Digital signal transfer is an exacting task that benefi ts from
all the considerations that affect analog signals, but with the
added concern of precisely defi ned termination standards.
Correct digital data transmission demands purpose built cable
solutions with dedicated conductors and impedance-matched
termination. The 75 Ohm S/PDIF transfer standard requires a
single, co-axial conductor, using properly confi gured 75 Ohm
connectors in order to avoid serious signal degradation.
The Odin 75 Ohm digital lead employs a unique, massively
oversized Dual Micro Mono-Filament construction, wrapped
in a Total Signal Control (TSC), “virtual solid” shield, ensuring
the superb geometrical accuracy demanded by a constant
impedance conductor, combined with fl exibility and the
complete shielding delivered by a tubular shield construction.
The choice of Silver NextGen RCA or Furatech Rhodium
BNC connectors ensures that the supremely accurate
transmission performance of the cable isn’t compromised by
its termination, delivering digital data integrity to match the
analog performance of the other Odin cables.
Like 75 Ohm S/PDIF data transfer, the AES/EBU balanced digital
transmission standard depends on closely controlled impedance
parameters to achieve its stated performance. That requires a
separate cable construction, dedicated to balanced mode data
connection, built around industry standard XLR plugs.
The Odin 110 Ohm digital lead corresponds precisely to the
AES/EBU standard, two purpose built Total Signal Control
(TSC) tubes delivering “virtual solid” shielding to the Dual
Micro Mono-Filament, silver-plated solid-core conductors.
The twisted construction and FEP insulation keep the
cable conveniently fl exible whilst guaranteeing superior
dielectric performance and geometrical consistency. Two
independent earth wires maintain the integrity of the
balanced grounding confi guration, ensuring common mode
rejection of spurious noise, while the professional grade
XLR connectors maintain constant impedance across the
cable termination, maintaining the Odin’s accuracy in this
demanding and critical application.

The tiny signal levels produced by today’s high-quality
phono cartridges (often with an output around 1000 times
smaller than a typical CD player) require special handling if
their superb but fragile musical qualities are not to suffer
irreparable damage. The capacitance of the leads used
to transfer these signals is particularly critical, requiring a
dedicated cable solution if the full majesty of what remains
the high-end two-channel source of choice for many
listeners, is to deliver its full, musical potential. After all, why
go to so much effort reading every last squiggle in an LP’s
grooves if you are just going to lose that information in your
tonearm wiring?
The Odin Tonearm Lead employs four of Nordost’s Total
Signal Control (TSC) tubes, wrapped round a dedicated
earth wire. Specifi cally dimensioned for optimum
performance with low signal levels, the silver-plated solidcore
conductors are suspended in a Dual Micro Mono-
Filament FEP helix, creating a virtual-air dielectric for minimal
signal loss, while the TSC shielding provides the best possible
protection from external interference in an increasingly RF
polluted environment. And don’t just assume that because
your tonearm is fi tted with RCA output sockets that a
conventional interconnect will be acceptable. This close to
the front of the signal chain, any compromise is massively
magnifi ed, and using anything other than a dedicated
tonearm lead between your record player and phono-stage
is exactly that – a serious compromise.
With so many different connection options available on topof-
the-line tonearms, the Odin Tonearm Lead is available in
a wide variety of terminations and confi gurations. Standard
options include straight and right-angled entry IEJ type
5-pin connectors and WBT Silver NextGen RCA plugs, while
the connections to the phono-stage are also via WBT Silver
NextGens. Balanced confi guration and other tonearm
terminations are available to special order depending on
connector availability. The leads are supplied as 1.25m
lengths as standard, but other lengths can also be ordered.