I got 60% off the list price on the Nordost series 1 Fry IC and Tyr speaker cables. He also sells Nordost power cables. This is better than the 50% off MusicDirect.com is offering on Nordost cables.
I saw an ad on Audiogon selling the Nordost cables fron Ron Buffington at Liquid HiFi and checked his past customer reviews. Needless to say, ALL of the reviews are crazy positive and there must be a hundred reviews. Next, I checked the Nordost web site and he is an authorized Nordost dealer along with Wireworld.
In dealing with him via email, it turned out that all the reviews are dead accurate. I would not hesitate to make future purchases from him. He only accepts PayPal for payment. Just email him to give you a quote on which cables you are interested in. The more you buy, the better the discount he will give you,so I bought a lot of cables to get the great discount. The other nice thing is that you pay no sales tax and he ships using FedEx ground for free.
Ron Buffington
Liquid HiFi 704-953-6034
www.liquidhifi.com
ronaldbuffington@msn.com |
Oh, I didn't think you wanted to spend that much on one cord. Your plan sounds great! The Brahma uses (2) 16 gauge conductors for both legs instead of the Vishnu's (1) 16 gauge per leg. (2) 16 gauge = 13 gauge, which should be able to handle power amps and conditioners. The Brahma booklet I received says it can handle 25 amps.
Enjoy the music. |
I must have been asleep. Where is this sale going on? |
Already having Nordost interconnects and speaker cables which I am really happy with, I would like to stay within the Nordost line, plus they are on sale:)
I was thinking of the following component > power cord combinations:
Classe CT-SSP pre pro > Nordost Vishnu 2m power cable
Classe CP-800 pre/ DAC > Nordost Vishnu 2m power cable
Classe CT-5300 amp (300W x 5 channels) > Nordost Brahma 2m power cable
I am willing to spend $1,200-$1,400 for all 3 power cables.
The Vishnu power cables are on sale for about $300. I would like a cord with speed, resolution and dynamic impact in that order of preference. How much did you pay for your 2m Brahma cable from Ron? Do you think that the Brahma can handle my amp? |
Well you'd have to clarify "moderately priced", as this can mean many things to many people. That said, I think the VH Audio Flavor 4 and Airsine are considered to be very good value power cords. They are a bit different than the Nordost though, a bit more dynamic and powerful but with less speed and resolution.
I actually have a cord that is pretty similar in design and sound to the Brahma, which I plan to replace with the Brahma. Audio Horizons Transparency cord. Audio Horizon and Nordost both use silver clad copper conductors.
Another very good cord, but may be a bit too pricey for you is the Fusion Audio Enchanter.
To help me know what moderately priced represents to you, let me know a price range, length needed and what you are looking from the cord. Do you want a cord with more speed and resolution like the Nordost? A cord with more power and dynamics? |
Jmcgrogan2, my amp is a Classe CT-5300 300W 5-channel amp used for both home theater and 2 channel music. Do you have any recommendations on moderately priced power cords for this amp? |
Roubaixpro, the Vishnu should be fine for preamp and pre-pro. I wouldn't use it for the amp though, due to using only (3) 16 gauge conductors I wouldn't think the Vishnu would be applicable for power conditioners or power amps. |
Try to add at least one Brahma to the mix if you can swing it. I'm in the process of upgrading from the old to the new norse line and will try a few Frey2 PC and compare against the Brahma and Valhalla. They are supposed to be closer to the Valhalla.
Let me know I could offer you a Vishnu or Brahma to try and if you like it, I would do better than the 50% deal. I'm not sure what that pricing is but I will check.
The Brahma and Frey IMO is where the old line started to really shine. Heimdall is close. I will post back and try my best to be objective. I bought my Frey speaker cables two weeks before the new launch so I have no love for Nordost right now but do think they have something right and I like the cables more than over a dozen others I've tried. |
Jmcgrogan2,
Thanks for the responses. It looks like they are closing out the Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva power cords, since they are not listed on the Norse web site anymore. The Brahma is the most expensive.
Based on Norse's literature, the priority of upgrading power cords is as follows:
1. Power Conditioner
2. Pre-Amp
3. Power Amp
4. DAC
5. CD Player / Computer audio
I have a pre-amp, preamp-processor and amp that I might want to upgrade the power cables (3 total). I can't afford the Brahma for all 3, but can afford the Vishnu. Do you think it is worth upgrading to the Vishnu? |
Roubaixpro, I didn't answer the second part of your question, yes, I do think it will make a difference in sound quality. I have owned Nordost Brahma and Valhalla power cords before. |
Roubaixpro, I plan on using the Brahma on my Coda Model 11 power amp. I have some good cords on my other gear, but my amp is further away, and it needs a flexible 2 meter cord. The 4-5 foot cords I have won't reach the amp.
IMHO, from all of my experimenting over the years, I find that in general, power cords make the largest sonic difference, followed by interconnects and finally the speaker cables. Xti16, that's one of the reasons I'm dragging my feet on the Heimdall speaker cables, because I need a 2.5 meter bi-wire run, and I find that speaker cables make the least amout of difference in sound. So when I look at the cost, it's hard for me to justify it, even at 60% off, it's still almost $1K on speaker cables.
That doesn't mean that I've ruled it out though.....your bang for the buck argument is intruiging. :) |
Jmcgogan2 - The Heimdall is the best bang for the buck in the original Norse line up. In fact you have to 'squint' to hear the difference between the Frey and Heimdall. Don't get me wrong but the difference is something you have to listen for. |
No problem Jmcgrogan2.
The Brahma power cord is a pricy cord too... What will you be using it on and do you think it will make a difference in sound quality?
Xti16,
Glad to hear that the Norse Series 2 are not necessarily a slam dunk in terms of overall improved sound quality:)) Plus, I could not afford the full prices of the new series anyway. |
Thanks Roubaixpro, I just bought a Brahma power cord from Ron. I'm thinking about a pair of Heimdall speaker cables, but even at the discounted price I'm having trouble justifying it. |
I took advantage to finally buy a 5.5 metre set of Tyr interconnects.
A crapload better than Acoustic Zen silver reference. |
I have the Frey Ic and Sc. When I first heard them I thought they sounded thin. But later realized what I was hearing was more 'air' between the instruments and vocals.
That being said I am currently demoing the Series2. Very different. Much warmer and more liquid sounding with more body too. To me some of that 'air' is missing. With the newer Leif and Norse Series2 line up Nordost will not do bi-wire anymore. |
Odin always goes with at least 50% off. Who wants to buy $32k cable?? |
I got 60% off the list price on the Nordost series 1 Fry IC and Tyr speaker cables. This is better than the 50% off MusicDirect discount. I saw an ad on Audiogon selling the Nordost cables fron Ron Buffington at Liquid HiFi and checked his past customer reviews. Needless to say, ALL of the reviews are crazy positive and there must be a hundred reviews. Next, I checked the Nordost web site and he is an authorized Nordost dealer along with Wireworld.
In dealing with him via email, it turned out that all the reviews are dead accurate. I would not hesitate to make future purchases from him. He only accepts PayPal for payment. Just email him to give you a quote on which cables you are interested. The more you buy, the better the discount he will give you,so I bought a lot of cables to get the great discount. The other nice thing is that you pay no sales tax and he ships using FedEx ground for free.
Ron Buffington
Liquid HiFi 704-953-6034
www.liquidhifi.com
ronaldbuffington@msn.com |
It's always nice when a plan comes together. At over 50% off I might even consider them. Who did you deal with? |
Even if they are, you still got some fine cables at a great price! Bear in mind that the 2 series would cost you more $! |
Too bad Odin and Valhalla were not included in the sale. |
