Quantum QRT QX4


Anyone wondering whats inside one of these for the almost $3000 Nordost is asking for them? Well I owned one and took it apart, and let me tell you I was shocked!! I have never seen cheaper parts and crappy little PCB than this. I think a total of about $20 was spent on the electronics, and I am being generous. The case is by far more expensive to make. They spent more effort into making the case heavy and out of billet and extruded aluminum to give it the appearance of high end and so they could somewhat justify the price tag. It is utterly shameful what Nordost has pulled on its consumers. Thats why they have the protective sealing sticker on the chassis so no one opens it up and voids the warranty. I bought mine directly from a dealer when the Nordost rep came for a demo.
The board looked like it was a factory R&D project. Scratches all over it, a cover on the board was removed at one point leaving behind the trace of it in the left over glue. I was fuming after I opened it and witnessed the biggest ripp off in audio history. I had a Symphony Pro years ago and it blew this piece of crap out the rack.
Needless to say, even though it did provide some enhancement, I no longer have it. But before I did get rid of it I happen to make a schematic and take plenty of pictures, even built one with much needed improvements.;)
The very robust case was actually heavily softening the effect and the one inch thick sides were directing some of the energy vertically. Anyway my new version of this guy has been a huge improvement to say the least, it has 6 times the power of the QX4. Thanks Nordost ;)
dcizmok

Showing 11 responses by sabai

Dcizmok,
It is very foolish for manufacturers to charge premium prices for second-rate quality and risk being exposed. I am actually quite surprised at this from Nordost. I have been thinking about buying one of these high-ticket Qx4 units but I am having second and third thoughts now -- thanks to your information.
Agear,
Indeed, it is a sad commentary when a company with Nordost's reputation is really an audio emperor with no clothes.
I tried my QB4 with components plugged in. The results were nothing more than subtle. I get much better results with it up front near the wall receptacle. But it is not a game-changer by any means.

I have never had more than subtle results from the 4 Schumanns in my system. I am now experimenting by placing them higher off the floor. My 2 Symphonies give anything but subtle results. They site on top of my Pulsars with Steins on top of them.
Dcizmok,
I daisy chain my front end:

isolation transformer > QB4 > power conditioner > power regenerator.

Stunning results. I just started a new thread:

Daisy Chain Your Front End
Dcizmok,
I have one Symphony on top of each speaker with Steinmusic Harmonizers on top and 2 Schumann resonance devices on the very top. Amazing sound.
Dcizmok,
Talking percentages -- in your opinion, how much of the Qx4 is in the Symphony Pro?
Dcizmok,
Thanks for your comments. Do you mean that one Symphony Pro does about the same job as one Qx4. Or would it be more realistic to say 2 Pros = 1 Qx4?
Dcizmok,
Thanks very much for your detailed assessment. Greatly appreciated. I have 2 Symphony Pros in my system with a third one on the way. I also noted the immediate sonic benefits when each one was added to the system. Do you have a preferred placement for the Pros? I have one on each speaker with a Steinmusic Harmonizer and a Schumann resonance device -- a triple-decker sandwich that is very effective.
Dcizmok,
I have a third Pro on the way and will try it close to the center of my system. Thanks for the suggestion.