NORDOST QBASE REFERENCE AC Distribution Unit Instruction Manual
- June 13, 2024
- NORDOST
Table of Contents
NORDOST QBASE REFERENCE AC Distribution Unit
Product Information
Thank you for purchasing the QBASE REFERENCE AC Distribution Unit. This multifaceted, reference-level power component is designed to improve the sound and picture quality of your A/V system. It combines a filter-less approach to AC purifying and delivery with the technological advantages found in Nordost’s QRT devices.
The QBASE REFERENCE uses star-earth topology to address the noise-inducing, conflicting flow of signal and ground paths within hifi systems. It includes enhancements such as QSINE, QWAVE, and specially optimized QPOINT technology, Sort resonance control, and more. These design aspects ensure that AC power is delivered to system components without noise or damaging artifacts, increasing resolution and detail without compromising sonic quality, bandwidth, dynamics, or limiting AC current.
The QBASE REFERENCE is a 10-outlet AC distribution unit available with US, EU (Schuko), or AUS sockets. Each unit is outfitted with an IEC C-20 connector input.
Product Usage Instructions
Installation
Placement: Place the QBASE REFERENCE on a stable solid surface, ideally on a dedicated shelf in an audio rack or on an amp stand. Position it to allow maximum separation between the system’s AC power cords and signal leads. If needed, adjust theheight of the Sort support feet by turning them on their threads.
Connection:
- Switch off your system before installation.
- Connect the QBASE REFERENCE to the wall using a Nordost or other high-quality power cord.
- Connect the system’s components to the QBASE REFERENCE.
- Connect the pre- or integrated amplifier to the Primary Earth socket marked on the back of the unit, located at the center of the ground star.
- Connect principal sources in system order on either side of the Primary Earth outlet, balanced by power amp(s) and secondary sources.
- Optional: Connect the WBT binding-post on the backside of the QBASE REFERENCE to a clean independent ground, such as the Nordost QKORE Ground Unit. This will maximize the benefits of the QBASE REFERENCE Focussed Earth technology.
Note: While connecting the WBT binding-post to a clean independent ground is recommended, the system will function normally without this connection.
Thank you for purchasing a QBASE REFERENCE AC Distribution Unit. You have just taken a critically important step towards improving the sound and picture quality of your A/V system. Please read this manual to best understand how to operate and best situate your QBASE Reference, in order to achieve maximum performance results
PHILOSOPHY
The QBASE REFERENCE AC Distribution Unit is a multifaceted, reference-level power component. It combines a filter-less aproach to AC purifying and delivery with the technological advantages found in several of Nordost’s QRT devices, in order to tackle the imperfections and unpredictable nature of the AC signal with one, comprehensive product.
The QBASE REFERENCE uses star-earth topology to address the noiseinducing, conflicting flow of signal and ground paths within hifi systems. However, that’s just the beginning of what it has to offer.
The QBASE REFERENCE includes a broad range of enhancements including QSINE, QWAVE, and specially optimized QPOINT technology, Sort resonance control, and more. Every design aspect included within the QBASE REFERENCE ensures that AC power is delivered to system components without noise or damaging artifacts, as efficiently as possible, in order to increase resolution and detail. It does this without imparting its own sonic signature, sacrificing bandwidth, compressing dynamics, or limiting AC current.
The QBASE REFERENCE is a 10-outlet AC distribution unit available with US, EU (Schuko), or AUS sockets. Each unit is outfitted with an IEC C-20 connector input.
INSTALLATION
PLACEMENT
In order to deliver its full performance, the QBASE REFERENCE should be placed
on a stable solid surface, ideally on a dedicated shelf in an audio rack or on
an amp stand. It should be positioned to allow maximum separation between the
system’s AC power cords and signal leads.
If a leveling adjustment is needed for your selected surface, the height of
the Sort support feet can be adjusted by simply turning them on their threads.
CONNECTION
Each QBASE REFERENCE has one IEC C-20 input on the back. All outlets carry the same current capacity. To install your QBASE REFERENCE, first switch off your system, then connect the QBASE REFERENCE to the wall, using a Nordost or other high quality power cord. The system’s components should then be connected to the QBASE REFERENCE. It is important to connect the pre- or integrated amplifier to the Primary Earth socket marked on the back of the unit, as it is located at the center of the ground star. Principal sources should then be connected in system order on either side of the Primary Earth outlet, balanced by power amp(s) and secondary sources. While the high-quality WBT binding-post provided on the backside of the QBASE REFERENCE should be connected to a clean independent ground, like the Nordost QKORE Ground Unit, the system will function as normal without this connection. However, providing a clean signal ground is one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to any A/V system, at the same time maximizing the benefits of the QBASE REFERENCE Focussed Earth technology.
Finally, turn on the system components, running from sources first, to power
or integrated amplifier last.
OPTIONAL DUAL PRIMARY EARTH
The QBASE REFERENCE design is based around a primary earth concept, where a
star-shaped ground attaches devices to a central grounding point that serves
as a reference for the multiple connections that typically make up an audio
system. For that reason, you should always plug your pre-amplifier or
integrated amplifier into the primary earth socket. However, when a pre-
amplifier uses a dual-mono design, to avoid having both channels at slightly
different ground potentials, we recommend that (before connecting the QBASE
REFERENCE to power) you engage the Dual Primary Earth switch on the bottom of
the unit, removing the cap and moving the switch from position O to position
|. Connect one pre-amplifier channel into the socket labeled PRIMARY EARTH,
and the other pre-amplifier channel into the socket to its right. This will
allow both pre-amplifier channels to act as one, when it comes to ground
reference.
For setups where there are no dual-mono pre-amplifiers, we strongly recommend that this feature remains disabled.
OPERATION
The built-in QPOINT Resonance Synchronizer technology is always on and has been optimized for the QBASE REFERENCE. Two pairs of QSINE and QWAVE units are also built-in and positioned such that one QSINE and one QWAVE are physically closer to the left half of outlets, while the other pair is closer to the right half. Since they can be individually turned on and off, it’s possible to tailor how they interact with the system components plugged into the back by selecting which component goes into which outlet.
When the unit is first powered on, the LED rings on the two capacitivetouch buttons on the front panel will be off. The left button controls the QSINE and QWAVE units that are closer to the left-hand side. By touching the button once, it will light up blue, indicating that the QWAVE on that side is on, while the QSINE remains off. When the button is touched again, the light will turn red, indicating that the QWAVE has been turned off and the QSINE has been turned on. A third touch will cause the button to light up in green, indicating that both the QSINE and QWAVE on that side are on, and a final touch will turn both off again. The right button operates the same way, independently of the left one.
FRONT BUTTON TOUCH SEQUENCE
EXAMPLE: Left button has activated one QWAVE that favors the left side of the unit. Right button has activated one QWAVE and one QSINE that favor the right side of the unit. Two QWAVEs and one QSINE are active TOTAL
OPTIMIZING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Nordost’s extensive line of QRT audio enhancers includes the QNET, QKORE, QPOINT, QSOURCE, QSINE, QKOIL, QWAVE, QVIBE, and QLINE.
QRT products are designed to improve the performance of your system. Each product has its own unique objective, whether that be alleviating the impact of poor quality AC or DC power, providing proper grounding, optimizing data transfer for audio applications, or synchronizing electromechanical resonances
The effects are cumulative and best heard when QRT products are used as a system. When arranged correctly, the effects include a lower noise floor, increased image depth with tighter focus, wider soundstage, as well as improved overtones, pacing, dynamic range and musical expression.
- QNET
- NETWORK SWITCH
- QKORE
- GROUND UNIT
- QPOINT
- RESONANCE SYNCHRONIZER
- QSOURCE
- LINEAR POWER SUPPLY
- LINEAR POWER SUPPLY
- QSINE / QKOIL
- AC ENHANCERS
- QWAVE / QVIBE
- AC LINE HARMONIZERS
- QLINE
- GROUND WIRE
EXAMPLE CONNECTION DIAGRAM
SPECIFICATIONS
- Input Socket: IEC C-20 (20/16 Amp)
- Output Sockets: US, EU (Schuko) or AUS
- Electrical Output: Equivalent to Input
- Internal AC/Mains Fuse: Yes
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 19in x 8in x 5.5in
- Weight: 25.9lb (11.75kg)
WARRANTY
Nordost warrants that the product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship VC to the original purchaser, under normal use and service, for a period of 5 years. This warranty is not transferable.
Please Note: There are no user serviceable parts inside the QBASE REFERENCE. Opening, tampering with, or modifying the unit in any way could be dangerous and will VOID THE WARRANTY on this product
To register for Warranty Service, within 30 days of the purchase, the customer must fill out and return the Warranty Registration Card to the right, together with proof of purchase, or register online at: www.nordost.com/product- registration.php.
QBASE REFERENCE
Warranty Registration Card
Please complete and return this Warranty Registration Card within 30 days of purchase together with proof of purchase to:
- Nordost, 93 Bartzak Drive,
- Holliston MA 01746, USA
- Warranty Registration Cards can also be scanned and emailed to info@nordost.com or faxed to +1 508 893 0115
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References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
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