Nordost QKORE

Reporting back on QKore 6. I have made a few forum posts voicing my slight disappointment with the QKore other than grounding to the QBase power distributor (where it works awesomely).

But I had limited ways to try it, only an Oppo streamer and Teddy Pardo DAC, neither of which worked well.

Now I have new kit, a Naim 272 Streamer/DAC/Pre. Lots of ports to try it. QKore did not seem to make much of a difference on the analog RCA inputs/outputs of the pre-amp section. The digital section had a BNC output, and using an adaptor, yes this made a slight improvement.

Next up the spdif digital inputs (RCA and BNC). Bingo. Here a large improvement, so much so I am buying a QKore premium wire BNC cable just to max this particular grounding connection.

My limited experience of grounding shows its system dependant. Does not work in all, or even half the cases, but when it does its huge. So experimentation is a must.

But how does this "passive approach to obtaining an artificial, “clean” earth for hifi audio systems" compare with Puritan's ground master, where one does actually connect the ground of the power conditioner to a ground rod on the outside of ones house to earth? 

I don't know, I have the latter, I am not implying it is better, because I don't know. I would hope not as it is quite a bit less money. I imagine the ones who have tried both in their system is slim to none. 

I also imagine employing both grounding strategies may be counterproductive? 

This Nordost is similar to synergistic research's grounding blocks with the exception that the SR is active- it plugs in- anyone compared these? 

Running another separate ground rod to earth is against code in most places so watch that. It is here in Australia, where having different ground rods can effect the MEMS connection at the fuse box.

Probably best comparison would be to compare Puritan Groundmaster City vs QKore 1 on a power distributors ground terminal. There is a large price difference, the Puritan is only $250.

I just upgraded my QKore ground wire from standard to premium for one of the connections, a BNC digital input on a Naim streamer.

From first plug in, it seemed a subtle and just OK upgrade, like better bass. But after leaving it working 48 hours, a new level of transparency and lower noise floor that was surprising. A great upgrade for the price, the 2m Premium QKore wire being only about $500 USD. One of the cheapest cable line upgrades Nordost do...

I was using a RCA-BNC adaptor on the standard QKore wire, so don't know what difference that could have made.