PHP Audio Reports on the PranaWire Nirvana XLS Power Cable

When I first connected the PRANAWIRE NIRVANA XLS Level III power cable, it underperformed my previous references, the PranaWire ARHAT Lightspeed and COSMOS LE. It took some days for the cable to burn in and become stabilized in the context of the system.

I will be short: this is, for me, a real breakthrough in cable performance, even surpassing the evolutionary step the ARHAT LS presented some years ago. This cable improves transparency, lifts many veils and gives a sense of presence and body that is really jaw dropping. At first, the bass was significantly less present and well defined than the previous references. I can now say that the bass is much better than the ARHAT LS and COSMOS LE in all regards. Voices are so present that it is quite unbelievable and highs have a rightness I had dreamed of for years but never found until now. Extension, power and the sense of genuine, natural and organic highs is a wonder. Soundstage is also wider and deeper.

On ‘Coal Train’ (Hugh Masekela – ‘Hope’): Every word is easy to understand and perfectly defined. Each choir member appears as an individual, appropriately spaced within the stage. The air surrounding them is palpable. I have experienced this album in CD, SACD and now in streaming. No matter the format, the playback is really immersive. My wife said that this is by far the best this track has ever sounded.

‘B Partita’ (Philippe Manoury): This experimental music is really well recorded but extremely difficult to play back as the high frequencies are powerful and very extended. With the NIRVANA XLS LIII, the sound is engaging and never bright.  Each instrument is present, vivid and exceptionally precise in the soundstage.

Bryce Dessner’s ‘Solos’ album: The violin on ‘Delphica II’ is present, detailed and has grip without being hard or dry. Strings are very close to what I hear in a live acoustic concert at row 1 or 2.

This new power cable is a game changer, extracting a higher level of performance than I had thought possible. The overall tonality of the system has become much more natural and balanced.

Philippe
PHP AUDIO