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Nordost Valhalla 2 Speaker Cables

A few years back I had tested a bunch of top speaker cables with my Gryphon Diablo 300 and B&W 803 D2’s (Top cables from Nordost, AudioQuest and Transparent, and due to cost, I didn’t purchase the winners (Valhalla 2’s) at the time.

Well, I finally took the plunge and paid extra to have them broken in using a Nordost machine. I had forgotten how stunning these are. These are exactly the sound I’m after. I’ve often been frustrated by HiFi systems not having that same crisp quickness of detail that a decent pair of headphones offer. These cables finally give me that. With loads of high frequency detail, but somehow, there is nothing fatiguing or bright about the excellent, sweet treble, with lots of bass warmth that is also lighting quick.

I’ve been considering a speaker upgrade lately and was thinking that I would like speakers with more detail, more precise imaging, faster response and better dynamics. Well, these cables do all that! I’m not one to get carried away but switching out my excellent Clarus Crimson biwires for these was like upgrading my speakers. I’ve half a mind not to bother looking for new speakers now!

Seems silly that cables can make you want to listen to music late into the night but that’s just what happened…. When people upgrade amps or speakers I often hear “I hear new details I’ve never heard in tracks I’ve been listening to for decades” and that also happened with the Valhalla 2’s.

I’m the first to be cautious of people going overboard using superlatives to describe their experience with new gear, but the only time I’ve ever fallen into that, aside from this example, is when I got my Gryphon. Three years later I’m every bit as enthused with my Gryphon. In fact it’s the only expensive thing I’ve bought that I ended up truly enjoying. 99% certain I will continue to feel this way about the Valhalla 2’s, as silly as that seems (it’s a cable!!!).

Stupidly expensive to an absurd degree for a cable, but worth every penny.

I guess my only cautions would be that for some, the rapid fire leading-edge detail may not be to everyone’s liking (I equate it to the fast crisp detail on a good set of headphones). Also, if you are trying to compensate for bright electronics maybe this level of detail would only make things worse? Not sure. In my system, I now have pinpoint imaging, loads of detail, very crisp timing, sweet and well controlled treble, lots of well controlled bass and warmth through all frequencies, lots of dynamic impact, and best of all, it just sounds right and allows you to really get into the music. Even if you play blaring hard rock with distorted guitars (usually a nemesis of hifi systems) it sounds fantastic.

I’m sure I’ve lost credibility for being so effusive; my only defense is that with all of my upgrades, I’ve only ever been this enthusiastic with my Gryphon integrated….

In HiFi people often gravitate towards getting ultimate transparency and detail, OR they gravitate to a more musically engaging but less authentic presentation. To me the Valhalla 2’s offer both the HiFi detail experience AND musical engagement.

nyev
nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

@divertiti, I’m going to create a new thread on that comparison but I’ll offer a preview. The Omega QR BB is a far more lush and exquisite presentation at this point, vs the not-broken-in Dragon which has a more plain and straightforward, but highly detailed presentation. What do I mean by that? The Omega has a front-to-back depth to the soundstage, with acoustic guitars and vocals clearly presented “further back” into the overall 3D mix. In contrast the in-broken in Dragon presents mids including acoustic guitars and vocals more up front and “on the surface”, if that makes sense, with far less of a sense of 3D depth. While the mids are more up-front with the Dragon, I don’t mean that the mids are tonally accentuated. Both cords seem neutral to my ears. It’s just that the Omega absolutely goes to town with how mids are presented in the 3D space. For this same reason, vocals and mids seem more immediate with the Dragon, with Omega mids being surrounded by the rest of the 3D mix

The other thing is that the Omega has that magical ability to be utterly buttery smooth and relaxed, and yet the detail is astounding and the full musical energy is intact.

The Dragon may have a hair more low-end energy, but again, less 3D soundstage refinement.

I’m sure my impressions will change with the breakin of the Dragon. It’s a shame that the Shunyata cord is so loose, and that they felt the need to include a kludge plastic shim to try to tighten things up. Such a shame considering how great this cord sounds.  I will ask why they did that….  Maybe others with other amps won’t have this issue and won’t need to use the cheesy plastic shim.  Other power cords have no issues forming a solid connection with my amp.

Of note, the Shunyata Omega QR is billed as a conditioner and a power cord in one. It’s got a hard segment mid-cord where I guess the conditioning/filtering happens. So maybe it’s doing a bit more than the Dragon in that regard? Not sure.

I’m also testing the lower Shunyata Sigma V2 NR and the AQ Firebird. For the Sigma my results are inconclusive. Shunyata didn’t have a 15A demo on hand so they provided an adapter to fit my amp for the Sigma cord. I’ve a feeling this may have impacted the sound, as after a while I start to notice I can’t get a “solid” stereo image and I keep repositioning to find a sweet spot that doesn’t exist… I don’t want to judge the cord because of this. I’ve not tested the Firebird yet.

 

 

nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

@divertiti also to compare with the Nordost Valhalla 2 power cord, I’m going by memory of my very intensive testing in 2019.

I recall the V2 being incredibly natural in the mids and high frequencies, extremely fast, and with more of what I like about my V2 speaker cables. BUT. The bass was very noticeably diminished and that was a showstopper. As I mentioned it may be simply not compatible with my amp, as my Nordost dealer noted another customer with a Gryphon said the same thing.

Ignoring the missing bass, the Valhalla 2 power cord and the Shunyata Omega couldn’t be more different in terms of presentation styles, but both are great! Again, ignoring the missing bass in the V2.

The V2 is just so quick and natural that it allows you to REALLY get into the music. The Shunyata Omega QR is a lush jungle of 3D imaging, smooth yet detailed and energetic, and utterly immerses you in the soundstage. If the Nordost had adequate bass with my amp and the Shunyata had a better physical connection with my amp, I honestly don’t know which I’d choose!

I am actually hoping my Dragon demo “catches up” with the Omega QR after breakin, since it has no physical connection issues. It may also catch up if I get the chance to connect it with a Niagara 5000 if I can demo that. Of note I have a Niagara 1200; connecting my amp to it degrades the impact of the mids which become veiled/softer. I’m hoping the Niagara 5000 doesn’t do that. Because of this all my testing of cords is direct to wall.

 

ronboco
858 posts
 

@nyev  

It sounds like it’s time to upgrade your speakers to the level of your other top notch gear. Is that in the plans too? 
 

regards 

Ron 

nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

@ronboco, yes, I have also started looking at speakers. So far, I’ve listened to Magico A5’s and Audiovector R6’s with my Diablo 300 DAC and my cabling connected (including Valhalla 2’s). I had also listened to B&W 802 D3’s extensively when auditioning the Diablo 300.

Of the three speakers I’ve listened to, I think I gravitate towards the B&W sound. The 802 D3’s sounded great, but I think even my 803 D2’s had more bass presence. For that reason, I now want to test the 801 D4’s with my Diablo 300 next. They could have all I am looking for - the sound of the 802’s, but with a stronger bass presence.

The thing about my current speakers is I really like the sound they produce with the connected equipment.  I detect no flaws.  I just know that I can get better imaging performance and transparency by upgrading.  As the 801’s are stretching my budget considering my recent upgrades, and since I’m not unhappy with my current system, I may take my time with the speaker purchase.

divertiti
225 posts
 

@nyev I have heard Nordost power cords are better on sources and pres than amps, but I wouldn't know first hand. As I wrote above I am auditioning an Odin 2 PC on my Dac/Pre, which fixes any shortcoming V2 has, incredibly fast yet full bodied, the bass digs down into the center of the earth. Don't audition one, it might ruin things.

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