Shunyata cables vs Nordost Frey

Personally I would prefer the Shunyata. Prime reason is I am a tonal balance guy and find the Shunyata a more natural presentation than the Nordost.

Expect members to vote positive for both of these cables, it has a lot to do with personal preference and associated equipment.

IMO. I wrote about the characteristics of the shunyata in review here on Audiogone. helix version I had last summer. I have no idea where you wish to place the ICs.

having heard the majority of what components you list recently aside from the amp, (I heard the MXR? 400 MONOS), on sophias all too briefly. I would want a Nirvana SX in there somewhere or a Synergistic.

with the bass the Ayre provides that Altair might do well as the main IC. or as source, but I would not think as both. Depends on waht you are shooting for.

have you asked Shunyata or Nordost?

I have auditioned the Shunyata cables and found they had a big soundstage and were very neutral but dry and little bright. Then I got the Synergistic Tesla Accelerators. They are as fast as the Nordost plus nicely warm, musical and the tightest bass I ever heard.