Art Dudley Listening - Stereophile Dec '09 Nordost

Blindjim, I just found it odd that the speaker cables where the highest line, followed by the interconnect, and finally the power cable. I can see their reasoning in using low end power cables because in my system, they made the least difference.

However, when assembling my system, my reasoning was that the interconnects deal with the lowest level signal and therefore must be of the highest quality I could afford, hence the used Quattro Fil XLR. Once the low level information is lost, no speaker cable will be able to make up for it.

Nglazer, I can agree in that it may not be a good idea to use all Nordost. I've swapped out the Red Dawn SC for some Canare DIY cable and the top end did get a little subdued. Not by much, but enough to take the edge off an overly bright system. For me, I like my Nordost set up. Quattro Fil IC's, Red Dawn Rev2 SC, and Shiva PC's.

My system and ears seem to benefit from a consistent and like loom theory and application. I make exception only in the phono cable (low output MC to 64db gain phonostage), which handles the source information at an extremely low level voltage and seems to favor a silver litz, well the rest of the kit including internal speaker wiring, sounds best with tri-gage, 6n copper of a single brand and model cabling.

That said, what I found most striking about the review in question, and I must comment that I have been an ardent reader of Art's reviews since his Listener magazine days, is when Mr. Dudley seems to be writing about something that he is not too crazy about, that he may have even been dragged into, and it shows.

Although he showed the utmost respect to the Nordost folks and their product lines, to me Art made a point to what is of most importance to a music lover and audiophile listener. That being that we all have our own set of ears and our own interpretation of what music or maybe more to the point, our Hifi should sound like. As he slowly and thoughtfully striped one piece of alien gear at a time back out of his kit, the sound returned to his preference, his liking.

In my mind, Art has always been extremely thoughtful in what he writes and includes in his system, how it's set up, and how it plays with the synergy of the lot of it. Nordost and Quantum are certainly noteworthy providers and have their merit in many of our Hifi's, but now the question is ... whether it fits in with what you are doing and satisfies your ear.

What might have really been fun was to wire the rig with Nordost Odin PC and Thor collector, with quantum and listen, then load the deck in the other direction with all Tyr or Valhalla IC's and SC and see what each of these experiments brought to the table in bettering the musical experience. In other words, is power (mains) the source or is music information the source of what makes the greatest difference in an electrical Hifi kit for your Hifi dollar?!

Happy (Hifi) Listening!

Rfsayles, I completely agree with you regarding his writing style. It did seem as he wasn't too thrilled, but was cordial and professional about it.

I'd be VERY interested to read or hear a comparison between Odin/Thor and Valhalla signal wire. Since I live overseas, I use a PS Audio P500 power regenerator and it works wonders on my system. Before I was using a standard balanced step down transformer, but the P500 took my system to another, although small, level. What helps more? Power or Signal? Definitely something to ponder.

I also think the loom theory has quite a bit to do with perception. When I wash and vacuum my car, it runs better...or so it seems. The same applies to my system. The canare DIY cable sounded good, but there was something missing I couldn't identify. It wasn't until I re-installed my Nordost loom that it all came together. Either way, I'm very happy with Nordost and the only way I would replace my SC or IC is if I move up to Heimdall since it's the first to use monofilament in the wiring. Until then I'll keep enjoying my rig!

Gherrera1

Hey, my car does too! ;^)

I had a PS300 and other than running hot, real hot and contributing to global melting of the ice shelves it sounded very nice (my tabby loved it... winters in Michigan are brutal). I like the premier because it burns a fraction of the energy and is on standby 24/7 without any concern.

My comment came from an enjoyable reading of a Hifi+ issue review/study of max'ing the mains with Nordost's best the Odin and a strong case made for the power of a good power cord in the loom. I recall the notion raised that that cord was given more credit for improvement than an upgrade to the IC's or SC's, in a price no object demo. Can't find which issue.

Happy Listening!

Actually, if you look at what was used, it does make perfect sense. The speaker cables and ICs were both TYR - the 3rd series from the top - Odin, Valhalla, TYR. The Vishnu power cable is 4th from the top - Odin, Valhalla, Brahma, Vishnu. So there isn't that large of a spread. All Nordost was trying to explain was the advantage of consistancy across components, there was no need for an all Valhalla "loom" to explain that.