Lavricables Grand XLR balanced interconnects v4

Ichos

Reviewer at hxosplus
Silver XLR balanced interconnects v4
Pros: + Exceptional transparency and fidelity
+ Achromatic cable that will not affect frequency response
+ Doesn't add brightness or sterility
+ Improved detail extraction
+ Wide and deep soundstage
+ Enhances imaging accuracy
+ Extra sense of silence and blackness
+ Very well made
+ Premium appearance
+ High quality XLR plugs
+ Soft and bends easily
Cons: - Extremely revealing and transparent
- Requires careful matching
- Not suitable for frequency response management
- The sonic qualities are not guaranteed and are system dependent
- The intensity of the sonic enhancements can vary from system to system
Lavricables Grand 20-core Silver XLR balanced interconnects v4

The fourth generation of Lavricables Grand 20-core silver balanced XLR interconnects is now available, featuring palladium silver as the core material. Each channel consists of 20 strands of 5N solid silver wires, including 12 strands of awg28, 4 strands of awg26, 2 ribbon strands of awg26, and 2 strands of awg27 palladium silver, all encased in oversized PTFE Teflon insulation. The interconnects are equipped with high-quality AECO XLR plugs, which have pure copper pins soldered using Mundorf Supreme Silver 9.5% audio solder.

The Teflon Litz construction, featuring a woven design, is specifically engineered to effectively reject RFI and EMI while maintaining low capacitance. The use of 5N silver enhances the transmission of electrical signals, allowing for faster speeds and reduced distortion compared to standard OFC wires. Additionally, the premium Teflon insulation provides a superior air dielectric, making it one of the finest insulators available for bare cables. The separation of 20 silver cores significantly diminishes the "skin effect" at higher frequencies. The overall width of the 20-core braided cable measures approximately 9mm.

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Non Audio stuff

The Lavricables Grand is a remarkably crafted cable that exudes a premium appearance, often seeming more luxurious than its actual price suggests. Each plug features heat-shrink strain reliefs to safeguard the cable entry, while additional heat-shrinks adorned with the Lavricables logo help maintain the cable's integrity and prevent twisting. This cable is lightweight, flexible, and retains its shape without becoming tangled.

The plugs are of superior quality, and customers can choose to add a black silk sleeving for enhanced protection, although this option may obscure the cable's aesthetic appeal. It stands out as one of the most visually striking cables available, and I personally prefer it without the sleeve.

For a nominal fee, a burn-in service is available, allowing customers to select between 100 and 150 hours of burn-in time, which is advisable for achieving optimal performance from the silver.

General thoughts about cables

Audio reviews often exhibit a high level of subjectivity, especially when it comes to cables, which remain a debated topic. Some individuals argue that cables do not create noticeable or scientifically supported differences, while others strongly believe in their effectiveness.

I neither disregard the importance of cables nor accept their influence uncritically. I perform subjective assessments of all cables in my system without utilizing a blind testing method, and at times, I do notice audible differences that can vary from subtle to quite pronounced.

It is crucial to understand that this review is purely subjective and does not have scientific backing or blind testing. The insights shared here are specific to my personal audio setup. Therefore, all listening experiences should be taken with caution, as your results may vary significantly depending on your audio system and individual preferences.

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Listening set-up

The Lavricables Grand XLR interconnects underwent a burn-in period of 150 hours.

The testing setup features Audio Physic Spark stand mount speakers powered by the Lab12 integre4 MK2 - Toroid version integrated amplifier, utilizing Tung Sol KT170 power tubes for this review. The entire system is situated in an acoustically optimized room.

For the digital source, the Volumio Rivo+ transport is connected to the Lab12 dac1 reference, with power conditioning managed by the Lab12 Gordian multifunctional power distributor/conditioner.

Reference cables are from the Oehlbach State of the Art series and I also frequently use cables by Neotech and Signal Projects.

Audio stuff

I tend to be cautious regarding interconnects, as I believe they generally have less impact on the sound performance of an audio system compared to speaker cables. Nevertheless, I often notice subtle sonic variations among different high-quality interconnects. By high quality, I refer to cables that maintain transparency and are not intentionally designed to alter the frequency response of an audio system. Such cables often exhibit unusual electrical characteristics, including capacitance, impedance, and resistance, which can cause them to function as passive equalizers. However, they typically result in a decline in sound quality rather than an enhancement.

The Lavricables Grand XLR interconnect is engineered for optimal transparency, ensuring that it does not alter the frequency response of your audio system. It is not intended to mitigate excessive brightness, enhance bass, or emphasize midrange frequencies etc. This cable should not be mistaken for a passive equalizer while contrary to popular belief regarding silver cables, the Lavricables Grand silver cable does not contribute to a brighter sound or increase energy in the higher frequency range.

Instead, it excels at connecting your audio components with the highest level of fidelity and transparency, allowing you to fully experience their sonic capabilities without introducing any limitations or coloration.

After comparing the Lavricables Grand with my usual interconnects, I found that this cable enhanced the clarity and detail of the audio without introducing a more analytical or clinical sound. While my standard interconnects are already quite proficient in this area, the Lavricables Grand provided an additional layer of clarity and detail that I appreciated. The extent of improvement may vary based on the quality of your interconnects and overall audio setup.

Furthermore, the cable contributed to a greater sense of spaciousness and airiness in the soundstage, enhancing both its width and depth. It also improved imaging, making it slightly more precise and solid compared to my already capable standard interconnects.

I was particularly struck by the enhanced sense of silence provided by the Lavricables Grand, which outperformed my standard interconnects. The Lavricables Grand produced a quieter sound compared to the Oehlbach interconnects, resulting in a deeper, more immersive background.

While the sonic distinctions were not as significant as those I experienced with the Lavricables Grand speaker cables, these interconnects still offered a fresh perspective. They complemented each other remarkably well, leading me to recommend purchasing them as a complete set.

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Conclusion

I am not claiming that the Lavricables Grand XLR interconnects significantly enhanced the sound quality of my system compared to my existing high-quality standard cables. However, they did introduce a pleasing variation that I thoroughly enjoyed, eliminating any desire to switch back to the original cables.

For individuals using entry-level cables, the Lavricables Grand XLR interconnects could provide a substantial boost to their audio system's performance. Conversely, for those who already possess high-quality cables, these interconnects may add a refreshing twist to an already impressive auditory experience.

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The review sample was kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. I don't use affiliate links. You can check configuration options and prices for the cable at Lavricables website.

Disclaimer: For various Google indexing reasons, parts of this review have been processed with an automatic paragraph rewriting tool. However it reads exactly the same as the original content that is available in my website.
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