I had the FREY full loom in a prior system. I selected it as the “ sweet spot” in the NORDOST NORSE line after auditioning the full HEIMDALL - FREY - TYR. model options,
I considered possible further NORDOST upgrades before I completely upgraded to a CARDAS CLEAR loom. For me, to stick with NORDOST , it required a move up to VALHALLA and skip the TYR.
MY TAKE BASED ON PERSONAL EXPERIENCES
(1) Sure…budgets matter . BUT If you are looking for a significant step-up in performance from HEIMDALL, then look to move to VALHALLA in the REFERENCE CLASS and bypass the rest of the NORSE line
(2) As you move up in the NORDOST NORSE model line, there is a notable effect worth highlighting. If you are hoping for a Jesus moment or a-hah moment between HEIMDALL and TYR models …, you may be disappointed in the price vs performance value matrix. It’s a full jump to VALHALLA Reference cables at a ka-Ching outlay that moved the needle for me,
(3) NOTEWORTHY: All three models in the NORDOST NORSE line models offer good audio performance, full stop. Fine ..,. But it’s ALSO stepping up to a full NORDOST cables loom/ array (that is ALL of IC, speaker, and power ,,,) is when a selected NORDOST cable in isolation is better in a full sum of the parts loom . It’s in a full NORDOST array that the subject individual cable audio performance is permitted to take that ethereal extra step up. Something in an all-NORDOST system synergy provides an “extra” performance uptick when compared a mixed OEM brand cables system ( in my system….emphasis added);
FWIW …