This is my review of the
Lavricables REFERENCE SILVER USB-C OTG INTERCONNECT CABLE that Lavricables sent me in exchange for my honest opinion.
***Update*** -> please scroll down for the
AWG23 cable version update!!
+++ 2nd update +++ -> pls scroll down for the
AWG21 cable version update!
For starters: I always heard differences between digital cables. I know, this is a much-debated subject. Some of you guys don´t think an audible difference would be possible. But I heard them and always stated that in my cable reviews (WireWorld Starlight 8, Audioquest Carbon – back then in combination with my Focal Bathys).
When I tested the Questyle CMA18P recently (in combination with my highly resolving Austrian Audio “The Composer” headphones), I thought it would be a good idea to also test some digital wires going from my sources (MacBook Pro, iPhone15) to the DAC/amp.
I will post my comparisons between some upgrade cables further down below, but firstly, let´s talk about the Reference Silver USB cable from Lavricables produced in Latvia:
For starters: This cable
looks absolutely amazing. It is beautifully made. And I love the red color (though you could also order it in black if you prefer a more low profile look). The silk sleeving is
impeccable crafted. The cable is pliable. The USB-C plugs fit firmly as they should. You can choose a 5cm or a 10cm long cable (mine is 15cm and so I guess it is from an older batch). As I see on their website:
https://www.lavricables.com/cables/...-interconnect-cable-for-mojo2-iphone-android/there is also the possibility to choose between an AWG26 (the one I have) or a thicker AWG23 cable. Also, as it seems, the 5cm and 10cm versions cost the same, which is nice to see! Both power and data run in the same braided cable. Anyways, this handmade cable is made from
4 cores of solid 5N silver, it has a woven Teflon Litz construction and is soldered with Mundorf 4% fine silver audio solder.
Before we get to the sound description, here are two things I discovered:
- When connecting to my deactivated DAC (Questyle CMA18P), my iPhone tells me that my DAC can´t be used as it drains too much power. As soon as I turn on my DAC this message disappears. That didn´t happen with other USB-C cables I used.
- Strangely the Reference Lavricables only works in one direction. Maybe that´s why the red cable is labeled at one end? (which looks rather nice btw)
I didn´t know that, so sometimes after receiving the cable I thought it was broken, but as soon as I figured out that the cable`s labeled USB-C end always has to go into the source, I never ever had a connection problem again. A small notice from Lavricables would have been nice so that this little problem is taken care of right from the beginning. BECAUSE, as soon as you plug in that baby and listen to the music, everything else is forgotten!
Which brings me to the description of its
sound:
As stated above, some guys might find it difficult (or even an insult) to talk about the “sound” of a digital cable. As I hear a noticeable difference between all my digital cables, I feel confident to tell you that this short interconnect cable is
the best one I have ever heard.
What I immediately heard after plugging it in was a
bigger soundstage, particularly the width did expand by quite a margin (compared to the stock Questyle USB-C cable that is great to begin with). In addition the sound was a whole lot clearer, like a veil was lifted. Yeah, yeah, I know: audiophile platitudes, haha. But it is as it is. Mind me, I did hear (in the past) cables where the “veil was lifted” but at the same time the bass was gone or the highs were too shrill. Not so here:
The
bass gets stronger as well as clearer in its definition. I also hear more subbass extension. What I also like: The mid-bass is not elevated, so no covered lower mids!
The
mids – well, I could also say: the voices – get the center stage. This doesn´t alter the stage in any negative way. I heard (also analogue) cables where the voices did get rather near to the listener but the stage got smaller too. Here everything falls into its right place. You can hear every little nuance of the singer but also the vocals that come from the chest are naturally portrayed. In fact everything feels a bit more free to flow as the instruments do get more space. (And guitars – no matter if analogue or electric guitars – sound wonderful!)
Which brings me to the
highs: Percussions are super precise, which helps the imaging. Never heard the left right panning as intense before (with electronical music and synth sweeps this is an absolute highlight).
Extension up above is endless. This is such a nice combo with my Austrian Audio Composer headphone that filters out every little drop of music that is on the recording. No harsh sounds to be heard (not even with the slightly north of neutral tuned Composer). Just pure extension. In other words: The added air helps to build a
vast stage.
But what about the other USB-C cables in my collection?
Well, there is the ultra premium pricey
Luxury & Precision WP2 cable. Which looks and feels nice. But. And this is a big BUT: It sounds crap! Yeah. I can say that with confidence. It costs over 200 Euros but I wouldn´t even prefer it over the Questyle stock USB-C cable. It just makes everything sound congested and lifeless. And I will send it back of course. This is a no go for that price. So the Reference Lavricables USB-C cable swallows the L&P WP2 for breakfast!
The
ddHifi TC09S on the other hand is a very good cable. It doesn´t look as good as the Reference, at least in my view, and costs less … but though good sounding and easily better sounding than the Questyle stock cable, it doesn´t sound as good as the Lavricables Reference (although it has a separated cable for data and power). For example, if I look at the bass: The TC09S does push the bass in comparison to the stock cable, but
the Reference is more refined, where it doesn´t push the bass blindly, but in addition it managed to just elevate the subbass so the midbass stays clean and wouldn´t bump, which is uncomfortable after a few minutes of (loud) listening sessions. Also the mids of the Reference are cleaner, as they won´t get covered by the bass that intrudes into the lower mids like it is with the TC09S. Guitars sound more powerful and mighty with the Reference. And also the highs of the Reference have a
better extension which results in a more
open, airy and lifelike portrayal.
These are small, but audible differences that my audio chain reveals. If you want the best of the best and you have the funds, if you ask me, go straight for the Lavricables Reference USB cable!
***UPDATE*** Here you can find the update of the AWG23 version of the Reference silver USB-C cable:
After writing my review of the AWG26 version of their USB-C Reference cable, I reached out to Lavricables (thank you Konstantin) in order to write an update of the slightly thicker AWG23 version. So thankfully they did send me an example in exchange for an honest review:
As you can see in the pictures below, this time I chose the 5cm version of the Reference USB cable. It feels nearly the same like the awg26 version. Just ever so
slightly thicker but
as pliable and as well crafted as expected from the Lavricables team! Like with the other version, it only works in one direction (the “Lavricables” sticker marks the end that goes into the source). The cable fits as it should and perfectly connects my iPhone15 to the Questyle CMA18P.
Concerning sound differences, this was an interesting comparison:
First off, the AWG23 cable doesn´t sound “better”, it also luckily doesn´t sound worse. It
sounds different. So here´s what I found out:
Bass, as I hear it, sounds the same on both of them, reaching deep into the subbass. Where they differ are the mids and the highs. The AWG23 has the thicker notes, emphasizing the lower and middle-mids, where the AWG26 cable tends to emphasize the higher reaching mids. So you have a different flair here. Going further to the highs, also the AWG26 version seems to have more power here, where the AWG23 has a more natural display. I discovered liking the AWG23 cable more with acoustic music, where I prefer the AWG26 cable with rock/electronical music.
As far as I can tell, there´s
no winner here. If you have a rather revealing headphone or IEM, or an analytical DAC/amp, the AWG23 might be the better combo, whereas the AWG26 might be the better combo if you have a warmer headphone or an amp that isn´t analytical. This way you would be able to “play around” with your system and give the spectrum a touch to this or that side (natural vs. analytical).
I love both of them. The AWG23 pairs nicely with the Calyx K DAC that already has enough power up above whereas the Questyle CMA18P is the better combo with the AWG26 as it has a somewhat smoother presentation, so here the AWG26 cable brings out the last drop of information that I would have missed otherwise.
In fact you can´t go wrong by choosing one of them blindly. Of course, in a perfect world without money restrictions, you also can´t go wrong by choosing both of them
***2nd UPDATE*** Here you can find the update of the AWG21 version of the Reference silver USB-C cable:
Alrightythen, Konstantin from Lavricables was so nice to send me their newest version of this wonderful USB-C cable. This time it is thicker again (21AWG), and this time you really feel the thickness immediately when you hold the cable in your hands. Also it is a bit harder to bend the cable, so you really feel the wires inside, which is kind of cool. But it´s not a problem at all to bend the cable into the right position. Just a bit more effort needed than with the other two cables.
As always looks and build quality is top-notch. Compared to the awg23 there is a new logo at the plug that goes into the source. But other than that they look the same.
Concerning the sound difference: This time the awg21 surprisingly has more in common with the awg26 than with the awg23 version. So gobbles of clarity, nice extended bass as well as highs up top. Where they differ is the stage. The thinner awg26 version has a wide and very direct presentation. So the music stretches far left and right and the singer is very close. The thick awg21 version takes a different approach here where it presents the music in a more holographic and layered way and you move two rows back. So you might lose a tiny bit wideness and "in your face" directness in favor for a nice rounded and big holographic 3D soundstage with a much appreciated added depth. Also the voices of the singers feel very "alive" and touching.
As always, the differences are not huge of course. But they are there and so I see myself listening to some albums with this and others with the other awg versions. In fact, as said above, you really can´t go wrong with either of them!
SO TO SUM IT ALL UP:
Every one of the three Reference options is, in my opinion, a clear upgrade to stock USB-C cables (such as the already very good Questyle USB-C cable that came with the CMA18P).
- The awg26 would be the most reasonable choice considering the price/performance ratio. And it is indeed the best combination with my CMA18P and brings out every last drop of information with a wide stage and a direct, impactful sound display.
- The awg23 would be the choice if your DAC already is very revealing and you would like to add a natural tone.
- The awg21 would be the right choice if you prefer a more holographic presentation, with a bit narrower stage than with the awg26 but in return you get more depth. I love it in combination with my Calyx K DAC.
So, I think it´s a wrap
Thanks again, dear Konstantin, for the possibility to compare your three Reference USB-C silver cables. You do the magic!
And here some eye candy (please scroll down for the AWG23 and AWG21 cable)