Nordost FREY 2 phono cable - 1.25 m

Note: interconnect cables that are specifically designed for tonearm outputs are technologically different to those used to connect a CD player to an amp or preamp. It has to carry a very low signal, 500 to 50,000 times lower than that at the output of a CD player. The signal is therefore very sensitive to impedance, resistance and noise.

US company Nordost takes this factor into consideration for the design and production of this cable range dedicated to Phono equipment. The Nordost Frey 2 Phono benefits from the manufacturer's full expertise. Its five single-strand conductors, in OFC 7N copper have 60 micron silver-plating. A clever solution suspends the cable inside a PTFE sheath that provides perfect insulation. This solution significantly minimises the Kelvin and memory effects, therefore reducing distortion and delivering a very open sound. Its very low resistance combined with a ridiculous capacitor enables it to feature an outstanding signal propagation speed: more than 80% of the speed of light that is 240,000 km/second!

The Frey 2, once connected, gives surprising results, but you must have around fifty hours of breaking in so that its balance is perfect. From the very first measures, we were surprised by the dynamic range and rapidity of the transients. The entire sound quality seems to be livelier and more rhythmic than usual. On our Scottish turntable with a suspended chassis, the timbres seem to be richer and less dark than with the original cable. The transparency is also increased a notch bringing out a multitude of details, but without for as much adopting a 'surgical' listening mode and without causing sharpness in the high medium as is often the case. The sound stage is precise and very deep, but remains credible and gives much realism to orchestras.

A superb upgrade for turntables that lack energy and precision. Highly recommended.