Improving a system that’s already been called “the best” is no easy feat—but we’re always up for the challenge. And this year, our efforts paid off!
We made several key updates to our system, including the strategic addition of a few Odin Gold Power Cords. These enhancements brought a welcome richness and presence to the sound. And as a result, we were honored with two Best in Show: Best Sound awards from The Absolute Sound’s Robert Harley and Andre Jennings, along with a close runner-up nod in the same category from Jonathan Valin. We also received fantastic coverage from Tracking Angle, Analog Planet, and TAS’ Jeff Wilson.
The Nordost room in Schaumburg F featured a world-class, reference-level system with Stenheim loudspeakers, components from VTL, dCS, and Grand Prix Audio—and of course, Nordost’s own audio cables, power components, and audio enhancers. The sound was described by Jonathan Valin as having a “uniformly rich, dense tone color; outstanding (and outstandingly well-controlled and articulated) bass; sweet treble that never shrieked (unlike many other rooms); and phenomenal dynamic range that brought these high-sensitivity transducers vividly to life.”
Beyond the incredible sound, there was plenty to see and hear in Schaumburg F. Showgoers enjoyed a full schedule of Nordost-hosted events, including:
Daily lunchtime jazz listening sessions featuring records from Newvelle Records
Abey Fonn, founder of Impex Records, presenting Patricia Barber’s Modern Cool fresh off the press
A lively “Flash DJ Session” with Qobuz’s David Solomon
An exclusive audio showcase of a test lacquer pressing of an upcoming piano release by VDM Sound Group
And the next best thing to attending in person: The Who: Live at Leeds!
But there was even more to experience from Nordost–not only in our own demonstration room, but also in the many other rooms throughout the show hosted by our partners and friends at CH Precision, Watson Audio, Morel Audio, JBL, Arcam, and Holm Audio.
Here are some of our favorite snapshots from AXPONA 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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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 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.
Our QBASE Reference has grabbed the attention of the press again! The most recent QB10 review comes from Jacob Heilbrunn of The Absolute Sound. After years of enjoying our QB8, Jacob was blown away by the QBASE Reference, particularly how the QB10 could achieve so much while remaining “invisible” in his system.
He noted, “With the insertion of the new QBase Reference, I heard an audible and immediate improvement in clarity, scale, bass extension, and detail.”
Beyond that, Jacob was also shocked by the extension in soundstage the QBASE Reference delivered–something that, in his opintion, no other device had come close to achieving.
You can now read Jacob’s review of the QBASE Reference in its entirety here:
We are happy to share another great review from The Absolute Sound, this time of our QSINE and QWAVE. After reviewing the QBASE Mark III, Neil Gader was introduced to our newer generation of QRT Plug-Ins and included them in an in-depth Equipment Report. From the start, he was impressed with how the QSINE and QWAVE worked together, citing “greater image stability and an increase in the clarity, detail, and pacing of musical instruments.” Neil also praised how these products enhanced the performance of the QBASE, further elevating overall listening experiences.
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!
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!
We’re excited to share our latest review, released last month in hi-fi+, featuring the QBASE Mark III AC distribution unit. Since reviewer Steve Dickinson does his listening in the UK, we provided him with our QB6, the six-outlet version of our QBASE. But for all music lovers located outside of the United Kingdom, its construction is identical to the QB8s available in the rest of the world! Once Steve was able to have some quality time with our QB6, he admitted that it would “be hard to get this much improvement for a similar outlay anywhere else.” He even got the chance to experiment with pairing his QBASE unit with our QRT Stand Mount, and Sort Kones, which proved to be a great upgrade. As he described, the combo “elevate[d] familiar recordings to the level of ‘newly-discovered’ all over again.”
“The Nordost QBASE QB6 Mark III builds on the considerable strengths of the units that went before it, bringing significant benefits to timing and the resolution of fine but musically important detail.” – Steve Dickinson, hi-fi+
Neil Gader has been a long-time supporter of our cables, so he was very interested in delving into the world of QRT with one of our new AC power distributors. In the most recent issue of The Absolute Sound, Neil Gader focused his attention on the QBASE Mark III. Throughout his listening sessions, he found the sonic results of the QBASE to be “immediate and consistent” when it comes to its revealing and resolving nature and was especially impressed by the timbral details and low-level information the QBASE provided.
Neil dubbed the QBASE Mark III an easy recommendation, calling it “restorative, bringing to light low-level details and micro-dynamic shifts that have been obscured”.
Today we want to share an incredibly strong review of our QNET Network Switch in StereoNET, penned by Mark Gusew. In his review, Mark not only praised the QNET, remarking that he heard improvements in almost every area, but also made the argument that digital upgrades are an unquestionable necessity – a fact that needs more attention in the hifi world!
Mark was incredibly impressed with our network switch, saying it was “the best product of its type that I’ve heard by a large margin”. So it’s no surprise that following his review, the QNET was awarded the StereoNET Applause Award!
“With Nordost’s new QNET in place, everything sounds smoother and more fluid; it’s better balanced with less harshness…giving the system greater dynamic expression.” – Mark Gusew, StereoNET
