Zavfino

Honestly @sdl4 it’s been several years since I owned Cardas Clear Reflections. Different speakers, different amps. It’s been a while and there is no way for me to remember and compare with Zavfino. I did not even know Zavfino existed until earlier this year. Over the years I have owned and tried many speaker cables, including Cardas, Synergistic Research (all three tiers of Atmosphere X), Audioquest William Tell, Triode Wire Labs, Shunyata Alpha v2, Crystal Clear Audio, and more. So here is that.

I’d say if you own and like Clear Reflection XLR ICs, it’s only logical to complete the “loom” and buy Reflection speaker cables. I would do that if I were you

@thyname,

I read on another thread that you used to use Cardas Clear Reflection cables. Now that you're building a full loom of Zavfino cables, what specific differences are you noticing when you compare the Zavfino speaker cables and interconnects to those in the Clear Reflection line? I am currently liking my two pairs of Clear Reflection XLRs (between DAC and preamp and between preamp and amps), and I'm now considering adding the CR speaker cables to my system. With respect to sound quality alone, what are the advantages and disadvantages of Zavfino vs Cardas CR? 

Thanks for any detailed comparisons you can provide.

Good to hear. I always worry about the shippers. Enjoy the cable, it’s a good one.

dalims4,
Received the Dart power cord today. Thank you. It looks new! The little fraying at the one end was corrected by adding a 1" length of additional shrink tubing. It looks natural.

ozzy

OK, hours 13&14 on the cables, the base was still there, the highs were a little hot & had to turn the volume up, to get voices correct. 

Well, I received the Fusions on Fri., I put about 11 hrs. on them so far. These are the first cables I’ve tried, that went thru many changes in sound in my system. Zavfino’s website states; their fabrication prosses, equals 30 to 40 hours of break in time. So that gives me 40/50 hrs. on mine. I’m hoping that they will settle in around 20 hrs. of me spinning vinyl. So far I’m I’m impressed after the 9 hr. mark, I could only imagine the sound when they're fully broken in! TBC

The fusion XLR still on the way. Can’t wait to try it. 
Wondering what is the difference bet Prima and silver dart, I am considering that  too.

“The improvements are cumulative, and I believe mostly due to the full loom concept.”

@thyname, Exactly!

Not yet @kimurastanley.@kimurastanley.I received two silver darts power cords yesterday, but I am letting them break in somewhere else (not audio).

I currently have and use the following:

One Prima MKII power cord
Prima MKII speaker cables (I use two runs / pairs for biwire)
Silver Darts XLR interconnects

As I mentioned above on my previous post, I am gradually getting there, full loom Zavfino. It will be a combination of Silver Darts & Prima when all is said and done

@thyname. Have you completed full loom zavfino?

Thanks for sharing @dalims4. 
And that’s the beauty of this hobby. We all hear differently, have different tastes, different rooms, different gear that reacts to different cabling and peripherals. It’s great we have many great quality choices, at any price range.

What I have found with Zavfino is that they react very well to “full loom” concept. Meaning all cables from the same brand, and preferably same tier of same brand. 
I am gradually getting there. The more I add, the better the overall system sounds as a whole. The improvements are cumulative, and I believe mostly due to the full loom concept.

 And for much lower cost that I have often spent in the past several years with other brands’ full looms I have owned and tried.

There’s a Majestic MKll on my power amp now. It’s performed equally with everything else so far. Haven’t tried a vdH on it yet. 

Can you provide some comparative SQ comments between the Van Den Hul’s and the Zavfinos ?

Van den Hul Mainsstreams. Two used from a guy that bought them from an authorized dealer and two new. The used ones check out as authentic. The new ones ship Tuesday.

What did you replace them with?

Those were my Zavfino cables for sale. The Silver Dart and both 1.5m Majestic MKIIs sold yesterday. I’ll put a couple of 1ms up after the rest of the new stuff gets here. Thanks to the guys here who bought them.

Well, I came home this afternoon from the Dog park & found a box @ my door step. The packing tape was from Amazon, so I didn't think it was the cables. Picked it up &, ''Boom'' Zavfino! Swapped out the Zu Missions & turned on my system to warm up the tubes. 1st LP was Elvis just to get started, which is not the best of pressings, but needed to hear those CATS jam. Now from the Zu, Elvis sounded better, so I finished both sides & now I slapped on Norah Jones, come fly with me LP. Now I noticed the base had begun tighter & more defined. Halfway through side 1 about an hour since the swap, the upper mids became more open. I haven't heard any difference in the separation with my speakers, between the Zu & the Zavfino. So for what it's worth, I did hear a lil more clarity from the Zavfino's. I was happy with my system before the Zavfino cable, but for what I have read, a 30 day return policy & $300.00, I figured I'll give them a try. Tomorrow I'll do some serious listening between, LP's & streaming, there should be more time on them. TBC. 

@thyname   Testing.   

@danmar123 
It will be interesting to hear your thoughts on the Fusion interconnects.

thyname is correct with his time break-in statement above.

@ozzy I hope the power cord for your Niagara 1200 is a keeper, please let us know your thoughts.

@ danmar123

Zavfino bare wire goes through an Ultrasonic High Voltage/Thermal Break-in which is equivalent to about 40 hours but 200 hours is when the beauty starts and they will sound good right out of the box : )

Wig

@ozzy  --- yes, that makes sense. I would however, test them vs. my better power cords (i.e. PC to DAC or Amp) currently, just because.

@danmar123 --- I think I read somewhere that their in-house break in is equivalent to 40 hours of playback time, and the optimal break in is somewhere between 100 and 200 hours total if I am not mistaken.

Lak, nice to see your post. Mine will be delivered today. Now I don't own a cooker, so I'll have to see. Zavfino's website states their almost broken in when sent out, if I'm not mistaken.

thyname,
My intent is to use it on my Niagara 1200 that powers (2) of my JL Audio F-113 subs.

ozzy

This is a brief follow-up to my post above 10/14/21The Fusion Interconnect: solid pure silver & OCC copper (RCA) 1.5/M ($310)
The Fusion interconnects arrived in a timely fashion, very professionally packaged and pleasing to the eye. After some time on my cable cooker and playing time in my system I can tell you these are keepers and I recommend them to you.
I find the Fusion interconnects to be very open, transparent, and natural sounding. The extension is very good with solid bass, open mids, and correct timbre. The sound stage is wide and deep with a tightly focused sound stage.

It looks like all three Majestic MKII power cords (same seller) are now gone

I hope not too bad too for you. Let us know how it sounds. I would suspect not as good as your $6,000 Galileo SX

I hope not too bad, I bought it.

ozzy

That silver dart that sold looked pretty beat up

The Silver Dart is sold.

Silver Dart and Majestic MKII cables for sale on Audiogon.

I just ordered a set of Fusions. I currently have Zu Missions connecting my pre to my phono, all tubes. I figured, "WTH" I have 30 days. We'll see. 

I see. There will be additional 1 week waiting time for me as I need to ship from US to Singapore. 🤣

Yes, the Silver Dart PCs I ordered not in US stock either. Have to be ordered from Zavfino in Canada, Raymond gets them in NJ. Then ships them.

not yet. Raymond told me that the stock is only available by next week in view of Canada thanksgiving day. 

Will do @kimurastanley. Did you get the Fusion XLR ICs yet?

Hi @thyname, please share your impression on the silver dart power cable.
considering to get one too.

Hi @grannyring : thank you for posting your impressions on Majestic MKII power cord.
I have no doubt the Hijiri sounds great, as @lalitk also attests. But a think a fairer comparison with your $1,500 HIJIRI Nagomi power cord would have been the graphene insulated Zavfino Silver Dart power cord at $930 MSRP, 10 gauge, especially for an amp, instead of the 12 gauge, $390 Zavfino Majestic.
The Silver Darts are top of Zavfino line, graphene dielectric and shield. I have two on my way.
The Prima PC I have (also 10AWG, no graphene), at $560 is an outstanding PC, competing right there with much more expensive power cords I have owned and still own.

😁😎

@wig,

A word of caution, once you hear Nagomi or Takumi; there is no turning back :-)

Those Nagomi looks nice but are quite pricey and imagine very unique sounding with their tuned technology.

Wig

@lalitk 

You are an audio cable master of experience! Wow! 

@grannyring 

Congrats on your purchase of amazing HIJIRI Nagomi power cords. Having heard both of these PC’s in my system, I concur with your assessment. The Majestic MKII at their asking price are pretty amazing and going to satisfy most end users. However, the HIJIRI Nagomi and Takumi power cords are in different league albeit at much higher price tag :-)

I have been listening to the Majestic power cord all week on my Circle Labs A200 integrated amp.  Nice sounding cord overall. For the money it is a great value! 
I have also had some other power cords on trial over the past two weeks. I decided to return the Majestic because it was a tad to forward and vivid in my system.  This is purely based on my system and personal preference. The power cord is very good and most all will love it.  I decided to buy two Hijiri Nogami power cords from the dealer/importer - Gestalt Audio Design. These delivered the tone and depth I wanted.  Much more expensive however at $1490 retail! The Majestic was as good as another $1200 power cord I also tested that is made in the USA. 
Raymond at Zavfino is wonderful to work with and understands why I am returning the cable. No hassle guy. 

I snagged a silver dart graphene power cord a year ago and absolutely love it!..I use it from my power conditioner to my Wells Innamorata Signature amp with great results. It has remained there as I have not had any interest in trying it elsewhere. 

It's good to hear that others have found Zavfino cables.  I was going to start a thread about them, but @thyname beat me to it.  I only came to know Zavfino cables by chance when I purchased a Pure Fidelity tonearm that came with a Zavfino phono cable included (The Spirit).  Out of curiosity, I checked out the Zavfino website.

I decided to upgrade to the Majestic tonearm cable, and it was an impressive upgrade for a reasonable cost.  I then ordered a set of Arcadia RCA interconnects to run from my preamp to my Elac Navis powered speakers.  I'm now awaiting a second set of Arcadias to run from my phono stage to my preamp. 

I haven't tried their power cables yet, but I'm looking forward to it in the near future.  Always great to find a company making high quality products for real world prices.  

Cheers,
Scott

@thyanme, yes I confirmed with Zanfino USA.
I'll leave it on my cable burner through Tuesday.