Nordost Quantum Technology Products

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,Lloydelee21, Just picked this up. I agree with absolutely every thing you say. The Q's reveal a musicality that I always missed in Hi Fi. And yes,.. why would you mess about turning them on and off! Just relax and listen. A life time in professional audio helps me not all to understand how these gadgets work. Radiation? Of what? Why can't we detect it! Rare metals at work, maybe?

I have persuaded my local hi fi dealer (that I got my ATC amp and Harbeth speakers from ten years ago!) to come by soon and take a listen. He now deals mainly in Naim gear and was unimpressed by the Thor a while back. I think he will be re-impressed.

If anyone knows what's going on with Quantum and Nordost do tell. The website has been same for nearly two years.

Re. Stands. I just bought a pair of Something Solid stands made by Mark Orr. Rigid light weights replacing my ancient massive Cliff Stone Foundations. Nice tighter bass, crisper timing. Excellent for 200 GBP.

I think vibration and resonance problems will be specific to any set up. I have used inner tubes and home made cups-and-balls to deal with the problems caused by the wooden unit in which I hide my gear from my wife.

Minute changes of these items can effect the whole spectral balnce of the sound in very audible ways. Presumably any vibration of equipment must modulate the sound.

Hey, Lloydlee21 get back to that music!

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.

I have 3 Qx4 in my stereo system and 1 for my HT system.
They are extraordinary devices, but needs attention regarding where to place them and what cables to use and how.

I thought first that it was most important to have a good AC cable into the Quantum, but the most important AC cable is actually the one coming out of the Quantum. My dealer has shown this with Magus AC into the Quantum and Odin out, which sounds spectacular.

You should also try to have damping devices under the Quantum and also place them as close as possible to your gear, the best is to have directly above or beneath.

I have Qx4 in combination with my Burmester 948 AC conditioners. I have found that it is best to have the Quantum after the 948 in the chain.

In my system specifically I have 1 one Qx4 between my 948 no.1 and preamp and 2 between 948 no.2 and monoblocks. I would like to add one also for cd player.