Nordost

Hi-Fi Corner
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Hi all . I am starting a nordost thread for nordost owners or anyone who is interested or wanna find out more about nordost products , talk about it’s signature sound, the different categories ie Leif ,Norse ,reference Valhalla ,supreme reference. And lastly the Odin gold . Also it’s other pairing products ie QRT, Sort systems .
And most important , how each category will sound to its fullest potential on our boxes .

Let me start off with a bit of my history and experience with nordost

I first get to know the product when they first launched which comprises of blue heaven , red dawn and the SPM , their reference at that time .The SPM consist of interconnect and speaker cables ONLY.
My first pair of nordost then was the blue heaven speaker cables , it at that time it was in per meter and dealer will cut and terminate the connections on the spot(banana plugs) and there you go , nordost cables :grin:. After having them for a month or so , I went back to get the SPM , both interconnect and the SC . And it comes in wooden box.
At that time , I was using Krell FPB 300 systems w dynaudio counter 1.3 mk2, and a wadia CD player. All sounds good .
As nordost evolve through the years , they introduced Leif , Norse and the reference . At that point I was not into the first Norse series nor the reference , it was until the series 2 came out that got me involved .

As this goes on, I will share and discuss with fellow friends here , exchanging ideas, opinions, experiences as we the thread go along.

It will be too long to write all at one go.

Let’s have a friendly discussion and no “attacks” here please . This thread is meant to share and enjoy inputs

Thanks guys ,let’s start !!:grin::grin::grin:

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I believe I discovered Nordost 5-6 years ago. At the time I was a bit skeptical about cables and their impact on Hi-Fi systems. Before then, I tried cables from QED, Audioquest, etc. and I was a bit disappointed (admittedly they were not in the same price range as the Nordost cables I then went for).

Nordost cables were the only ones IME and IMHO that really opened up the performance of my Hi-Fi kit, music instantly got more verve and pathos. My first Nordost cables were (pre-terminated from factory) Blue Heaven’s as @naimophile but it was not long before I went up the ladder and moved to the Red Dawns for my power cords. I also bought a pair of Norse jumpers with delightful results. Lately I got my first Norse interconnects, that was quite a jump and needed a bit of adjustment. I’m very happy with the sound so far!

I do believe that Nordost cables really make Naim equipment shine, the performance becomes effortless, clear and more trasparent/introspective without losing any hint of PRaT.

So far I’ve tested all the Leif series and some Norse products. I would not suggest buying White Lightning and Purple Flare cables to be honest, things start to be intriguing from the Blue Heavens on. I would add the products from the Norse series have a strong control over resonances and it’s pretty easy to understand it comparing them with the Leif series.

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I have yet to know and how to what’s the max potential of any of their cables and I don’t know how to . It also apply to other makes cables I am using .
Eg… when I use tyr 2 as primary to power block ,not much improvement I get. But when I use the Valhalla 2 , it’s day and night . So has my tyr 2 reaches its max and need something better ? Valhalla tells so . But when Valhalla is been pluck on , the whole system sounds day and night . And that also makes naim boxes unleash to another level and can take more .
Honestly , I don’t know what’s max out in this case

In short , how can one determine the max out of the cable? :thinking: and bear in mind , I am using the same naim boxes for the different lvl of cables .

I did discuss this w the dealer, they can’t really answer this… and said you have good boxes , and nordost will push them further.

As the ladder I am climbing now are in the Valhalla 2, I do not want to waste the potentials of my tyr2 and the rest , and are very careful to try out which are the cables to replace for the max. My next one will be the Valhalla 2 SC.

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Nordost are very live cables . Been praised by users . The vocals they portray are top notched

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I can only comment on the Blue Heaven headphone cable. I tried a couple of other cables on my ZMF Verite Closed before settling on this. It has a distinct character; clean, light and airy and with a definite benefit on top end detail and transparency. I think this works really well with these headphones that have a fairly lush sound, with a good low end already. It makes them sound more open and a little brighter, a good benefit. Might be an option if you want that top end improvement with your headphones, but perhaps caution if you have a bright sound already or are looking for more heft and low end punch. I have no idea if the same applies to the Blue Heaven speaker cable.

Bruce

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IMG_4168
IMG_41684032×3024 1.71 MB

These are my collections :sweat_smile: thk there’s a few more boxes but I don’t know where I kept them .

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Why don’t you ask your dealer to lend you some Odins? :smiley: But only when they have been broken in.

Your Valhalla 2 power cord should perform much better after a few hundreds hours, at least I would expect that considering what’s stated in Nordost website.

The first time I tried a Frey 2 interconnect I was sort of shocked and disappointed, but it just needed the breaking in time. After 10 days the difference was really night and day. So be patient and don’t judge a cable the first moments you plug it in (I know it’s not easy). So did the Tyr 2 perform much better after 50 - 100 hours?

I think Nordost cables do excell in vocals, drums, wind instruments and fast bass generally speaking. They are great with jazz music for instance.

@BruceW I haven’t tried Blue Heaven’s with headphones, but I’m pretty sure they would be rewarding. I use Blue Heavens and they are totally fine with my speakers despite being (maybe) bright sounding. In my case they both cleaned and enhanced the low end punch too, I was very happy with that. I guess it’s speaker and taste dependant.

All together they look like luxury chocolate boxes!

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I will only have one Odin 2 , which is the power cord to the power block… full loom gonna cost me an arm and a leg !!:rofl::rofl:Yup all been run in , about 700 hours ++. the Valhalla at 280 odd hours … and it’s incredible, goosebumps. Have I max out my full potential meaning are they at the best already or they can take more :grin: not running in but the potential of them

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Are you gonna go into the Norse 2 in future ?

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Nordost user here…all Heimdal 2…Power leads , speaker cables , xlr interconnects , Jumper cables , Q Base mk 3 mains block , Sort Kones a/c….almost forgot Q Sine and Q Wave plug ins.
Using the above with Accuphase Amp and CD player to ProAc Response D 20 speakers.
Previous kit was Naim Nova / Core / Cd5 Si and Proac stand mounts.
Previous cables Tellurium and Music Works g3 block and power leads.
I changed gradually after the change to Accuphase ( still have a couple of Muso units so not completely abandoning Naim )
Each change has been worthwhile in terms of improved (to our ears ) sound from the system…the last item to be changed wea the power block…must say I was not expecting a big change from the MusicWorks block…but there was! Much quieter background ( darkness) to the sound is the only way I can describe it.
As for the Sort Kone feet / supports for the block…l was most sceptical about these…dealer brought them to try on installation day ( they know how to work) but on a “if you don’t like them / find no improvement then don’t keep them “ basis…they stayed!
The Q Sine / Q Wave were also a bit like “ witchcraft “ to me…but after trying the system with and without and in varying positions on the block we felt it to be worthwhile.
So nine months or so from the last changes I can say that the sound we have achieved with the help of Darren , Jack and Spencer at The AudioRoom Hull is excellent and at a point where any further changes would be expensive to say the least !
In short Nordost works here!
Steve.

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Wow !! Full loom and accessories!!! The synergy must be damn good !! The sort kones really works well . And have you try the QRT? I seeking advice on that too . And the newest product Qpoint ?

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Not looked into the Q point…just buying new music and enjoying the system.
Steve.

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Nordost fanboy here.
As an impoverished young man out of college I loved pouring over the HiFi press from 1996 to 2006.
Nordost was like the new darling of the new millennium, being reported on feverishly since 1999.
Following similar philosophies of 47Laboratory and DNM - getting rid of big blingy and clunky metal worked connectors and cables to a more stripped back and lightweight solution.
Then proving to some ears that less is really more.

I particularly found Literal interest when some would put Nordost cable “looms” costing thousands £££s on very entry level systems and reporting of spectacular results. This was appealing at the time as Nordost cables were somewhat cheaper - Transform your £3000 hifi with a £600 interconnect…
Like the new punk kid on the block that’s skinny and pulls tricks on a skateboard.
This is totally turning things on its head.
My first was the Blue Heaven rev2 speaker cables.
Admittedly after using QED anything could be an upgrade. Hence Hooked. I think a new Norse 3 is imminent!

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From my experience of Nordost , I have no issues. Been using a power line from them for many years and have a Nordost Heimdall which when I move , will go from the Pioneer Blu Ray player to my Clearaudio turntable

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I went round and round with Nordost, Chord and others a while ago, ended up back with snaics A5 all good again, a short term wow is a dangerous Naim road!
Martin

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The Odin 2 power cord is already an arm and two legs! How would you compare the Valhalla 2 and Tyr 2? Did you try to use the Tyr 2 again? Just out of curiosity.

Let’s say I’m hooked by the finesse of Norse 2 cables, so only the future will tell :grin: I think I need to upgrade one thing before coming back to cables again.

@Stevew wow, what a line up of Nordost cables and accessories, I’d really be curious to hear the improvements step by step. I wonder why you chose Heimdall, did you compare it to other Nordost products such as Red Dawn, Frey or Tyr? I’ve read that many are happy about Nordost power blocks, but I can’t figure out the impact as I’ve never heard of one unluckily. Do you have a dedicated Hi-Fi rack or just conventional furniture? You didn’t mention the Sort Lift, do you have them as well?

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A big gap in everything if you put Valhalla 2 side by side w tyr 2 . It’s like a new system overall . And that confidently makes me go for the SC . Been a nordost user for 15 over years , and 8 years w naim , from OC to NC , I would say it never fail to impress and wow me whenever I listen to them , be it any series they offers , of cos have not home demo the Odin 2 yet, don’t dare at this point of time . But there’s one not shortcoming , but I would say due to its character and signature sound , it’s slightly leaner at the bottom but it’s all good as that can be easily tweaked .

If you have the chance , just go for a listen , enjoy the demo and gives you a clearer picture of how each Norse 2 difference from one another . Listen to the Valhalla 2 . It will melt you instantly . :grin:

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Glad you found your sweet spot again :clap:t2:

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Hi there…yes did try the Red Dawn cables but preferred the sound of the Heimdal 2…as to the Frey and Tyr cables…another step up in price …wasn’t prepared to go that far ( Had not really intended to go as far as we have done) but you know how these things go!
We are using a stand/ rack by Lateral Audio…simple , well made and a big step up from the domestic furniture it replaced.
Have not been persuaded to try the Sort Lift…the cables rest on a vynl covered concrete floor so I am not sure how much benefit they would give.
But…as with everything I would not rule out further Nordost products in the future!…just happy to enjoy the music for now!
As to the changes the cables have made over the Tellurium they replaced all I can describe is more clarity, a cleaner more detailed presentation. (I am not really good at describing how I feel the sound change…just know what suits me)
Steve.

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Yup . Anytime (Norse 3) … I did check w the dealer , well he said not in the next 2-3 years but well dealers … you know them :grin: