I've demoed many times the whole Norse series in the same system and every step up in the series is an upgrade in the performance, so the Heimdall is better than the Baldur, the Frey is better than the Heimdall and so on.
BTW, as already pointed out, the Nordost cables should be breaked in with the Vidar or it will takes forever to show the best performance. I strongly prefer and always suggest to wire the whole system with the same series of cables (Nordost or not, no difference here) because I feel that it sound more coherent. And, Nordost cables are not forgiving on system's fault. |
I bit new info to this thread. I think I have about 100 hours on Frey IC and the good thing they are burned-in enough not to think too much about heimdalls. Frey are very fine cables, and hour after hour they show more and more of their character. Less bloom compared to heimdalls, but more crisp details, which are still very rich in tone and thats amazing thing. Now rarely but sometimes those details appears bright, but if this dissapears with additional hours of burn in, I really going to love freys even more. 3D soundstage, instrument separation is another huge step forward. You cant go wrong with these fine cables (heimdal, frey) - they are the real deal, true hi-end (well for $999 MSRP/Frey they just have to provide something magic). I am really in good relationship with a dealer, but I am bit scared to try migthy Valhalla, the price tag is not unreachable but crazy for sure. |
I am referring in all cases to the interconnects, not the speaker cable. |
Sdcampbell, may I know if you are referring to the speaker cables or interconnects? |
I currently own a mixture of Blue Heavens (which I'm phasing out - only one pair left), Red Dawns, and Heimdalls. In my system, I heard real improvements with the Heimdalls over the Red Dawns (which were only a marginal improvement over the Blue Heavens). The Heimdalls are more transparent, reveal more detail and depth/dimensionality, and have excellent transient response. I now intend to upgrade all of the cabling in my system from Red Dawns to Heimdalls, which are by a significant margin the best cables I've ever heard (or not heard...) in my system. |
>It would be weird if higher-end Norse series of cables >sound harsher than the lower-end as it should be the >other way round. I have not tried the Heimdall so I >cannnot comment.
I would say heimdall is very special cable which has its own unique taste, which is 3D, full bodied, rounded, romantic, blooooming midrange and with very unique high freq - detailed and absolutely no aggressive. I noticed that I can easily listen even more poorer quality CDs.
Frey.. I have not fully understood its character, as I waiting for a improvements after burn in.
Burning in is very important Nordost cables, with dealer demo heimdall, which have spent many hours in systems and burn in Nordost Vidar system, I saw massive improvement after 1-2 hours, or just next evening. First evening it was huge disapointment. After second listening session I saw just how different same cable can sound. amazing.
I even think downgrading to heimdall.. unbelievable :) |
I have owned the Frey balanced interconnect. I didn't recall huge changes after the burn-in period but it did possess a slight tilt in the treble that some can associate with brightness or harshness. The Frey does have great resolution and detail and will match well with darker sounding components. It would be weird if higher-end Norse series of cables sound harsher than the lower-end as it should be the other way round. I have not tried the Heimdall so I cannnot comment. |
Mjordanas,
No I never tried the Frey. I have had the experience you did with a couple of higher end cables (an interconnect and a speaker cable). Being kind, they seemed too revealing for me or my system. I took them back. Nothing like paying too much money for something you enjoy less. I say, stick with the Heimdall IC.
chris |
I have tried BH, Heimdal, Frey, valhalla. It is highly dependent on the amp/speaker that is being used with. With some amps or speakers, there is little differences if at all. With others, there is noticeable improvement in going up the line. Suggest the cable company |
Chris, have you compared Heimdall vs Frey ? I have had Heimdall (dealer demo) and for me it was really "thats it" cable, but when received an offer to buy frey, i went with frey, currently I am burning it for like 20 hours and it still sounds harsh (a lot better than brand new but still lots of time to burn-in left..). Well, currently its nothing like heimdall.. hope after another 20-40 hours frey will open up. Its really interesting how different they are. I really miss Heimdall though... |
I can compare the Blue Heaven and Heimdall interconnects. The Blue Heaven had the most airy high end I'd ever heard in my system. Other than that, the Heimdall beats the pee out of it in every other way.
I tried alot of interconnects. The Heimdall was the "that's it!" cable.
I also have the Blue Heaven speaker cables. They are quite good with powerful bass, no weakness there.
Chris |
I agree...Blue Heaven's are excellent cables. The only qualm is a light - less than powerful low end. The mids and highs are wonderful. |
I switched over to Nordost from Monster in 1996 with flatline and black knight i/c. Big difference in sound detail. Interconnect added marginally. In 2004 I purchased the Blue Heaven II s/c after hearing more detail vs the flatline for some new speakers. I bought blue heaven i/c as well. I liked them better than the black knight i/c. I recently bought a heimdal i/c and to me this was a great combo with blue heaven s/c as it added a richness/warmth etc. With good deals in 2nd hand cable I just bought Tyr s/c. Same silver color as blue heaven but much heavier gauge than blue heaven and right off the bat much more bass/heft and a darker background. Have to turn up amp volume a bit more. I also read this on other interviews. Tyr is a new product so I figure it is a value trade to older Valhalla and reviews say difference with Valhalla is marginal. My blue heavens are now on my secondary system. |
