Nordost - "Making the Connection"

Yes, agreed on that 110%!

Infact, I do have access to the Tyr2 speaker cables and those will probably be the next move. However, I'm still getting used to a few other gear settling in... The Esoteric sacd player is still settling in, although I think a few more hours will benefit. What I noticed is after the 2-3hr mark of playback it shifts into another dimension and I can turn down the volume even further. Also the big CJ SS amplifier I'm currently using whiles my tube monoblocks are undergoing a final SE upgrade, is further settling in nicely due to the large bank of Teflon caps that require so many hours to get going.

What I'm trying to achieve overall is a very full sound with all the detail, soundstage depth and finesse at low volume levels. This is very achievable especially with tube amplifiers and high quality cables, and for me Nordost has proved it 110%. Extremely happy with the Frey2 at this stage and what it offers, it's just marvellous!

So perhaps around mid this year, I'll venture into the Tyr. Might probably even end up with Odin's supreme reference series at one point or the other but I think that's more of a dream for now, since getting thrown into the dog house by the wifey is more of a reality! So I guess I better stick to what I've got at this stage.

It's definitely a marvellous thing, and one thing Nordost is good at is "making the connection," without a doubt!

Cheers to 2021, and enjoy those fine tunes!
Best, RJ

Yes, very true.

Infact, back in the hey day when Nordost launched their first Flat Line gold speaker cables, trying these out on Paradigm speakers for the first time was a revelation! Moved up towards Blue Heaven and then onto Red Dawn, the Blue Heaven proved to be better on certain aspects compared to Red Dawn. Then finally onto the SPM reference cables, which were their top of line at the time, and these were marvellous!

Having experienced similar variations between the Norse2 line up and ending with theTyr2 series, I actually preferred the Frey2 with the current system installed. However, I'm thinking perhaps the trials didn't go as expected merely because I'm currently using a different Norse2 line up for interconnects and power cords. Oh well, nothing to fuss about too much I guess, as long as I'm hearing all the finer details as they ought to be. It's that overall balance that's hard to achieve in a short span of time. Once achieved through patience and perseverance, the results are very noticeable.

Down the road when time permits, I will trial the Tyr2 again but this time perhaps with upgraded power accessories if they exist. Otherwise I'll have to use equivalent cords on whatever Nordost offers as their next best thing... if it exists within the next few years. Who knows what series they may introduce next after Norse2. I'm suspecting they might even downsize and offer only top tier stuff at top level pricing!

When there's a large range to choose from amongst the same brand, this gets confusing and makes trials / demos harder to judge. There are far too many variables in such a vast array. I think comparing and trialing just two top level products would be much easier and clearer to evaluate.

I'm still very impressed though by the way Nordost designs and constructs their cables. It's very labour intensive and the process is so stringent, yet their cables can be quite fussy when installed in certain types of systems that prove to be a mismatch. I had that very same experience with Maggie's, perhaps it was the silver plating that made them far too bright all round. Whereas the top line stuff from Cardas proved to be a much better balance overall, and I guess this was something to do with using pure copper as the main material. OTOH, using Nordost with stats, from Quads to CLX's proved to be a far better solution. Once again system dependent comes into play big time.

I'll give it perhaps mid this year and see how the Tyr2 cables work out. In the meantime, the Frey2 is delivering all that I'm looking for, so to come to think of it, why change?

Cheers maties, enjoy those fine tunes.
Best, RJ

Yes, without a doubt!
The only thing or issue that I have with Nordost is, as you go up the chain, the price increases by either double or triple the amount... and that's a significant increase in cost, not subtle.

Then for me to justify that extra spend is questionable. However, after a few listens, you tend to forget the cost simply because the level of playback is at such a high quality, all costs are automatically forgotten!

I guess that's enjoying the music.
Cheers mate, and enjoy those fine tunes!
RJ

Yes, the Qbase 8 is a fantastic accessory to have in any high quality system. Partner this with the QX4 and it reaches an outstanding level of detail and quietness, which also evolves to greater transparency. Using these accessories alongside the Nordost cable solutions is one fine combination. Obviously highly system dependent, and if it works well, it's that top level of quality playback that you will experience.

The QKore units are designed in such a way, they will further elevate those finer levels in micro detail that were not thought possible until you actually install one.

Recently I visited a private demo where the owner had multiple QX4 & QX2 units plugged into nearly every piece of gear. It replaced the standard power cords to higher grade ones and passed through each dedicated QX4 or QX2 unit, along with his speakers since they're powered speakers. That level of detail and refinement is right up there!

I've tried a similar thing before with multiple QX2 units, since they're modular units and can be added to the system gear as you wish. However, there is a point where it reaches its threshold and this is the top most level your system will deliver. Beyond that, improvements are very marginal...

I've already achieved that fine level with my particular gear but I must admit that when I tried dedicated QX2 units for each of the speakers, it was certainly a mighty fine combination! I do have serious intentions to finalise this but still deciding between two separate QX4's or QX2's, will give it some thought...

As for now, sit back and enjoy those fine tunes!
Cheers, RJ

Yes, the QX units have been discontinued to make way for the Qsource and Qpoint units. However, this is typical Nordost as they're always improving and when they release a product, it's not just a new thing but has to reach very high standards in total upgrades. Nordost is one of those that does this well.

Although the QX units are no longer available, whatever remaining items can still be used to great effect. I've been using these QX units along with the Qbase 8 since 2010. Along the way I upgraded each unit to the newer version and ever since never regretted it. I can further elevate the performance grounding and quietness with the new Qsource & Qpoint units but I haven't gotten round doing so, simply because everything sounds mighty fine as is! So why mess with it.

I've gone upto the Tyr2 cables and everything else is Frey2 & Heimdall2. From this point onwards, after trying out the Valhalla and Odin series, in order for me to achieve my personal benchmark in improvement, which is 40% or higher, I can certainly confirm that the Odin's are the top. The Valhalla series is very fine, and they are of reference level but in certain systems it can be overly transparent, showing other flaws in the chain. So it's not suitable to all types. In such cases, the Frey2 or Tyr2 series is a safer option. This particular series can be used across many different types of set-ups. When you start looking at Valhalla or the Odin Supreme reference series, there are other factors to consider, it's not just about the cables.
However, considering the price tag, I can't justify 30grand for a few skinny metres of cable... I'm not that silly. But boy was it a good ride, awe-inspiring!

To those of you who have installed the Odin & Odin Gold series 2, hats off- respect! It's one hell of a cable! There's nothing quite like it.

As I've said before, as you go up the Nordost line of accessories, just because the elements get very expensive doesn't necessarily mean that it will enhance any and every system. These super fine accessories are highly system dependent, you have to find the one combination that suits your particular set-up. Not one system is ever the same, there are far too many variables to compare, the combinations are limitless.

I will say this though, once you've found the right match of cables and the full power loom, just sit back and enjoy those finest tunes.
Woof! RJ

The Knife said:

After a couple of nights listening to my ML ESL 11’s fuelled up by a pair of Nordost Valhalla’s (gen I), I can say I am very pleased with the change in sound. It is somewhat stronger, more energised, more articulated, and the timing (Prat) seem better (compared to stock). I also implemented one Valhalla power cord from the Furutech power outlet to my Torus Conditioner and one more from the Torus to my source component (DAC/Streamer) with great results. My components and my ears seem to like the 7x solid core silver plated conductors (per cord) run through air dielectric. Such a plaeasure when your system get’s a bit more life injected! This is my second encounter with Nordost. I borrowed a C19 Valhalla II to my Gryphon Essence Class A amplifier with great results a couple of months ago. Quite pleased with my current C19 Luna, but might re-consider later on. Power cords are intriguing!

Click to expand...

Outstanding!
Now that will add a very fine level of performance, sit back and enjoy those finest tunes!
Woof! RJ