How would you compare Acoustic Zen to Nordost

I prefer the AZ Silver Ref mk 2's to the Valhalla's in most systems. To my ears, the AZ's combine the speed of the valhalla's, but they are more full bodied and have better extension down low.

I have compared extensively Quattro Fil with Silver Ref 1. In all contexts I prefered the Silver Ref (which were done with 2 different systems as well as using both cables at the output of a mixing board and comparing the cables via the recording created with each. Quattro Fil is to much to the dry side for my taste, and can lend to a sterile sound. The recordings I did with each cable confirmed that the Silver Ref is passing more info, all kinds of little reverberant details were lost through the Quattro Fils. Silver Ref is a brighter sounding cable, but not in a bad way, it pairs really well with the Satori or Hologram speaker cables which tend to be a bit warmer sounding. I have also used the SPM speaker cable and feel that it is bested as well by the AZ cables. Others strongly dissagree with my opinion on these cables, so I would advise that you take AZ up on it's 30 day money back guarantee. I would also reccomend if you are interested in something else to compare the Argent Audio Jaden Signature or Pursang cables, I feel that they are a big improvment on either the Nordost or Acoustic Zen cables at a much lower price.

Acoustic Zen Silver reference is more punchy and boomy than Quattrofil.
Quatttrofil is more refined and smooth sounding.

Depends on your need. If you want something more exciting than maybe AZ is better choice.

However, there are still many cables out there.

I have compared AZ Silver and Matrix with Red Dawn and SPM, not the better Quattro fil. There is definitely a "house" sound to both ranges, so I feel able to comment. In fact my intro to Nordost was through one of the famous dems by Lars from Nordost at a UK Hi-Fi show. Very impressive it was to. It also gave a good impression of the changes between each level of performance. It was clear to me and others in the show, that the biggest jump was Red Dawn to SPM, but all had the same overall feel, lightning fast, but I find rather flat and tonally bleached. AZ, in comparison is richer, you might say coloured, but I find it makes music sound more musical, if that is'nt a tautology. There is a richer palete of tones, instruments and voices are more complex and interesting. It just sounds better dammit

WELL SAID! I agree completely.