to get a brand new power cord

It was decribed as a demo, but it looks brand new.

ozzy

I'm not a fan of the locking bananas pictured on their site. Might be interested in trying Zavfino speaker cables. Anyone know if you can pick different bananas? I've seen some photos with a nonlocking banana.

@ abd1

Send Raymond an email requesting a custom build with BFA bananas or spades.

Wig

@abd1 The standard bananas are BFA , not locking. You have to specifically order locking bananas. I know very well, I have ordered and own their speaker cables with BFA bananas 

@Ozzy

Did you pull that cable off your fridge yet? Where's the beef?

I'm giving it a week of burn in, should be ready to be served Tuesday.

ozzy

With the reasonable prices and all the positive comments about Zavfino cables, I went ahead and ordered a pair each of the Fusion and Arcadia XLRs to try in my system. I've had the cables for only 2 days so they still need more break-in time and I can't make any definitive comments yet. However, my initial impressions of the Fusion XLRs are very positive. Even straight out of their packaging, the Fusions sound clear, open, and natural, with well-balanced sound and good tonal accuracy (e.g., a piano sounds like a piano). The Arcadia sounds pleasant, smooth, and forgiving, but the Fusion sounds more "real" in my system.

If you haven't seen it yet, take a look at the very positive review of the Fusion interconnects and Nova speaker cables from 11/1/21 on the-ear. 

Thanks for sharing your impressions @sdl4 and thanks for pointing to that fairly recent review on Zavfino I was not aware of. Simple writing but to the point. 
 

I would also say, like I have said earlier, the Zavfino effect in one’s system is cumulative. The more you add in the chain, the better everything sounds as a whole. The full loom concept. So if you can, get some Nova or Prima speaker cables, Majestic or Prima power cords. Just my two cents 

Well, I just installed the Dart into my audio system after running it on my basement refrigerator for about 200 hours. I installed it on my JL CR-1 crossover since that unit affects both main amps and subwoofers.

First impression: It definitely has a different sound perspective than my previous DIY cable. To me thus far it sounds like there is more upper midrange presence. So, it may take a while for me to get a handle on the sound. And, if I prefer it or not.

ozzy

Hey @ozzy -- I am very curious about your DIY cable you keep talking about. What kind of "DIY"? One of those buy ready on online and put together with the connectors, or something more elaborate? Do you mind sharing details, and how much you spent on it? Of course, minus your "labor" cost. Thank you

Here is what I posted on 11-4-2021

"The 10 gauge silver wire that I used came from a supplier that provided documentation showing its .9999 certification.
I then polished it, applied some Furutech Nano liquid, pushed the conductors through the best oversized teflon tubing I could find, installed Graphene mesh sleeving, slightly twisted the 3 conductors then installed Furutech NCF fittings on the ends.
The parts alone cost over $2000. It is an awesome looking and sounding power cable. If purchased from a company it would probably be in the upper $$$ range. Its best attribute is in the bass performance."

ozzy

Ah.... sorry I missed that. Thank you @ozzy --- it sounds like you have put a lot of thought and work on that, and a lot of money too. Great wire, graphene, Furutech NCF plugs, the whole nine yards. I admire your dedication and skills.

Thanks. But still, I look at the design of the Dart with all those different layers and I wonder if my DIY is missing something.

ozzy

@ozzy

That’s the first thing stood out for me when I held Zavfino cables in my hand. The build quality is stupendously good. I was like, how are they managing to stay profitable by selling these cords at such reasonable prices :-)

I do know that ozzy does his research and then goes above and beyond the call of duty when he is assembling power cords and spares no expense ;-)

It will be interesting to hear his impression of the Zavfino power cable after fully broken in and used in one location without moment.

I do think the Dart power cord is a little cooler sounding and has more energy in the middle frequencies. I even raised the volume a bit on my subwoofers to balance it out. It is especially beneficial to vocals- primarily women’s vocals.

There is an enjoyable quality to this power cable that has improved my listening experience. It is a liveliness that was not there with my previous cable.

So, I have just completed treating the AC prongs with the NPS-1260 and that usually means that it’s a keeper.

ozzy

I’m a new owner of the Fusion mk2 XLR. Initial impression is that the sound is well balanced, open and that the cable enable the system to deliver details in the music in a very natural way. All details and transients in the music are more natural than before. Indeed very good even though I have just a few hours on them. And yes, to me they are a bargain with very high build and sound quality. I compare with Supra and Siltech.

Now I’m waiting for a pair of Prima mk2 speaker cables that I hope will arrive within a week.

I'm a complete sucker for PO -OCC ! Got a set of Fusion XLR's in route!

Is there some technical reason why the shortest "standard" length is 1.5m?  Seems kinda long.  Would it harm their performance if they were shorter?

^^^ Indeed I only need 1m

Tough crowd 😂😂

My guess is streamline of the manufacturing processes, avoiding necessary expenses coming up with different lengths, so the most common denominator is made available. Just a guess. Totally normal for a small company 

+1, @thyname

@twoleftears

Shorter or longer than 1.5M length can be ordered. I was able to order PC’s in 1.0M and Speaker cable in 3.0M lengths.

I currently have Wireworld Silver Electra 7 power cables. Would the Zavfino Majestic MK II PC’s be better or do I need to step it up in the Zavfino line?

It depends on what you are using it on @pguezze 

Majestic MKII is 12 gauge. For amps I would recommend Prima MKII which is 10 gauge, and a more advanced shielding. They are both OCC conductors.

There is also Fina at 14 gauge, cheaper, also OCC

Thanks @thyname. I’ve been looking to upgrade my power cables and looking at Audioquest Hurricane and Firebird. The Dragon is just to far out of budget.

I just received the HDMI Firebird 48 and like what I’m hearing. Lots of positive reviews on the Zavfino power cables so I might give the Zavfino Majestic MK II for my DAC and the Prima MK II for my Denali v2 a try and save a little money over the Audioquest’s.

If all goes well my PS Audio BHK 300 monoblocks will be next. 

Audioquest power cords Hurricane and up are very good. I used to own a few Hurricanes, and a few below. At this point becomes a personal preference, and value for the dollar. As cliché as this sounds, you will need to try and compare in your own system to really know.

After 2 weeks of burning in, finally can give silver dart power cable a good listen.

initially i found it being a bit bright with sibilance.

After running in, I found silver dart improves the mid and vocal with presence and texture. Usually I hear reduced resolution in other cables which deliver this quality but silver dart still remains nice resolution and extended high. I don’t find it sounds cold.

the bass in my system becomes more punchy. 
 

in general, I feel it is a very balanced cables with natural soundings.

I am considering full loom in the future. 
just spoke with on Raymond, there will be price hike in 2022. 

I agree. The more hours on the Dart cable the better it integrates. I am glad I bought it. In around about way...

ozzy

Where are you both using the Silver Dart? Source, amp, etc.

I am using on my preamp. My 1.5 meter is not long enough to reach power amp. Plan to get a 2.5m for power amp.

For those who planning to get silver dart speaker cable for biwire-able spk, according to Raymond, Zavfino can make silver dart biwire jumpers but they will be 13AWG.

I am waiting for more update regarding the connector.

pokey77,

I am using the Dart on my JL Audio CR-1 Crossover.

ozzy

“I am using the Dart on my JL Audio CR-1 Crossover”.

Not the best place to use this fine cable, IMHO. 

Due to the length and the cables extreme stiffness, that is the best place in my system.

ozzy

@ozzy 

That was helpful. Don't want an extremely stiff cable. But others in their line are not as stiff, at least that is my impression.

I should add that bending the cable too much contributed to the demise of the last Dart (IEC shattered) cable I had.

ozzy

Glad to hear Zavfino took care of you with the broken fitting.

The repair/replacement wasn’t exactly cheap. But it was the best I could do.

ozzy

How long are most letting the Fusion's burn in ? I have about 70hrs(counting the 40 from factory) Out the box they sound good but one cavet still present is the upper midrange bloom lacks in comparison to the upper highs and lower bass, the bass is full and fleshed out but perhaps a tad to much bloom. Can I expect the mids to fill in a bit more to bring better top to bottom coherence?

J, yes they will fill in. I burnt mine for 100 hrs. not including the time from the factory. I can't say enough about these cables. The combo's of different cable work in my system (BLENDS). The Zavfino's where the missing link! 

Although the Zavfino products sound good upon arrival I'm thinking 150 hours of play time with no movement is pretty much what is needed. Systems will vary like anything else.

I find jdub39's issues interesting. I am having a similar issue with a twist.

I ordered a single pair of Fusion II interconnects and things were going well enough I ordered a second  1 meter pair. Due to a back up at the factory it took 5 weeks to get the second pair.

When I put them in, they sounded far worse than when i initially put in the first pair. I ran the set up for about 20-25 hours  and things got worse and worse. I took the 1 meter pair out and put them in my headphone set up and ran them for about another 30 40 hours. In that system they sounded very good with good top to bottom balance and good sound stage,

I put the pair back into the main system. While better than initially, they still have a slightly depressed midrange  with blunted leading edges of the notes. The vocal "size" increased to about twice the diameter of the set up with just one pair of Zavfino cables in the mix. The vocal is slightly more diffuse as well as being larger

At this point I'm a bit bemused.

It could be more hours are needed but they sounded so good in the headphone set up

It is just a mismatch between my CD player and preamp 

or a very unlikely possibility - these cables don't really like to be less than 1.5 meters. Again doesn't appear probable due to how good they sound in the headphone set up

I'll continue to rack up more hours on the set up with both sets of interconnects in the system and see how it plays out.

It's too bad as what I was shooting for was to get a full loom approach. I was going to order speaker cables but now I've put that idea on hold 

Based on everything I've been reading here, I just took delivery today on a pair of Prima Mk II speaker cables; if they sound anything like what they look like, I should be in for a treat once they break in! These are so much thicker than the Morrow 4's I've been using for many a decade, but still easy to move around; look really well-made. If I like these, I will look into their other products you all talk about here....

Congratulations @larsman . I am assuming you know they are directional? They are somewhat non traditional (no arrows).