FURUTECH NCF BOOSTER, “Connector & Cable Holder”
I am sure most audiophile have heard and may have use a product or two from FURUTECH Co., Ltd (Japan). They are famed for their specialized and hi-end audio accessories; cables, connectors, binding posts, power distributors, vinyl record demagnetizer, cables lifter, etc…(the list is quite extensive). In my beloved country, Malaysia, FURUTECH products are distributed by Creative AV Sdn Bhd and available through their number of local audio specialists/ dealers.
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Lately, I have been in some transactions with them for the Lyngdorf AV MP-60 processor, Ken Kreisel subwoofers, Cinenova Grande amplifier, Bespoke 170″ Projection Screen, etc…, and hearing good testimonies from fellow audiophile about how their audio systems’ sound quality soared since the inclusion of the FURUTECH NCF(s), a single-cable lifter of Multi-Materials Hybrid Construction, with Damping Solution and Support that boost cable and connector performance. Therefore, without inclination and hesitation, I asked Creative AV Sdn Bhd for some samples for review. They sent me six sets of the NCF and two sets of Shaft Bar Mix-8L4S (for further extension of height of the NCFs).
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I have always adopted the motto for any upgrade/ inclusion in my audio system, “I must be able to hear the contributing effect(s) upon optimum installation”, before any final decision on my part. In other words, I am not going to think for the product(s)’ contributing effect (?!)…if it works, it must work almost immediately!
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I tried the entire six sets of NCF at almost the end of the chain in my audio set up; two sets at the end of the power cords to the two bass towers of the Gryphon Audio Kodo loudspeakers, and two sets for each power cord to the pair of mono block amplifier, the Vitus Masterpiece MP-M201(AF edition).
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I like to make sure all my audio equipments seated well and steadily ,…including the accessories in review. I could not be sure whether it helped, but I made sure each NCF and the cable it held were seated steadily, and that the sum of the total weight was equally distributed to the floor…the end result would be that your finger(‘s strength) should not be able to shake the cable and the NCF.
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What was most immediate after the inclusion of the NCF(s) was at the bass,…to be precise, from the mid low to the available lowest frequencies. Here, the bass became more taut, resolute, defined, controlled, articulated and further anchored. As if each bass transient/ attack included a sensation of a ‘swing of air’ towards the listening position. The whole of The Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles came ‘alive’ with an increased sense of sure footed-ness,…with all her musicians and instruments seated, in place and position, under the great conductor/ composer John William, with violinist extraordinaire Ms. Anne-Sophie Mutter in “Across the Stars” (Deutsche Grammophon CD).
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As expected, even the imaging was improved in delineation, density and firmness/ tightness. However, I could appreciate that some may find the improved mid to lower frequencies to be too strong and boosted, thus affected the total height of the imaging and soundstage (reminded me of the argument/ finding in the use of clamp on the analogue record turntable?!) Nevertheless, I did find the different height of different instrument, and different musician’s position or placement to be more distinct within the soundstage (that’s why I still prefer the use of a clamp on my turntable!).
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The FURUTECH NCFs have been around for some years and in used in more audio systems than expected. I sure do not want to be the last to discover their attributes!