Also regarding budget - unfortunately my original budget topped out at the cost of the Valhalla 2 speaker cables only - not the power cord as well. And, I have a new (but burnt in with 425 hours on it) AQ Hurricane which unfortunately I’m now dissatisfied with, outside of its excellent bass. Will have to sell. Might have to save up a bit for the Valhalla 2 + power cord, as now that I’ve heard it, I don’t think I can live without! I keep being thankful I’ve not tried Odin 2.... Either way, I'm set on the Valhalla 2 combo.
I did try mixing and matching the Frey / Valhalla’s. I found that the increase in performance (which was moreso with Valhalla power / Frey speaker than the other way around) provided more openness of mid and upper tones with more space around the tones. But the difference was not large enough to justify the cost. If I went Frey 2 I’d go all Frey 2. The more significant jump in performance comes when you go full Valhalla 2. That last 10-15% in performance takes it from a great sounding system to one that is transcendent. It is hard to believe that Odin 2 can go further, but others have validated this. Whitecamaros went on about how much of a positive difference the Odin 2 power cord on its own made. I've seen pro reviews say that Valhalla 2 is about 85% of what Odin 2 delivers, and if the jump is the same as what I found between the excellent Frey 2 and the Valhalla 2.... Well I can't even imagine that. The pro review I saw mentioned that most aspects of the Valhalla 2 are the same as with the Odin 2, other than the Odin 2 having a greater sense of openness. The funny thing is, I'd say exactly the same thing about the jump from Frey 2 to Valhalla 2. Frey 2 provides all the same frequency response and detail of the Valhalla 2, as well as offering the same overall sonic presentation, but Frey 2 is just a bit more closed in or compressed. Also Frey 2 may not have the same lightning quickness. This is not a criticism of the Frey 2, and not something you notice unless you listen to the Valhalla 2.
I did try mixing and matching the Frey / Valhalla’s. I found that the increase in performance (which was moreso with Valhalla power / Frey speaker than the other way around) provided more openness of mid and upper tones with more space around the tones. But the difference was not large enough to justify the cost. If I went Frey 2 I’d go all Frey 2. The more significant jump in performance comes when you go full Valhalla 2. That last 10-15% in performance takes it from a great sounding system to one that is transcendent. It is hard to believe that Odin 2 can go further, but others have validated this. Whitecamaros went on about how much of a positive difference the Odin 2 power cord on its own made. I've seen pro reviews say that Valhalla 2 is about 85% of what Odin 2 delivers, and if the jump is the same as what I found between the excellent Frey 2 and the Valhalla 2.... Well I can't even imagine that. The pro review I saw mentioned that most aspects of the Valhalla 2 are the same as with the Odin 2, other than the Odin 2 having a greater sense of openness. The funny thing is, I'd say exactly the same thing about the jump from Frey 2 to Valhalla 2. Frey 2 provides all the same frequency response and detail of the Valhalla 2, as well as offering the same overall sonic presentation, but Frey 2 is just a bit more closed in or compressed. Also Frey 2 may not have the same lightning quickness. This is not a criticism of the Frey 2, and not something you notice unless you listen to the Valhalla 2.