Time to part ways with Nordost cables?

I have Tekton Pendragon speakers, Wavelength Brick DAC, Red Wine Audio integrated amp, Nordost Heimdall interconnects, and Nordost Frey speaker cables. I've been tube-rolling in the amp and DAC a lot lately, always with the goal of taming harshness and a persistent leading edge in many recordings.

I'm really sold on my speakers, DAC, and amp, so I wonder if the Nordost cabling could be responsible for the issues. I'd like to use tubes as a dial to tune the sound and not use cables for that purpose, so I'd like to use cables that are neutral as possible. I thought Nordost would be the perfect choice but maybe they just aren't a good fit somehow.

Which cables would you recommend for this? I've read that the Audience Au24e series is neutral and excellent.

 

I have the tyr 1 and think they are very neutral. Does any of your equipment have a tube rectifier? If so make sure you experiment with that tube.

 

I think I'm finally going to sign up with the Cable Co and see where it takes me.

 

See if they can lend you some cables from MG Audio Design in Colorado.

http://mgaudiodesign.com/AboutUs.htm

 

Moving away from Nordost speaker cable immeasurably helped my system's ability to dig deeper and throw a wider soundstage. I choose the Nordost years ago primarily because a flat speaker cable is what I needed

 

I've been fighting a leading edge and a sharpness in my system for a long time and I'm reading that that is a typical Nordost characteristic. I've really only ever used Nordost cables since I got into this hobby.

 

I have found that Nordost Blue Heaven (most recent version) was way too bright for me over extended listening sessions. I think Nordost stuff is ultra detailed and fast and can really bring out the wow factor in showrooms and trade shows. That wow can turn to grating over time.

 

If something is harsh or overly bright is that not a frequency response problem? Could it therefore not be solved by movement of speakers and listener position, room treatment, perhaps equipment isolation or, dare I say it, an equaliser! Throwing money at cables seems an odd way of solving this.

 

I'm using Morrow SP3 speaker cable with my Pendragons and they are to die for. Seriously. I could gush for hours about the awesome synergy my system has. I'm currently powering the Pens with a PrimaLuna Premium Integrated. I also use Morrow MA3 interconnects. Love them.

If you love your Pendragons (and I know you do!) you have to check out the Morrow line.

Seriously. Get them. And remember to thank me here on the forum after you do!

 

*cough* Cardas cables *cough*

 

This is not the first time I've heard this about Nordost. I would try to demo some cables as well. Try ZenWave Audio, DaveC113 (the owner of ZenWave) is a member here on this forum and often can loan cables to you to see if they work in your system. I have a set of his DD Interconnects and SL Speaker Cables and they are the best cables I have used thus far. They are very reasonably priced for the type of mettalurgy they are composed of such as UP-OCC copper and silver alloys.

The ZenWave DD Interconnect is a silver wire made by Dueland that is composed with silk and oil insulation, that also uses a UPOCC copper ground. This wire has a beautiful warm and rich tone and may be what's needed within your system. Contact Dave and see if he has a pair or two to loan you so you can hear them for yourself.

Edit: I forgot to mention that you can try them for free and not needing a percentage down like the Cable Company requires, so you pretty much have nothing to lose except if they don't work out paying shipping back to Dave which is only a few bucks.

 

I found that Analysis Plus Black Oval speaker cables gave me everything thing that I wanted from speaker cables. They aren't that expensive either. I also like their Oval One interconnects. I came to this conclusion after trying cables from Nordost, Tara, Straightwire, Wireworld, Cardas, Audioquest, and Kimber.

 

Not a perfect solution for everyone. After trying Cardas Golden Reference they could not compete with the Silver Grovers I ended up with at an even better price. I was advised of Nordost hyper top end extension and chose to avoid based on that.

 

I use Nordost Baldaur speaker cables and I really like them. I haven't noticed an over emphasized top end with my equipment. I use them with Goldmund and Meitner amps and Sonus Faber and Chario speakers. Both speakers have soft dome tweeters.

Scott