We are happy to share that our Frey 2 cables have received some much deserved attention this month! In a glowing review, Anthony Kershaw of Audiophilia.com, spoke to the benefits that a Frey 2 loom brought to his sound system. In his article, Anthony applauded Frey 2’s synergy and loved how our cables “got out of the way of the music”.
“The Frey 2’s performance and general neutral and happy nature never disappointed. And they were wonderful in all sorts of repertoire from grandiloquent to introspective.” – Anthony Kershaw, Audiophilia
We all know that vibration is essential to music. It is, after all, the way that sound travels from our loudspeakers to our ears. However, vibration can also be extremely damaging to sound. Unwanted vibrations from any source have the ability to alter sound, causing distortion, disrupted imagery, and even timing issues to the music you’re trying to enjoy. Typically, when people in the hifi-world talk about the “negative vibration” in a system, they use it as a blanket statement. But to really understand what is happening and, more critically, to address the problems in your system, it is important to distinguish which type of vibration you are talking about: external or internal.
External vibrationrefers to any vibration from the environment surrounding your system that could transfer to, and impact, your loudspeakers, components, or audio rack, therefore affecting the sound produced. Air conditioners, household appliances, uneven surfaces, foot traffic, and outside noise or vehicle rumblings can all have an impact. This even means that elements of your own system could be the cause of negative, external vibrations, ie. if the bass from your subwoofer is causing your components to shudder… that is harmful external vibration.
Internalvibrationconcerns the vibration that is generated from within the components themselves. The inner-workings of audio equipment is composed of transistors, capacitors, wires, circuit boards, and power supplies. Each of these elements produce some sort of mechanical energy and, as a byproduct of that energy, resonate. Those tiny internal resonances accumulate and have a real and audible impact on the performance of the components they construct and the sound that systems as a whole produce.
Our product specialists receive questions on a daily basis about Nordost products, their application, and hifi in general. We thought that we would take a minute to share some of our most recent and frequently asked questions about the QKORE here, so that everyone can get the answers they are looking for!
Q: The literature indicates that the QKORE1 is designed to be used with Nordost’s QBASE AC Distribution bar. But can the QKORE1 be used with other distribution bars in the market?
A: The QBASE is designed so that when the QKORE is attached through its binding post, the ground pin of the input is drained out BEFORE any contaminants on the AC line reach any components. If the distribution bar you would like to use with the QKORE has a similar design to that, it will work fine. However, we cannot speak for how other manufacturers design their distribution bars, so we cannot guarantee the same results.
Q: What are you supposed to do with the “mono ground” binding posts on the QKORE6 if your system does not include any monoblocks?
A: The mono ground binding posts connect to the same LVAP as the other 3 Ground binding posts that address the secondary side of the power supply. Therefore, if you do not have monoblocks in your system, you can use these two binding posts to connect any other component in your system. The thing that differentiates the “mono ground” binding posts, and makes them ideal for use with monoblocks, is that they are connected to identical-length wires, which connect to the exact same point on the LVAP. We have also found that in addition to monoblocks, front end components with separate chassis, like a DAC and a clock, benefit from being hooked up to these two specific binding posts as well.
Q: Can you connect loudspeakers to a QKORE?
A: No, you should not connect your loudspeaker to a QKORE. This could result in a short circuit to your amplifier. However, if you are using an ACTIVE loudspeaker that requires a power cord, it usually means that there is an amplifier inside of your loudspeaker. If that’s the case, then you can connect the loudspeaker to your QKORE. But keep in mind, when you do this, both loudspeakers should be connected to a QKORE unit separately.
Q: Do you have to use Nordost’s QKORE Wires to connect your components to the QKORE?
A: In theory, the QKORE will work if you connect your components using a different manufacturer’s wire. However, you would only be getting half of the benefit. The QKORE not only has an electrical approach, but a mechanical approach. By opting out of using the QKORE Wire, especially if you are going to be replacing it with a stranded cable, you will not be benefiting from those mechanical aspects of the QKORE.
Auditioning audio cables is probably an important part of your buying process. You deserve to know what you are buying, understand the differences between the products you are considering, and hear how those differences will impact the performance of your sound system.
At Nordost, we have a wide variety of products which incrementally improve as you move up our range. By visiting our website and talking with your authorized Nordost dealer, you should have a good understanding of specific technologies incorporated into each of our product ranges. However, when it’s time to sit down and evaluate how each one of those technologies impacts your sound, you may still need more direction.
In order to help you make better sense of what you’re hearing, we have listed some of the technologies used in our cable design with notes on how they can be identified from a sonic perspective.
Solid Core Conductors (as Opposed to Stranded)
Look for increased textural aspects in the music, especially in the mid-tones. You will find that the instruments sound more life-like. Another thing to notice is a perceived increase in volume, especially when comparing power cords.
Adding Conductors / Increasing Gauge Size
Pay special attention to timing. This can sometimes be heard in the drive and dynamic realism of your music.
Mechanically Tuned Lengths
This brings a darker background to the table and a smoothness to the sound. It strips artifacts and gives the music a sense of “correctness” that wasn’t there before.
Micro Mono-Filament
Higher signal speed means less time traveling through the cable, and as a result, less loss of information. This translates to an increase in detail and nuance in the music. You may notice this in the emotion that comes across in a performance, particularly in the vocals. Also pay attention to the soundstage, which will start to lose its defined boundaries.
Dual Mono-Filament
Even faster signal speed means even more information. Listen for decay times in instruments, as well as additional realistic qualities of both instruments and vocals. You will also find the rhythm and pacing of the music to be more precise.
HOLO:PLUG® Connectors
Pay attention to your system’s soundstage. You should notice a much wider and deeper soundstage, as well as an overall smooth tonal balance. This can also be heard as spatial awareness of the instruments and singers. There may be a 3D element to your music and soundstage.
TSC Shielding
With 100% silver shielding, TSC provides even more defense against EMI and RFI. There will be a blacker background and noticeable noise reduction that will especially affect the low-end. This often translates into more realism and coherence in the performance. You may notice that small nuances in the music start to come to life.
Over the past few months, Nordost has been happy that we can continue to make our time spent at home a little more bearable with the gift of great music. Our products aim to allow you to enjoy your favorite performances as they were intended to be heard. Like you, we here at Nordost are music lovers. Each one of us has our own style… we listen to a wide variety of artists and genres but, in a way, we appreciate them all. We thought that we would share a few of the songs on our own personal playlists with you each month. Some may be classics, some may be brand new, some may not even be to your tastes, but we hope that there is something here for everyone.
Here are some of the songs that we will have on rotation this September.
You can now listen to our monthly playlist here: TIDAL | SPOTIFY | QOBUZ
Birds—Dominique Fils-Aimé—Nameless
One Fine Day—David Byrne—Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
Waving, Smiling—Angel Olsen—Whole New Mess
Lo/Hi—The Black Keys—“Let’s Rock”
The Mummers’ Dance—Loreena McKennitt—The Book Of Secrets
Wildflowers—Tom Petty—Wildflowers
Uninvited—Mallrat—Uninvited
Fóld fær andlit—Hildur Guðnadóttir—Fólk fær andlit
Excel Audio is a Nordost Supreme Reference dealer. There are few places in the world where you can experience the best, leading edge cables connected to some of the finest loudspeakers and electronics available anywhere, in an atmosphere of kindness and expertise hosted by Mike Rose.
Mike
opened Excel Audio in Newport Beach, California, out of his deep love for vinyl
and superb music reproduction. Excel is a classic gathering place, the kind of
intimate retail experience that has become all too rare in the digital age.
Mike’s clients love to stop by Excel, whether to peruse his vast collection of
records, to listen to the latest high-end audio equipment, or just for a
friendly chat. It’s a great place to enjoy Wilson Audio’s latest flagship, the
Chronosonic XVX, which is now on display at Excel.
It’s
also a gathering place for the Orange County Los Angeles Audio Society, LAOCAS. As can be seen in the pictures from their
last event, Mike sure knows how to throw a party!
“We’re America’s premier hi-fi audio destination, located in Orange County, CA.”
4678 Campus Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-933-1599
Open Monday through Saturday, 10AM to 6PM.
LargestSelection of Turntables in Southern California
Excel Audio offers a large selection of turntables, headphones, vinyl, and everything hi-fi for your personal sound system. We are dedicated to offering audiophiles in Southern California the best sound possible at all price points.
Contact them or visit them in their Newport Beach, CA store. They have a large selection of vinyl across all musical genres specializing in jazz, blues, and classic rock. Their wide range of audio gear includes amps, preamps, speakers, turntables, and other components from well-known brands like Nordost, Pass Labs, Burmester, dCS, TAD, D’agostino, Audio Research, Wilson Audio, KEF, Clearaudio, and AMG.
Nordost’s re-engineered Tonearm Cable + recently received some attention from Hi-fi Choice. Reviewer, Neville Roberts, gave the Heimdall 2 Tonearm Cable + a “Five Star” rating, praising the energetic and refined attributes that the new cable brought to the performance of his analog system.
“The instrument focus and clarity are both excellent and the soundstage is expansive…the bass is powerful and punchy and the drums and hi-hats are crisp, tight and engaging. The great energy is splendidly conveyed and the instrument focus of the hi-hats is particularly well defined.” – Neville Roberts, Hi-Fi Choice.
You can read Neville’s review in its entirety HERE.
You can find this review and more great Nordost reviews on our Reviews Page.
Real music lovers can find the melody in everything. From the park to the concert hall, our friend Nelson Brill is always on the hunt for great sound. In this blog, Nelson looks at different ways that music lovers can continue to see live shows virtually and how they can further their at-home listening experience by using Nordost’s Blue Heaven Headphone Cable!
JOYS OF HOME LISTENING CONTINUE – NEW RECORDINGS TO SAVOR
By Nelson Brill August 9, 2020
Getting lost in the rejuvenation that home listening brings, (taking time to listen without interruption to one’s favorite music on a quality high-end audio system) is a special gift in these tough and challenging times. I’ve been enjoying my time listening to the new reference high-end audio system that I reviewed last month (consisting of the Goldmund Telos 590 Integrated Amplifier partnered with Seidenton STB Studio Allnico loudspeakers and an Ensemble Dirondo CD player). I’ve also been listening to my headphone system to catch all of the terrific online concerts to benefit musicians and arts organizations worldwide.
IMPROVE YOUR HEADPHONE SOUND: If you enjoy listening to headphones, (either through a computer or through a dedicated headphone amplifier), here’s a simple, upgrade tip: think about swapping out that generic headphone cable and invest in a quality headphone cable. I highly recommend Nordost’s Blue Heaven headphone cable, (http://www.nordost.com); $350 per 1.25 meter). Switching out the generic cable that came with my Sennheiser HD650 headphones for the Blue Heaven cable, I heard instant sonic improvements: a much quieter noise floor (that allowed more tactile and inner details of music to emerge); an overall improved tonal balance; an airier and wider stereo image and a greater coherency to the HD 650’s limited mid bass and upper bass. The Blue Heaven headphone cable took my modest HD 650’s to a new level of enjoyment and immersion – more toe-tapping and less listener fatigue (an important consideration when wearing even the best quality headphones for long periods).
ONLINE MUSIC RICHES: So grab a pair of good quality headphones and equip them with a quality headphone cable like Nordost’s Blue Heaven and get more enjoyment out of all the vital music online to support musicians, local venues and arts organizations. Here are some upcoming online events that I will be checking out on my headphone rig:
Wolfgang’s
-A celebration of the music of Jerry Garcia (on the 25th anniversary of his passing), to benefit the Rex Foundation, an organization that the Grateful Dead and friends started in 1983 to support local arts, science and educational organizations. [http://www.dazebetween.com];
-Weekly concerts, dance performances and artist conversations presented by Arts For Art as part of their ongoing “Crisis Fund Benefit” [http://www.artsforart.org];
Ellis Marsalis Jr. – North Country Public Radio
-A series of concerts presented by irrepressible trombonist and humanist, Delfeayo Marsalis, as he organizes a new online benefit, (named after his late father, Ellis Marsalis Jr.), to help sustain New Orlean’s rich culture and its musicians [http://www.KNOMA.org];
-A series of weekly Sunday concerts to support the international music and art scene in vibrant Provincetown, MA. [www.ptownmusic.com];
-Online concerts to benefit local music venues such as the weekly online jazz concerts presented by the venerable jazz club, Village Vanguard [www.villagevanguard.com] or the terrific weekly online listening sessions presented by Newvelle Records in support of their artists and their sterling recordings [www.newvelle-records.com);
Brittanica
-Online performances to help support local orchestras like the inspiring online Tanglewood Festival presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. [www.tanglewood.org]. The recent Tanglewood Gala featured a moving online tribute to the legendary violinist, Isaac Stern, with animated performances and conversations with many musicians touched by Stern’s genius and humanity. Catch it again if you can online – along with all the other weekly concerts and classes from the new Tanglewood Learning Institute– all to benefit the BSO’s vital activities and music.
NEW CD RECORDINGS TO SAVOR: Back in the listening room, here’s a new batch of audiophile quality CD’s that have been in heavy rotation for their smart musicianship, fresh sounds and superb recording qualities –all to lift our spirits!
First up is a CD from a trumpet maestro and great teacher who died recently and will be sorely missed: Wallace Roney. Roney’s 2019 Blue Dawn – Blue Nights [HighNote Records] is a gem of a recording powered by Roney’s mighty trumpet and his gift for bringing together young talent to feed off his exuberance. The opening number, “Bookendz”, is a great example: elemental bass and drums propel a bracing trumpet solo from Roney (his stippled bursts crackling with heat) along with bold solos from pianist Oscar Williams II (spinning carefree, light runs) and reedman Emilio Modeste (ranging with glee on his expressive soprano sax). Legendary drummer Lenny White contributes his dashing propulsion on his own tune, “Wolfbane”, his protean drums igniting a piercing Roney solo and another bluesy frolic from Modeste on his tenor sax. On other numbers, Roney’s talented nephew, drummer Kojo Odu Roney, brings his fresh energy to his drum kit where his cymbal/snare combinations resound with spacious, airy flow that foster the band’s pulsing groove and spunk.
fotocommunity
In addition to propulsive nuggets like a jostling version of Dave Liebman’s “New Breed” (sweet and tart on Roney’s muted trumpet) and a frenetic “Venus Rising” with the band firing on all swinging cylinders, Roney and his young lions also dig deep into several heartfelt ballads. The softly caressed “Why Should There Be Stars” features Roney’s plaintive meditations where he utilizes silence between his notes as effectively as his crisp, clarion calls.
Getty Image: Wallace Roney
Roney’s shining trumpet is cushioned in Paul Cuffari’s warm bass lines (coherent to their purple depths) and Williams’ lightly patterned piano runs that resemble the spinning of a delicate spider’s web. All of these fresh sounds and grooves are captured in a wide-open and layered soundstage recorded in legendary Van Gelder Studio by Maureen Sickler and her team along with David Darlington’s talented mastering. Blue Dawn-Blue Nights is Roney’s parting gift: his trumpet keen and charging ahead (into posterity) with steadfast passion and playful joy, his encouragement of young talent insuring the future of the music.
Speaking of playful joy, there’s a lot of joy and sustenance to be discovered within the timeless songs of composers Alan Lerner and Frederick Loewe, an exemplary team that was equally at home writing for Broadway or for the jazz stage. Many of their timeless songs have now been re-imagined by an impeccable jazz band led by the vivacious woodwind maestro, Adrian Cunningham on his new CD, Adrian Cunningham & His Friends Play Lerner And Loewe [Arbor Records, ARCD 19470]. Cunningham is joined by reveling companions-pianist Fred Hersch, bassist John Hebert and drummer Eric McPherson- to deliver this garland of Lerner and Loewe songs teeming with swing and soul.
TriStateJazz.org
Cunningham leads with a supremely assured presence. He shifts effortlessly between his magnetic clarinet, sax and flute to mine the heart of each tune with a taste for slippery adventure that always returns to the irresistible pulse of these great melodies. Hersch, joined by his two trusted journeymen, Hebert and McPherson, is also an inspired force. It is a joy to listen to him at his keyboard as he unspools gossamer runs, melodic twists and gusts of low notes. Arbor Records’ Rachael Domber and her recording team bring their careful craft to capture the full harmonic body of Hersch’s piano, (a rare recording feat), the breathy flights of Cunningham on his woodwinds and all the crackling, alive drama in this zestful session.
Kingsplace.uk
Take a listen to the intoxicating duet between Cunningham and Hersch on their beautifully woven, “The Heather On The Hill”, or to the band’s “I Talk To The Trees” for music that sings with sultry, melodic spirit. Let this impeccable band swing you away on their arrangements of “I Could Have Danced All Night”; “I Was Born Under A Wandering Star” and “They Call The Wind Maria” – all graciously swinging gems highlighted by the comic slurs and growls from Wycliffe Gordon’s trombone (his embouchure captured tactile and slurry) or the brazen glow of Randy Brecker’s trumpet. The finale, “Brigadoon”, lands on tender ground easing us into another day with the curvaceous dignity of Cunningham’s glowing sax, Hersch’s soft keyboard caresses and the combination of McPherson’s circular brushes on snare joining Hebert’s bass lines, deep and embracing. This music is all about delivering the life-affirming spirit and wonder of Lerner and Loewe’s irresistible creations; it is a bundle of playful joy from start to finish.
SusanTobocman.com
It is also a treat to explore the music from a vocalist and composer who clearly treasures the stellar companionship of her band as much as her own vocal explorations. Singer, arranger and composer Susan Tobocman has released a new CD, Touch & Go” [Soliterra Records; www.susantobocman.com] and exploring all if its wistful and swinging terrain is a joy on a quality audio system. From the opening deep bass/piano rumba driving Tobocman’s arrangement of Irving Berlin’s “What’ll I Do” to the swerving grooves of Tobocman’s original, “Make Believe”, there is fresh adventure with Tobocman’s improvisory playfulness and the superb companionship of her band: keyboardist Henry Hey (a creative presence throughout, unpredictable and fresh); guitarist Pete McCann (a marvel on his cool and vibrant strings); saxophonist Joel Frahm (delivering inspired grooves and churning, soulful heat); Matt Pavolka on his rich and vibrant bass; Dave Eggar on his radiant cello and Michael Sarin holding it all down with his fluid, propulsive engine. Tobocman’s vocals, lithe and expressive, float above this swashbuckling musical drama, her voice clarion and adventurous ensnaring the essence of each song with spunk and charm.
Tobocman is also a talented composer and arranger. Her original instrumentals on Touch & Go are a verdant landscape for her talented band to linger and stretch out. The band soaks up every chance to explore the creative nooks of Tobocman’s smart arrangements as on her swinging arrangement of “You Only Live Twice”, (taking the James Bond theme into rollicking new territory) or on her “I Could Get Used To This”, a bluesy walk on the pump of Frahm’s sax, Pavolka’s dapper bass and Sarin’s crisp cymbal hits. Her two delectable arrangements of the Beatles’ classic, “Help!” capture the beauty and verve of her writing. The first version is a quiet, cello-deep pool of soul with Tobocman’s stirring vocals lithe and restless. Her second version closes the album with fiery energy, power chords and vocal molten heat from this dynamic band – always looking for the next fresh moment to evolve in Tobocman’s creations.
Turning to a global canvas of shape-shifting beauty, we find the creation of dynamic pianist, composer and arranger, Ryan Cohan, who leads a stellar big band joined by the Kaia String Quartet in performance of his original compositions on the CD, Originations [Origin Records; www.originarts.com]. This is music of open-eared exploration with a wide-open musical terrain where Arab melodies and rhythms meld with jazz and classical roots to inspire and beguile. The music allows capacious space for each musician to delight in their own instrument’s colors and textures to transform Cohan’s globe-spanning creation. The superb recording captures all of the diverse energy and dynamic contrasts in Cohan’s music with an up-front, crisp presence that delivers all the airy timbres and textures of this unique collective.
Ryan Cohan and Band – Steptempest
Each chapter of Originations contains surprising gifts of rhythmic beauty and melodic grace. Cohan’s inventions include soft shimmering ballads, such as his willowy “Heart,” propulsive and inviting on its dipping string caresses and the soaring colors of Tito Carrillo’s flugelhorn. The ensemble can also dance and soar, as on Cohan’s playful “Sabra” that swarms with staccato string lightness and teeming percussion, with Geof Bradfield’s pungent bass clarinet weaving its breathy, serpentine drama. “The Hours Before Dawn” evolves slowly on tremulous strings, plucky piano and the deep throb of bass clarinet alongside Michael Raynor and Omar Musfi’s rousing percussion. The prickly “Imaginary Lines” moves in quick pulses with John Wojciechowski’s clarinet nestled in Carrillo’s crisp trumpet calls. The adventure concludes with Cohan’s magnetic centerpiece, “Essence”, where a beautiful calm is followed by a dashing, dancing riot of instrumental colors. Here is a coiled blast of the blues, a pulse of a rhumba and a dash of bebop (in Wojciechowski’s playful flute solo) all dancing to Cohan’s sprawling vision. Palestinian, Israeli, Jordanian – there are no borders to Cohan’s music: optimistic, rambunctious and flowing in its boundless quest for unity, light and dance.
The verve and beauty of Cohan’s music leads me to recommend one final CD in this latest roundup of audiophile quality recordings. This new classical gem is from another gifted composer, Jonathan Leshnoff, in his delectable exploration of the unique sounds created when a solo clarinet and bassoon join forces with a sparkling orchestra. Leshnoff’s Concerto For Clarinet and Bassoon is performed by the venerable Pittsburgh Symphony conducted by their Music Director, Manfred Honeck, and recorded on a new hybrid CD/SACD in sterling fashion by the recording team of Sound/Mirror in association with the Fresh! label of Reference Recordings [www.referencerecordings.com].
This recording gem (like so many other Reference Recordings) is a superlative example of how careful recording can bring the images of a full orchestra to vital life on a quality high-end audio system. Accompanying the notes to the recording, there is a photo of the Pittsburgh Orchestra on the stage of the Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh. When one listens to this recording on a quality high end audio system, (like on the Goldmund, Seidenton, Ensemble audio system), each section of the orchestra is imaged precisely in proper position and height as they are pictured in their group photo. One can distinctly hear instruments layered in front or behind each other- a rare feat of recording. There is delight in hearing those clarion trumpets (positioned on low risers on the far-right of the Heinz stage) in all their regal glory. This is the essence of the audiophile thrill: to listen at home and re-create, as close as possible, the immersive experience of a live concert event.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Leshnoff’s Concerto For Clarinet and Bassoon, with this performance’s reveling soloists, clarinetist Michael Rusinek and bassoonist Nancy Goeres, is a questing piece taking full advantage of the spikey-sweet sounds of clarinet and bassoon in musical dialogue with a kinetic orchestra. Its three short movements offer trim, airy inventions that combine skittering melodies and runs (Leshnoff loves the sound of echoing ascending riffs that have clarinet and bassoon leaping in supple woody glow), with moments of soulful serenity. Leshnoff’s creation reminds me of the sunny and soulful music of another great American composer, Aaron Copland. I hear in Leshnoff’s inviting music elements of Copland’s open-hearted lyricism and an adventurous play with instrumental colors. Leshnoff leads his intrepid bassoon and clarinet creation into sprite new territory that both soothes the spirit and challenges the ear.
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Manfred Honeck and the Pittsburgh Symphony also bring an immersive combination of soul and litheness to their performance of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. This galloping and deeply moving piece sounds fresh and alive in the handsome timbres of the Pittsburgh’s string sections and in the bombastic crispness of the brass and horn sections that light up Heinz Hall with their regal, airy calls. Turn the volume up (with Reference Recordings their natural recording levels allow for this without compression), and hear how the Pittsburgh and Honeck mine each of Tchaikovsky’s stirring moments with deliberation and a great feel for momentum and pacing. Every nook and cranny of this majestic music is deeply explored in this performance. Highlights are many and include the beauty of the lithe curlicue motifs passed amongst the woodwinds in the First Movement; the dancing, resonant deep string pulses of the Second Movement and the Final Movement’s galloping rush of brass fury. Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece still delivers goose bumps and spiritual uplift as proven in this new Fresh! Pittsburgh Symphony recording that renews our spirits (bathed in its final trumpeting glory) for another day.
There is a misconception in the hifi industry that grounding a system is just one of a multitude of “minor tweaks” that can be made to a system to marginally improve its performance level. However, this mindset completely underplays the transformative results that proper grounding will bring to a system, as well as the ubiquitous nature of the interference that impacts EVERY sound system.
Interference that impacts the power domain is all around you, constantly bombarding your system. Your AC power lines are contaminated with electrical surges, pulses, and switch-mode hash from home appliances, plug-in chargers, light dimmers, and fluorescent and LED lights. Even the air is polluted by radio frequency interference (RFI) and electromagnetic interference (EMI), levels of which are increasing due to the prevalence of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular signals. While you may not be able to hear the noise from these interferences on their own, the effect that they have on your audio components is unmistakable, muddying the playback, collapsing the soundstage of your system, smearing the timing and pacing of music, and making the performance less engaging.
There are a couple of ways to address your system’s grounding in order to free your components from this electrical noise: external ground rods, low-impedance cables to connect your signal ground access points, or passive, artificial ground units (like the QKORE). Each one of these options have their own merits. However, once your system is properly grounded, there are several improvements you can count on. The image separation of your system will be greatly improved, exposing nuances in dynamics and accent markings that would otherwise have been missed. You’ll also experience a tighter, deeper, and more authoritative bass. However, the most noticeable change will be a dramatic drop in your noise floor which will provide a quieter, ‘darker’ background, resulting in a wider, more lifelike soundstage.
Over the past few months, Nordost has been happy that we can continue to make our time spent at home a little more bearable with the gift of great music. Our products aim to allow you to enjoy your favorite performances as they were intended to be heard. Like you, we here at Nordost are music lovers. Each one of us has our own style… we listen to a wide variety of artists and genres but, in a way, we appreciate them all. We thought that we would share a few of the songs on our own personal playlists with you each month. Some may be classics, some may be brand new, some may not even be to your tastes, but we hope that there is something here for everyone.
Here are some of the songs that we will have on rotation this August.
You can now listen to our monthly playlist here: TIDAL | SPOTIFY | QOBUZ
Short And Sweet — Brittany Howard — Jamie
MS — Alt-J — An Awesome Wave
Down in Mexico — The Coasters — The Best of the Best (Remastered)
Save Me — Aimee Mann — Magnolia
Walking On The Moon (Walking on the Dub) — DubXanne — The Police In Dub
Strawberry Letter 23 — The Brothers Johnson — Right On Time
The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove — Dead Can Dance — Into The Labyrinth
Brown Eyed Lover — Allen Stone — Building Balance
Just Don’t Talk About It — Rosanne Cash — 10 Song Demo
Lucy — Jay Som — Soccer Mommy & Friends Single Series, Vol. 1: Jay Som
