January 26, 2013

  • Nordost Frey 2, Part 2

    The audiophiles are lapping up the fact that Nordost named a line after the Eagles' Glenn Frey.  Currently, Nordost are on their second series, "Frey 2."  But what about the Eagles' second album, Desperado?  Turns out, it was released not quite 40 years ago, in the spring of 1973.

    The Frey 2 speaker cable uses black and purple heatshrink wrap.  Most people will designate black as negative.  Both halves are identical, so it's up to you, which way to use them.

    Desperado really has only two songs people care to listen to: the title track and "Tequila Sunrise."  The Frey 2 has two legs, each with 11 conductors.  Because of the Frey 2's clear Teflon, my camera's flash had a hard time not creating glare.  But you can see the spiral lead, wrapped around each of the conductors.

    The Frey 2 is very susceptible to the electromagnetic fields near the carpet.  So please prop the Frey 2 off the ground.

    While Don Henley obviously sings lead on "Desperado," it's actually Glenn Frey who sings lead on "Tequila Sunrise."  Because of the Frey 2's light weight, it dangles easily from speakers, causes no strain.  Hooray!  That is in stark contrast to weighty cables such as the Cardas Clear Beyond, and MIT's Magnum and Oracle series.

    The Frey 2 speaker cable isn't cheap.  A new pair will set you back $1800 for termination, plus $500 per stereo meter.  Sorry, I no longer have the Valhalla bi-wire jumper.  But after 4.5 days on the Cooker, the Frey 2 has no treble -- a clear indication of over-Cooking.  Sorry, I have to return the Frey 2 to its owner.  Therefore, I am not able to tell you how the Cooked Frey 2 performs, after it has been given enough regular playing time to settle down and reach its true potential.