Congrats!! Keen to see how it looks with your zmf!
Impressions from some listening so far are below. Photos to come soon!
I am already the proud owner of a Norne Audio Drausk, the Norne top-of-the-line pure copper cable, which I love. I currently use the Drausk with a ZMF Auteur, which is a phenomenal combination.
It was an easy choice to return to Trevor and Norne Audio for my next high-end cable purchase, this time to complement my ZMF Eikon- though of course I can use either cable with either headphone.
This time Trevor was allowing discounted pre-orders of the Vygarde, his mid-range silver/copper fusion cable. I put in my order, and as communicated up front, he built my cable once materials arrived in early June.
As before, the Norne cable arrived meticulously pacakaged in a branded box, inside which was a nice zipper pouch with the Norne logo, inside which was a branded anti-static bag with the Vygarde.
The cable is immaculately made, with gorgeous sleeving, the customary (and cool) Norne splitter and top-notch Eidolic connectors. I ordered my Vygarde with black sleeves with a copper tracer, with a copper/black splitter and gunmetal connectors. I can’t imagine a sleeved cable looking or handling/feeling any better, frankly. The braiding is precise and excellent, and the cable is completely non-microphonic.
The sound has a distinct clarity and phenomenal range- the deepest bass and extended treble is very evident. The first image that comes to mind is clear, flowing water.
While the Drausk’s calling card is an exceptional sense of organic presence, the Vygarde seems to be defined by incredible clarity and exceptional micro-details. Acoustic guitars have simply a lifelike body, with the texture of the strings and their vibrations resonates as if they were feet away (I am currently listening to The Mountain Goats’ “Tallahassee” album).
Yet the “organic” sound is not missing, either- listening to Tori Amos’ “The Beekeeper”, voices singing in harmony are easily placed in space and separated with air between them. Drums and bass guitar have substantial drive and PRaT, as well as nice punch.
It is frankly going to be hard to crown a favorite between the Drausk and the Vygarde, as they both bring substantial virtues to any musical party. The Vygarde leads the contest in clarity and definition, and skews towards absolute neutral. The Drausk casts a slightly warmer glow on the stage, more like hearing a performer at your favorite pub, as opposed to the fave concert hall the Vygarde depicts.
Fortunately, I now own and love both cables, so I can match the “venue” as needed. Thanks Trevor!
(For the record, the amp I’m using is a Woo Audio WA2 OTL tube amp, fed by a Schiit Audio Gungnir multi-bit DAC as the source.)