Description
The “Spirit II” Balanced XLR is one of the greatest products in the Triode Wire Labs line-up!
Over two years in continual development, with relentless R&D phases, to pursue “perfection”. Consisting of a highly conductive hybrid material design (utilizing 7-nines copper, yes 99.99999% pure OHNO CCC) with a proprietary geometry design and coupled to extremely low mass and ultra low capacitance connectors, produce the most natural, musically balanced, pure sound available at affordable audiophile prices. In-house developed materials & fabrication techniques selected with the highest quality and “best sounding connectors” is contributes to the end result. The entire design and quality build contributes to the listening experience by assisting in the prevention of spurious EMI/RFI anomalies. Carefully selected materials combined with a quality build produce PERFECT NATURAL PRAT (Pace, Rhythm & Timing) and will be true to the original source, without coloration. If you’re in the market for an “expensive” ULTRA-FI interconnect cables, you should audition Triode Wire Labs “Spirit II Interconnects” to hear what’s possible at Affordable, Audiophile prices!
- New, shielded “Spirit II Phono” interconnects, featuring state of the art patented conductive carbonized external sleeving to assist in maintaining clean low voltage signals as well as providing interference & RF filtering without increasing capacitance like traditional shielding techniques!
- Aircraft aluminum-bodied single-ended RCA connectors with equal, super low-mass & ultra-low capacitance center pin and ground. Both center pin & ground are high purity OFC copper with 24K gold flash plating. The best-sounding connectors available on the market!
- Brass-bodied balanced XLR connectors available with three equal, super low-mass & ultra-low capacitance positive & negative polarity pins and ground. All three pins are high purity OFC copper with 24K gold flash plating. Superb sounding XLR connectors!
- Highly conductive hybrid materials, utilizing different conductors and dielectrics, synergize “perfectly” with each other, cancelling out their normal individual sonic anomalies.
- Effortless, revealing organic, BALANCED & natural sound – the perfect tonally balanced, neutral interconnects!
- Perfect SYNERGY with Triode Wire Labs Power Cable & Speaker Cable products, a match made in Heaven!
Deep HELIUM Cryogenically Treated Conductors & Connectors, the highest & extremely expensive “state of the art” processing, which produces the ultimate in Accurate & Natural Sound Reproduction. Using liquid Helium, the components are very slowly, through computer control, drawn-down to near Absolute Zero – 0 Kelvin! (–450 oF / –267.8 oC).- Custom Triode Wire Labs, Inc. Proprietary Hybrid Material & Geometrical Design, for exceptional passive noise suppression and RFI/EMI field rejection.
- Very Flexible and User Friendly, a Triode Wire Labs trademark!
- Hand-made and Crafted in the USA, employing “best design practices” and components using Cardas Quad-eutectic solder, the finest audio solder in the world, originally developed by the Western Electric Corporation. A variety of the best anti-oxidization and contact enhancing treatments used on the solder joints and exposed conductors prior to shipment.
- 30-day Audition Trial – please see our Terms & Conditions.
- All XLR interconnect cable pairs are “burned-in” at TWL, featuring a HIGH POWER audiodharma CABLE COOKER™ Anniversary Edition 3.5 with premium all-copper billet Cardas CCGR binding posts.
Deep HELIUM Cryogenically Treated Conductors & Connectors, the highest & extremely expensive “state of the art” processing, which produces the ultimate in Accurate & Natural Sound Reproduction. Using liquid Helium, the components are very slowly, through computer control, drawn-down to near Absolute Zero – 0 Kelvin! (–450 oF / –267.8 oC).Each set (sold as a PAIR) of Triode Wire Labs, Inc. Interconnect Cables will be Serial Numbered and includes an Official Triode Wire Labs Cable Certificate for Authentication as well as a User Guide for Best Audiophile Cable Management practices. All cables are shipped with an Earth-Friendly, reusable as well as biodegradable Triode Wire Labs logo drawstring bag.
Triode Wire Labs is now a full-line Furutech dealer, OEM for Cardas Audio, as well as an IeGO Audio dealer. Please email us for prices, including special connector options.
Philippe Torres (verified owner) –
Hello,
This is the first interconnect cable on which I write a review, after having tried and owned dozens of them over the last ten years, some costing up to $2500 for a 3 feet pair. I do this because for the first time, I have a cable which performs exactly as described by the manufacturer, especially when it comes to let the music flow and shine.
The Spirit II have replaced rca cables which stayed more than three years in my system without any need for a change, even when compared to more expensive ones coming from more reputable manufacturers. These cables were sold $1500 a pair more than 20 years ago and are still regarded today as reference cables punching way above their weight.
I decided to change to test xlr cables, heard about Triode Wire Labs and their 30-day audition trial and decided to give it a go because of the “real world” price tag.
So after the test, what happens ? Well, my rca cables are now moving and the Spirit II stay, as they have proven to be more neutral and balanced, and above all more musical.
The Spirit II belong to a rare breed of cables with no engineering tricks to add anything (weight, dynamics, you name it) destined to impress the audiophile ear on the short term and wear out after a while. I suggest you to be patient when testing them, as although the cables came already burned-in, they needed around 100 more hours to lock-in to my system. Also, as they are strikingly clear and free of any artificial sound enhancement, they may seem thin sounding or restrained the first days of use, but when they lock-up, you realize that what you were missing at first was something artificially added that had nothing to do here, where the music is.
I suggest to anybody in search of a pair of interconnect cables that could be the last they will use, and with a budget up to $2500 to take advantage of the 30-day audition trial to listen to these cables in their system. I add that it was a pleasure to deal with Pete, and that the cables were perfectly packed for safe shipping.
Conclusion : I want to thank all the people at Triode Wire Labs for doing a great job by making cables which sound superlative without the superlative price tag as well. A superb achievement indeed !
All the best,
Philippe
triodewirelabs –
Thanks so much Philippe! Enjoy!
Philippe Torres (verified owner) –
Hello,
This is the first interconnect cable on which I write a review, after having tried and owned dozens of them over the last ten years, some costing up to $2500 for a 3 feet pair. I do this because for the first time, I have a cable which performs exactly as described by the manufacturer, especially when it comes to let music flow and shine.
The Spirit II have replaced rca cables which stayed more than three years in my system without any need for a change, even when compared to more expensive ones coming from more reputable manufacturers. These cables were sold $1500 a pair more than 20 years ago and are still regarded today as reference cables punching way above their weight.
I decided to change to test xlr cables, heard about Triode Wire Labs and their 30-day audition trial and decided to give it a go because of the “real world” price tag.
So after the test, what happens ? Well, my rca cables are now moving and the Spirit II stay, as they have proven to be more neutral and balanced, and above all more musical.
The Spirit II belong to a rare breed of cables with no engineering tricks to add anything (weight, slam, you name it) destined to impress the audiophile ear on the short term and wear out after a while. I suggest you to be patient when testing them, as although the cables came already burned-in, they needed around 100 more hours to lock-in to my system. Also, as they are strikingly clear and free of any artificial sound enhancement, they may seem thin sounding or restrained the first days of use, but when they lock-up, you realize that what you were missing at first was something that had nothing to do here, where the music is.
I suggest to anybody in search of a pair of interconnect cables that could be the last they will use, and with a budget up to $2500 to take advantage of the 30-day audition trial to listen to these cables in their system.
I add that it was a pleasure to deal with Pete, and that the cables were perfectly packed for safe shipping.
Conclusion : I want to thank all the people at Triode Wire Labs for doing a great job by making cables which sound superlative without the superlative price tag as well.
All the best,
Philippe
triodewirelabs –
Thank you, Philippe! I’m enthralled that you’re happy with my bespoke interconnects! Cheers – Pete
Samir Kodsi (verified owner) –
So after I had installed the American Speaker Cables from Triodewire Labs I thought to my self: “why not try the interconnect cables as well? I had been using the Nordost Heimdall XLR cables for 8 years with my Kimber Kable 8TC speakers cables.
I received the Balanced XLR Spirit II and upon opening the well packaged box, I was impressed by the quality of the cables. They are very flexible and look great.
I immediately noticed more depth to the soundstage and the lower frequencies were even more prominent and the music more dynamic. The sound of the human voice was better defined and the midrange was amazing. They really work synergistically well with the American Speaker Cables from Triodewire Labs.
I am very happy with my decision and I feel that these cables work well with my Mcintosh C1100/D1100 with the quad balanced McIntosh MC462 amplifier. They don’t get in the way of the music and do not generate any noise in my already super quiet system. I am so happy with my setup now and will finish the setup once Triodelabs sends me their power cords. A review on those will be coming after I put some hours on them.
I highly recommend these cables for anyone who has this combination of Tube and solid state amplifier from Mcintosh and I am sure they will work with a large variety of manufacturers!
Thanks Pete!
triodewirelabs –
Thank you Samir for your kind comments! Enjoy!!! Cheers – Pete
Mike Triolo –
After purchasing Pete’s speaker cables earlier this year, I knew I would be purchasing his Spirit II XLR. I placed the Spirit II between my preamp and amplifier. This cable replaced an XLR that retails for more than two times the cost of a 1M Spirit II. I have these cable for three days and they completely blow away my other interconnects. More air, space, soundstage, three dimensionality and deep bass. I’m excited to hear greater improvements with more run in time. Outstanding work, Pete!!
triodewirelabs –
Thanks, Mike, for your kind comments! The “Spirit II” XLR interconnects will continue to improve with additional play time on them!
Enjoy! – Pete
DrT –
Pete, I tried your Ten Plus power cables and was impressed; they’re better than our $1300 gold Snake River Cottonmouths & $2700 Cardas Clear Beyond XLs. Now we tried your Spirit interconnects and… you’ve done it again. They better our Analysis Plus Solo Crystal Ovals and Homegrown Audio DNAs. They have the detail of the pure silver DNAs and the bass of the pure copper Analysis Plus’s. I don’t know how you do it, but we are happy customers. Your cables are truly amazing…
triodewirelabs –
Thank you, DrT, for your clear observations and insightful comments! Your highly revealing system with Avantegarde horn speakers can really determine any sonic anomalies associated with audio cables! Thanks again & enjoy!
SKodsi (verified owner) –
I just installed the 2 meter Spirit XLR. While I was waiting for you to manufacture it, I resorted back to my old Nordost Heimdall XLRs. Your cables are clearly superior! Better depth to the soundstage, more holographic, every instrument is in focus and separated in space and the tone of instruments and human voice is natural and real!
triodewirelabs –
Hello Samir – Thank you so much! I’m extremely happy that you’re enjoying the “Spirit II” XLR balanced interconnects!
Cheers — Pete