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Nordost Valhalla - Opinions please

I have a couple questions about this interconnect. I am currently auditioning a 1 meter balanced pair. I have directly compared this interconnect against the Audioquest Anaconda, which is a very good addition to my system. The Nordost clearly beats the Audioquest at lower volumes, with more detail, a bigger soundstage, ect. Today was the first day I listened at a higher volume since the interconnects have been on. At low volumes I thought this cable was a keeper without a doubt, but at higher volumes I am experiencing some harsh highs and it seems like leaner bass. I've read some posts here regarding this cable stating this cable can do that on the weakest part of the system. There have been posts by people who have experienced this same thing. If I have a weak link in my system, I'm really not sure where it is. You can click on my systems tag here at Audiogon to view my system without writing all components here. My question is: Are there other recommendations to upgrade interconnects from Anacondas without added brightness. I love what the Nordost brings to the table as far as detail and soundstage, but I still like to hold my music together at high volumes and experience the same overall sound without losing my bass. The Audioquest at higher volumes has deeper bass and the highs and midrange arent' bright, but I lose some of the Nordost magic with the overall soundstage. Don't get me wrong, the Nordost sounds great on my system, but there are a few things as far as the sound I would change. Before I commit to this much money, I'm looking for opinions of interconnects to audition for my system before I make a final decision. Thanks for any help.
btstrg
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
Btstrg, i have 6 sets of Valhalla interconnects in my system so you could say that i like it. i have compared a few other cables.....HMS, Suharuo, Siltech Compass Lake and Transparent Opus. the Opus killed everything but was too damn expensive ($90k to replace the Valhalla).....but the Valhalla was preferable to my ears in my system to the others.

there are many very good cables out there......but i believe that the Valhalla is the least colored and most open cable i have heard (except for the Opus)......the question would be......are those the qualities that your system needs to sound it's best to you?

if the sound in your system gets edgy as your volume increases look at your components not your cables......that is typically an amp/speaker issue.....or possibly your source. some cables may mask this effect to some degree but cables will not cause edgyness. once your system is mature and stable and natural at all volume levels then the most neutral, open cable will let you hear deepest into the music.

i do have Opus speaker cables which have never been equaled but they are stupid expensive.
dvavc
81 posts
 
Mikelavigne
Sounds like you tried allot. Have you compared MIT Oracle to any of yours?
I have Wilson Maxx and Pass X600 amps. What do you think would work best for that? I also planning to get Sony SCD XA 777es, so, what i/c do you think will work best for direct to Pass i/connect? Or may be you thinking some preamp in between will be better?
Currently I'm using MIT proline extended2 i/c and MIT 770 CVT Twin speaker cables.
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
First off, Valhalla must be burned in with a cable burner to reach their full potential. I was surprised at how they "calmed down" after 24 hours of burn in.
Secondly because these cables are so revealing and uncolored they will show EVERYTHING. My guess, room issues and electrostatic speakers. I'm now sure Valhalla and Martin Logan are a good fit. Electrostatic tend to need some weight to tame them and the Valhalla will not help here. I did find that adding one "thicker" colored cable from cd player to pre-amp with all Valhalla after that added the weight without slowing and darkening too much.
The Wadia is not a real favorite of mine either. I have always felt the Wadia is on the bright/ edgy side. In a system not overly revealing this sounds detailed, but the Valhalla may be exposing Wadia's faults.
mikelavigne
2,199 posts
 
Jadem6, i agree on the burn in. i own the Nordost CBID 1 (cable break-in device) and it works wonders.....i retreat all my cables once a year.

also agree that the Valhalla won't add anything or mask anything and that the Wadia can be a bit too dry for a good match with the Valhalla.
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