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How to re-terminate Valhalla

Hi there. This is my first posting in this forum. I have a pair of 26” RCA terminated Nordost Valhalla IC’s which I would like to re-terminate to XLR. I am planning to do this myself. I like to tinker and am pretty good with a soldering iron.  I have removed the RCA sleeves and studied the connections=4 red wires to hot center pin and 4 clear wires to negative pin. The outer shield, far as I can tell, is not connected. My questions is, when I solder to the new XLR connectors, do I solder the 4 red wires to pin 2 (hot) and the 4 clear wires to pin 3 (neutral)? And what do I do with the outer shield? Do I bundle it and wire to pin 1 (ground) or leave it floating? And if I connect ground do I do both ends or just the output end? Thanks in advance for your help. 
angelinareef
12 responses Add your response
dgarretson
2,598 posts
 
I’m unfamiliar with Valhalla, but with such premium wires use solderless XLRs like Bocchino, EIZZ, or Vampire. You definitely want an end-to-end ground connections at Pin 1.  If all Valhalla offers for that is a shield, then you could add a separate high quality ground wire at Pin 1.  The shield is general connected at the source and floated at the other end.
czarivey
5,946 posts
 
Solderless is good, but not enough. If you pour silicon glue with glue gun, you can finesse your work with usable strength to hold in place FIRM
angelinareef OP
3 posts
 
Thank you both. I am set on soldering. I already have Neutrik connectors, silver solder and even ordered a lighted LED magnifier task lamp for such work. Anyone out there who can confirm which wires go to which pins? Thank you!
dgarretson
2,598 posts
 
That's a shame. After moving to Bocchino and Eizz, I've got a bag full of cut off and discarded Neutriks that I could have sent gratis. 
labtec
189 posts
 
How long does it take you to get bocchinos?  I hear there is a lengthy wait and sometimes issues with consistency.  In terms of performance though, I understand it's hard to beat.
akg_ca's avatar
akg_ca
2,237 posts
 
VALHALLAS are premium cables with a classic FMV on resale or trade.

I would only have NORDOST reterminate them if you want to retain their value . Otherwise you won’t likely be able to ever sell them as OEM VALHALLAS again because of a non-factory DIY job.

(1) Nordost policy:.
Yes, factory re-termination is available. This is best done through our worldwide network of Authorized Nordost Dealers who can arrange the return of the cables to our factory for re-termination.

Well worth the investment ....cheap cost of insurance to do it "right".

dgarretson
2,598 posts
 

@labtec 

I’ve recently sourced all three types of Bocchino XLR and RCA connectors, Tomcat RCA panel connectors, and Mayflower ICs, from their US importer Carl Ruzycki (aka Cromium on Audiogon, 312-402-8388, or carl.ruzycki@gmail.com.)  He is helpful and reasonably priced relative to the rather extravagant MSRPs.  Inventory can be spotty.  It seems a minimum commitment of around fifty pieces from a distributor is necessary to trigger a production run with economies of scale.  I’ve explored the possibly of a group buy at preferential prices, and he is receptive to it for the XLR and B11 RCA connectors.  Feel free to PM me or contact Carl directly if that’s of interest.  At the moment I’m most interested in a bulk purchase of the XLR connectors.

I’m told that the designs passed through several running improvements toward maturity.  The recent examples I received are well designed and beautifully finished.  They sound better than KLEI Silver Harmony, WBT Nextgen, EIZZ, and Oyaide, and far above Neutrik.  I really like the way they have thought through the compression fit and strain relief with multiple set screws for each.  Hot glue for strain relief is unnecessary.  The Bocchino connectors are way off the grid of everything else. 

chromium
1 posts
 
I generally have the chassis mount RCA Tomcats and the B11L male RCA available. Additionally, several pairs of Mayflower IC cables, B3 RCA with locking barrels and R9 XLR. The individual R9 XLR connectors are sometimes available when Carmine makes a run and is notified of quantity desired before making a run.  All connectors are large, they fit my components. If you’re interested in what Bocchino sounds like I suggest trying a pair of Tomcats. Most of the users are repeat clients replacing other manufacturers’.  I describe them as “more” connectors, better extension, harmonics, transparency and phase coherence, musical. 

Post removed 
no_money
638 posts
 

^^^

Yes. unless you plan on never ever selling them. Do not do it.

edev's avatar
edev
16 posts
 
^^^ Ditto
hiendmmoe
202 posts
 
If you go to Nordost’s site and read FAQ section you’ll see they don’t do reterms from longer to shorter cables. They state their cables are designed to work best at specific lengths when they are originally manufactured. Longer runs aren’t manufactured the same as shorter runs.
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