Valhalla 2 USB Cable
The Valhalla 2 USB 2.0 is revolutionary in terms of USB cable design. For the first time, Nordost is introducing a flat, twin-axial geometry to its USB cables. This innovative layout allows the two signal wires to run parallel, compared to the standard twisted-pair configuration, shortening the signal path and drastically increasing transfer speeds. Another advantage to a twin-axial design is the ability to separate the power (positive) and ground (negative) legs of the cable, isolating them from signal and each other, minimizing the effects of harmful interference. The Valhalla 2 USB 2.0 then goes one step further, taking the precaution of isolating the signal conductors, by covering each power leg with a finely-braided, silver shield, as well as enclosing both signal conductors in their own braided, silver shields. Each shield is connected to the metal plated backshell, completely ridding the cable of any EMI or RFI and eliminating noise.
In addition to these advances, the Valhalla 2 USB 2.0 still uses all of the main technologies and design structures that Nordost has built its reputation upon. The V2 USB 2.0 is constructed using four, 19 AWG solid core, silver-plated copper conductors. Each conductor, both power and signal, is suspended in Nordost’s proprietary Dual Mono-Filament technology, increasing the dielectric and mechanical damping, while maintaining the overall flexibility of the cable. It also takes advantage of Nordost’s unique, mechanically tuned lengths, reducing internal microphonics and high-frequency impedance resonance.
Of course, as with all of our Valhalla 2 cables, the V2 USB is completed with a HOLO:PLUG® connector. Nordost purpose-built this fully shielded, low mass USB connector to ensure that there is no loss of signal transfer from the cable to the connectors themselves. The Valhalla 2 USB 2.0 is the only solution on the market capable of elevating digital streaming, attaining true, reference-quality results.
Lengths over 3m available: £1,495 per additional meter
Valhalla 2 - Reference Cables
Valhalla 2 is Nordost’s Reference range of high performance audio cables. These exemplary products benefit from three decades of research and development, resulting in cutting edge production techniques and technological innovations.
Like all Nordost cables, Valhalla 2 starts with a strong foundation: silver-plated, OFC solid core conductors, extruded FEP insulation, a mechanically tuned construction, and asymmetrical grounding. However, that is just the beginning. The advances made from that jumping-point are astounding.
V2 cables use Dual Mono-Filament technology, Nordost’s patented process of separating the conductor from its FEP insulation. During production, each conductor is intricately and uniformly wrapped in a twisted pair of FEP Mono-Filament, before being encased in an extruded layer of high quality FEP. This intricate process allows every conductor to be surrounded by its own air dielectric, which is directly responsible for the dramatic increase of signal speeds and excellent mechanical damping of the cable. This technology, along with innovative, proprietary HOLO:PLUG® connectors, designed to be the best possible interface between the cable and component, propels the capabilities of our reference range to previously unattainable levels.
USB Cables
Computer audio can finally compete with analog systems thanks to Nordost’s range of USB cables. These USB cables provide the solution you need to achieve the superb sound staging, wide dynamic range, precise timing, and emotion you have been looking for in computer audio. With a wide variety of both termination possibilities and standards, Nordost’s USB selection has you covered for virtually any component in the hifi industry that requires a USB connection. Only Nordost’s, high-speed, low-loss cables will ensure that all the necessary information will be delivered with the efficiency and diligence needed to maintain the correct impedance, dramatically lifting your hifi system to a new level of performance.
Awards & Reviews
You can read more reviews of Valhalla 2 cables here.
Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Specifications
Insulation: Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP)
Construction: Mechanically tuned length, Dual Mono-Filament, Flat, Twin-axial design, with individually shielded power and signal conductors
Conductors: 4 x 19 AWG
Material: Silver plated 99.999999% OFC Solid Core Conductors
Overall Shield Coverage: 100% Total coverage, dual-layer silver foil and braid, with full metal HOLO:PLUG® backshell
Velocity of Propagation: 90%
Termination: Gold plated HOLO:PLUG® Type A or B USB 2.0
… in so many ways, what I heard from the Valhalla 2 USB mirrors my reaction to hearing Nordost Odin cables … for the first time: the sense that I was not just hearing more of the music -- the finest details and the largest master strokes, all expertly integrated into the soundscape -- but less of a fine background scrim that I only noticed it once it was gone.
Marc Mickelson, The Audio Beat
