Is it REALLY worth it?

halo71

I realize good speaker cables make a difference. But damn $3000 for a pair of Nordost Valhalla cables? :eek:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ele/1526333485.html

hearingimpared

On a high end system, yes. A person who's ears I trust has them in his rig and it is a very high end rig.

madmax

I tried some similar ones and yeah, totally worth it. Not sure exactly which ones I tried, picked up for a friend and he let me audition them for a week.
madmax

dorokusai

Nope.

inspiredsports

Two 1.5 meter chunks = 10' total; that's $300 per foot!

I guess $1,000 per meter sounds even more expensive.

Pycroft

I vote No.

inspiredsports

xcapri79 wrote: »

Better value than the NY Jets vs Indianapolis Colts game this afternoon.:eek:

Yeah, the .500 Jets were rollin' right along. Staying undefeated is always a tough gig.

jm1

Yes, they are worth it if you have component of equivalent calibre.

madmax wrote: »

I tried some similar ones and yeah, totally worth it. Not sure exactly which ones I tried, picked up for a friend and he let me audition them for a week.
madmax

They were Nordost's Frey speaker cables.

Knucklehead

xcapri79 wrote: »

Especially when you throw a game like they did.
To pay to watch that farce of a game wasn't worth it.

Thats absurd.

hearingimpared

jm1 wrote: »

Yes, they are worth it if you have component of equivalent calibre.



They were Nordost's Frey speaker cables.

I was hoping you would chime in John. You were who I was referring to in my earlier post.

halo71

xcapri79 wrote: »

Other than their cost, what is so special about Nordost Valhalla cables?
What sort of a system would justify such cables?
Love to see a photo of such a system.

No disrespect to you, but as in my case. If you have to ask, ya can't afford it! I would imagine a system like that dude built with the 16 subs built into the floor and speakers everywhere in the room. And stack of amps sitting all over would be a system that would benefit from these cables. I can't find the link to it now.

inspiredsports

halo71 wrote: »

No disrespect to you, but as in my case. If you have to ask, ya can't afford it! I would imagine a system like that dude built with the 16 subs built into the floor and speakers everywhere in the room. And stack of amps sitting all over would be a system that would benefit from these cables. I can't find the link to it now.

Do you really think so? All that gear in one room is more trailer park than chic.

I'm thinking more along the lines of minimalist; source, preamp, 2 mono-blocks and 2 speakers in the 30-40K range

snow

xcapri79 wrote: »

Did you watch it? The fans booed their previously undefeated team for throwing the game.
It was sad. Hope it was worth it.


http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Caldwell-s-questionable-decision-leads-to-Colts-?urn=nfl,210917

Other than their cost, what is so special about Nordost Valhalla cables?
What sort of a system would justify such cables?
Love to see a photo of such a system.

Just because you dont have a system that justifies 3k speaker cables doesnt mean that others dont. It is reccomended that you spend equally on amp pre source and cables why is it so hard to believe that a lot of people have 3k or more invested in cables? and systems deserving such expense? If you want pics go to audiogon and look at systems costing hundred of thousands or more.



REGARDS SNOW

halo71

inspiredsports wrote: »

Do you really think so? I'm thinking more along the lines of minimalist; source, preamp, 2 mono-blocks and 2 speakers in the 30-40K range

I am sure systems as you describe would probably benefit as well. Noob question to ask I guess. Like asking if a $10k tube power amp is any better than my old Onkyo Integra. Prices of some things sometimes shock me.

Snow, it's not hard to believe at all that people have this kind of money invested. I mean, what would make these cables any better than a $500 set. Or any less better than a $10k set. Honest question really.

Face

My local hi end shop uses those cables with a pair of Dynaudio Sapphires and all Ayre gear.

inspiredsports

It's really hard to rationalize with mortgage payments, car notes, tuition, power bills, etc. but a $10K McIntosh MC2000 tube amplifier is one really worth a listen. I'm not there yet, but one day there will be one with a big red bow on it under my Christmas tree!

In my humble opinion, this amp deserves any fancy speaker cable you can attach to it.

jm1

halo71 wrote: »

Snow, it's not hard to believe at all that people have this kind of money invested. I mean, what would make these cables any better than a $500 set. Or any less better than a $10k set. Honest question really.

Scroll through their technology pages to see how they are constructed.

http://www.nordost.com/submenu.asp?MenuID=3

snow

xcapri79 wrote: »

You don't need to get upset.:eek: Just asking for an example photo.
When cables cost more than the list price of a pair of Polk's most expensive speakers, the LSi25's, it is a reasonable question.

Not upset

Polk speakers are very nice for the money involved but they are priced for everyone true hi end audio is a whole different ballgame their are people who own tube amps for example that a single tube cost more than a pair of LSi25's

Here is a pic for you and this is not near top of the heap.



REGARDS SNOW

desijatt

nope

would rather buy a buy a high quality audio system for that much money.

DarqueKnight

halo71 wrote: »

Is it REALLY worth it?

Is any expense in any hobby REALLY worth it?

BlueFox

There probably are better cables at a higher price, maybe even some equivalent cables at a slightly lower price. It all depends on the equipment being used.

F1nut

desijatt wrote: »

nope

would rather buy a buy a high quality audio system for that much money.

News flash.....cables are a part of any high quality audio system as much as the other gear.


For all of you that think $3K (used) is a lot, how about a pair of new 3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference Bi-Wires for $32K or a new 3M pair of MIT Oracle MA-X Bi-Wires for $38K. Makes $3K look like a bargain, eh!?!

desijatt

F1nut wrote: »

News flash.....cables are a part of any high quality audio system as much as the other gear.


For all of you that think $3K (used) is a lot, how about a pair of new 3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference Bi-Wires for $32K or a new 3M pair of MIT Oracle MA-X Bi-Wires for $38K. Makes $3K look like a bargain, eh!?!

for a person who is not a professional and just like to listin to music at home a system for $3000 is high quality.

DarqueKnight

F1nut wrote: »

For all of you that think $3K (used) is a lot, how about a pair of new 3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference Bi-Wires for $32K or a new 3M pair of MIT Oracle MA-X Bi-Wires for $38K. Makes $3K look like a bargain, eh!?!

I think it's great that there are cables that accomodate all lifestyles and budgets.

F1nut

Sorry, $3k is a drop in the bucket when talking about high end audio.

F1nut

DarqueKnight wrote: »

I think it's great that there are cables that accomodate all lifestyles and budgets.

Agreed. While I doubt that I'll ever own $38K speaker cables, I've got nothing against those that do, nor do I think it's waste of money.

DarqueKnight

desijatt wrote: »

for a person who is not a professional and just like to listin to music at home a system for $3000 is high quality.

For a person who is not a professional race car driver and just likes to drive around town is a Ferrari "too much" high quality or would a Ford Taurus be "just right" high quality?

DarqueKnight

F1nut wrote: »

Agreed. While I doubt that I'll ever own $38K speaker cables, I've got nothing against those that do, nor do I think it's waste of money.

Some Rolex watches cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, yet they don't tell time any better than a $20 Timex from Wal-mart. Would you care to speculate about how often folks get on the Internet and wonder if a Rolex is "really worth it" or "if you are not a professional time keeper, why would you need such an expensive time piece"?

ESavinon

halo71 wrote: »

i realize good speaker cables make a difference. But damn $3000 for a pair of nordost valhalla cables? :eek:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ele/1526333485.html

yes!

BlueFox

DarqueKnight wrote: »

Some Rolex watches cost in the tens of thousands of dollars, yet they don't tell time any better than a $20 Timex from Wal-mart. Would you care to speculate about how often folks get on the Internet and wonder if a Rolex is "really worth it" or "if you are not a professional time keeper, why would you need such an expensive time piece"?

I’m not sure if that is a good analogy or not. The Rolex is not so much about telling time as it is making a statement. 11:20 PM is 11:20 PM irrespective of the source.

On the other hand, audio can easily produce different results depending on the price. Audio can be about show, but I hope for most it is about results.

One ‘problem’ with this hobby is there are no absolutes, but, generally speaking, price does reflect a certain level. With a higher price, you usually get better components, better circuit design, better build, better appearance, better performance, or at least some combination.

Since performance improves as the price increases, it becomes the responsibility of the listener to determine the amount of performance needed, and budget accordingly. From my limited experience, once individual components start falling into the $1500 to $2500 dollar range the sound becomes extremely clear, and the slightest change in the system can produce audible effects.

DarqueKnight

BlueFox wrote: »

I’m not sure if that is a good analogy or not. The Rolex is not so much about telling time as it is making a statement. 11:20 PM is 11:20 PM irrespective of the source.

I think it is an excellent analogy. My point was that people spend large sums of money on watches, cars, etc. without question. If someone spends $3000 on speaker cables, eyebrows are raised.

A Rolex is not always about making a statement. Often, it is just an appropriate accessory used in conjunction with high quality, high cost clothing and other jewelry. A senior executive at a Wall Street investment bank might be required to wear clothes, shoes and accessories of the highest quality. In this case, the Rolex fits in with the $4,000 suit, $1000 shoes, $200 tie, $300 shirt, $8,000 cuff links, $15,000 gold and platinum bracelet and $20,000 pinky ring.