The ”sweetspot” in the Nordost line of cables

I had the NORDOST FREYs after test driving the HEIMDALLs and owning a couple of the lower rung LEIF models.

MY TAKE:

With your strata equipment, dipping down in the LEIF grouping will likely be a disappointment , and anything below the HEIMDALL is likely a poor choice IMO.

I also read the same oft-repeating pontification in prior posts and in alternate forums that HEIMDALL is the anecdotal “ sweet spot” in their model line. Maybe in some other bespoke systems , but I never experienced in mine. For me this characterization is just a hyperbole rationalization to justify their settling on the least expensive model in the NORSE 2 model grouping,

I found the FREYs as a distinct better choice and thus my “ sweet spot” contender of the “affordable” NORSE models.

NOTE: If budgets are not a prime purchase driver, then the REFERENCE group with VALHALLAs are no myth and well worth the step-up.

CAUTION: based on personal experience …

(1) LEIF strata cables are a disappointment based on their price. Ergo….a must to avoid if the NORDOST signature sound stirs your drink. You can do better IMO.

(2);Starting with NORDOST HEIMDALL , their cables can be very fine performers indeed in CERTAIN systems. BUT .,,AND ITS A BIG “BUT” ,,,,Their silver over copper coatings can make your audio performance be noticeably bright,

(3) An important qualification …. I had the FREYs for numerous years so I know their strengths and warts very well. They perform at the maximum if both the ICs and speaker cables are all-NORDOST and same model line or better.I found experimenting by mixing in other OEM brands to create a hybrid array was a disappointment that was not subtle compared to an matched all NORDOST loom.

PS: Careful system matching is critical. When I changed speakers to my new HARBETHs, a full cable changeover ( and further upgrade…) to a full CARDAS CLEAR loom was done to eliminate an overly bright audio performance, and also provide a stepped-up dynamics, slam, and presence in my “new” system as a whole.

FWIW ….

repost supplemental

Have I personally bought or borrowed the VALHALLAs or ODINS and actually personally swapped them in and out ...NO .... I capped out at all-FREYs in my own system (ka-ching already!) But I have auditioned the very top models at audio expos.

Sonhere is the CANADA HI-FI reporter’s take from the NORDOST cables bake-off exhibit a few years back actually performed live at TAVES audio expo in Toronto.

They stopped at the improving model bakeoff summit at the VALHALLAs ( one below the ODINs) with the inference that a move-up in the model trendline is an improvement thst keeps going further progressively as you move up the model line.

http://canadahifi.com/taves-consumer-el ... rge-de-sa/

".....I had a chance to sit in on a couple demonstrations in the Nordost room, giving my feet a well deserved break. I’m very familiar with the benefits of high quality cables and use a full Nordost Heimdall 2 loom with my reference two-channel setup. That being said, I always find the Nordost demonstrations to be an “ear-opening” experience. Michael Taylor from Nordost demonstrated the significant sonic benefits of replacing an OEM cable with a Nordost model – in particular

1) a swap of a single USB cable, from OEM to Nordost Blue Heaven ($250/2m), to Heimdall 2 ($500/2m) and;

2) a swap of a single RCA interconnect, from OEM, to Blue Heaven, to Heimdall 2, to Tyr 2 and finally Valhalla 2.

Along with convincing the audience in the room that cables DO matter, I’ve now got the bug to upgrade...."

I’ve had Heimdall, Frey 2 and Tyr 2.  The series 1 has a well deserved reputation for weak bass (brightness).  The series 2 fixed that and is a nicely balanced cable.  My opinion of the three:  The Heimdall was just ok.  The Frey 2 was pretty good.  The Tyr 2 was amazing.  

I have tried a number of levels.To me Nordost comes into its stride only at their highest levels. Valhalla and above. But, at that level they are very good. 
 

I use Transparent Ultra, but if I could afford it I would be using Odin 2. I had some in my system, and had to get them out before I started thinking of mortgaging my house.

@wlutke

We have very different experiences with NORDOST perceived “brightness”.

It’s important that varied personal experiences are laid out for the OP, so thx for posting yours .

I never had my NORDOST “brightness” described as a weak / underwhelming bass issue. Rather, their audio “bright” performance could still mine the bass down down to bedrock levels, but it also had an added emphasis/ result/ expression / (insert your own similar metaphor or description…) to make the sonic signature more noticeably “forward” and “cool” versus a “neutral” presentation in its classic sense, across the spectrum .

Introducing a CARDAS CLEAR cables full loom ( all of ICs, speaker , amd power ) provide me with that performance that aligns with the HARBETHs design and their legendary and class-leading midrange sonic signature, …. along with a further added presence, slam, and dynamics - that is not subtle- in MY system. ( emphasis added )