Nordost Frey 2 Speaker Cables, Interconnects and Power Cords
Cables are notoriously difficult to review. Capturing the subtle, even minute changes good cables make can be challenging to describe on the page. The ear is a much better arbiter than the written word. Thus, the description must be super accurate if the writer has a whisker of a chance convincing cable naysayers. Also, long term thinking is required to really hear the positive effects cables have on your system.
Connecting two or more cables from a ‘loom’ from one manufacturer makes things even more difficult, even though multiple products of the same design in the system should make changes seem more obvious. Literally, too much information in one sitting can lead to confusion (ever wonder why on black box recordings pilots ignore obvious multiple klaxon warnings when in deeply stressful situations?). As Emperor Joseph II says to Mozart, ‘Too many notes’.
In my role at Audiophilia, I always insist on one piece of kit per review. As such, the large box of cables I received from Nordost for review implied a very long listening period. However, the set looked too enticing not to try and crack at least a few at a time So, here we have power cords, RCA interconnects and speaker cable.
Let’s ignore for a moment the craziness when reading, writing, discussing cables and how they do not affect a system.
They do.
You can’t hear it? Then, it’s a cheap trip to Home Depot for you. Your wallet’s happy.
Good, that’s out of the way.
For those of us who strive for the best sound, cables continue to be a vital component. Happily, many companies begin your audiophile journey quite inexpensively. We’ve reviewed several this year and have a few more in the pipeline, hopefully publishing before Christmas.
There are a few legacy high end audio companies in our 60 year avocation, Nordost being one of them. Based in Holliston, Mass, and founded by an indefatigable Irishman, Joe Reynolds, Nordost has developed and manufactured highly regarded cables since 1991. I’d like to thank Joe and Meredith Gabor, Director of Marketing and PR, for organizing such a generous shipment.
The Frey 2 cables are midrange of the Norse LIne, itself the second in the Nordost tier (Leif, Norse, Valhalla and Odin). I received 5 Power Cords (each $1764.99/1m), 3 Analog Interconnects (each $1532.99/1m pr.) and a pair of Speaker Cables ($3069.99/2m pr.). A Tonearm Cable + ($1399.99/1.25m pr.), 3 USB Cables (each $749/1m) and 2 Ethernet cables were shipped, too. I’ll bundle them for a later review.
The Frey 2 prices were commensurate with my reference Allnic Audio ZL Cables (power cords, interconnects and speaker cables), Antipodes Audio Reference (interconnects and speaker cables) and Anticables Reference (interconnects and power cords). All, a sweet spot price for high end systems without getting into the very pricey Audioquest Dragon series and Nordost’s own vaunted Odin 2 line.
The Frey 2 prices? When thinking of each wire as an essential component, not an outlandish outlay. It’s worth saving for the best cables you can afford (Nordost offers cables at more affordable prices). Be sure to check Nordost’s website (linked below) after reading the review.
My Use
The shipment arrived on the island with each cable shrink wrapped. I was told some were factory fresh, others had a few bench hours on them. I plugged in all my components with the Frey 2 Power Cords, used the interconnects appropriately and inserted the speaker cables. The loom has remained in my system for three months. I played digital files on repeat for about 24 hours before I began sit down, feet up, listening.
The cables are manufactured in a beautiful lavender hue and the sheathing on the power cords and interconnects has a rubbery, tactile feel. The interconnects have Nordost’s proprietary ‘MoonGlo’ termination. The metal jacket is spring loaded. Musical efficacy? Unknown. My Icon Audio PS1 Mk. II Phono Stage did not dig the connections—too loose—but all other components enjoyed the ease of use and perfect fit, including the MBL N51 Integrated Amplifier, Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 Integrated Amplifier, Icon Audio ST40 MkIV Plus (interesting that its phono sibling had difficulty), Allnic Audio L-7000 Preamplifier and Allnic’s H-7000 LCR Phono Stage. The bananas dove into the rear end of the Alta Audio FRM-2M Celesta Loudspeakers snugly.
The speaker wire has the ‘Nordost look’. The flat ribbon FEP insulation cables look splendid and in my favourite colour. As I listened, I stared at the beautiful speaker wire for long periods of time.
In my fairly small listening room, I’ve been fortunate to assemble an exceptional lineup of reference components with wonderful synergy and in tune with the room dimensions. The Frey 2’s pricing and expectations were not going to be hampered by the quality of connected components, either reference or those in for review.
Features
Like most fine engineering companies with an eye on business, quality and consistency, Nordost’s Frey 2 cables benefit from some generous trickle down from the Valhalla and Odin lines. The core design echoes the entry Leif range but introduces advanced technology such as ‘Dual Mono-Filament’ and mechanically tuned lengths. The Frey 2’s Dual Mono Filament design ‘...creates a virtual air dielectric complete with an elegantly engineered suspension system. When combined with silver-plated OFC solid core conductors and FEP insulation throughout, the result is the ideal electrically and mechanically controlled construction for ultra-fast, low-loss signal transfer.’ The speaker wire combines silver-plated OFC solid core conductors with the extruded, flat ribbon FEP insulation for low-loss signal transfer between amplifier and loudspeakers. And the positive effects continue with the power cords for ultra-fast, low-impedance current and voltage transfer. The conductors are ‘...especially effective in dissipating mechanical energy present on the AC line, which otherwise enters your electronics. Frey 2 adds additional conductors, further diminishing low-level storage and charging effects’.
Sound
With the subtle musical and written challenges before me, I forged ahead all speed with various repertoire over several months.
In generalities, the Frey 2 cables work beautifully with a variety of digital, analogue and amplification (solid state and tube). If you're up for new cables and their price is right, no matter your gear, I think the Frey 2 family will collaborate with the best intentions. For sure, some cables, and for some pretty esoteric electro-acoustic reasoning, about which, I wish I knew more, do not work with this piece of kit or that. Happily, you can take the Frey 2 to any social audio situation and they’ll never let you down. My assumption is that you would get the same result if picking and choosing a single cable from the loom.
Continuing with the generalities in the loom’s broadest sense, I enjoyed the detail the cables revealed in recordings of all types. If you have quality equipment, the cables will neither detract nor amplify elements, but offer a musical hand in keeping with the accompanying designer’s topology. My Jeff Rowland Continuum S2 is Class D, but Jeff Rowland Class D. Smooth as butter. A too revealing cable can give a clinical soundstage game away easily. With the Frey 2, the sweetness that is an important and sometimes elusive character trait of Rowland’s superior circuit remains; the same when the Frey 2 loom was attached to the Icon ST 40 MkIV Integrated Amplifier. When in Ultralinear mode, the cables did not get in the way of a clear soundstage and powerful dynamics yet allowed the Triode circuit’s nature, beautiful and uncoloured, to shine on my favorite, intimate repertoire.
The bass on the MBL N51 Integrated Amplifier can be thunderous when called upon. No shyness from the Berlin solid block of lacquered glass and metal. The Frey 2s allowed the gregarious but forthright nature of Jürgen Reis’ brilliant Class D design to shine powerfully.
There are a lot of flowery adjectives cast by reviewers trying to describe cables’ sounds or lack thereof. Simply, I’m listening for clarity, timbral accuracy and an uncoloured dynamic sound (macro and micro). Not forgetting, an uncompressed soundstage. The Frey 2s performance and general neutral and happy nature never disappointed. And they were wonderful in all sorts of repertoire from grandiloquent to introspective.
I find digital equipment is susceptible to the qualitative differences in cables even more than analogue and the Innuos ZENith Mk3 1T Black Music Server was no different (review up Sept 25 at 6:00 a.m. PST). The server was a happy camper tied to the Nordost cables, but the differences from the Innuos between my reference cables and the Frey 2s were negligible (my references chosen, of course, because I’m very fond of their timbral accuracy). If pressed, the Antipodes Reference cables could be considered a little ‘warmer’, the Allnic and Anticables, a smidge more clinical. All by a hair’s diameter. I think the majority of audiophiles would be proud of any in their system and all an upgrade over many. But for most, the Frey 2’s neutral and highly musical nature would be a perfect choice, especially at this price point.
The Nordost cables get out of the way of the music and the environment in which it was recorded. The focus is in the quality playback and not the cables elbowing for top billing. As such, they have outstanding synergy.
Summary
Nordost’s reputation, the very professional promotion of its products at dealers, shows and on social media, is pretty well benchmark. Cables can be difficult to promote, and so important, but also much misunderstood by civilians and disparaged by cloth-eared audiophiles. I’m not sure even the wonderful Nordost Frey 2 cables could convince them, but for those of us who love hearing what fine cables add to our system, the Frey 2 line from Nordost will be a certain and happy upgrade. Very highly recommended.
Further information: Nordost
