Nordost – Review Excerpts

The Absolute Sound Issue 127
Harry Pearson
Jan-25-2001

New Valhalla - Wins Golden Ear Award
"The new Valhalla Reference Loudspeaker Cable and Interconnect has received The Absolute Sound Golden Ear Award for the year 2000. Although not to be released until January 2001 at Winter CES in Las Vegas, editor Harry Pearson felt he had to give the new cable which he was previewing his Golden Ear Award.

Winner of The Absolute Sounds Golden Ear Awards 2000
“Let me put this as plainly as possible. The Valhalla system from Nordost is the least colored and most neutral cabling ever to hit the marketplace.” “A triumph, pure and simple.”

The Inner Ear Report
Ernie Fisher
Nov-2000
Canada

Nordost Cable Burn-in Machine Model CBID-1 –
Rating: 100% effective
Burning in audio gear is one of the most important tasks reviewers undertake as only when the "gear" is broken in, burnt in, cooked, toasted, etc, can reviewers render a valid evaluation. Of course, the same applies to other users, customers and retailers. The burn in process, though known to most people who work in the electronics business, isn1t based on solid scientific data to help us determine the length of time or when a new component is, in fact, fully burned in. However, it is relatively well known that the process deals with various issues, such as mechanical, thermo-mechanical and, of course, electrical elements.

For equipment such as loudspeakers, amplifiers, preamplifiers or source components, burning in durations vary greatly. We customarily burn in each component for at least 100 hours, during which time we frequently check the progression. When we hear no differences from one day to the next, we assume the component is fully burnt in and we proceed with our listening tests. When it comes to cables, the burning in period ranges from three days to six months. Some cable manufacturers will tell users that their cables will sound best after signal flow has taken place for hundreds of hours. Cardas, XLO and others have alerted their customers that their cables might take a very long time to burn in and that interruptions, disconnection, even bending the cables will diminish cable performance and another breaking in period will likely be required. We can attest to their statements1 accuracy as we have discovered this during our own listening tests. We have found that most upscale cables take a long time before they actually establish a signature which can be documented for our readers and it is one of our frustrations.

Testing cables is one of the most difficult chores and the least liked, we may add here, by our reviewers/panelists. Some cables, when handled for the purpose of reviewing, must be connected, disconnected and reconnected, which results in many unproductive hours. Without a doubt, some reviewers are tempted to save time and money and write the review based on time-limited observations and what you get from the cable is not necessarily in compliance with the reviewer1s claims. Now to Nordost's "toaster".

Appearance:
The CBID-1 is a small, white rectangular box-like component, measuring 8 inches wide, 3 inches high and almost 6 inches deep. The front accommodates two blue and one red LEDs along with a push-button which activates the circuitry. The rear accommodates eight gold-plated binding posts, much like the ones found on loudspeakers and amplifiers. Four XLR sockets allow in and out connections for balanced interconnects and another set of eight female RCA phono jacks allows connections for regular unbalanced interconnects, or digital (75 ohms & 110 ohms) cables. The unit1s top plate shows the in-and-output diagram and signal flow direction, for easy hook-up procedures. All in all, the box roughly the size of a toaster isn't a flashy component and it's homely appearance doesn't reveal what it can accomplish. Let us have a look at its.

Technology:
The unit, nicknamed the "toaster", employs two dedicated circuits one for interconnects, the other for speaker cables. These circuits create a complex series of perpetually oscillating signals and pulses ranging over an extremely wide bandwidth. The pulsating signals subject cables to an exceedingly intense and dense array of data which covers not only frequency extremes but also mimics and addresses the intricate configurations of harmonics. Though not documented in depth by most manufacturers, changes which occur in metal conductors while burning in often transform the sonic complexion of conductors an unpredictable dilemma in signal transfer technology.

These phenomena are also addressed by the complex circuits of the "toaster". In addition, the pulsing process is programmed to release gases trapped in dielectric materials during the manufacturing process. The unit works in cycles of 24 hours and shuts down automatically. The CBID-1 was designed to pass carefully engineered, signal-specific, repetitive data through cables. This data is stored on a genuinely unique solid state chip, developed at great expense over the past couple of years. As technical details are confidential, the "toaster's" effectiveness as a burning in device must be left to listening results. However, before we get to these results, a little information may help to understand what elements must be addressed and it begins with the science of physics.

Classical physics embraces the accepted branches and concepts that were identified and reasonably well developed before the beginning of the 20th century mechanics, sound, light, heat, electricity and magnetism. Mechanics is concerned with bodies acted on by forces and bodies in motion and may be divided into statics (study of the forces on a body or bodies at rest), kinematics (study of motion without regard to its causes), and dynamics (study of motion and the forces that affect it). Acoustics, the study of sound, is frequently considered a division of mechanics because sound is due to the motions of particles of air or other medium through which sound waves can travel and thus can be explained in terms of the laws of mechanics.

Electricity and magnetism have been regarded as a single branch of physics since the intimate connection between them was discovered in the early 19th century. It is known, for example, that an electric current gives rise to a magnetic field and a changing magnetic field induces an electric current important elements when designing electronics or cables. Other elements to take into account include electrostatic technology (which deals with electric charges at rest), electrodynamics (with moving charges) and magnetostatics (with magnetic poles at rest). The breaking in procedure must also take into account the dielectric materials used. Dielectrics in cables do not conduct electricity but should curb breakdown under high voltages; should not draw appreciable power from the circuit; must have reasonable physical stability; and none of their characteristics should vary much over a fairly wide temperature range.

Generally, the dielectric constant of air is defined as 1 and other dielectric constants are determined with reference to it. Other properties of interest in a dielectric are dielectric strength (a measure of the maximum voltage it can sustain without significant conduction) and the degree to which it is free from power losses. Finally, nonmetals have much higher electronegativities than metals (of the nonmetals, fluorine is the most electronegative, followed by oxygen, nitrogen and chlorine). The larger the difference in electronegativity between two atoms, the more polar the bond between them. In the extreme case of a bond between a metal and a nonmetal, a complete transfer of electrons takes place. All this (and much more) will affect the stability of conductors wrapped up in a dielectric material. Although the breaking in process isn1t very well explained in scientific terms, it governs the sound we hear through a system. Now to the important matter.

The Sound:
The first "toasting" took place with a brand new Nordost model, the Red Dawn Revision II speaker cables, which we received along with the CBID-1. As we always have a "toasted" pair of Nordost SPMs on hand, we reasoned that, once the new cables were burned in, the results should be instantly audible that's 24 hours later. Though the recommended burn in time is 48 hours for best results, our 24 hour "toasting" revealed that the new Red Dawns came very near the performance of our in-house SPMs. We "cooked" them for another 24 hours and noticed little or no tonal changes, but did note spatial improvements with better focus on instruments and voices and more conspicuously depicted imaging all-round. In fact, some of our panelists couldn1t distinguish between the sound of the Red Dawns and SPMs. We were impressed.

The second test involved the AudioQuest Everest speaker cables (reviewed in this issue), already used and burnt in for about 120 hours. We toasted them for 48 hours before we connected them again to our amps and speakers. These already superb-sounding cables now gave us all a lesson in imaging. Familiar program material played back hundreds of times took on dimensions never realized before. In addition to superb staging, each instrument, indeed each note, now had copious space and air surrounding its location on the sound stage. Although the Everests1 superior front-to-back information has never failed to astound us, after "toasting" it rendered magical, multi-dimensional musical data, never heard before. We estimated that bass extension, midrange clarity and high-frequency smoothness improved by as much as 25% a significant improvement in a business governed by diminishing returns.

For our last test, we "toasted" our in-house SPM speaker cables which we have used for several years. 48 hours later, we hooked up our speakers, listened carefully and noted no improvement at all. It took a little while before we realized that we had inadvertently connected the SPMs in the opposite direction of the signal flow while "toasting" them. We repeated the procedure, this time connecting the cable correctly. 48 hours later bang the cables sounded smoother than ever, especially noticeable in the high frequency regions. In addition to more sophisticated-sounding highs, the cables allowed more deep bass information, while midrange took on radiance and bloom. However, the most stunning improvement was the sound stage. As we had noticed with the Everests, space and time, depth, coherency and dimensionality improved significantly, thereby confirming Nordost1s claim that the "toaster" will work with all cables, including, of course, their own.

Synopsis & Commentary:
It would be interesting to know exactly what takes place while burning in cables, or any other electronic devices, for that matter. The way we see it, the 3toaster2 is a essential component for dealers who sell new cables to their customers. Clients, as a rule, often have to put off, listening to their new cables, sometimes for weeks, to realize audible improvements. The "toaster" can be used to burn in cables for customers, thereby offering a service which enables users to harvest instantaneous sonic improvements from their systems. As we have seen, the "toaster" seems to work with all cables, regardless of make, doctrine or price. Of all the burning in gadgetry we have experimented with in the past, none did as well as our trusted tuner played for days until we were satisfied that burn-in was complete. However, even the longest burn in period doesn1t come near the results achieved with the CBID-1. We can only hope that Nordost doesn1t want our sample returned in a hurry, as time is greatly reduced when we test cables after "toasting" them. As reviewers, we feel that the true sonic character of a cable and its potential value can only be determined after they have been broken in by the CBID-1."

The Inner Ear Report
Ernie Fisher
Sep-2000
Canada

Nordost Pulsar Points –
Pulsar Points Vibration Control Device Source: Nordost/Sonic Integrity Canada Price: $149.95 Cdn (set of 4) & $119.95 US (set of 4)
Rating: 3 1/2 notes

Appearance:
The Pulsar Points are made up of an upward facing cone, recessed on top to form a half sphere. A short tube-like part with a conical recess on the bottom and a threaded hole on top allows a 6mm or 8mm threaded pole piece to replace speaker spikes. Thus a flipped over cup rests on a cone and stabilizes as soon as a component1s or loudspeaker1s weight is placed on it. The PPs are made from aluminum and/or titanium resonance and vibration control. Nordost Pulsar Points are packaged in sets of four. The points are available in high-grade aluminum (model number PP4) or in high-grade titanium (model number TP4). The PP4 base cones measure 3.5 cm (13/8 in.) in diameter. TP4 top contra pieces measure 2 cm (3/4 in.) in diameter. Total height (both pieces) is 2.5 cm (1 in.) and both are rated to accommodate 100Kg (220 lbs).

Technology:
This business has produced more vibration control ideas and technologies than the airline industry, or so it seems. The many devices on the market make choices very difficult for consumers who read Vibration in physics is commonly known as an oscillatory motion To combat vibrations, Nordost1s Pulsar Points are made from high grade aluminum which has a narrow resonance point or titanium which has an even narrower resonance point. These metals are said to be superior to steel, brass, carbon fibre and other composites used in common cones and spikes. PP1s distinctive contra point and contoured support mechanism lowers above mentioned resonance points even more, thereby reducing spurious mechanical energy to improve the performance of audio components.

The Sound:
Well, it isn1t really the sound with which we are concerned here; it is, however, a matter of how these little objects affect the components placed on them. We used them under our Elite LD transport, under our in-house preamplifier and under a number of loudspeakers and power amplifiers. Under our CD transport, we achieved a higher sound-stage with much improved focal information, better inner detail and a touch greater resolution across the audible frequency range. All this, without actually altering the system1s tonal status. Dare we say that this actually improved the all-round musical experience? Yes, with considerable and quite audible enhancement, particularly noticeable in the system1s imagery. Placed under loudspeakers, the Pulsar Points further improved focus on instruments and voices and italicized front-to-back layering. Some of our panelists also thought that the horizontal imagery reached way out of the left and right speakers, making the sound-stage wider. The most conspicuous improvements were perceived in the entire bass range, where added weight and resolution greatly improved the sound over the loudspeakers1 ordinary spikes. But then again, we have been saying for years that spikes will resonate sympathetically with a loudspeaker1s enclosure and should only be used when other accessories aren1t available. Placed under our preamp effective as the solidity of the chassis already offered suitable vibration control. However, when we placed the Pulsar Points under a few of our in-house power amplifiers composure of a good sound system.

Synopsis & Commentary:
The way we see it, the PPs offer a good dose of versatility over competing devices, because their shape and form adapt readily to many applications. Under loudspeakers, they offer significant improvements in imagery and resolution and are the only design that outright clobbers our previous champions, the Mod Squad Tiptoes. They do the same under amps, preamps with flimsy chassis and all components with moving parts. A little research on our Editor1s part brought to light that heat influences the energy of molecules, part of which consists of the energy of their vibrational motion. Heat transfer technology may be at work here as well, though this isn1t documented. Presently, there is considerable interest in using uncommon but promising materials such as layered solids (eg, graphite) and polymer conductors used in batteries, organic conductors and ceramic superconductors and a new form of carbon, fullerene. Fullerene is made up of giant carbon molecules or 3bucky balls,2 having 60 carbon atoms and is named in honour of Buckminster Fuller, the architect who won fame designing geodesic domes. It can become superconducting when mixed with the proper metal atoms. Without a doubt, proponents of this technology will find a way to introduce it to the audio industry where it will be employed in new accessories. It may be some time before we get to see this, but then there are always the Pulsar Points

The Inner Ear Report
A magazine worth listening to
http://www.innerear.on.ca

Gentle Winds- Nordost Solar Wind Cables
"The McGarrigle Sisters' first release(Kate and Anna McGarrigle) has been one of my absolute favorite albums ever since I bought the LP when I was in college. The song"Talk to Me of Mendocino" packs enough emotion in it to make even an ex-hockey player like me weep. Since my LP was stolen,I've made do with the CD release. Although it's a good digitial reissue, it always seemed to lack the sheer beauty and emotional content that I remember from the LP. Over the last year I've blamed that on my CD player, on the CD reissue and on CD techonology in general. So how do I explain that with the Solar Winds in my system, it's all back? And I mean the emotional impact that makes this song such a favorite." "Without changing the tonal balance or adding the proverbial half-octave at either end of the spectrum, my system with the Solar Winds shed a layer of falseness. "Two other areas where these cables make a huge difference in my system are impact and dynamics. The improvement in impact gives bass notes a sense of weight and power that wasn't there before. It's not that the bass is any louder(this isn't a frequency response change), but since the start of the bass note is faster(for lack of a better term), they hit you like a shockwave. Bass is not deeper, per se, but it is far more well defined." "With Solar Winds, every little bit of dynamic shading is clear." "Should cables be the second pricest part in your system? I can't speak for you, but in my system they will be: I'm buying these."

The Absolute Sound
Harry Pearson
Feb-1999
United States

Nordost SPM speaker Cables –
***3Stars. Despite a few audible colorations - a somewhat lean midbass and a bit of subtraction of information of information in the upper midrange - the SPMs strike me as less colored, overall than the competion I've heard. The word transparancy was invented for these extremely low-capacitance, low-inductance flat cables(color purple for reasons I know not why - could be so you won't step on them). A stunning, even thrilling, reproduction of the lowest bass fundamentals, full of punch, articulation, and that weight when an instrument moves great masses of air. The top octave breathes and allows upper string and precussion harmonics seemingly to extend to infinity. Not inexpensive. Used with the permission of the publisher of The Absolute Sound. FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ABSOLUTE MULTIMEDIA TEL:(512) 306-8780 FAX:(512)328-7528 E-MAIL absolute_multimedia@msn.com www.theabsolutesound.com

Nordost Quattro Fil Interconnects –
*****5 Stars. There is no better interconnect. Compared with the competion( and there's a world of it out there), the Quattro Fils are virtually invisible sonically. There is no signature that I can, at this point in my explorations detect.this has been true, as it is with all Nordost products, in every system in which I've used them. Built to Nordost's exacting standards, and a technical marvel in construction, this continues Nordost's string of excellences in design, with hardly a misstep - the Red Dawn cables excepted -in the bunch. Most impressive to me is the way the Quattros let the music come through - one example of that lies in the fact that you can hear a hard and soft transient that are literally simultaneous, both being reproduced without any interaction. Could be this is one of the few five-star components. Time and further evaluations will tell. Used with the permission of the publisher of The Absolute Sound. FOR SUBSCRITION INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT ABSOLUTE MULTIMEDIA TEL:(512) 306-8780 FAX:(512)328-7528 E-MAIL absolute_multimedia@msn.com www.the absolutesound.com

Hi Fi News & Record Review
Alvin Gold
Dec-1998
United Kingdom

Nordost SPM Reference Loudspeaker Cable –
"SPM is quiet simply the most consistent and capable cable I have used, full stop. It is outstandingly detailed and controlled, with unsurpassed transparency and freedom from coloration"

Nordost SPM Reference –
"With the Tannoy Churchills, the Flatline cable literally radiated audio information into our listening envoirment. All musical program material proved to be authentic emphasizing the loudspeakers clear highs, explicit midrange and breathtaking bass. Our panelists stated that the all-round resolving character of the cable is a step above what they expected in this price range" "Although we tried many different speaker cable with the Tannoy Churchills, the best results were realized with the Flatline. Since the Churchills are full range speakers with the capacity to reveal all backup components. it's our belief that any full range speaker will benefit from the Flatline's"sonic signature."

Stereophile
Brian Damkroger
Jun-1998
USA

Blue Heaven interconnect & loudspeaker cable –
The Nordost Blue Heavens are exceptionally good low-to mid priced interconnect and speaker cables. Their distinctive design promised-and delivered-a fast, clean, dynamic sound. in a super-high-resolution system, and compared to the very best(including Nordost's own top-of-the-line Red Dawn and SPM), they lacked a bit in terms of depth and the resolution of fine detail; hard transients and image outlines were slightly over-emphasized. But within their price range and in the systems for which they're intended, they're nothing short of magical. Their speed, precision, and detail can transform a good small system into a great one. Install them on a Friday evening; I guarantee you'll be up all night rooting through your discs! At Casa Damkroger/McKenzie, the Blue Heavens are the new reference in reasonably priced and/or small-system cable. Highly recommended.

Nordost SPM Reference Speaker Cable –
" The first thing you'll notice, in fact, is the amazing lack of overt coloration. The sound is so clean, you'll be tempted to turn the volume skyward (which is fine, if your amplifiers like sseing stars}"."I think the SPM,s a superb product, and one of the best we have in the here and now"

Stereophile
Barry Willis
Dec-1997
USA

Nordost SPM Reference Interconnect & Speaker Cable –
"I agree with Inner Ear publisher/editor Ernie Fisher that the SPM is the finest cable available at any price."

ALSO SEE: Nordost's website (www.Nordost.com) for complete specifications and photos. Interested in getting a price quote on an Nordost product? E-mail us!