PRANAWIRE NIRVANA XLS Power Cable Level II Review by PHP AUDIO, June 2025

Introduction

This line of cables was launched in 2024 and replaces all the older Kensho, Cosmos, Mahasamadhi, Arhat, Avatar ranges and also the flagship line Nirvana.

The name NIRVANA XLS which signifies “Beyond Lightspeed” refers to previous models named “Lightspeed,“ for example Arhat Lightspeed. This new series uses entirely new materials and topologies.

As usual, the California designer and manufacturer gives no more precise information other than the fact that all cables use silver conductors.

I have used the NIRVANA XLS Level III Power Cable for many months and yes, it is the best power cable I have tested here from PRANAWIRE or any others brands. The NIRVANA XLS Level II is a more affordable cable I ordered to power my mono blocks from an “external dedicated line” not using the in wall AC line custom made with very good cables and AC duplex.

The input is 3 meter long and use 2 separate assemblies kept at a constant distance by means of regularly spaced of separators. This reminds me of cables designed by Pierre Johannet, formerly an engineer at the French National electric company. The look is similar but the cables are entirely different.

​Connecting and setting NIRVANA XLS Level II is not a problem as the cable is quite flexible and the spacers easy to arrange to get a perfect parallel arrangement.

​Listening

Joe Cohen told me that he tested the cable before shipping and said “it is unbelievable” and asked me to report my findings. For 1 week, I was knocked out, enthusiastic and also a little confused. This cable lays bare the presentation, lifting 2 or 3 veils from my usual perception of the system. I decided to burn it for some extra time even though Joe cooked it with his Audio Dharma unit before sending it to me. I think that probably due to the uncommon length the cable needed more time than my 1m or 1.5m AC cables. More length implies more material to burn in, both conductors and dielectric materials.

Ying-HSUEH CHEN’s ‘Raw elegance’ is a good test to compare a recording to live music. The metallic percussion should sound powerful with body and lots of harmonics, but it also needs to sound real. In this recording the instruments are often portrayed as too bright or too soft depending on the system. With the NIRVANA XLS LII, the impact is like when I hear these kinds of instruments in concert from row 3. With the Nirvana XLS Level II the presentation is full of air, and the sound space is really right.
















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​Follia (1700) track 11 shows exactly the sound I heard in November 2023 in Switzerland, sitting 4 meters fromJordi Savall in an unamplified temple. There is sweetness, delicacy, subtle shadings of tone with great clarity and precision, even at 67 dB (A) measured during the event (playback set at 67 dB(A).
 


This well known recording of Anette Askvik « Liberty » is so present, palpable with so much air and long sound decays that the performance is jaw dropping, no audio system sounded like that in Munich 2025.





Live performance is often engaging at the cost of precision and close performance. Not here, all instruments sound very real and the drums , in "Relay » are wonderful.
 
 
 
 
 

On « solo and sphere » the sound is as right and present than listening to drums at 6 meters. My speakers do not compress anything and part of the result is due to this new power cable from Novato.
 
 
 
 
 


​« O Helga natt » was on the listened at Munich Audio show in 2 rooms (from my side) and one of the playback was great using a vinyl turntable at very huge price. Here on the TAIKO Extreme the sound is very similar on the voice but much more separated on choir and more present

Conclusion

​The NIRVANA XLS level II is a surprising cable that elevates music playback by a huge order of magnitude, at a price that is correct for the outstanding result. That said, NIRVANA XLS LII will show every quality of your audio system but also will point out any unbalance or lack of optimization your system has. It could take 1 month to get the sweet spot and enough burn in to get your ticket for a performance that unburies all the nuances music can express.
Philippe PERROT PHP AUDIO
France