NORDOST QSource
Power conditioners
Nordost designed the QSource to power up to four Nordost’s own QPoint synchronizers. Why so? Because the QPoint is delivered with a wall-wart, a switching mode power supply that – according to my own experience – overrides all the good effects of the synchronizer, and induces its own noise on the powerline which is, unfortunately, audible. However, the capabilities of the QSource go beyond its intended use.
Funkce a forma
The power supplies are like fire. I guess you know the saying “Fire is a good servant but a bad master. “ So are many power supplies.
The fact that DC power supplies are noisy is not a new thing. The problem is that in the digital audiophile era, most devices like switches, clocks, DACs, computers etc. come with one. And most often than not, although an audiophile keeps his playback chain free from such a power supply, he forgets to remove his mobile charger from the power outlet that is connected to the same grid as the hi-fi components. Does the forgotten charger make a difference? It makes a huge difference. However, the extraneous noise induction can manifest itself as an improvement, especially when the listener does not know what to listen for. The listeners talk about “increased detail, more spark, better delineation of images, sharper transients” and similar. Yes, this can be all true, but how about ruined microdynamics, flatter images, tonal disbalances, and fuzziness in soundstaging?
Nízké frekvence
If you consider your playback chain to be transparent enough, you can make a simple experiment. Gather several wall-warts that are around the house – those that come with cell phones, cameras, computers, fitbands, and perhaps even those that come with your audiophile switch. Then use them one by one, plugged into a spare outlet of your high-end set-up. I find intriguing that each type of supply – even though their specs are identical – behaves differently, that is it messes up with the sound in unique way. And again, often I hear it as an improvement, until I make a proper evaluation. It makes me crazy because I need clean DC supply for a microphone preamp, for RTW analyzer, for resonators. I resigned long time ago and am using batteries for those to remove the undesirable artifacts from the equation.
Čistota rozlišení
Nordost says the following about the QSource: The QSource is a fanless Linear Power Supply designed specifically for hi-fi audio applications. The QSOURCE uses a top-of-the-line transformer with a unique circuit design to convert AC to DC power while an internal QRT module removes electrical anomalies and noise artifacts from the line and smooths out the DC output, so that audio components are running on the highest quality DC power possible.
Tonální věrnost
In addition to the four 5V outputs designated for QPoints, the QSource provides two outlets that can supply 9V, 12V, or 19V and 12V, 19V, or 24V respectively, which can be chosen by the switches on the bottom plate of the unit. For each variable output 19/24 V the total power output is 66 W, for 12V it is 20W, for 9V it is 10W, and for all 5V outputs combined it is 5 W.
The QSource can be fed with both 110/220 VAC 50/60 Hz, so there is no “European” version. To sell more cables Nordost mounted a LEMO-style sockets on the QSource so you will have to buy desired cabling with the unit. It is a logical but customer unfriendly decision.
Prostorovost
Now, how clean the Nordost’s LPS is? This will be short: in my room, with my equipment, the QSource is the only power supply that – when added on to the same power grid as electronics – has zero effect on sound. Nothing. Completely quiet, no negative effects, it is amazingly non-existent. Unlike wall-warts, it does not have any positive influence either, but who cares about false improvements? I am sure that the Nordost QSource is not the only LPS that behaves this way and there may be similar (and cheaper) alternatives on the market. However, if you are an audiophile and want something with Nordost logo on it, the QSource is a fantastic complement.
Doporučení prodejci
Perfect Sound Group, Praha, tel. +420 722 960 690
Web výrobce: http://www.nordost.com
Připojené komponenty
-
- Sources: Accuphase DP-720, Mola Mola Tambaqui DAC
- Amplifiers: TAD-M2500
- Interconnects and speaker cables: Ansuz Signalz C2, AAI Mestoso XLR, Krautwire MAX Pro, Krautwire Numeric Digital
- Loudspeakers: TAD Evolution One E1
- Power conditioning: Shunyata Research Denali, Stromtank S-1000, Ansuz Mainz C2 a DTC, AAI Maestoso, Nordost Qk1, Synergistic Research Atmosphere Level 2
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