Nordost Quantum Technology Products

Sorry - cannot help. my light is always on...but that is because i always leave it on.

Finally got my trade-in speakers! Expect to have the Nordost QX4 (part of the trade) after the New Year. will post.

That is good to know. I met Roy Gregory in London a few months back who is now with Nordost, and he suggested i try both ways...entire front end (not amp)...and directly in front of my DAC.

i will post upon hearing. Have elected to upgrade speakers so that is (fingers crossed) going to be done in a week or so...they arrive 22nd i am told. fingers crossed!! thanks for your advice.

FWIW, i have owned the Nordost Thor and am in the midst of upgrading to qx4 having heard it. the best way i can describe it is that certain passages within complex music suddenly become even more "understandable" and clear. For example, on certain ;arge orchesteral compositions, when i put the Thor into the system, i realized that parts of the orchestra were actually playing a sort of contrapuntal counterpart to the other part of the orchestra. Nor sure why, but before the Thor, I had never made the musical connection before despite listening for several months to the CD. There is something very clear, organized (and effortless) about the way the music is presented that I feel like it is easier to listen to all of the various complex passages at the same time and keep them all going without "bleeding" together with the Thor...and soon the qx4. One man's experience. hope it helps.

Hi Apshift,

Solid support is incredibly important. Tubed equipment, speakers, transports...to say nothing of turntables (which i dont own). Have you ever tried HRS products?...my word, they are incredible. Components dont vibrate, even upon knocking/tapping. and the sound is more solid...a shimmer you sometimes dont realize is there suddently stops. The image becomes still and more solid. Also, if you have tubes, i use the EAT tube damper...another winner for $19.

As for Qx4, it arrives tomorrow! i will post!

It arrived!!! In a word stunning. In more words...

(To me), the Nordost QX4 is not ostensibly about clarity, or soundstage, or detail, or even a lower noise floor...all of which could apply to this piece of equipment to a greater or lesser degree. I acknowledge that many of these terms DO apply to power conditioners (particularly the better ones).

(To me), the Nordost Qx4 takes whatever signal you are playing and makes it more like REAL MUSIC and less like well reproduced sound. Specifically,

- say you have 1 piano and 1 violin playing with a small orchestral ensemble in the background. Without the Qx4, you end up with 2 instruments playing clearly in the foreground with the orchestra in the background.

- WITH the Qx4, you suddenly realize (for the first time), that the piano and violin are actually playing off of each other...and that the composer meant for the two instruments to actually be playing a contrapuntal theme

- Super-subtle taps/rhythms which were in the background suddenly make sense as an added bit of rhythm to the main tune.

- Chorus background suddenly makes sense and becomes more obvious as a backup to the main singer.

i know...i know...it is the only way i can describe the effect of the Qx4. But that is what it did when i had a qx1 in my Thor...and now in my qx4.

the neat thing is you can turn off/on the unit even with everything playing thru it. not that i needed to...it was that obvious. the one thing i will say is...i dont want to turn it off anymore!...even to compare! i just want to listen to music.

and in the end, that for me is the point. Happy holidays everyone!

Hi Apshift,

Glad to hear you are enjoying Nordost! Have your ever found HRS damping plates or EAT tube dampers? I have bought both (mainly s/hand). Tremendous at dealing with airborne and physical vibration in cabinetry/equipment. I was stunned frankly at the improvements from both.

I stuck one on my DAC, and when my girlfriend tapped on it, she thought it was solid metal. i removed the HRS damping plate, and she tapped again...rang like an empty tin can. She was stunned. S/Hand these are extremely useful for the money.

EAT Tube damper equally good in different way.

Hi Cappuccino,

wow...great feedback. I have one at the moment...from wall into QX4 and then into Transparent Ref Conditioner...all my pc's are Purist Audio Ann Contego/Dom Ferox, plus 2 Sablon Audio PCs.

i do not have it under damping device per se, but it is on a custom built rack which is quite inert (3" thick birch ply on top of 1" thick slate).

enjoy!