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Art Dudley Listening - Stereophile Dec '09 Nordost

Reading this month's issue of Stereophile, I came across Art's monthly column - Listening. The overall theme was building a foundation for a given system, whether it be physical, mechanical, electrical, etc.

The Nordost boys came to his house with platforms, quantum field resonators, and Nordost cables. At the moment, I do not have the resources to investigate platforms or quantum field resonators even though in the article, they do work to some degree.

My question is concerning cabling. More specifically, Nordost cabling. The folks from Nordost recommended using cables within a similar line and performance specifications. For example, not using Valhalla speaker cables with Blue Heaven interconnects. What caught my attention, and seemed counter-intuitive, was the cabling they chose. From memory, they used Tyr Speaker cable, don't recall the IC, and Vishnu power cables. Basically, the highest, and therefore most expensive, cable was the speaker cables. Cheapest was the power cords.

When assembling my system, it seemed to me that I would be better off moving up the Nordost IC line, then SC, and finally PC's. Am I missing something here? My interconnects are Quattro Fil, speaker is Red Dawn, and PC is Shiva. Should I have gotten better SC and lower line IC's?
gherrera1

Showing 3 responses by gherrera1

gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
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.
gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
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
gherrera1 OP
88 posts
 
Rsrex, you are correct sir.

The "spread" of cabling in my system is rather wide, but I'm happy with the way it comes together. Quattro fil IC, Red Dawn SC, and Shiva PC.
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