NORDOST VALHALLA 2 Speaker Cables Instruction Manual
- June 12, 2024
- NORDOST
Table of Contents
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
VALHALLA 2
VALHALLA 2 Speaker Cables
Congratulations on your Valhalla 2 purchase. Valhalla 2 is the
result of over a decade of dedicated research and development, culminating in
a cable range that will raise your sound system to new levels of musical
fidelity. Although the Valhalla 2 range shares a name with its predecessor,
Nerdist’s original Valhalla range, the cutting edge production techniques, and
technological innovations used to design and manufacture Valhalla 2 have set
an entirely new standard for performance.
V2 cables remain true to the Nerdist design philosophy. Nearly the entire
range uses silver-plated, OFC solid core conductors, extruded FEP insulation,
a mechanically tuned construction, and asymmetrical grounding. However, the
advances made from that jumping-point are astounding.
Two additional, ground-breaking improvements introduced to the Valhalla 2
range are Dual Mono Filament technology and an innovative, proprietary
connector called the HOLO:PLUG®, designed to be the best possible interface
between the cable and component. The combination of these two technologies
allows Nordost products to perfectly match our philosophy of low mass design,
optimal signal transfer and perfect impedance matching. Valhalla 2 cables
transport listeners into a live listening experience, imparting a 3D image to
the musical performance that seems almost impossible.
This instruction manual will give you the information you need to ensure that
you are using your Valhalla 2 cables as they were intended— elevating the
performance of your cables as well as your sound system as a whole.
Please make sure that your Valhalla 2 Reference Cables are registered with
Nordost by filling out and returning the supplied Warranty Card at the back of
this manual or by filling out the Product Registration form on our website.
Once we have received the registration, your Valhalla 2 cable is guaranteed a
lifetime warranty.
BURNING-IN YOUR CABLES
During the manufacturing process, as insulation is extruded over conductors,
gases can become trapped. This combined with the high electrical charges often
found in new cables, can result in a brittle and bright sound. In order to
solve this problem, and yield the best results possible from your Valhalla 2
cables, it is important let your cables to burn-in.
You must allow a minimum of 150 hours of burn-in time to occur before
expecting to hear the true benefits of your new cable purchase. However, the
best way to burn-in a set of Valhalla 2 is to bring your cables to your local
Nordost dealer for a VIDAR treatment. Once the VIDAR begins running current
through cables, the trapped gases are dissipated and small impurities in the
conductors’ metal begin to act like a diode, favoring current flow in a
particular direction. By using extremely wide bandwidth signal as well as a
range of both ultra-low and high frequency sweeps, the VIDAR stresses the
conductors, neutralizes charges, improves the way that signals pass through
metal, and ultrasonically conditions the surface of the conductors. The
changes made in both the conductor and insulation material refine the
performance of your audio cable. 
While it is most important to
implement burn-in upon purchase, there is something to be gained from routine
maintenance as well. If cables are left unused for a prolonged period of time
they become stagnant. And even through everyday cable use, electrical
equipment experiences current leakage, imparting a charge onto your cables. By
having your cables treated with the VIDAR, you are conditioning them and
allowing the charges to neutralize once again.
However, if you do not have access to a VIDAR, Nordost offers the System
Solution: Set-Up & Tuning Discs, which includes system burnin and degauss
tracks that allow you to condition your cables on your own. This two disc set
also offers an extensive range of proven diagnostic tracks that help with
speaker placement and sub-woofer integration, performance checks and
assessment, and problem location.
POWER CORDS
The
Valhalla 2 Power Cord is the most critical cable in your loom. It will ensure
the optimum transfer of AC power, free from the harmful effects of
electromagnetic interference and radio frequencies, needed to seamlessly run
your sound system. Please ensure that the IEC end of the power cord is fitted
firmly into the IEC receptacle. Then plug the power connector into the wall
socket, or into the your QRT power product. When placing or changing out
Valhalla 2 Power Cords, please be aware that the connectors used on all of our
power cords are capable of marking the surface of equipment or furniture if
dropped, so careful handling is recommended.
An increasing amount of hifi audio components require the use of IEC C-19
input connectors. For this reason Nordost provides this upgraded option in
both our Valhalla 2 Power Cords and our QB8Mark II power distribution units.
INTERCONNECTS
Valhalla 2 Interconnects are terminated with color-coded RCA and XLR
connectors. The connector that shows “HOLO:PLUG” engraved in black should be
connected to the black connection (left channel) on the rear of your
component. The connector that shows “HOLO:PLUG” engraved in red should be
connected to the red connection (right channel) on the rear of your component.
All Nordost cables are directional. To ensure the highest quality sound, the
directional arrows shown on the wooden blocks should point in the direction of
the signal. Example: On the interconnect placed between a CD player and an
amplifier, the arrows should point towards the amplifier.
It is important to note cable geometry of Valhalla 2 RCA and XLR Interconnects
is specifically constructed for each termination. Due to the distinct design
difference between these two cables, determination from one variety to the
other is not available.
LOUDSPEAKER / BI-WIRE JUMPER CABLES
Valhalla 2 Loudspeaker Cables are terminated with Nordost’s own gold-plated
HOLO:PLUG® spade and Nordost low-mass Z plug Banana connectors. When
installing Valhalla 2 Loudspeaker Cables into your system, do as follows:
Attach the connector wrapped in black (–) to the black terminal on both the
power amplifier and loudspeaker. Attach the connector wrapped in red (+) to
the red terminal on the power amplifier and loudspeaker. All Nordost cables
are directional. To ensure the highest quality sound, the connectors marked
with directional arrows must point towards the loudspeaker.
Valhalla 2 Loudspeaker Cables are only available in shotgun configuration. If
you should have equipment that requires either biwire or bi-amp connections,
invest in Valhalla 2 Bi-Wire Jumpers. Valhalla 2 Bi-Wire Jumpers are an exact
extension of Nordost’s Reference Loudspeaker Cables, ensuring a consistent
sonic signature throughout your system.
TONEARM CABLE +
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CONNECTING
Connect the DIN / RCA / XLR connectors to the outputs on your turntable and inputs on your phono-stage. For RCA and XLR configurations, the red wire denotes right channel, and the black wire denotes left channel.
Please note that Nordost tonearm cables are directional. To correctly orient your cable, make sure that any arrows found on the breakout barrels are pointing towards your phono-stage.
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GROUNDING
If you are experiencing any noise (hum) while listening to your turntable set- up, you are most likely suffering from a ground loop. In order to eliminate this problem, you must address the grounding between your turntable and phono- stage. Most turntables and phono-stages are equipped with ground screws on their chassis. Connect the Bond Ground Wire (the wire terminated with spade connectors that is permanently attached to the tonearm cable) to the ground screws on both your turntable and your phono-stage. This connection will bond the two chassis together, creating a secure, low noise connection between the two components.
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ADDITIONAL / SHIELD GROUNDING
When needed, ‘Detchable Ground Wires’ can be inserted into the cable’s breakout barrels, allowing you to use the cable’s shield as an additional ground loop prevention.
Each unique system has its own ideal grounding configuration. You’ll need to figure out what works best for your system through experimentation…
First, play some music without any of the Detachable Ground Wires attached and
see how it sounds.
Then, try inserting one of the Detachable Ground Wires to your cable on the
end closest to the turntable. Connect the spade of the Detachable Ground Wire
to the ground post on your turntable.
Next, if you have a ground option on the phono-stage end, disconnect the
Detachable Ground Wire from the turntable end of the tonearm cable, and insert
it into the phono-stage end instead. Connect the spade of the Detachable
Ground Wire to the phono stage ground, and listen again.
Finally, if applicable, insert both Detachable Ground Wires to the two ends of
your cable, connect them to ground on the turntable and the phono stage, and
listen one last time.
Based on your findings, configure whichever set-up had the least
noise.
IMPORTANCE OF A FULL LOOM
Valhalla 2 will transform your hifi system. Music lovers who wire their
systems entirely with these Reference Cables will not only achieve the
performance they have been searching for, but will discover results they never
imagined were possible. Using Valhalla 2, you will finally find yourself
immersed in a complete and pure musical experience.
However, if a full loom of Valhalla 2 is not an immediate possibility, you can
make your upgrade in stages. If any of your components are of a higher quality
than others in your system, it is best to service those components by
upgrading their cables first. However, for systems with components of equal
quality, Nordost has provided you with a comprehensive framework to help
prioritize your system upgrade. First, identify the most important cable in
your system — the power cord coming out of the wall, feeding your QB8
distribution block — and continue by following the diagram below…
( Note: Every system is unique. There is always a chance you may benefit
from deviating from this guide.)
CABLES LISTED IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE
Cable Type …………………………………..
Serial Number ……………………………..
Termination …………………………………
Length …………………………………………
To qualify for the limited lifetime warranty on your Nordost cable, original
purchasers should fill out and return the card to the right or register the
product at: www.nordost.com/product-registration.php
VALHALLA 2
Warranty Registration Card
Please complete and return this Warranty Registration Card within 30 days of
purchase together with proof of purchase to:
Nordost, 93 Bartzak Drive,
Holliston MA 01746, USA
Warranty Registration Cards can also be scanned and emailed to
info@nordost.com or faxed to +1 508 893 0115
Name…………………………………
Address……………………………………
Postal Code ……………………………..
Country …………………………………
Tel no. ………………………………………
Email ……………………………………….
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Cable Type ………………………………….
Serial Number ………………………………
Termination ………………………………
Length ………………………………………..
Date of Purchase ………………………..
Dealer Name………………………………
Country ……………………………………..
Nordost 93 Bartzak Drive Holliston MA 01746 USA
Email: info@nordost.com
Website: www.nordost.com
JUL 2022