What better way to close out the year than by revisiting the content that resonated the most with you over the last 12 months? In this 2024 blog round-up, we’re bringing together the posts that generated the most buzz, from likes and shares to comments and reactions across every platform. Here’s a look back at your favorite Nordost blogs from the past year!
Every component is an important element of a sound system. But one component rarely gets the recognition it deserves: the audio cable. Introducing reputable, well-engineered cables, like Nordost’s, can truly unveil the full potential of your equipment and transform your listening experience from ordinary to extraordinary…
Just because you aren’t satisfied with an audio component doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. There are several ways that you can upgrade your DAC’s performance… and who doesn’t love a good option? Here are six simple enhancements that you can make to your DAC setup to achieve serious musical gains…
We are thrilled to share our first, official QBASE Reference review. As an auspicious bonus, this review can be found in the highly valued 25th Anniversary issue of hi-fi+! Learn more about what Alan Sircom has to say in this blog…
For most people, loudspeakers are one of the biggest investments they’ll make in their hifi system, but did you know that you can get even more out of your loudspeakers with just two simple upgrades? See how loudspeaker cables and Resonance Control can transform the loudspeakers you already own…
When you are SO CLOSE to audio perfection, sometimes you only need small but transformative tweaks to get you to your musical goals. This blog tells you about Nordost’s secret weapons to get your system sounding its best…
Digital sources have all but taken over the audio world. During this digital revolution, the network infrastructure that supports components like DACs, streamers, NAS drives, etc. has become exceedingly important. An audio-optimized network switch plays a pivotal role in enhancing digital playback…
With its four, iconic ranges – White Lightning, Purple Flare, Blue Heaven, and Red Dawn– Nordost invites music enthusiasts of all levels to bring NEW LEIF to their sound systems. Leif 3 cables embody the culmination of years of technological breakthroughs and advancements in craftsmanship, meticulously refined to meet the modern demands of mid-fi and hi-fi sound systems. Learn more in this blog…
QRT products work together to accomplish their desired effect, and the more QRT products used, the better your results will be. In this blog, we will take a moment to look at how products that make up the QRT family work together, which of Nordost’s Sort System Resonance Control products can enhance your investment in QRT, and some examples of fully optimized hifi systems, using Nordost’s QRT line…
Ever wonder why your high-end system doesn’t deliver the musical experience you know it’s capable of? The answer might be right under your nose–and vibrating under your components! This blog shows you how Nordost Sort Systems rid your system of damaging vibrations…
Ever wonder why your high-end system doesn’t deliver the musical experience you know it’s capable of? The answer might be right under your nose–and vibrating under your components!
Sound exists because of vibrations, yet these same vibrations can be its worst enemy. The signal you’re sending through your carefully chosen components is fighting a constant battle against unwanted resonances. While your system works to reproduce the delicate overtones of a violin or the subtle decay of a piano note, both external and internal vibrations threaten to mask these precious details, leaving you with substandard sound.
When your system suffers from these unwanted vibrations, the cost is substantial. The expansive soundstage you invested in collapses. Natural textures in vocals and instruments become smeared. Those subtle micro-details that make recorded music feel alive vanish into a veil of mechanical resonance. The three-dimensional imaging that places each performer in precise spatial locations becomes flat and uncertain.
How Can we help?
Our detailed white paper, “The Importance of Vibration Control,” offers the insights you need to unlock your system’s full potential. In it, you’ll discover…
The science behind vibration control
Professional techniques for optimal component placement
The clear distinction between coupling and decoupling strategies
Real-world solutions for both internal and external vibration management
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 here so that everyone can get the answers they are looking for!
Q: How can I know that a Nordost cable I see for sale online is a real Nordost product? If I buy second hand, will my purchase be covered by warranty?
A: Unfortunately, there have been several attempts to counterfeit our products that have appeared online. Counterfeit cables are often easy to spot as Nordost cables use distinctive technology, precise lengths, serial numbers, and connectors. Be aware of any falsely branded Nordost cables being offered for very low prices, especially on auction sites, as they are normally counterfeits. Counterfeit cables are never covered by warranty.
Be assured that Nordost has never sold its cables through websites like Amazon, Alibaba, or AliExpress. Cables from those sites are not manufactured by us; they do not contain any of our technology, and in some instances, they are unsafe to use (especially power cords).
To make sure that you are purchasing an authentic Nordost cable, make sure you are purchasing our products from one of our authorized Nordost dealers. Find a Nordost dealer near you on the Where To Buy page of our website!
Q: I recently bought and installed some Frey 2 Loudspeaker Cables. After installing them and playing the system for an hour, I realized that, based on the directional arrows on the cables, I connected them in the wrong direction. Did I damage the cables or the system, does everything correct itself after you fixed the direction? Do I need to re-buy/replace this cable?
A: Don’t worry. Unlike with analog interconnects, speaker cable directionality is simply a memory function. The cables break in over time with use in whatever direction you installed them. Speaker cables (based on use) usually take a month or two to properly break in. Since you only used the cables in that direction for an hour so, virtually no break-in occurred. Going forward, just keep them in the position they are now, and everything will self-correct.
Q:The QSOURCE power supply that feeds my QNET Network Switch is running hot. Is that normal?
A: Yes, this is normal. The QSOURCE does run at a pretty high temperature. To keep the unit as quiet as possible, the QSOURCE is air cooled, instead of fan cooled. This means that it will act more like a class A amplifier, releasing the heat on the heatsinks (in the case of the QSOURCE the heatsink is the chassis of the device itself).
Just make sure the unit is well-ventilated, and that it has plenty of clearance, both underneath and above the unit. There is an optional Stand Mount you can purchase to help with this clearance as well.
The device is designed to have two methods of protection for overheating. If they don’t kick in, the unit is working within its heat range.
Q: Last year I began to upgrade my power cords, 2 speaker cables (R/L front and center), and interconnects to the Red Dawn LS series, and am happy with the noted improvement. I still require 2 more power cords and a pair of XLR pending any further purchase of components to complete the project. Would you recommend I stay with a “loom” of the LS or go to the Red Dawn 3?
A: You can either stick with the existing series or upgrade to the new series and still maintain a cohesive loom of cables. Leif 3 cables will have the same sonic signature as the LS series, they just introduce some better attributes. You can almost look at it like the new Blue Heaven 3 sounds like the old LS Red Dawn. You can mix and match any LS series cable with any Leif 3 model and keep all the benefits.
Just because you aren’t satisfied with an audio component doesn’t mean you have to start from scratch. Before committing to a full replacement, see if there are ways to elevate the product that you already have and give your gear an upgrade! Let’s take your DAC, for example. By making just a few adjustments, you could reduce signal interference, improve the sound quality, increase dynamics, and much more. “But what can you do to upgrade a DAC?”, you might ask. That’s where the fun starts! There are several ways that you can upgrade your DAC’s performance… and who doesn’t love a good option?
Here are six simple enhancements that you can make to your DAC setup to achieve serious musical gains:
Power Cord:
The foundation of any audio system starts with clean and consistent power delivery. Nordost’s power cords are meticulously engineered to minimize electrical interference and maximize power transfer, resulting in improved clarity, dynamics, and overall sound quality.
Analog Interconnects:
If your aim is a faithful reproduction of your music, Nordost’s Analog Interconnects are essential. These interconnects ensure that every nuance of your music is preserved, allowing you to experience your favorite albums with unmatched clarity and realism.
Digital Interconnect:
If you use the digital function of your transport, Nordost’s Digital Interconnects are designed to minimize signal loss and distortion. Unlike other digital interconnects on the market, Nordost’s SPDIF and AES/EBU cables faithfully meet all the specs necessary so that you get the resolution, detail, and depth you need.
USB Cable:
Nordost’s USB cables ensure that digital audio data is transmitted accurately from your source to your DAC. By reducing jitter and other forms of interference, these cables can result in a cleaner, more dynamic sound with improved resolution and depth.
Ethernet Cable:
If you’re using a NAS device, or streaming music online, the quality of our Ethernet cable becomes crucial. Nordost’s Ethernet cables are engineered to deliver high-speed, low-latency data transmission for smoother streaming, faster load times, and a more natural sound.
Sort Kones:
To further optimize your listening environment, Nordost’s Sort Kones are the key, isolating and supporting your components as they need. By reducing vibrations and resonance, Sort Kones will allow your DAC to give you more focused, immersive listening sessions.
Our product specialists receive questions on a daily basis about Nordost products, their applications, and hifi in general. We decided to take a minute to share some of those questions here so that everyone can get the answers they are looking for!
Q: Do Leif 3 Cables sound good alongside their predecessors?
A: Nordost’s Leif 3 Cables share the same basic design philosophy as all of our cables, and therefore have a cohesive sonic signature. This ensures Nordost customers that they can use their Leif 3 cables alongside any of Nordost’s previous or current lines of cables and continue to upgrade their cables as needed without drawbacks.
Q: Are there any sonic differences between the QBASE 15/10amp and a QBASE 20/16amp models?
A: Yes, because of the difference in construction between the two models, there are slight audible differences. The QBASE 20/16amp version, which uses an IEC C-20 option has both larger traces as well as heavier gauge internal wiring, in order to support higher current. Similar to a power cord, when you use heavier gauge conductors, there will typically be better sonic performance.
Q: Why do cable companies recommend a minimum power cord length of 2 meters? I have seen this said at Nordost and elsewhere, but I have never understood why.
A: A huge consideration in cable construction is how the conductor resonates. There are several factors in that equation, but one of them is the conductor length. The resonant properties of materials change, in part, due to the length of the materials. A 2m cable (where the conductors are cut to a 2m length) will resonate in more of a broad-banded fashion and sound a bit smoother than a 1m.
Q: Because of space constraints on my audio rack, I am thinking about stacking some components. Can I place a QX4 unit on top of a QKORE that is supported by Sort Kones?
A: Technically you can stack units that are on Sort Kones, as long as the weight of the combined units is under the recommended weight (each Sort Kone can support 100lbs). However, it isn’t recommended. You should try to avoid stacking components on top of one another while using Sort Kones, because it will minimize the effect of the Sort Kones.
If you have ever read the literature about Nordost’s QRT Audio Enhancers, you are familiar with their cohesive and cumulative nature. What does that mean? Two things: QRT products all work together to accomplish their desired effect, and the more QRT products used, the better your results will be.
In this blog, we will take a moment to look at how products that make up the QRT family work together, which of Nordost’s Sort System Resonance Control products can enhance your investment in QRT, and some examples of fully optimized hifi systems, using Nordost’s QRT line.
QBASE Mark III
The QASE Mark III is a passive AC distribution unit that addresses the noise caused by conflicting signal and ground paths in a hifi system. It does this by using Star Earth Topology, a design that provides ground separation and allows stray voltages and eddy currents to be referred to one, central, ground point. In the current QRT line, the only difference between the QB4 and the QB8 (or the QB6 in the UK) is the number of outlets available to each model: 4 or 8 (or 6). So, when choosing a QBASE Mark III, simply discern the number of components you need to plug into your system, and the amperage needed to run your system, both QBASE Mark III options are available with either a C-14 or C-20 IEC (C-14 IEC = 15/10 amp, C-20 IEC = 20/16 amp), and you are good to go. For more information on the QBASE Mark III, click HERE.
Products to complement and optimize the QBASE Mark III:
QRT Plug-Ins – QSINE, QWAVE, QVIBE, and QKOIL devices improve upon poor-quality AC. More information on each, individual QRT Plug-In can be found HERE.
QKORE – Grounds the primary side of the power supply through artificial, parallel grounding.
QKORE Wire/Premium QKORE Wire – Offer a connection from the binding post on the QBASE to the QKORE Ground Unit.
QLINE – In appropriate situations, this offers a connection from the binding post on the QBASE to an external ground rod or grounding box.
QRT Stand Mount – Adds stability and the ability to introduce resonance control.
Sort Kones – 4 Sort Kones of your choice to drain damaging vibrations from the chassis of the QBASE.
QBASE Reference
The QBASE Reference, like the QBASE Mark III, is a power distribution unit. However, in addition to providing 10 outlets, the QB10 is a dramatic upgrade including a Dual Primary Earth design, internal solid core Micro Mono-Filament wiring, Pre-QKORE ground design, specifically optimized and modified QPOINT technology, multiple internal QSINE and QWAVE devices, and resonance control Sort support. For more information on the QBASE Reference, click HERE.
Products to complement and optimize the QBASE Reference:
QRT Plug-Ins – While two QSINE and QWAVE devices are already included within the internal design of the QBASE Reference, the modular and cumulative nature of QRT Plug-Ins means that more will always be better.
QKORE – Grounds the primary side of the power supply with an artificial, parallel grounding device.
QKORE Wire/Premium QKORE Wire – Offer a connection from the binding post on the QBASE Reference to the QKORE Ground Unit.
QLINE – In appropriate situations, this offers a connection from the binding post on the QBASE to an external ground rod or grounding box.
QKORE
QKORE parallel grounding devices provide an artificial, “clean” earth for hifi systems by using both an electrical and mechanical approach. By drawing stray high-frequency noise and voltage-generated magnetic fields to a manufactured earth point, the QKORE leaves a clean reference behind. There are models of QKORE that differ in the number of binding posts available: QKORE1 with one binding post that grounds the primary side of the power supply, QKORE3 with three binding posts that ground the secondary side of the power supply, and the QKORE6 with six binding posts which grounds both primary and secondary sides of the power supply. For more information on the QKORE, visit HERE.
Products to complement and optimize the QKORE:
QKORE Wire/Premium QKORE Wire – Provides connection from components in the system to the binding posts on the QKORE Ground Unit.
Sort Kones – 3 or 4 Sort Kones of your choice to drain damaging vibrations from the chassis of the QKORE.
QPOINT
The QPOINT is a resonance synchronizer that manipulates the electromechanical resonances inside audio components within its immediate proximity so that they resonate in unison with each other. For more information on the QPOINT, visit HERE.
Products to complement and optimize the QPOINT:
QSOURCE – Provides stable, clean DC power which feeds the QPOINT so that it can produce the maximum output.
QSOURCE DC Cable/Premium QSOURCE DC Cable – Connects the QPOINT to the QSOURCE Linear Power Supply
QNET
The QNET is a layer-2, five-port Ethernet switch designed and constructed from the ground up to maximize audio performance. Placing a QNET in a digitally driven system dramatically improves the transmission and receival of high-speed audio signals, while achieving extremely low noise operation. For more information on the QNET, visit HERE.
Products to complement and optimize the QNET:
QSOURCE – Provides stable, clean DC power which feeds the QNET so that it can produce the maximum output.
QSOURCE DC Cable/Premium QSOURCE DC Cable – Connects the QNET to the QSOURCE Linear Power Supply
QNET Stand– Adds stability and the ability to introduce resonance control.
Sort Kones – 3 Sort Kones of your choice to drain damaging vibrations from the chassis of the QNET.
QSOURCE
The QSOURCE is a linear power supply that provides a stable, clean output of DC Power at select voltages. Its unique design removes electrical anomalies and noise artifacts from the line and smooths out DC output. For more information on the QSOURCE, visit HERE.
Products to complement and optimize the QSOURCE:
QSOURCE DC Cable/Premium QSOURCE DC Cable – Connects the QSOURCE to the QPOINT, QNET, and any other DC-run audio component that can receive power from Nordost’s linear power supply.
QRT Stand Mount – Adds stability and the ability to introduce resonance control.
Sort Kones – 4 Sort Kones of your choice to drain damaging vibrations from the chassis of the QSOURCE.
You’ve done the research. You’ve found the equipment to match the system of your dreams. You’ve put in the hours of thoughtful, room-specific set up. You’ve even invested in the foundation of your system, paying attention to the cables and power products that make you components sing. You are SO CLOSE to perfection you can almost taste [or pointedly, hear] it. What’s missing? Support!
Nordost Sort Kones are the secret weapon in the battle against damaging vibration. These directly coupled, mechanically tuned resonance control devices effectively wick electrical components of harmful internal vibrations, correcting timing errors and distortions that may be occurring within your devices. Once engaged, Sort Kones provide a “blacker” background to your system, imparting stronger focus, more transparency, and greater dynamic range.
Sort Kones are a comprehensive tool — they can be used with virtually all components. However, when developing our own components, Nordost has taken the chance to offer an extra level of customization…
Enter, Nordost’s QRT Stand Mount and QNET Stand. The QRT Stand Mount serves as a crucial foundation for optimizing the performance of the QSOURCE and QBASE, while the QNET Stand serves the same purpose for the QNET. These stands provide a stable, level, isolated platform, custom fitted for Nordost Sort Kones, that is especially needed in high-end systems that rely on cables which are heavy with the weight of technology and sonic potential!
The QRT Stand Mount and QNET Stand are integral design elements of their QRT counterparts, seamlessly pairing with Sort Kones, and completing Nordost’s vision for optimal performance with a holistic approach to audio support.
For most people, loudspeakers are one of the biggest investments they’ll make in their hifi system. When making a purchase of this size, there are many things to consider, not least of which is how they actually sound in your space! When you land on a decision, you are no doubt happy with the performance, but did you know that you can get even more out of your loudspeakers with just two simple upgrades?
Upgrading your loudspeaker cables is an easy enhancement that makes a huge impact in terms of performance quality. Nordost is renowned for its commitment to the precision and quality build of its audio cables, and its loudspeaker cable design and performance are what put it on the map.
Nordost’s unique, flat speaker cable design has the following benefits:
Minimized Strand Interaction
Optimized Mechanical Resonances
Decreased Skin Effect
Reduction in Physical Surface Contact
This is the perfect equation to yield a low capacitance, low inductance speaker cable with incredibly fast transmission speeds (aka exactly what your loudspeakers need)!
Resonance control is another simple, yet impactful upgrade that can be a total game changer for loudspeakers. Internal vibration is an unavoidable byproduct of loudspeakers; Sort Füt is the solution. Nordost’s Sort Füt is a mechanically tuned resonance control device that eliminates the unwanted internal vibrations that loudspeakers generate, by providing a direct path for extraneous energy to escape from speaker chassis.
What audible improvements can you expect using Nordost’s Sort Füt?
Reduction of Intermodulation Distortion
Increase in Tonal and Textural Details
Expanded System Dynamics
Whether you choose to enhance your loudspeakers with Nordost speaker cables, Sort Füt, or both, you will be investing in a significant upgrade that will truly impact how you interact with your music for the better. Why not get the most out of the speakers you already own and love?
What better way to start off the new year than by giving the people what they “liked” most throughout the past year, all in one spot! This 2023 blog round-up includes our posts from last year that received the most engagement, whether that be likes, shares, comments, retweets, Instagram reactions, or however you feel like measuring nowadays. Here are your favorite blogs of 2023!
Recently, the idea and means of artificial grounding have been a hot topic in the audio industry. Effective electrical grounding in a hifi audio system can mean the difference between enjoying your music and falling in love with it. System noise is a complicated and incessant problem for so many, so why not answer all of your questions in one place?
What is a loom of cables, and why does it matter in the context of a sound system? This blog explores the idea of cable signatures, mixing cable brands, and shows you how to get the most cohesive sound from your hifi equipment.
Since their launch in May at the High End in Munich, people have been very curious about our new QRT Plug-Ins. With every new technology and new product there will be questions that need to be answered. We want to make sure that you get all your answers as easily as possible, so we have put some of our most frequently asked and answered questions together here!
The QBASE was first released to the audio world in 2009. Almost 15 years and two iterations later, the QBASE is still as sought after as when it was launched. However, over those 15 years, much has been improved. In this blog, we answer your questions about the QBASE Mark III, including how it compares to the QBASE Mark II.
The resurgence of vinyl has taken the audio market by storm. Just like any hifi lover, vinyl junkies are sure to want to make the most out of their purchases. If you’re looking for an easy upgrade to elevate your listening experience switching out your standard tonearm cable and power cord is where to start. This blog lets you know what to expect from those very upgrades.
Nordost’s QRT family consists of several impressive audio enhancers. Each of these offerings works as an individually contained solution, with unique objectives for alleviating the poor power quality that impacts audio systems. We understand that sometimes it’s hard to keep all of these QRT products straight, so in this blog, we briefly explain each QRT solution on the market and the distinctive benefits that they bring to a system.
As hifi enthusiasts, we shell out big money to purchase the components that will give us the best possible sound. A lot of deliberation goes into our purchases to determine the right fit for our systems. But did you know that your consideration shouldn’t stop there? In this blog we show you how Nordost products can ensure you maximize the potential of your amplifier.
Evaluating your system can be a daunting task. At Nordost, we understand your frustration, and we’re here to help! In this blog, we will take you through several tracks that you can use to help fine-tune your speakers, assess how your components interact, and just see if you are getting the most out of your system.
Evaluating your system can be a daunting task. When relying solely on your own ears, a lot of questions may circle around your head and cloud your musical judgement: Am I using the right tracks? How do I know how these songs are intended to sound? What is this piece supposed to tell me about my system?
At Nordost, we understand your frustration, and we’re here to help! Below, we will take you through a number of tracks that you can use to help fine-tune your speakers, assess how your components interact, and just see if you are getting the most out of your system. This music has been carefully selected to illuminate specific aspects of system performance and will hopefully prove to be an invaluable tool to further aid you during your system set-up, or to just simply enjoy!
Yanvalloux — Markus Schwartz and Lakou Brooklyn (Frantz Casseus) — Equinox
The opening bass line of this track acts as the perfect gauge of bass weight, pace, and pitch. It allows you to instantly hear the impact of changes in speaker position, and shows the balance of bass weight against texture, attack, and articulation. If you listen to the opening bars of this track as you shift the speaker forwards, backward, or sideways, you’ll quickly gain an appreciation for the significance of even the tiniest adjustments. As the track builds, the ability to hear both the shape and rhythmic complexities of the rapidly fingered bass is a sure measure of critical mid-bass clarity.
From the Soundkeeper Recordings album Equinox (SR1002) by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn. Production, recording, and mastering by Barry Diament. Copyright Soundkeeper Recordings 2010
Leaves Me Wondering — Eleanor McEvoy — Yola
This is a beautifully recorded and deceptively simple pop song with a minimalist arrangement and a refreshing lack of studio fills. What makes it so revealing of your system’s performance is the relationship between the deep, measured bassline and the clear, focused vocal that drives the song. The key here is the balance between the expressive, emotional immediacy of the voice and the weight and attack in the bass. If the bass is too heavy, it slows the track and trips it as it reaches that upshift; too light and it robs the voice (in fact, the whole song) of presence and impact. Instead, the bassline should be present and bold, but never dominant. It should support the rhythmic shifts and phrasing of the vocal. When you get the immediacy and directness in the voice right, the bass will be just where it should be.
From the album Yola (Mosco EMCD1) Produced by Eleanor McEvoy and Brian Connor ISRC CODE ISRC-IE-ABB-01-00009 Pub. BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. (Worldwide except Ireland) E. McEvoy IMRO/MCPS (Ireland) Copyright Blue Dandelion/MOSCO 2001
This small, baroque ensemble is recorded live in the San Vidal Church in Venice. The acoustic is open and very wide, with considerable space on either side of the band, which is placed on a riser, with a dispersive back wall close behind. The result is a clean acoustic, with plenty of air and height, a natural depth perspective that places the harpsichord behind the orchestra, and a real sense of distance between it and the solo cello. However, the real magic in this track lies in the immediacy and energy of the playing, the contrast between the bowed cello and the plucked, pizzicato passages, the range of instrumental colors and textures. Small, but perfectly formed, this is a natural recording that captures the energy, texture, and vibrant harmonics of these acoustic instruments, as well as the verve and precision of the players. The tonal separation of the instruments should be as apparent as their spacing, while the harpsichord should jangle, not grate.
From the album Vivaldi In Venice (Chasing The Dragon, VALCD008). Recorded and produced by Mike and Francoise Valentine. Copyright Chasing The Dragon 2018
Cole Porter — Too Darn Hot — Clare Teal with the Syd Lawrence Orchestra — A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald
Here we have classic big-band action from the Syd Lawrence Orchestra, supporting Clare Teal in an arrangement of the equally classic Cole Porter number, Too Darn Hot. Double-banked, they let fly with presence, power, and dynamic range to burn. The band plays it straight, beautifully balanced against a vocal that gives just enough of a nod to Ella, without trying to beat her at her own game. Big band is always a stern test of system dynamics and headroom, and this track is a perfect example of that.
From the album A Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald (Chasing The Dragon, VALCD003). Recorded and produced by Mike and Francoise Valentine. Copyright Chasing The Dragon 2016
Your Colour — Calypso
A simply beautiful track captured in a single, unrehearsed take, featuring the fragile vocals and poised playing of the young but outrageously talented Calypso – and yes, that really is her name. The slurred diction (especially on the opening lines), emotive phrasing, and widely spaced piano notes are an acid test of speaker toe-in and rake angle. The voice should be focused and clearly defined in space, even if the words aren’t, while the placement of the piano notes should add to the song, not hold it back. Be prepared to work with both speakers until you get close, at which point tiny angular adjustments of just one speaker will lock the recording in space, giving it an achingly natural sense of pace and flow.
Recorded and produced by Chris Binns/Primary Acoustics – all rights reserved.
Kote Moun Yo? — Markus Schwartz and Lakou Brooklyn (Trad. Arr, Markus Schwartz & Monvelyno Alexis) — Equinox
Complex, Haitian-inspired percussion patterns and instruments play against bass, trumpet, and guitar. From the opening conch call to the diverse percussion, the live-looped drum tracks to the sparse guitar and trumpet lines, this is a test of any system’s rhythmic and musical integrity, transparency, and focus. The dense, overlaid drum patterns and upright bass require low-frequency agility and clarity, testing the system’s ability to keep pace with the sharply drawn melodies played on the solo instruments. This track should have an infectious, toe-tapping quality. If it doesn’t, you know there’s something wrong…
From the Soundkeeper Recordings album Equinox (SR1002) by Markus Schwartz & Lakou Brooklyn. Production, recording, and mastering by Barry Diament. Copyright Soundkeeper Recordings 2010
If You Had A Heart — Eleanor McEvoy and Damon Butcher — Forgotten Dreams
Here we have Eleanor McEvoy’s familiar voice once again, but this time exposed in a pared-back recording accompanied by guitar and piano. This is a deeply emotional song and performance that, on the best systems, should have an almost reach-out-and-touch realism to it – a quality that’s even more apparent on the direct-cut LP.
Jennifer Kimball / Eleanor McEvoy / Henry Priestman pub. EMI Blackwood, From the album Forgotten Dreams (Chasing The Dragon VALCD006). Recorded and produced by Mike and Francoise Valentine. Copyright Chasing The Dragon 2018
Georges Bizet — Habanera (from Carmen) — Rosie Middleton (Mezzo Soprano), Debbie Wiseman (Cond.), National Symphony Orchestra — España
Bizet’s most popular opera, and arguably one of opera’s most popular songs— the Habanera from Carmen will be familiar to all. What this track brings is a full orchestra, captured in the large hall at Air Studios, with a well-developed sense of acoustic space. Add in mezzo-soprano Rosie Middleton, standing in the heart of the orchestra, and you have a verifiable test for sound staging and height differentiation. Middleton’s voice should be clearly placed amidst, but above, the surrounding strings, and in front of the winds.
From the album España (Chasing The Dragon VALCD004). Recorded and produced by Mike and Francoise Valentine. Copyright Chasing The Dragon 2017
You can find these tracks included in Nordost’s System Solution Set-Up and Tuning Disc Set.
To help you get the absolute most from your system set-up, this set also includes:
Essential channel and phase checks.
Multiple pink and white noise signals for speaker/room diagnostics.
Sophisticated LEDR tests to optimize speaker placement.
System maintenance tracks (De-Gauss and Burn-In)
Low-frequency tones specially designed and configured to map room modes and aid speaker placement or subwoofer positioning and integration.
