Loom

Reviewer: Frederic Beudot
Digital Source: Aurender A10 streamer, Denafrips Pontus DAC, LHY SW6 Ethernet switch, Jay's Audio CDT2 Mk2, Holo Audio Cyan 2 [on loan], Mola Mola Tambaqui [in for review]
Analog Source: VPI Scout 1.1,  Zu-DL103 MkII, Genesis Phono Gold
Amplifier: Triode Labs 2A3i, Enleum AMP-23R  
Speakers: Ocellia Calliope .21 Twin Signature, Rogers LS 3/5a, Zu Essence
Cables: Zu Varial, Ocellia RCA cables, Zu Event MkII speaker cables, Absolute Fidelity custom XLR to RCA interconnects
Power Cords: Zu Mother, Ocellia power cables, Absolute Fidelity power cable
Powerline conditioning: Isotek Nova
Sundry accessories: Isolpads under electronics, GIK Audio room treatment
Room size: 18'x14'x10' (music room)
Review component retail: GT2 NCF USB $246 as reviewed (1.8m) but starts at $178 (0.6m); HF-X-NCF HDMI 8k v2.1 for I²S connection between DAC and CD transport $268 (1.5m); GTO-D2 R NCF Plus power distributor $1'109; Lineflux NCF 1.2m RCA interconnects $2'105; NanoFlux NCF 18 15A 1.8m power cable $6'380; NanoFlux NCF 2.5m speaker cables $8'515; NCF Clear Line RCA optimizer $266; NCF Clear Line LAN optimizer $265

"The more I listen to the Mola Mola Tambaqui, the more I realize how extremely sensitive it is to associated ancillaries – more than any electronics I've heard before. Differences in power cords, interconnects etc are so revealing that anything which can further lower the noise floor without hurting tonal saturation should be beneficial. I realize that I probably don't have cables and power filters commensurate with this DAC's level of extreme performance. It seems that you have a long relationship with Furutech. Do you think they could provide a bundle of their products (USB cable, power cable, XLR⇒RCA or RCA⇒RCA interconnect, power filter) to see how far we could push that Tambaqui DAC? I'd feature them in the Mola Mola review and a dedicated review if they're interested." That was my long-standing US contributor Frederic Beudot. Minutes later I Cc'd him on an email to my Furutech contact Graeme Coley. Whilst the answer and its details were entirely up to him, rendering the intro was still in my hands. That's how accelerated upstream resolution can show up limitations further down the chain; and how one special DAC can make a man happily ask to review a tailor-made cable loom. If that made-me-do-it subtext is too obscure, let's just say that for most audio writers, reviewing cables generates the least interest. Volunteering for such a gig thus is a tell in its own right. Here it was an educated guess that the existing loom and power delivery kit still acted as resolution barriers once faced with a source well beyond his usual references.

Jay's Audio CDT, VPI Scout 1.1, Lumin P1 Mini, Tambaqui, Enleum AMP-23R, Aurender A10, rack by Franck Tchang.

When Graeme replied with "certainly, we'll give it some thought", Frederic's assignment was booked. Thank you, Furutech! – Publisher

In the realm of high-end audio, the Furutech NCF cables stand out not just as mere conductors of electricity but as conduits of elevated sonic clarity and dimensionality. When you first uncoil them, you are greeted with a robust almost luxurious feel but no bling. The build is substantial, reflecting years of experience and attention to details worthy of elite status. The meticulous craftsmanship coupled with the signature NanoCrystal² Formula (NCF) tech promises a departure from the mundane, an exploration of what high-fidelity connections can achieve when engineered without compromise. The truth is though that all high-end cable brands make that promise and many deliver on some of it. The real question comes down to what sonic aesthetic a given brand seeks to achieve and whether that suits our taste. At their heart, Furutech's NCF cables embody an understanding that the flow of electricity is not just a mechanical process but a dynamic interaction between various materials with the ultimate purpose of connecting us more closely with art. The NCF technology, a blend of nano crystals and carbon to reduce resonance and improve electrical conductivity, doesn't merely aim for a cleaner signal. It aims to alter the very quality of the experience. Before jumping into tech details and listening impressions, I must disclose that as previewed by Srajan, this review came about in a slightly unusual way. As I was reviewing the Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC, one of the most resolving and natural sounding DACs I've had the pleasure to hear, it became evident that I wasn't getting the last level of performance I had heard this DAC deliver in other systems. The finest detail and nuance I knew should be there seemed lost despite a solid AC filter and some cables of good quality. I started to wonder how far things could improve if I made a deliberate effort to lower my system's noise floor. After an email to Srajan, connections were made with Furutech whose expertise in that area is well established. I told them what I was trying to achieve, the kit in play then let them prepare a care package. And what a package showed up a few weeks later: nearly $20'000 worth of cables, power distributor and noise traps so similar to the price of all my electronics combined in the review system. Would it even make sense? That's the question I embarked to answer eagerly.

Interestingly, most components Furutech sent me have already been reviewed in our pages over the years so I won't need to belabour what each does. I'll focus more on the total effect but also on how to best invest your dollars to get some of the Furutech goodness when not everybody has $20K lazing about to spend on cables and noise suppressors. Going forward, when I refer to the Furutech loom, I mean all the components listed in the gear header on top of this page. Before jumping to my listening impressions, allow me a few more words on Furutech's NCF technology which works by leveraging the unique properties of a specially engineered composite which incorporates nano-sized ceramic crystals and carbon. The formula is designed to address two key aspects of electrical performance: conductivity and noise reduction. The nano-sized ceramic crystals within the NCF composite are strategically incorporated to improve the overall conductivity of the material. These crystals help form a lattice that facilitates the flow of electrical signal, reducing resistance and minimizing the loss of signal quality. This is crucial in high-end audio systems where even the slightest distortion can negatively affect performance. One of the standout features of NCF technology is its ability to absorb and dissipate unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI). The ceramic crystals within the NCF material act as a form of noise filter, neutralizing these unwanted disturbances and preventing them from reaching the connected equipment. This leads to a cleaner signal path, hopefully allowing audio components to reproduce sound with greater clarity and precision. NCF's ability to even manage mechanical vibrations plays a critical role in reducing resonances that can impact the performance of sensitive components.

The combination of nano-ceramic materials and carbon results in a material that is inherently stable and resistant to physical vibrations. This characteristic minimizes the negative effects of resonant frequencies in cables, connectors and other critical components, leading to a more transparent and accurate representation of the audio even video signal. The inclusion of carbon within the NCF formula further enhances its ability to manage heat. Carbon's high thermal conductivity helps to effectively dissipate heat generated by electrical components, reducing the risk of overheating and maintaining optimal performance over time. This heat management can contribute to the longevity of gear where excessive heat build-up may lead to degradation of both materials and signal quality. Although NCF is at the core of many Furutech products, it's not the only trick up their sleeves. As one progresses up their product lines, metallurgy and cryogenic treatments get progressively more refined, connectors upgrade to non-magnetic Rhodium plating and the surfaces of conductors are treated with nano-sized silver and gold particles suspended in oil. Continuous R&D, complex cryogenic treatments, rare materials and exquisite build quality all add up to progressively steeper prices and one can always question the sanity of $8'500 speaker cables. But in a world where Audioquest WEL and Nordost Odin 2 can cost over $80'000/pr, Furutech seem committed to a relatively more grounded approach to commerce and profits.