New product – Nordost Valhalla 2 Ethernet Cable

The way we can listen to music has metamorphosed over the past decade. We can now access high resolution musical data via the internet with streaming services such as Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, etc. or via our home network – digital music files stores on hard drives.

Source components now encompass a generation of exceptional music streamers to play this wonderful world of digital information. And for optimum transfer of that musical data, you will need a streaming cable that protects, shields and delivers complete information.

Step forward Nordost Valhalla 2 Ethernet cable, which the US cable manufacturer says:
“allows music lovers to fully incorporate digital music storage and streaming into their reference audio systems, while maintaining, even improving upon, their musical performance.”

It’s a bold claim, and a bold price (£2,670 for a 1m length). But the only way to test it is to listen, so come and hear Valhalla 2 in our demo room and decide for yourself. Book a dem on 0141 221 0221 or glasgow@loud-clear.co.uk.

But it’s just 1s and 0s, isn’t it? Not quite.

In order to meet the increasing demand for high speed data and increased bandwidth, the Valhalla 2 Ethernet Cable has the advantage of eight 23 AWG, solid core conductors wrapped in a high density polymer insulation. These annealed conductors are arranged into four twisted pairs before being triple-shielded. Each of these design aspects minimizes skin effect, eliminates crosstalk and EMI (electromagnetic interference) and ensures a high performance network cable, offering far more bandwidth than is needed for the typical data demands of today.

To further distinguish the V2 Ethernet Cable from its competitors, Nordost has implemented its unique mechanical tuning process. By meticulously cutting each conductor at calculated and equal lengths, Nordost reduces internal microphony and high frequency resonance. The precise cut of each conductor, at a length which is determined by the cable’s geometry, material and application, guarantees the uniform arrival of all signals, dramatically reducing timing errors.

To complete this reference design, the Valhalla 2 Cable is terminated with a completely specialized, gold-plated 8P8C/RJ45 connector, designed to resist ESD (electrostatic discharge) and optimized for mechanical reliability. The resulting cable supports frequencies and transmission speeds that easily meet Category 8 requirements.

The Valhalla 2 Ethernet Cable is designed, manufactured and terminated in the USA. Each cable is constructed with precision, consistency and quality fabrication, providing a massive improvement over standard issue, mass-produced, low precision Ethernet cables.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Insulation: High density polymer
• Construction: Mechanically tuned length, Screen Foiled Twisted Pair Design (s/ftp)
• Conductors: 8 X 23 AWG
• Material: Solid core copper conductors
• Overall Shield Coverage: Triple-shielded— Screen Foil and Dual Braid
• Termination: Specialized EMI and ESD resistant gold-plated 8P8C/RJ45 connectors

Nordost is the North American manufacturer synonymous with premium audio cables and accessories. It’s Valhalla range is renowned across the globe and has almost a cult-like following amongst audiophiles around the world.

Valhalla 2 Reference range sits second from top in the Nordost cable hierarchy – Lifestyle, Leif, Norse 2, Valhalla 2, Odin Supreme Reference – before Nordost goes stratospheric with it’s Odin Supreme Reference range, where speaker cables is c. £30,000 a metre.

Valhalla 2 Ethernet starts at £2,670, only listening will tell you if it’s worth it 😊.