Furutech Project V1 Series NCF Cables and Power Cords Review

Explore the groundbreaking design and sonic mastery of Furutech’s Project V1 Series cables and power cords.

If you’ve ever been deep into the audiophile rabbit hole, you know that the right cable can transform your entire listening experience. Furutech’s Project V1 Series NCF cables and power cords stand as a testament to what happens when cutting-edge engineering meets a passion for pure sound. From Tokyo to your system, these cables are anything but ordinary.

Unpacking the Masterpiece: Design and Construction

Furutech’s Project V1 Series is no newcomer—it's a product of prolonged dedication and high expectations. I first encountered these power cords a couple of years back alongside the Pure Power 6 NCF power distributor, and let me tell you, the engineering is something special.

The Project V1 cords boast a sophisticated triple concentric layering: silver-coated Alpha-OCC conductors wrapped with Alpha-DUCC cables. This powerhouse is heavily shielded and insulated with a hybrid polyethylene infused with a ceramic-carbon-powder damping material, ensuring interference remains a stranger in your audio chain.

The connectors? They’re crafted from four-layer hybrid NCF carbon fiber, finished with a hardened clear damping coating that not only looks sleek but tames vibrations. Now, fair warning: these cords are thick, heavy, and about as flexible as reinforced steel rebar. Trying to bend them around furniture or corners will have you huffing and puffing, but once you wrestle them into place and plug them in, the sonic payoff is absolutely worth the effort.

Heroic Speaker Cables and Interconnects

The Project V1-S speaker cables and VL-1 interconnects are feats of engineering that feel like a labor of love for serious audiophiles. The conductors feature a four-tier concentric design, merging Hybrid Alpha silver-coated OCC inner conductors with Alpha DUCC outer layers.

Furutech applies its proprietary NCF process—Nano Crystal Formula—a smart blend of crystalline material, nano-sized ceramic particles, and carbon powder designed to dampen electrical noise and mechanical vibrations. The cables are wrapped in a multi-layer sheath topped with double-layer high-grade insulation and a vibration-damping layer.

The connectors are non-magnetic, rhodium-coated pure copper, encased in NCF insulation. The housings and damping rings are made of the same four-layer NCF carbon fiber, finished with a clear damping coat. They’ve also been cryogenically treated and demagnetized, showing Furutech’s commitment to detail.

Putting It to the Test: System Setup

To truly appreciate these cables, I hooked them up through a range of loudspeakers: Audio Physic Tempo+, ATC SCM20P, and the mighty MBL 126.

The power cords powered active ATC models (SCM20ASL and SCM50ASL), a dCS Bartók Apex streaming DAC, MBL Cadenza C51 and Aesthetix Mimas integrated amplifiers, plus a B.audio Reference preamp/amplifier. I aimed to test the cables and power cords as a cohesive system wherever possible.

This was no casual listening session—it was a full dive into the world of ultra-premium sound reproduction.

Sonic Wonders: Performance Highlights

Listening to classical music through the Project V1 Series was an absolute revelation. The tonal balance was laser-focused—neutral and forthright from top to bottom. No annoying peaks or dips. The treble was open and airy, never congested, while the bass offered a precise, controlled punch that felt perfectly pitched.

What really struck me was the foundation of dark stillness beneath the music, a quiet placidity that let every note breathe. The cables didn’t warm or cool the sound; they kept it clean, clear, and truthful.

Orchestral layers were easy to separate across a spacious hemispherical soundstage. Individual and clustered images seemed to leap out in striking 3D clarity.

A standout moment was listening to Nojima Plays Liszt [Reference Recordings]. The concert grand piano came alive—the felted hammer attacks, the rich resonances, and the lingering soundboard ripple all felt palpably real. The player’s presence wasn’t just auditory; it was spatial, firmly anchored in the soundscape rather than floating as a flat image.

Versatility Across Genres

These cables didn’t just shine with classical music. Cranking up Metallica’s “The Unforgiven” from the Black Album 45rpm set was a thrilling experience. The Bob Rock-produced, Bernie Grundman-remastered symphonic metal masterpiece revealed rich guitar distortion, textured feedback, and a deep, authoritative bass that kept the rhythm tight. Percussion hits snapped with dynamic energy.

The Project V1 subtly widened the soundstage, teased out low-level details, and refined timbral textures. Nickel Creek’s “Sabra Girl” showcased their ability to extend sustains and decays naturally, letting acoustic resonance linger beautifully without blurring.

The Magic of Silence and Detail

If there’s one thing that impressed me most, it was the silence. Not just any silence, but an absence of haze, congestion, or harshness. Backgrounds were utterly silent yet alive with ambient nuances.

Space, reverberation, and atmospheric pressure stayed intact, creating an immersive listening environment. This quiet wasn’t emptiness—it was presence.

A perfect example? The 65th Anniversary MoFi OneStep edition of Sketches of Spain by Miles Davis and Gil Evans. Every subtle transient—from castanets to harp, tambourine to snare—was delivered with crystal clarity, even at whisper-quiet passages.

Transparency and Realism

At times, I wondered if the cables were adding something extra, like with Dire Straits’ Love Over Gold, especially on “Private Investigations.” The soundstage seemed to expand and immerse me more deeply than ever.

But after long hours of auditioning, it was clear: Project V1 wasn’t adding anything artificial or flattering. Instead, these cables removed barriers, revealing greater detail, richer micro-dynamics, and an overall more honest sonic picture.

Synergy That Transforms

One of the most defining moments was pairing the Project V1 cables with MBL 126 loudspeakers—known for their demanding setup and precision. The synergy was effortless and musical, with the carbon-fiber midrange and tweeters blossoming under the VL-S cables’ signal.

This combo reignited my emotional connection with music, prompting revisits of cherished albums like M&K’s For Duke and Joni Mitchell’s Blue. It’s moments like this that remind you why chasing perfect sound can be such a thrilling journey.

Final Thoughts: Worth Every Penny?

Let’s not dance around it—Furutech’s Project V1 Series cables and power cords are impressive but come with a high price tag.

While calling them the absolute best cables on earth is tricky without broader comparison, they represent a monumental achievement in the cable world. For many audiophiles, these could very well be the final upgrade on their cable quests.

Yes, the cost is steep—over $13,000 for speaker cables and above $10,000 for power cords—but the sonic rewards, the engineering, and the sheer joy of listening might just justify the investment.

This is one unforgettable ride into sonic nirvana.

Specs & Pricing

• Project V1-S Speaker Cables (2.5m, all spades): $13,415
• V1-L Interconnects (1.2m pair):
  • RCA: $7,135
  • XLR: $7,324
• V1 Power Cord (1.8m, 15A): $10,028

U.S. Distributor: Elite AV Distribution
Phone: (818) 245-6037
Email: scotlm@eliteavdist.com

“Project V1 produced a neutral and forthright tonal balance, top to bottom. Frequency-wise, there were no dips or peaks; treble octaves were open and uncongested.”
— Audiophile Review

FAQ

• What makes the Furutech Project V1 Series cables unique?
  Their unique triple concentric conductor design with silver-coated Alpha-OCC and Alpha-DUCC conductors, combined with proprietary NCF damping technology, sets them apart in engineering and sound quality.
• Are the Furutech cables flexible?
  Not really—they’re thick, heavy, and quite stiff. They don’t bend easily, so plan your cable runs accordingly.
• What kind of music do these cables suit best?
  From classical to metal and acoustic genres, they perform excellently across the board, maintaining clarity, dynamic control, and a natural soundstage.
• Do these cables add coloration to the sound?
  No, the Project V1 Series is designed to be neutral and transparent, removing barriers rather than adding artificial warmth or brightness.
• Are these cables worth the investment for non-audiophiles?
  These are premium cables aimed at serious audiophiles. While the cost is high, the sonic benefits justify the price for enthusiasts dedicated to high-end audio.

Elevate your listening sanctuary by shopping your favorite album cover posters at our store. Decorate your space with art that celebrates your passion for music: Architeg Prints.