Swapping directly in from near-field speakers – and I felt like I wasn’t missing out on “speaker experience.” Stereo imaging, soundstage, clarity, and dynamics were still intact.
Usually, when I put these headphones on, it still sounds and feels like I’m listening to headphones. With the Lazuli Nirvana – the boundary disappears.
This headphone cable reminds me of Danacable’s line of speaker cables. It doesn’t quite have a “sound” per-say. It just feels unimpeded. Transparency, clarity, and focus are some of the many obvious traits of this headphone cable. It’s informative and clean yet very coherent and musical. Without any comparisons, I already felt that the Lazuli Nirvana struck the perfect tonal balance.
Dave Matthews Band’s American Baby was encompassed by tight lines from guitar plucks, snappy attacks off drums, and insightful dialogue. Macro and micro dynamics have an engaging perspective and are sonically scenic. Shimmer and warmth are also appropriately colored within the strums of strings and the impact of a kick drum. As the brass comes in towards the end of the track, there’s grip, texture, and proper timbre. No matter how involved it gets, the Lazuli Nirvana has no problem layering out the musical pieces with rhythmic confidence.
In Ben Harper’s Steal My Kisses, the Lazuli Nirvana struts its stuff by accurately timing out the resonant overlays of cymbal splashes – and the intricate technique of Rahzel Brown’s beatboxing. There’s plenty of contrast and air between the performers and their instruments – all laid out on a pitch black backdrop.
This recording usually sounds overly warm and blended on headphones – which I thought was just the nature of the recording. However, the Lazuli Nirvana extracted lower level nuances and textural cues while preserving the tonal quality and focus of the individual elements. And it does this so effortlessly. These traits encourages a revisit of your favorite tracks – which is always a good thing.
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Hey Jay, it would be nice if you compare Danacables vs Norne Audio cables 1 day. Cheers.
There are some cables with single core design to eliminate eddy current effect like Wireworld & acoustic-revive. You will love them and hope you tried it
I appreciated your review; can your evaluations also apply to Focal Utopia? Thank you.
Pretty sure it will.
Thanks Jay! These look to be great and might even best the Norne. I echo the request to compare these to the Norne Audio cables. I've used the highest end Norne Draug Silver on 4 sets of headphones: The Audeze LCD3f (the Norne was way better than the stock cable in every respect), the Focal Utopia (the Norne was way better than stock cable, but perhaps maybe not a perfect tonal match), the Audeze LCD4z (the stock cable was actually better than the Norne Draug silver), and the Sony MDR Z1R (the Norne was way better than the stock cable). It's amazing how much difference the headphone cable can make and how dependent it is on the headphones (and DAC/amp). In my case, the DAC/amp is Chord Dave and MScaler.
Since you're time of reviewing this cable have you got the chance to compare the Nirvana to the Prion4? I feel like the Prion4 woul give it a run for its money at $1300 less. Curious to hear your thoughts.
I could only speak from memory but the Prion4 was more resolving and possibly quieter but the Nirvana was warmer and fuller.
Honestly I'll tell you who will buy these a millionare with money to burn that's it. No normal person would spend this amount on a headphone cable. It's insane.... I don't care if your in a constant state of orgasm with these cables ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS
But a headphone cable? NO WAY. I'm can almost bet money on how many they will sell... ready for it ... ready for it... ZERO.
I think this industry is going insane and the markups are getting out of hand. I don't care about his tedious labor what are you paying these people 100/hr ? Have them made in taiwan... not China... .. and reduce the cost...
I felt like vomiting when I saw this......
Honestly I'll tell You it's always the same with people who can't afford things they are eager to have. You should better not bet on ZERO, I bought one.