Cube Audio Nenuphar Single Driver Speaker (10 inch) TQWT Enclosure

Stephen,
What you discovered makes sense. Your two different speaker cables could have relative meaningful differences in their gauge, resistance and capacitance. These variables could definitely affect/ impact the total amount of the damping factor (DF). The final DF value factors in speaker impedance and speaker cable contributions (And obviously amplifier output impedance) . Just goes to show how valuable our ears are. You clearly heard a change.
Charles

And most critically for the objectivist "it's all in your head" crowd, the change was contrary to the previously developed preferences and expectations. 

Sure, you could also blame a bad mood at the time of testing, but in line with Charles' sentiment, it's clear that our ears are meant for hearing and they do a wonderful job. (Despite the constant biasing influence of extra-auditory factors) 

Additional info on the Valvet E2SE

Please give the SE version PLENTY of time to break in. Several hundred hours or more, at least. This is from experience.

I had already listed mine for sale and made a deal when that magical moment arrived. I did not want to break my promise but will consider replacing it when the time is right.

I don't know how it will pair on the Core Audio speakers but it is an absolutely wonderful and amazing amp.

The new owner is ecstatic.

I've been trying out a new pair of Nenuphars for about a week now and I'm mighty impressed. I'll chime in more as I find the words to describe what I'm hearing. I'll just mention for now that I'm powering the Nenuphars with a pair of Thoress EHT mono blocks. These amps are somewhat under the radar (they're pricey and don't seem to have much retail support in the US) but Ebaen reviewed them at 6moons in combination with the Nenuphars and used some striking language to describe the pairing. He rates the EHTs as a better match for the Cubes than the FW SIT1 monos.  

http://https//6moons.com/audioreview_articles/thoress2/

FWIW I can see what he's talking about. I compared the EHTs with a SIT3 and found the difference to be profound (much as I love the SIT3). For now I'm still working on getting speaker placement and room treatments dialed in (at 20 sq meters my room is at the bottom end of the range for these speakers as specified by Cube Audio). so, more to come.

Thanks to all here for a refreshingly good thread!  

Great info Jolly.  Ive dealt with Audio Arts in NYC (Thoress dealer) before and Gideon is a pleasure to do business with. I might just have to inquire about the F2A11 or 845 Thoress Integrateds.....not a 300B kind of guy.