Nordost Receives 15! Editors’ Choice Awards from The Absolute Sound for 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Nordost has received an incredible 15 Editors’ Choice Awards from The Absolute Sound in 2025! This recognition is a true testament to the exceptional performance and innovation of our products and means all the more coming from such a prestigious publication. The award-winning products range from our Supreme Reference Odin 2 cables, trickle down throughout each one of our cable families, and even our QRT audio enhancers, including multiple iterations of QBASEs and QKOREs. These accolades speak volumes about the improvements our products bring to sound quality, delivering audiophiles an unparalleled listening experience.

Below you will find a list of each of these award-winning products, which were carefully and favorably reviewed by The Absolute Sound. Find out more of these fantastic offerings, read some expertly written reviews, and see an Authorized Nordost Dealer near you to experience the Nordost difference for yourself!


🏆 QBASE Reference – AC Distribution Unit

“With the insertion of the New QBASE Reference, I heard an audible and immediate improvement in clarity, scale, bass extension and detail… No device has come as close to performing invisibly in my system as the QBASE Reference.” – TAS

The Nordost QBASE Reference is a high-end AC distribution unit designed to deliver clean power to audio systems. It features Star-Earth Topology and QPOINT Technology, ensuring optimal power flow and minimal noise. Additionally, the unit’s extruded aluminum chassis houses QSINE and QWAVE tech for enhanced performance. The QBASE Reference improves sound purity, offering an unparalleled audio experience.


🏆 Odin 2 Interconnect  and 🏆 Odin 2 Speaker Cable

“In my view, Nordost deserves the highest possible condemnation for building on its previously effors to produce a statement product that is remarkable for its purity and resolution, transformain and clarity…Mighty Odin, indeed.” – TAS

Nordost’s Odin 2 Analog Interconnects and Speaker Cables are designed to deliver the highest level of audio performance, offering unparalleled clarity and resolution. O2 Analog Interconnects feature ten silver-plated OFC conductors and Nordost’s patented Dual Mono-Filament technology, which ensures a fast, transparent, and detailed signal transmission. The HOLO:PLUG® connectors are custom-designed to interface with each cable’s geometry. Odin 2 Speaker Cable uses 26 silver-plated, solid-core conductors and a flat design to maximize transfer speed, and minimize signal. These cables set a new standard in high-end audio, capturing every nuance and offering exceptional bandwidth and dynamic range.


🏆 Valhalla 2 Interconnect and 🏆 Valhalla 2 Speaker Cable  

“Valhalla 2 offers much of Odi’s performance and is, above all, eminently satisfying. It delivers the whole package: speed, detail, resolution, and musicality…Nordost has struck a fine balance here, producing a cable that will elevate the performance of just about any audio system.” – TAS

The Valhalla 2 Analog Interconnects and Speaker Cables from Nordost are engineered to deliver extraordinary performance with exceptional detail and transparency. The Analog Interconnects feature 10 solid-core, silver-plated OFC conductors and Dual Mono-Filament technology, ensuring precise signal transmission with minimal loss or phase shift. V2 Speaker Cables use 28 solid-core, silver-plated conductors and a Dual Mono-Filament design to provide unmatched bandwidth, dynamic resolution, and clarity. Both products preserve the integrity of the audio signal, allowing for a highly detailed and dynamic listening experience. The cables are terminated with high-quality HOLO:PLUG® connectors, ensuring optimal connection integrity. Together, the Valhalla 2 cables are designed to bring out the full potential of your audio system, providing an unparalleled, transparent, and immersive musical performance. 


🏆 Tyr 2 Interconnect, 🏆 Tyr 2 Speaker Cable, and🏆 Tyr 2 Power Cord 

“transparency, precision, purity, depth, texture, openness, expansiveness…Nordost’s Tyr 2 loom brings all of this and more to the listening experience.” – TAS

Nordost’s Tyr 2 Power Cord, Analog Interconnects, and Speaker Cables are designed to deliver clarity and resolution across your system. All Tyr 2 Cables feature solid-core silver-plated conductors and Nordost’s patented, Dual Mono-Filament technology. All three products are designed to minimize signal loss and interference, ensuring the utmost fidelity and transparency in your audio system. Together, they elevate the performance of your components, revealing every nuance in your music and improving the overall listening experience.


🏆 Frey 2 Interconnect and 🏆 Frey 2 Speaker Cable 

“Frey 2 has rebalanced the scales, taking the transient and micro-dynamic elements of the past and integrating them with richer mids and a brawnier , meatier bottom end… In a word, there’s more fidelity to the live events.” – TAS

The Frey 2 Analog Interconnects and Speaker Cables from Nordost are crafted to provide high-performance. SIlver-plated, solid core OFC conductors, Dual Mono-Filament technology, and mechanically-tuned lengths are all hallmarks of this range. Nordost’s advanced design reduces noise and interference, allowing for a more transparent and lifelike listening experience. The Frey 2 cables offer excellent value while maintaining Nordost’s reputation for high-quality construction and performance. 


🏆 Heimdall 2 USB Cable 

The Heimdall 2 USB 2.0 Cable is designed to elevate your audio system by delivering data with exceptional efficiency and precision. It features four 20 AWG silver-plated OFC conductors arranged in a twisted double helix for optimal impedance and noise reduction. The cable is further enhanced with Nordost’s proprietary FEP Dual Mono-Filament insulation, a dual-layer silver foil jacket, and a silver braided shield, ensuring high-speed data transmission and minimal interference.


🏆 Purple Flare Interconnect and 🏆 Purple Flare Speaker Cable

“I can’t say it enough–Purple Flare is like a little trip to [Blue] Heaven for those of us earthbound on a budget” – TAS

The Purple Flare Analog Interconnects and Speaker Cables from Nordost were engineered to provide exceptional performance at an accessible price point. While these cables have recently been upgraded to our Leif 3 series, you can still find the original Purple Flare range at select Nordost retailers. They deliver an impressive level of clarity and detail, enhancing your listening experience that will be sure to improve upon even the most modest of hifi systems. 


🏆 QBASE Mark III – QB8 AC Distribution Unit 

“[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.” – TAS

Nordost’s QBASE Mark III AC Distribution Unit optimizes power delivery to audio components by using star-earth topology to prevent signal and ground interference. This design ensures clean, uninterrupted power flow, enhancing each connected device’s performance. Its dual-level PC-board configuration and high-quality connectors minimize crosstalk and improve current flow. Both QB8 and QB4 units offer more dynamics and details to your music, without in-line filtering or active circuitry that limit your current and bandwidth.


🏆 QKORE Ground Unit 

“. . . I thought I’d gone about as far as you could to eliminate noise and hash riding on the power lines. It now turns out that I was quite wrong. Nordost’s Michael Taylor visited this somewhat skeptical reviewer, and the conversion process went rather quickly.” – TAS

QKORE Ground Units provides a clean, effective grounding solution for audio systems, addressing the impact of noise and interference caused by poor grounding. They use a parallel grounding method, combining Mono-Filament technology and Low-Voltage Attractor Plates to draw stray noise away from components and create a stable, clean ground. Available in three models—QKORE1, QKORE3, and QKORE6—each provides varying grounding options for different setups, ensuring optimal performance for all systems. 

Nordost at AXPONA 2025

Nordost, in collaboration with Stenheim and VTL, is excited to invite all AXPONA attendees to experience a world-class, reference-level hi-fi system in the Schaumburg F Ballroom at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois, from April 11-13.


The centerpiece of Nordost’s room will be their Supreme Reference cables, featuring the Odin 2 line alongside elements of the company’s flagship line, Odin Gold, which will be making its American tradeshow debut since its initial launch in 2021. Stenheim will present their Reference Ultime Two SX loudspeakers, renowned for their clarity and precision, while VTL will showcase their premium components, including the TP-6.5 Series II Signature Phono Preamplifier, the TL-7.5 Series III Reference Line Preamplifier, and the MB-185 Series III Signature Monoblock Amplifiers. To complete the system, industry leaders such as dCS, Grand Prix, and Kuzma will ensure seamless integration of both digital and analog technology. The entire system will be expertly tuned by renowned setup artist Stirling Trayle of Audio Systems Optimized, ensuring an unmatched listening experience.


Over the course of the show, Nordost will host several exciting events in the Schaumburg F Ballroom:


On Friday at 3:15 PM, Abey Fonn, founder of Impex Records, will present a vinyl session featuring three standout records: Patricia Barber’s Modern Cool on a pristine VR900-D2 pressed 180-gram LP, a limited edition 50th Anniversary 180-gram LP of Dan Fogelberg’s Souvenirs, and the Getz/Gilberto 1STEP 180g 45rpm Double LP pressed on VR900-Super Vinyl.


On Saturday at 3:00 PM, David Solomon from Qobuz will host a Flash DJ Session, playing an exciting mix of tracks on our reference system.


On Saturday at 5:30 PM, the iconic live concert recording The Who – Live at Leeds will be presented.


Every day at noon (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday), Nordost will host Jazz Lunchtime Listening Sessions featuring Newvelle Records’ Renewal Collection, which includes original compositions from Elan Mehler, Michael Blake, Dave Liebman, and Nadje Noordhuis.



In addition to the presentation in the Schaumburg F Ballroom, Nordost will also conduct live cable demonstrations in Room 716, in partnership with their local retailer Holm Audio. This will allow attendees to experience firsthand the difference Nordost’s cables and audio enhancers make, with expert staff available to answer questions and provide insights into the technology behind the products.

Nordost invites all attendees to visit their room in the Schaumburg F Ballroom and Room 716 at AXPONA 2025 for these exciting events, or simply to experience audio excellence in a meticulously arranged system that is sure to provide a truly memorable audio experience.

Upcoming Events (Spring 2025)


SOUTHWEST AUDIO FEST

March 21 – March 23

Southwest Audio Fest

Hilton Anatole 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, Dallas

“The first year was a great show!

For 2025, we have over 60  rooms, making SWAF one of the largest high-end international audio shows in North America.

Dozens of amazing audio showrooms, thousands of vinyl records, as well as seminars, music and more.

Come on down and join the fun.”

Friday 10am-6pm​

Saturday 10am-6pm​

Sunday 10am-3pm


AUDIO VIDEO SHOW – PRAHA

March 28 – March 29

Audio Video Show – Praha

The Diplomat Hotel Evropská 15, 160 41, Prague


MONTRÉAL AUDIOFEST

March 28 – March 30

Montréal AudioFest

Hotel Bonaventure 900 Rue de la Gauchetière O, Montréal

An audio enthusiast’s paradise!

Celebrating its 36th edition this year, Montreal Audiofest remains the must-attend event for audiophiles. This long-standing tradition showcases the latest advances in high-fidelity audio equipment, featuring over 300 speaker brands, innovative music streamers and high-quality headphones.

Friday · 11h to 20h
Saturday · 10h to 18h
Sunday · 10h to 17h


AXPONA

April 11 – April 13

AXPONA

Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center

“Join audiophiles and music lovers from around the globe at the ultimate audio expo! Over three days, explore 200+ high-fidelity listening rooms, thousands of products in the Expo Hall and Ear Gear Experience, live performances, educational seminars, and cutting-edge audio demos.

Whether you’re a seasoned audiophile or a curious newcomer, AXPONA is the place to be. Secure your tickets today and immerse yourself in the world of high-fidelity sound and music!”

SHOW HOURS:
Friday, April 11, 2025: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday, April 12, 2025: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday, April 13, 2025: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM


HIGH END – MUNICH

May 15 – May 18

HIGH END Munich 2025

MOC Lilienthalallee 40, München

“The HIGH END, the internationally renowned audio exhibition, is the undisputed leader when it comes to impressively setting the tone for top-class music reproduction. It has been providing ideas and impetus for producers, sellers and consumers of high-quality audio technology for more than four decades. On the four days of the event, the entire world of audio experts and professionals gather in Munich to visit hundreds of exhibitors from more than 40 different countries as they showcase their latest innovations in the halls and atriums of the MOC event centre.

Every year in May, the HIGH END sets the trend for the international audio industry with technical innovations, current trends and numerous world firsts. “Diversity in Audio” stands for the variety of high-quality sound reproduction, underlining the unique range that is presented at the leading audio show year after year.

We look forward to seeing you at the HIGH END!”

OPENING HOURS

Thursday: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Friday: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Capital Audiofest 2024 Recap

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!

Nordost at Capital Audiofest

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.  

Toronto Audiofest 2024 Recap

Last week’s Toronto Audiofest was a blast! For people interested in Nordost products, TAF was the place to be. As one attendee put it, “Nordost was everywhere you looked!”  

From our new, introductory Leif 3 line, to our Supreme Reference audio cables, there was a Nordost-wired system for every level of audiophile imaginable. Show-goers who made it to Nordost’s official room, 437, were treated with live cable and QRT demonstrations from Nordost expert, Michael Taylor. 

If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend the Toronto Audiofest, we have some of our favorite Nordost-centric pictures of the event here! 


Nordost

In the Nordost room, we showcased both our new Leif 3 cables and our high performance Norse 2 line.


Executive Stereo

The Executive Stero room featured Nordost’s Norse 2 cables including Tyr 2 Interconnects and Speaker Cables and Frey 2 Power Cords.


Audio By Mark Jones

Audio By Mark Jones complemented their Magico and CH Precision system with Nordost reference Valhalla 2 cables.


Sonic Artistry

Sonic Artistry featured Nordost’s Supreme Reference Odin 2 cables with the QBASE Reference AC Distribution Unit and other QRT devices for top tier sound.


Audio Eden

Audio Eden’s stellar system was also connected with Nordost’s Supreme Reference Odin 2 cables.


Corby’s Audio

Reference Valhalla 2 cables completed the system in the Corby’s Audio room.

Nordost at Toronto Audiofest

Come and see Nordost at the Toronto Audiofest! Please join us, October 18th – 20th, at The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel. Throughout the show, our sales representatives and product specialists, Atma Maraj and Michael Taylor, will be in the Nordost room (437) performing live demonstrations featuring our new introductory line of audio cables, Leif 3! This is the Canadian debut of our Leif 3 cables, which include our White Lightning 3, Purple Flare 3, Blue Heaven 3, and Red Dawn 3 cables. 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 437 will also feature components from Moon by Simaudio and loudspeakers from Audio Vector

But Room 437 is not the only place you can experience Nordost products at TAF… Here is a list of all the rooms that will be featuring Nordost in their systems: 

Room 437 – Nordost

Room 439 – Executive Stereo

Easton – Audio by Mark Jones

Bristol A – Corby’s Audio

Carlton – Corby’s Audio 

Room 219 – Audio Eden

Room 321 – Altitudo Audio

Room 356 – Sonic Artistry


Toronto Audiofest

October 18th – 20th

The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel

950 Dixon Rd, Toronto, Canada

www.audiofest.ca/toronto

Upcoming Dealer Events and Trade Shows (Fall 2024)


NUTS ABOUT HI-FI EVENT

September 27 @ 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm

NUTS ABOUT HI-FI EVENT

Nuts About HiFi 9960 Silverdale Way #3, Silverdale


DUTCH AUDIO EVENT

October 5 – October 6

DUTCH AUDIO EVENT

Koningshof Hotel, Veldhoven


TORONTO AUDIOFEST

October 18 – October 20

TORONTO AUDIOFEST

The Westin Toronto Airport Hotel Toronto

Come Visit Nordost in Room 437 (The Westin)

“The Toronto Audiofest is made available to audio companies who believe that supporting the audio industry and its community, including the many enthusiasts who come to attend shows, is important to the industry’s development and overall vitality.These shows represent the only way dealers and manufacturers can meet so many audio enthusiasts face-to-face in one place, people who have come to see, hear, and shop hundreds of brands and products in a festive, quality environment that can’t be found anywhere else, and to share their findings with others.”


TOO LOUD FEST

October 19 – October 20

TOO LOUD FEST

Double Tree by Hilton, Zagreb

We invite you to the biggest music and video event of the year in Croatia. Enjoy the best sound and images, listen to your favorite music, attend world premieres, musical performances, workshops and presentations.


AUDIO VISION SAN FRANCISCO – 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

October 25 – October 27

AUDIO VISION SAN FRANCISCO – 25TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT

Audio Vision San Francisco 1628 California Street, San Francisco


AUDIO VIDEO SHOW 2024

October 25 – October 27

AUDIO VIDEO SHOW

PGE Narodowy

Audio Video Show is an exhibition of audiovideo and home cinema equipment, which will have its twenty-sixth edition in 2024. With 2,000 square meters of exhibition, it is the second largest event of this type in Europe.

Audio Video Show is the only place where you can personally listen and objectively compare so many excellent devices from virtually all price levels. In one place, without seller pressure, without asking, without obligations. It is also a unique opportunity to learn about the capabilities of the most expensive devices from around the world, many of which were imported to Poland only for the duration of the exhibition.


3mA SPOOKTACULAR AUDIO SHOW

October 26 @ 5:00 pm

3MA SPOOKTACULAR AUDIO SHOW

3mA 3502 W. Alabama St., Houston


HI-FILES SHOW

November 2 – November 3

HI-FILES SHOW

Holiday Inn, Belgrade

Since 2008 this show, organized by Hi-Files Magazine, has featured distributors and manufacturers of hi-fi equipment from Serbia, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, and North Macedonia.


AUDIO CONCEPTS – A MUSICAL MORNING WITH NORDOST

November 2 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

AUDIOCONCEPTS EVENT – A MUSICAL MORNING WITH NORDOST

AudioConcepts 11661 Preston Rd, Suite 280, Dallas


EGLANTIER HIFI NORDOST EVENT

November 7

EGLANTIER NORDOST EVENT


HIFI SOLUTIONS NORDOST EVENT

November 8

HIFI SOLUTIONS NORDOST EVENT


CAPITAL AUDIOFEST

November 8 – November 10

CAPITAL AUDIOFEST

The Hilton Rockville 1750 Rockville Pike, Rockville

Come Visit Nordost in Room: 757


Nordost at the 2024 Hong Kong AV Show

For the past 21 years, Audiotechnique has organized and hosted an annual HiFi Show in Hong Kong. Last month, it was showtime once again! During the show, Nordost was featured in one of the largest rooms at the show, Room 421. This has been Nordost’s homebase at the Hong Kong AV Show since we began our partnership with Radar Audio, our premium HiFi distributor in Hong Kong and China, led by the friendly and dynamic Michael Wong. 

Given the spacious room, Radar Audio made expert use of the space by setting up three dedicated systems. Each system was given a 30-minute slot, two presenters from Radar Audio, and a special manufacturer representative in order to impress attendees. Due to language constraints and the fact that the Hong Kong/China audience is more interested in the sound quality rather than lengthy explanations of technical solutions, we kept our speech to a minimum and focused on letting the music speak for itself. This approach has proven to be very effective in maximizing the exposure of all the manufacturers’ products, with a lot of music played.

This year, Nordost’s system featured a combination of MSB Technology for digital front-end and amplification, Vertere Acoustics for the analog front-end, and British speaker manufacturer Kudos to bring the air into motion. Everything was wired with Nordost cables, of course, using predominantly Odin 2, and Valhalla 2, with a few precious positions connected with Odin Gold. All power for the system was routed through our latest reference AC distribution unit, the QBASE Reference. Its unique, filterless technology ensured there was no loss of energy, which was crucial given the size of the room. Every ounce of power was essential for maintaining control while filling the vast volume of air with high-end performance music.

Over the three-day duration of the show, the Radar Audio crew remained attentive, helpful, and on their toes throughout the long hours. For instance, when a visitor became a bit too eager to appreciate the build quality of an Odin Gold power cord, which was securely fastened to a display box, the frame of the box was accidentally damaged. The Radar team responded with, “No problem,” and by the next morning, the box was sturdier than ever, with no visible signs of the damage. Professionalism at its best!

Leaving the Hong Kong show is always bittersweet, as working with the Radar Audio crew is such a pleasure. However, the show will return in 2025. Less than a year to go, and of course, Nordost will be there!

Upcoming Dealer Events (Summer 2024)


MSB Cascade DAC Event at Audio Video Integration

AVi proudly introduces the brand new MSB Cascade DAC to the United States for one week only.

From Monday June 10th through Saturday June 15th.

Special event with Nordost: Thursday June 13th

Reservations strongly recommended:  RSVP HERE

10am – 5pm

Audio Video Integration

647 Francisco Blvd E

San Rafael, CA

94901


Entertainment Technology Open House 

6/20/24

6pm-10pm

Invite Only

Reach out to store for invite: (914) 242-8881

Entertainment Technology

309 N Bedford Rd.

Mt Kisko, NY 10549

www.etaudiovideo.com


Nuts About Hi-Fi Event

June 21, 2024

3:00pm – 7:00pm

9960 Silverdale Way #3
Silverdale, WA 98383

www.nutsabouthifi.com


Audio Vision San Francisco – 25th Anniversary Event

Oct 25 – 27th

7:00pm – 11:00pm

Audio Vision San Francisco

1628 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94109

www.audiovisionsf.com