Enhanced Audio Experience with Nordost QBase AC Distribution Unit

Get the best sound quality with the Nordost QBase AC Distribution Unit, designed to eliminate electronic distortion and enhance your audio experience.

Ralph Ellison’s Pursuit of Perfect Sound

In a collection of essays titled Living With Music, novelist Ralph Ellison shared his journey of constructing a stereo system that could drown out the noise of his Harlem apartment while he worked on his masterpiece, Invisible Man. As a dedicated jazz fan and record collector, he built several preamplifiers, invested in a quality speaker system, a turntable, and a tape recorder. He expressed, “I was obsessed with the idea of reproducing sound with such fidelity that even when using music as a defense behind which I could write, it would reach the unconscious levels of the mind with the least distortion." However, achieving that ideal did not come easy, as his apartment was filled with wires and various pieces of equipment.

Modern Audio Solutions

Fast forward to today, and while technology has advanced leaps and bounds since the 1940s, the quest for eliminating electronic distortion in audio remains a continual challenge. The Nordost QBase AC Distribution Unit aims to address this at the source. This sophisticated AC distribution unit acts like a guardian for sound quality, adhering to the audio equivalent of the Hippocratic Oath—first, do no harm. The QBase is a reference-level device with 10 outlets and no filters, utilizing star-grounding to eliminate noise and unwanted interference that might come through the power lines.

Innovative Features

The QBase Reference boasts several impressive features, including:

• Nordost Wiring: Utilizing micro mono-filament technology for superior sound.
• WBT Binding Post: Can be connected to an external grounding device.
• 20-Amp IEC Input: Ensures efficient power delivery.
• Adjustable Resonance Control Supports: Tailors the listening experience.
• Dual PCB Design: Enhances overall performance.

The front panel features two buttons controlling the QSINE and QWAVE units situated inside. When the lights are off, both units are inactive. A blue light indicates QWAVE activation, while a red light signals QSINE activation. A green light means both units are active. The QWAVE is described by Nordost as an AC line harmonizer, while QSINE serves as an AC enhancer. My personal experience confirmed that both components critically improve sound quality.

Audible Improvements

Before the QBase Reference, I was using the Nordost QB8 along with various other products designed to enhance electricity quality from the wall. The introduction of the QBase Reference provided an immediate and noticeable upgrade in clarity, scale, bass extension, and detail. It doesn’t filter sound; rather, it allows the music to emerge authentically. No other device has performed so seamlessly in my setup as the QBase Reference.

A particularly challenging test was a recent recording by Icelandic pianist Vikingur Olaffson, titled From Afar, featuring both a grand piano and an upright piano from his childhood. Listening through the QBase Reference created a direct connection to the performance. It made the nuances of Olaffson’s pedal work more apparent, capturing the creaking and grunting sounds of the old upright piano. While I'm not an audiophile obsessed with every little sound, the QBase clearly elevated the overall resolution of the audio experience.

Enhanced Orchestral Listening

On another occasion, I listened to a Columbia recording of Leonard Bernstein conducting Gershwin’s vibrant An American In Paris, originally premiered at Carnegie Hall in 1928. This recording, full of exuberance and energy, benefited from the QBase Reference, which helped eliminate subtle distortions. The percussion section came alive with greater snap, and the brass section felt more authoritative. The small details revealed by the QBase led to a more realistic musical experience, almost inviting you to declare, “I got rhythm.”

The impact of the QBase was also evident in Aaron Copland’s majestic “Fanfare for the Common Man,” conducted by Bernstein. The performance with the Minnesota Orchestra showcased a more resonant bass drum and a glorious timbral sheen in the trumpets. The heightened sense of drama and urgency was palpable, even resonating through my kitchen, where I could feel the bass drum's air movement.

Captivating Small Ensembles

The QBase Reference performed equally well with smaller ensembles. For instance, a recording featuring German trumpeter Matthias Höfs titled Hommage! on the Es-Dur label showcased the beauty of the piccolo trumpet, harmonizing perfectly with the bassoon without any blurring or distortions. The device helped situate the trumpet so precisely within the soundstage that I couldn’t help but resort to the term “black backgrounds” to describe the clarity.

Throughout my listening sessions, it felt as though the QBase Reference turned up the volume knob—not in a way that overwhelmed, but rather by immersing my room in sound. This was particularly evident when playing To Whom I Love, a new album by 22-year-old Summer Camargo, a Juilliard graduate who has joined the Saturday Night Live band as lead trumpeter. Her performance, especially in the track “80 Years of Joy,” was electrifying. Even playing an old jazz recording from 1926, like Jelly Roll Morton’s Red Hot Peppers performing “Sidewalk Blues,” showcased how much further the QBase extended my stereo’s reach into the soundstage.

Conclusion

In a market flooded with devices aimed at purifying and enhancing electrical output, the Nordost QBase Reference stands out remarkably. For audiophiles seeking a device that truly enhances their listening experience, I wholeheartedly recommend the QBase Reference.

Specs & Pricing

Input socket: IEC C-20
Output sockets: US, EDU, or AUS
Electrical output: Equivalent to input
Dimensions: 19″ x 8″ x 5.5″
Weight: 25.9 lbs.
Price: $1799

NORDOST CORPORATION
93 Bartzak Drive
Holliston, MA. 01746

Enhance your audio experience and find your favorite album cover poster at our store here.

FAQs

• What is the main purpose of the Nordost QBase AC Distribution Unit? The QBase AC Distribution Unit is designed to eliminate electronic distortion and improve sound quality in audio systems.
• How does the QBase achieve sound enhancement? It utilizes star-grounding technology and features like QSINE and QWAVE units to enhance the clarity and detail of the audio.
• Can the QBase be used with any audio system? Yes, the QBase is designed to be compatible with various audio systems, improving performance across the board.
• What kind of improvements can I expect? Users typically note enhanced clarity, bass extension, and a sense of realism in the sound, with details becoming more discernible.
• Is the QBase easy to set up? Yes, the QBase Reference is straightforward to install, simply connect it to your power source and audio components.