I had the NORDOST FREYs after test driving the HEIMDALLs and owning a couple of the lower rung LEIF models.
MY TAKE:
With your strata equipment, dipping down in the LEIF grouping will likely be a disappointment , and anything below the HEIMDALL is likely a poor choice IMO.
I also read the same oft-repeating pontification in prior posts and in alternate forums that HEIMDALL is the anecdotal “ sweet spot” in their model line. Maybe in some other bespoke systems , but I never experienced in mine. For me this characterization is just a hyperbole rationalization to justify their settling on the least expensive model in the NORSE 2 model grouping,
I found the FREYs as a distinct better choice and thus my “ sweet spot” contender of the “affordable” NORSE models.
NOTE: If budgets are not a prime purchase driver, then the REFERENCE group with VALHALLAs are no myth and well worth the step-up.
CAUTION: based on personal experience …
(1) LEIF strata cables are a disappointment based on their price. Ergo….a must to avoid if the NORDOST signature sound stirs your drink. You can do better IMO.
(2);Starting with NORDOST HEIMDALL , their cables can be very fine performers indeed in CERTAIN systems. BUT .,,AND ITS A BIG “BUT” ,,,,Their silver over copper coatings can make your audio performance be noticeably bright,
(3) An important qualification …. I had the FREYs for numerous years so I know their strengths and warts very well. They perform at the maximum if both the ICs and speaker cables are all-NORDOST and same model line or better.I found experimenting by mixing in other OEM brands to create a hybrid array was a disappointment that was not subtle compared to an matched all NORDOST loom.
PS: Careful system matching is critical. When I changed speakers to my new HARBETHs, a full cable changeover ( and further upgrade…) to a full CARDAS CLEAR loom was done to eliminate an overly bright audio performance, and also provide a stepped-up dynamics, slam, and presence in my “new” system as a whole.
FWIW ….
repost supplemental
Have I personally bought or borrowed the VALHALLAs or ODINS and actually personally swapped them in and out ...NO .... I capped out at all-FREYs in my own system (ka-ching already!) But I have auditioned the very top models at audio expos.
Sonhere is the CANADA HI-FI reporter’s take from the NORDOST cables bake-off exhibit a few years back actually performed live at TAVES audio expo in Toronto.
They stopped at the improving model bakeoff summit at the VALHALLAs ( one below the ODINs) with the inference that a move-up in the model trendline is an improvement thst keeps going further progressively as you move up the model line.
http://canadahifi.com/taves-consumer-el ... rge-de-sa/
".....I had a chance to sit in on a couple demonstrations in the Nordost room, giving my feet a well deserved break. I’m very familiar with the benefits of high quality cables and use a full Nordost Heimdall 2 loom with my reference two-channel setup. That being said, I always find the Nordost demonstrations to be an “ear-opening” experience. Michael Taylor from Nordost demonstrated the significant sonic benefits of replacing an OEM cable with a Nordost model – in particular
1) a swap of a single USB cable, from OEM to Nordost Blue Heaven ($250/2m), to Heimdall 2 ($500/2m) and;
2) a swap of a single RCA interconnect, from OEM, to Blue Heaven, to Heimdall 2, to Tyr 2 and finally Valhalla 2.
Along with convincing the audience in the room that cables DO matter, I’ve now got the bug to upgrade...."