As 2024 comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate the amazing year we’ve had at Nordost. It’s been a year filled with exciting new products, recognition and accolades from some of the most respected names in the hi-fi industry, great music, and even better systems. Looking back, we couldn’t be more proud of all we’ve accomplished—and we’re so grateful for the continued support from our community, our dedicated team, audio partners, and loyal customers who have made it all possible.
This year, we were honored to receive a host of prestigious awards for our products, from the Editors’ Choice Award and Product of the Year from The Absolute Sound to the hi-fi + 2025 Award, and many more in between. Our entire line-up– from accessories, to audio enhancers, to introductory cables, to our Reference lines each got their moment in the spotlight. Our QNET Network Switch earned high praise for its ability to elevate soundstage and clarity, while our new Red Dawn 3 cables were hailed as game-changers for audiophiles looking to get the most out of their systems. We couldn’t be more grateful for the recognition of the products we work so hard on for the hobby we are so passionate about.
One of the most exciting moments for us this year was the launch of our newly improved, entry-level Leif 3 cables. These updated cables feature enhancements to four iconic cable ranges—White Lightning, Purple Flare, Blue Heaven, and Red Dawn—improving upon technologies and manufacturing techniques that deliver dynamic, low-loss, and lifelike performances while staying true to Nordost’s core design philosophy. The feedback from you, our community, has been incredible, and we’re thrilled to see how these cables have been transforming systems around the world and helping you uncover new layers of the music you love.
This year was also filled with unforgettable experiences as we hit the road to meet many of you in person, whether at intimate local dealer events, regional audio shows, or at international hifi expos like High End Munich and AXPONA. It was so rewarding to see the excitement and appreciation for our products firsthand. We love engaging with music lovers over small systems where we can answer your hifi questions and present personalized product demonstrations, and we love sharing world-class sound with reference-level components so that attendees can experience audio systems that earn “Best in Show” and “Best Sound” awards.
None of this would have been possible without the hard work of our Nordost team, and, of course, the ongoing support of our partners and customers. Your enthusiasm for our products allows us to continue doing what Nordost has always done and will continue to do until the last note rings out: give music lovers the tools to experience music in the most authentic way possible.
So here’s to 2024, here’s to even more great music, great sound, and great systems in 2025!
As 2024 draws to a close, we’re excited to reflect on another incredible year for Nordost. It’s been a year of growth, innovation, and recognition, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the continued support of our community. Over the past 12 months, we’ve been honored to receive accolades from some of the most respected publications in the hi-fi industry, with awards across categories like Best Products, Editors’ Choice, Applause and more!
At Nordost, our mission has always been to help audiophiles unlock the full potential of their systems, bringing music to life in a way that’s true to the artist’s original intent. We’re deeply proud of the cables, power products, and audio enhancers we’ve created, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts acknowledged by reviewers, industry experts, and leading publications. As we celebrate this success, we invite you to join us in looking back on a remarkable year!
“A system using Nordost Odin 2 reproduces music with speed, honesty, and integrity, capturing the recording’s emotion and ‘feel’. Almost 10 years after its launch, Nordost’s Odin 2 remains one of the best cable systems available, setting the highest possible standards for accuracy and detail retrieval.
“Soundstage size, depth and definition are areas where the QNET never failed to impress, yielding greater focus as the layers of haze were removed.” – StereoNET
“[Red Dawn Lief 3 cables are a] long term investment for those demanding the best for their hifi to ensure they’re hearing it as it should sound. Try if you dare, as you may not want to go back after hearing the Leif range in full flight.” – Audiograde
“We commend Nordost for their unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of sonic excellence. We eagerly anticipate their future creations and extend our gratitude for enriching the lives of music enthusiasts like us.” – Audio LAB
But it doesn’t stop there… Nordost AWARDS for 2025!
“Nordost has always been about correctly establishing a system’s foundations, and the QBASE Reference is a cornerstone in that regard. This is your next upgrade for those already in audio’s First-Class lounge…Nordost’s QBASE Reference is that important to the sound of your system.” – hi-fi+
“[The QBASE Mark III] is restorative, bringing to light low-level details and mirco-dynamic shifts that have been obscured. The sonic results make themselves known immediately and consistently.” – The Absolute Sound
We are thrilled to share another fantastic, in-depth review of our QBASE Reference!
Roy Gregory, a longstanding audio reviewer in the hifi industry, has appreciated and championed Nordost’s foundational approach to audio. Throughout his article, Roy recognizes the QB10 as the pinnacle of our QRT products, saying that it may be “the single biggest step”, and praises the way we’ve combined and refined our modular approach into a single, meticulously engineered unit.
In his review, Roy highlights the remarkable improvements that the QBASE Reference delivers over the QB8 Mark III, specifically in dynamics, rhythmic coherence, and musical focus. He describes how the QB10 brings new life to your favorite music, offering, “a lower noise floor, which offered a far greater sense of the placement of notes and the spaces between them.”
You can read Roy’s entire QBASE Reference review HERE!
What better way to close out the year than by revisiting the content that resonated the most with you over the last 12 months? In this 2024 blog round-up, we’re bringing together the posts that generated the most buzz, from likes and shares to comments and reactions across every platform. Here’s a look back at your favorite Nordost blogs from the past year!
Every component is an important element of a sound system. But one component rarely gets the recognition it deserves: the audio cable. Introducing reputable, well-engineered cables, like Nordost’s, can truly unveil the full potential of your equipment and transform your listening experience from ordinary to extraordinary…
Just because you aren’t satisfied with an audio component doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. There are several ways that you can upgrade your DAC’s performance… and who doesn’t love a good option? Here are six simple enhancements that you can make to your DAC setup to achieve serious musical gains…
We are thrilled to share our first, official QBASE Reference review. As an auspicious bonus, this review can be found in the highly valued 25th Anniversary issue of hi-fi+! Learn more about what Alan Sircom has to say in this blog…
For most people, loudspeakers are one of the biggest investments they’ll make in their hifi system, but did you know that you can get even more out of your loudspeakers with just two simple upgrades? See how loudspeaker cables and Resonance Control can transform the loudspeakers you already own…
When you are SO CLOSE to audio perfection, sometimes you only need small but transformative tweaks to get you to your musical goals. This blog tells you about Nordost’s secret weapons to get your system sounding its best…
Digital sources have all but taken over the audio world. During this digital revolution, the network infrastructure that supports components like DACs, streamers, NAS drives, etc. has become exceedingly important. An audio-optimized network switch plays a pivotal role in enhancing digital playback…
With its four, iconic ranges – White Lightning, Purple Flare, Blue Heaven, and Red Dawn– Nordost invites music enthusiasts of all levels to bring NEW LEIF to their sound systems. Leif 3 cables embody the culmination of years of technological breakthroughs and advancements in craftsmanship, meticulously refined to meet the modern demands of mid-fi and hi-fi sound systems. Learn more in this blog…
QRT products work together to accomplish their desired effect, and the more QRT products used, the better your results will be. In this blog, we will take a moment to look at how products that make up the QRT family work together, which of Nordost’s Sort System Resonance Control products can enhance your investment in QRT, and some examples of fully optimized hifi systems, using Nordost’s QRT line…
Ever wonder why your high-end system doesn’t deliver the musical experience you know it’s capable of? The answer might be right under your nose–and vibrating under your components! This blog shows you how Nordost Sort Systems rid your system of damaging vibrations…
We are happy to share the first review of our Leif 3 cable line, recently published on Audiograde. After evaluating our new Red Dawn 3 cables, reviewer Andrew Simpson summed up the benefits they brought to his system with two words: “detail” and “depth“.
Andrew found that our new Leif 3 cables allowed him to achieve a much purer performance from his system. In his own words, he explained, “These cables…improve and finesse what’s already there. It’s like pouring purer petrol into a performance car to simply enable it to perform as it should without restriction.” After such a positive experience with our cables in his system, it’s no surprise that Andrew recommends the Leif 3 cables as a “long term investment for those demanding the best for their hifi to ensure they’re hearing it as it should sound”.
To make it even better, our Red Dawn 3 cables were awarded Audiograde’s “Editor’s Pick” for “Uncompromising systems craving extra finesse in detail and depth”.
You can read Andrew’s full Red Dawn 3 review HERE!
Nordost products are designed to allow you to enjoy your favorite performances as they were intended to be heard. All of us here are passionate about great music, and want to share our passion with you. Each one of us has our own style… We listen to a wide variety of artists and genres but, in a way, we appreciate them all. We thought that we would share a few of the songs on our own personal playlists with you each month. Some may be classics, some may be brand new, some may not even be to your tastes, but we hope that there is something here for everyone.
Here are some of the songs that we will have on rotation this December.
You can now listen to our monthly playlist here: TIDAL | SPOTIFY | QOBUZ
Whipping Boy – Ben Harper – Welcome To The Cruel World
Drive – Britta Phillips – Luck or Magic
I’m Confessin’ (That I Love You) – Dean Martin – Dream with Dean
First Love/Late Spring – Mitski – Bury Me At Makeout Creek
Strange Fruit (Arr. For Voice & Chamber Ensemble by Jonathan Bingham) – Palaver Strings, Farayi Malek – A Change Is Gonna Come
SUNSHiNE OF YOUR WUB – YOOKiE – SunShine Of Your Wub
Look At The Time – Sawyer Hill – Look At The Time
The Siege of Justiceville – John Carpenter, Alan Howarth – They Live – Expanded Original Motion Picture Soundtrack 20th Anniversary Edition
After serving the community of Vernon for many years, Carl St Jean has taken the leap and opened his own shop, HiFi House of Sound. From live events, personal demos and various trade shows, HiFi House of Sound promises to give you an experience like no other. We took some time recently to sit down and find out a bit more about Carl, his new business, and his motivation. Here is what he had to say:
When did you start your business?
We officially launched HiFi House of Sound on September 30th, 2024.
How did you come up with the name of your company?
The name “HiFi House of Sound” reflects the evolution of our journey. I started by hosting live shows and concerts in my house 15 years ago. Also, being a lifelong audiophile, I knew music and audio would be at the heart of everything we do. I brought in Dailene, a talented musician and a visionary leader, to help shape the business. She came up with the name, perfectly capturing our essence: we operate out of a house where we create music and curate live experiences, and facilitate live house concerts while also selling high-quality audio equipment.
What made you choose to start a company in this industry?
I chose to start HiFi House of Sound because of my deep passion for music and high-quality sound. As an audiophile, I’ve always appreciated the way exceptional sound can elevate a live performance and make me feel like I’m engaged in the live performance, creating an unforgettable experience. I saw a unique opportunity to combine that love of music with a venue that prioritizes thoughtfully curated listening rooms, to bring audio excellence to life.—something I felt was missing in many traditional audio stores.
The idea of creating a space where music lovers, artists, and audiophiles could connect over shared experiences really drove me to pursue this venture. Starting a business in this industry was a natural choice because it aligned with my expertise, passion, and desire to bring something special to the community. It’s about building something that not only resonates with me but also creates meaningful experiences for others.
What was your mission at the start of your company?
At the start of HiFi House of Sound, our mission was to create a unique in-home space where music lovers could come together to experience live performances and enjoy curated and immersive audio experiences in an intimate setting. Our goal was to build a community around music, offering not just concerts and audio equipment, but memorable experiences that blend the warmth of live music with a personal, audiophile-driven approach.
What are your company’s goals?
‘Music is the Heartbeat of Audio’
At HiFi House of Sound, our goals are focused on growth, community, and creating unparalleled experiences. Here are our key objectives:
Expand Our Event Offerings: We aim to host more frequent and diverse live music events, from intimate house concerts to larger gatherings that cater to different music genres and audiences.
Enhance the Audiophile Experience: We want to continuously improve our sound quality and acoustics, investing in cutting-edge audio equipment to create the ultimate listening environment for both performers and audiences.
Build a Strong Community: Our goal is to foster a community of music lovers, artists, and audiophiles who share our passion for high-quality sound and live performances. We plan to do this through partnerships with local artists, music schools, and audio enthusiasts.
Create a Destination Venue: We want HiFi House of Sound to become a go-to destination for music lovers in the Okanagan and beyond, known for our unique blend of intimate atmosphere and exceptional sound.
Sustainability and Growth: Over time, we plan to grow the business by expanding into more services, such as hosting workshops, audiophile equipment showcases, and potentially offering recording sessions for artists.
Support Local Talent: A key goal is to provide a platform for emerging local musicians, giving them a space to perform and connect with audiences, helping to nurture the local music scene.
How does your business compare to competitors in the market?
HiFi House of Sound stands out from competitors by offering a unique blend of intimate, high-quality live music experiences with a strong focus on exceptional sound. The equipment is a byproduct of the music. We prioritize music sound quality and reproduction, as music is the heartbeat of audio!
Our boutique home store offers a personalized, high-fidelity music experience in a setting that encourages a deep appreciation for both sound and artistry, something that sets us apart from larger, more commercialized venues in the area.
Another thing that differentiates us from other competitors is our collaboration with various professional services to enhance our operations and customer offerings. These include partnerships with local interior design teams, custom cabinetry specialists, installation experts, and renovation teams, ensuring seamless project execution and high-quality results.
How would you describe your company’s success so far?
Our success so far has been both exciting and rewarding. We’ve built a strong foundation by blending live music experiences with high-quality audio equipment sales, resonating with both music lovers and audiophiles. The community’s positive response and engagement at our shows and attendance at trade shows have fueled our growth, and we’ve formed valuable partnerships along the way. While we are proud of what we’ve achieved, we view this as just the beginning, with even more opportunities to expand, innovate, and deepen our impact.
Does your business give back to your community?
Yes, giving back to our community is very important to us. For our live shows, we encourage guests to bring items for the local food bank, and we actively participate in the local chamber of commerce. As we grow, we are committed to expanding our efforts and finding even more ways to make a positive impact within our community.
Last week, Nordost made its way to Washington, DC, to participate in this year’s Capital Audiofest! The Nordost room was full of attendees excited to hear a series of ear-opening demonstrations, highlighting the audible differences that technological advances make as you work your way through Nordost’s offerings, starting with our new, Leif 3 cables and ending with our reference Valhalla 2 range. These demos were powered by an exceptional system, featuring Raidho X2.6 loudspeakers, paired with the Moon 330A amplifier and the 390 player/preamplifier—creating a truly immersive audio experience.
In addition to the Nordost room, we were represented in two other high-performance systems: one in The Library with local DC audiophiles, supported by our Nordost dealer, JS Audio, and another in The Jefferson Room, where a stunning display of Red, White, and Blue VPI Avenger Statements—wired entirely with our Odin 2 cables—captured everyone’s attention.
VPI
JS Audio
A special thank you to all of our partners for choosing Nordost to complete their extraordinary systems, and to everyone who visited to share some great music with us! For those who couldn’t attend, we’ve included some of our favorite images from the event below. We hope to see you next year!
Come and see Nordost at the Capital Audiofest! Please join us, November 8th – 10th, at the Hilton Rockville, in Rockville Maryland. Throughout the show, our sales representatives and product specialists, Seth Snyder and Michael Taylor, will be in the Nordost room (757) performing live demonstrations featuring our new introductory line of audio cables, Leif 3! This is the US debut of our Leif 3 cable line, which includes our White Lightning 3, Purple Flare 3, Blue Heaven 3, and Red Dawn 3 cable ranges. This is your chance to hear how combining optimal materials, unique geometry, and filter-less technology into hifi audio cables unlocks dynamic, low-loss, and lifelike performances from any sound system.
In addition to Nordost Leif 3 audio cables, QRT audio enhancers, and Sort resonance control products, Room 757 will also feature components from Moon by Simaudio and loudspeakers from Raidho Acoustics.
Nordost products are designed to allow you to enjoy your favorite performances as they were intended to be heard. All of us here are passionate about great music, and want to share our passion with you. Each one of us has our own style… We listen to a wide variety of artists and genres but, in a way, we appreciate them all. We thought that we would share a few of the songs on our own personal playlists with you each month. Some may be classics, some may be brand new, some may not even be to your tastes, but we hope that there is something here for everyone.
Here are some of the songs that we will have on rotation this November.
You can now listen to our monthly playlist here: TIDAL | SPOTIFY | QOBUZ
