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 Valhalla benefits from the manufacturer's full expertise. Its precision single filament construction is made of single-strand conductors in OFC 8N copper (99.9999999% pure). They are silver-plated to a thickness of 78 microns. The conductors are the same as the ones used in the entire Valhalla range. Their very low resistance combined with a ridiculous capacitor enables it to feature an outstanding signal propagation speed: more than 87% of the speed of light that is 261000 km/second!
The Nordost Valhalla yields surprising results as soon as it is connected to the turntable, but you must be patient for around fifty hours with the modulation for it to achieve its perfect balance. After this short breaking in period, the cable can release its full musicality. All the qualities that have built the brand's success are rapidly shown: dynamic range, precision, transparency, openness… The bass is deep with outstanding presence and expression. The midrange is very notable and particularly detailed. Reverberations on voices or instruments are more clearly distinguishes than with competitor cables. The transients are especially impressive in their rapidity. We understand why many manufacturers (VPI, etc.) use this Nordost to wire their high-end range tonearms. A benchmark!
FranckInsulation: Ethylene/propylene (FEP)
Design: High-precision microfilament
Conductors: 78 micron silver-plated single-stranded copper 8N
Capacitance: 22 pF/Feet
Propagation speed: 87 % of speed of light
Connectors: RCA, DIN, Angled DIN