One purely practical note on the Nordost Tyr 2 umbilical concerns the connectors. The first generation CH umbilicals were fitted with short body connectors and these always proved fiddly to align with the multi-pin sockets and the threads on the locking collars always seemed stiff, rough and reluctant to engage. The company changed to the longer bodied, more cylindrical plug they now use and these were a considerable improvement, with more positive location and smoother threads. As noted above, the plugs fitted to the Nordost umbilicals look identical to those that CH originally used. However, in practice they seem noticeably easier to locate and the threads engage immediately and turn even more smoothly than the long-body connectors. It’s a small thing and you’ll only notice it when connecting or disconnecting the umbilicals, but with multiple units to connect and disconnect through the course of this review, it was a nicety that was extremely welcome.
Test rig was a D1.5 CD/SACD Transport, C1 DAC and L1 line-stage, all paired with dedicated X1 power supplies. Amp was the M1.1 and speakers a pair of Stenheim Alumine 5s. The rest of the cables were all Nordost Odin 2, so that places the umbilicals in the optimum system situation (although using them in non-Nordost cabled systems proved just as effective). By using dual output X1s, I was able to connect both a standard and a Nordost umbilical to each X1, allowing me to swap umbilicals at the head unit only, cutting the number of connections required to swap them by half – and making those swaps considerably easier and quicker into the bargain. I also used the Nordost umbilicals in other systems, with the P1 and the D1.5 used as a standalone player. Results across the different systems were remarkably consistent, so let’s take each of the head units in turn, starting with the D1.5…
Whether as a standalone player, or used as a transport in a multi-box CH digital front-end, alongside the C1 DAC and T1 Time reference clock, the difference that results from adding the Tyr 2 umbilical between the D1.5 and X1 is difficult to credit. Although I listened long and with a huge variety of material, I’m going to stick to a single example for the sake of comparison – the Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Beethoven 1st Piano Concerto(with Giulini and the Wiener Symphoniker – the standard DGG CD, 289449 757-2) partly because I know it inside out and partly because this beautifully gauged live performance showcases the Nordost’s attributes perfectly. With the Tyr 2 umbilical in place, the sonic shift was as obvious as it was immediately apparent. As the mics come up, the acoustic is bigger, with greater depth and presence and a blacker background. The rustling of the audience is more distinct and identifiable. The bass goes deeper and with significantly greater weight and power. How much deeper and weightier? Enough to make it necessary to nudge the speakers forward around 5mm in order to restore the pace and timing in the piece and take advantage of the potent increase in low-frequency output. There’s more presence, body, energy and sense of ‘bowing’ in the strings and greater musical purpose to the performance. And when the piano enters its sound is impressively dimensional, crisp and definite, the playing poised and positive.
