Nordost Power Cords

Snake oil, you say! I have to admit, I haven't been too impressed in the past with power cords that claimed to drastically improve performance. Lots of this stuff is mental. It's expensive. The "experts" say it's night and day difference. So, we convince ourselves that we hear something that may or may not be there.

Well, you won't have to wonder whether your brain is playing tricks on you with these puppies. Television pictures have visibly less "noise" in them. Clarity and crispness is improved as a result. Audio is certainly more defined. The first thing you notice is the volume gets noticeably higher. Listening reveals a "blacker" background, more air around the instruments and vocals, and a deeper soundstage.

Promises of this kind of improvement surely come with a lofty pricetag. The Nordost cords can get quite pricey, BUT the WyreWizard Magus series we have on demo is super-affordable. One meter is only $160. As you move up through the line, the benefits become even greater. Most people will agree that cables are as much a component as the amplifier and speakers. Be sure not to forget the power cord!

Dynaudio Focus 220 II

For those of you not familiar with Dynaudio, some quick background. This Danish company builds their own drivers and their drivers have been prominent in other legendary speakers like the ProAc Response. Dynaudio's own speakers are quite famous themselves being the choice in countless recording studios, listening rooms, and even the cockpits of Bugatti's exotic cars.

Like most speaker brands, Dynaudio features several series of speakers. With each series, the cabinets become more complex and the veneers prettier. The drivers and crossovers get more refined and, of course, the costs rise. You will agree most speaker brand's sound change markedly as you move from series to series. What I find most interesting about Dynaudio is the distinct sonic signature present thoughout the entire line. Listen to the $1200 Excite X12 or the 23K Confidence C4- the sound is unmistakeably Dynaudio. Full disclosure, I have to admit that I have not heard the Evidence Master which, for well into the six figures, might sound a bit different.

For the studio demo, we chose to put the Focus 220 in the mix. Of four primary series in the Dyna line, the Focus is the second. It is the smaller of two floor-standing options in the Focus series, which also features two sizes of monitor as well as a matching center speaker. The 220 runs $3600 a pair- a desireable price point for a true audiophile speaker, neither inexpensive nor outrageous.

I'm a big fan of a deep and wide soundstage and pinpoint imaging. The 220 doesn't diappoint on either. The illusion of the performance in front of you is convincing. Now, the imaging and soundstaging is considerably better on the Contour series, but what it may lack in precision, it certainly makes up for in musical weight. As a piano player, I use piano as a benchmark for how well a speaker conveys the weight of an instrument. All Dynaudio's have amazing bass, the best I've heard, but the floor-standers showcase more than good bass. You hear the body of the instrument. In Keith Emerson's solo on ELP's Black Moon, you close your eyes and that 9 foot Steinway is right there in the room. No bloating or strange resonance. No tinniness on the top end.

Additionally, the Focus makes all music sound good. I've heard more than a few great speakers that just couldn't JAM. I love classical music, jazz, and audiophilia, but I like Led Zeppelin and Rush too. I dont want a speaker to be too refined, I want it to move me. Consider me moved. Now, the Focus could do some things better. I mean, no $3600 speaker will do everything to absolute perfection. The Focus does alot of things really well and that's rare enough. It gracefully hits all the main criteria that constitute good sound and does nothing poorly.

Quantum Resonant Technology

This one is kind of hard to explain. The Quantum QB4 four outlet and QB8 eight outlet models look like a typical multi-outlet surge protector. They are not. They are electrical distribution hubs. And this thing weaves all kinds of magic!

Again, this is not priced in the stratosphere. The QB4 is $799. That's what really impressed us- that you can get this kind of system improvement for not a lot of dough is amazing. The key I'm told is the way the units ground the electrical current. In fact, they insist that the unit be given its own independent ground to really perform at its peak. And we haven't even seen it independently grounded yet.

The unit basically does for your system's audio and video what I described in the bit about the Nordost power cords above. TIMES TEN! Combined with good power cords, the effectiveness is impressive- making all of your components and TV perform on an entirely different level than you thought possible. We have a 7000 series Samsung LED plugged up to it as well and it reveals detail I didn't know an LED could achieve. This product is great for anyone looking to make what they have better. Your audio and video will do things they never did before. Worth every penny!