The ”sweetspot” in the Nordost line of cables


One often hear that Heimdall 2 is the best bang for the buck but how do they stack up to Frey 2?
If anyone also have compared Heimdall or Frey to Shunyata Alpha I’m all ears.

Should be used with a Gryphon Diablo 300 and Magnepan 3.7’s

TIA

128x128swede58

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...."

 

 

I’ve had Heimdall, Frey 2 and Tyr 2.  The series 1 has a well deserved reputation for weak bass (brightness).  The series 2 fixed that and is a nicely balanced cable.  My opinion of the three:  The Heimdall was just ok.  The Frey 2 was pretty good.  The Tyr 2 was amazing.  

I have tried a number of levels.To me Nordost comes into its stride only at their highest levels. Valhalla and above. But, at that level they are very good. 
 

I use Transparent Ultra, but if I could afford it I would be using Odin 2. I had some in my system, and had to get them out before I started thinking of mortgaging my house.

@wlutke

We have very different experiences with NORDOST perceived “brightness”.

It’s important that varied personal experiences are laid out for the OP, so thx for posting yours .

I never had my NORDOST “brightness” described as a weak / underwhelming bass issue. Rather, their audio “bright” performance could still mine the bass down down to bedrock levels, but it also had an added emphasis/ result/ expression / (insert your own similar metaphor or description…) to make the sonic signature more noticeably “forward” and “cool” versus a “neutral” presentation in its classic sense, across the spectrum .

Introducing a CARDAS CLEAR cables full loom ( all of ICs, speaker , amd power ) provide me with that performance that aligns with the HARBETHs design and their legendary and class-leading midrange sonic signature, …. along with a further added presence, slam, and dynamics - that is not subtle- in MY system. ( emphasis added )