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Quantum QRT QX4

Anyone wondering whats inside one of these for the almost $3000 Nordost is asking for them? Well I owned one and took it apart, and let me tell you I was shocked!! I have never seen cheaper parts and crappy little PCB than this. I think a total of about $20 was spent on the electronics, and I am being generous. The case is by far more expensive to make. They spent more effort into making the case heavy and out of billet and extruded aluminum to give it the appearance of high end and so they could somewhat justify the price tag. It is utterly shameful what Nordost has pulled on its consumers. Thats why they have the protective sealing sticker on the chassis so no one opens it up and voids the warranty. I bought mine directly from a dealer when the Nordost rep came for a demo.
The board looked like it was a factory R&D project. Scratches all over it, a cover on the board was removed at one point leaving behind the trace of it in the left over glue. I was fuming after I opened it and witnessed the biggest ripp off in audio history. I had a Symphony Pro years ago and it blew this piece of crap out the rack.
Needless to say, even though it did provide some enhancement, I no longer have it. But before I did get rid of it I happen to make a schematic and take plenty of pictures, even built one with much needed improvements.;)
The very robust case was actually heavily softening the effect and the one inch thick sides were directing some of the energy vertically. Anyway my new version of this guy has been a huge improvement to say the least, it has 6 times the power of the QX4. Thanks Nordost ;)
dcizmok
ldworet
48 posts
 
Dcizmok, why not take a video and post it on youtube? Would be even better if you filmed your making your version. thanks.
ldworet
48 posts
 
Dcizmok, I have an Acoustic Revive 77 Schumann Resonance Generator and 4 Kemp SR (Schumann generators) and certainly they increase the sound stage tremendously.

Have you had a chance to look inside a Schumann with a PCB and see if it's similar to the QX4?

That would be very helpful to know. As you say, you can pick up Schumann units for a couple hundred that work great. The AR 77 has a plastic box (maybe better than the metal of the Qx4) and has to be placed up high -- above 1.5 m or so. Nothing in the instructions about placing it close to gear.

Those who have the Symphony and the Schumann may want to comment on the differences.
agear
1,362 posts
 
Dcizmok, I was speaking metaphorically in that this is endemic to "hi end" audio. There are more extreme examples to be had highlighting an inverse relationship between parts quality and cost. An engineering pedigree does not necessarily safeguard against this phenomena but paradoxically often aggravates it since parts are parts, wire is wire, etc.
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kennyb
117 posts
 
The QBASE models have the star grounding - not the QX4. If you knew what a star ground does you would know how badly you just discredited yourself. And you are telling me I should read more? You've just proven that you could not possibly have opened a QX4.

From Quantum's description of the QBASE: "The essence of the QBASE concept is a straight-line AC distribution path, combined with a star-earthed topology for connection to a clean ground. By eliminating any form of in-line filtering or active circuitry we maintain the lowest possible AC supply impedance, while a tiny lift in the earth impedance of all but one of the output sockets routes the signal grounds directly to the centre of the star and the clean earth terminal."

You see, it makes perfect sense to have a star ground in a power strip, as it keeps the ground from one component from injecting noise into another. You can't have a star ground when there is only a single outlet, as on the QX4.

So who knows what the heck you opened, if you opened anything at all.

And no, not all these types of products are based on Schumann resonance theory. You just make stuff up, don't you? Amazing. Just when you think you've seen it all.

I'm laughing out loud. Thank you for that. :-)
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kennyb
117 posts
 
Apologies to Dcizmok. I went back and read what he wrote. He was talking about the QB4 and not the QX4 when he mentioned the star ground. My mistake.
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