I think what they are referring to when they say "garden earth" is connecting the Qbase to a grounding rod (driven deep into the soil, earth, garden or dirt) just outside of your home. I use a # 8 grounding wire run from my Qbase to a grounding rod driven 6 feet deep just outside my home. Nordost now recommends using their new Qkore grounding system which (in my case) will take the place of the ground wire and rod. My retailer has offered me a demo unit to try and swears it makes a sonic improvement over no ground connected or ground wire and rod connected. I will be auditioning the Qkore soon and will report my findings.....Also I tried plugging my Simaudio 870a amp into the Qbase but it didn't sound nearly as good as plugging it directly into the wall outlet.....@tecknik I recently upgraded the stock fuse in my amp to the SR blue fuse and noticed a sonic improvement and also wondered if replacing the stock fuse in the Qbase would yield the same results. I might just try it since SR offers a 30 day guarantee.
Nordost QB8
QB8 owners:
What configuration do you use when plugging your gear into the QB8?
I've got good results in the following order, starting from the end of the QB8 where the mains power cable plugs into the QB8:
1) Meridian MS600 streaming endpoint/DAC
2) empty
3) empty
4) Primary Earth Socket - Simaudio P8 pre-amp
5) Simaudio W8 amp
6) empty
7) empty
8) Simaudio 650D Transport/DAC
What configuration do you use when plugging your gear into the QB8?
I've got good results in the following order, starting from the end of the QB8 where the mains power cable plugs into the QB8:
1) Meridian MS600 streaming endpoint/DAC
2) empty
3) empty
4) Primary Earth Socket - Simaudio P8 pre-amp
5) Simaudio W8 amp
6) empty
7) empty
8) Simaudio 650D Transport/DAC