I will partially agree with @ricred1 in that Nordost cables are system dependent. I will also suggest they don’t particularly “play well” with other cables. But I think this is true of all cables.
Cable deniers - this is a good spot to move along.
There appears to be a synergy to a loom whereas mixing cables (not all, I’m sure, but for some I’m equally sure) that ends up highlighting certain facets. I tried a top end AQ interconnect in one of my systems and couldn’t take it out fast enough as it sounded grating and unnatural where the Nordost Tyr II and then Valhalla 2 sounded very good - much smoother and far more natural. Why? I’ve no idea. I don’t believe AQ cables to be unnatural sounding overall. But something was shining a spotlight on that interconnect.
I could be wrong, but I suspect the same is true for most cable looms. Take your pick: Transparent, AQ, Siltech, Crystal, etc.
Similarly, I suspect some of those who don’t like the flavor of certain higher end cables might have tried a piece meal approach and had poor results. I was one of those with that experience.
There are certainly well known sonic characteristics (“flavors”) to the various manufacturers and system synergy is really a thing. If you approach it with the understanding that cables can only subtract, it makes more sense.
What are your sonic goals and what should you make sure I do the least harm to? But don’t be surprised if you find better results by sticking with a single manufacturer. That very notion was a difficult pill for me to swallow. Indeed, I haven’t quite followed that rule as I have a mix in both systems as I’m still building out some things. But direct experience suggests it as a shorter path to system development.
