Nordost QKORE Grounding System and Sort Kones by Moreno Mitchell

Making the Connection

I have been into high-end audio for more years than I care to mention. To give you some insight into my journey, I started way back in 1976 with my first purchase: a McIntosh MC2505 amplifier and a C-26 preamp. Those were the glory days when all we cared about was hearing what the music sounded like. No one could give a rat’s behind about noise, record scratches, line conditioners, EMI, RFI, etc. Back then it was all about the musical effect we felt while listening with our friends or alone, lying on the floor with a beverage or something like that.

As time went on, the audio hobby became the monster it is now. Or should I say, how we have gravitated toward enormous new technologies within our world. Whether it be automobiles, electronics, kitchen appliances, aviation, space technology, etc. One would have to agree the electronic/audio world has evolved for the better over time.

April 2026, I attended the AXPONA Audio Show in Chicago with friends who are avid music lovers and audio enthusiasts. Each of us owns a top-notch, high-end home audio system. Our objective when attending these audio shows is to see what’s out there and sample different listening rooms to find what we feel is the best sound.

First Discovery

On day 2 of the Axpona show, we visited the Nordost exhibit; of all the rooms we’d seen so far, I was struck by a sense of musical purity. Gone was the usual electronic effect; the room atmosphere sounded more like pure music. I sat down for a spell to listen extensively; I told the group I would catch up with them later. As I sat there listening, I noticed a group of small silver boxes scattered across the front of the room, connected to the electronics and speakers. I waited a while, then asked one of the Nordost representatives about the purpose of these small silver boxes; my journey with the Nordost QKore grounding system started that day.

After Initial Discovery

Later that evening, I visited another exhibit whose setup demonstrated another brand of grounding boxes. This company conducted an “A-B” comparison with the grounding box in and out. I was captivated by the improvements whenever the box was reinstalled into the system. However, when I asked about the price of their grounding system, it was well outside my price range. Eventually, I made my way back to the Nordost exhibition the following day to ask more questions and get more details/pricing (see next paragraph). I was set on trying it in my system to see whether the Nordost QKore would produce the same or similar results I heard about in Chicago. Next, I educated myself on the Nordost QKore grounding system to understand how it works (see below).

Description

The QKORE is a parallel grounding device, which provides an artificial, “clean” earth for hifi audio systems using both an electrical and mechanical approach. This unique product combines Nordost’s patented Mono-Filament technology with purpose-built Low-Voltage Attractor Plates (LVAPs), constructed with a proprietary metal alloy and a passive electronic circuit, to draw stray high-frequency noise and voltage-generated magnetic fields to a manufactured earth point, leaving a clean reference behind. This passive system is contained in a mechanically tuned housing and outfitted with gold-plated WBT binding posts, which easily connect each component to an artificial ground. By providing for a balanced and very “clean” ground point, by-products of electrical balance imperfections between voltage and ground are no longer added to other pollutants, dramatically increasing high quality audio circuit performances.

Nordost’s QKORE is available in three distinct models. The QKORE1 is specifically designed to serve as a parallel ground for use with Nordost’s distribution block, the QBASE. By connecting the QBASE to the QKORE1’s singular binding post, it provides an effective alternative ground on the primary side of the power supply. The QKORE3 is named for its three available binding posts, which can be used to ground any component in your system on the secondary side of a power supply, where the audio circuit is. For audiophiles who have monoblocks in their system, or are searching for an all-in-one unit solution, Nordost offers the QKORE6, making it possible to ground all elements of your sound system on its 6 binding posts, including one ground for your distribution block, two grounds for the left and right channels of your monoblocks, and three grounds for additional audio components.

Next Step

At first, I thought about contacting Nordost and asking for a review sample; however, I decided instead to purchase a QKore 3 outright to get an idea of what effect the QKore3 would have on my home system. I have spent years building my audio system to what it is today. I presently own Thrax amps (Spartacus and Teres monoblocks, via a Thrax Libra preamp. I bi-amp the four monoblocks to run a pair of YG Acoustic Sonja 3.2 Speakers. I also operate numerous front ends, such as CD, Streaming, reel-to-reel, and Turntable. After purchasing a QKore3 and three QKore Premium cables from the Cable Company, I had to decide where to connect the QKore3; I connected it to the Esoteric CD, Thrax DAC, and Thrax Libra Tube Preamp.

Phase One

Initially, the connection right out of the box rendered a more relaxed presentation of the music, accompanied by a slight lowering of the noise floor, noticeable (yes); however, this was not exactly what I had experienced from the Nordost exhibit or the other manufacturer’s system that I witnessed at the show. After listening for a few weeks, I moved the QKore3 and connected it to the Thrax Teres monoblocks, which power the bass section of the YG Acoustic Sonjas. This move translated to a slightly noticeable improvement in bass presentation; especially during quiet music passages, there was a sense of greater air around the deep bass notes. Was this a result of the noise floor drop?

However, with the addition of the Nordost QKore3, I doubted the origin of the improvement, especially since I operate three separate line conditioners (Sound Application TT-7, InaKustik AC4500, and the Puritan PSM156) and was unsure what caused the noise floor drop.  My system was top-notch sounding before introducing the Nordost QKore3. I wanted to experience more of what the Nordost QKore grounding system was capable of.  Also, was adding the QKore3 alone enough to squeeze more juice out of a well-established high-end system?   

Phase Two

As a true audiophile, it’s in my blood to seek new ways to reach the next level of nirvana. I reached out to Nordost for a QKore6 grounding box review sample to see if adding additional ground boxes could reduce the noise floor further. Upon contacting the Nordost sales representative (who was extremely receptive to my request for a review sample), a few weeks later, Nordost graciously shipped a QKore6, five QRT QKore Premium ground wires terminated with RCA spade ends, and one set of (3) Nordost Sort Kones.

The silver Nordost QKore grounding boxes measure 10.6w x 3.2h x 8.9d, with each grounding box weighing QKore3 (13.5lbs), QKore 6 (17.2lbs). The ground box and ancillary equipment were very well packaged, shipped in a sturdy, medium-sized box, which is a testament to Nordost’s devotion to quality.  (Caveat: The next paragraphs describe my listening impressions of the QKore6, QKore3, and the Nordost Sort Kones placed underneath the QKore6; however, I did not operate the complete recommended system because I was missing the Nordost QBase power strip that connects the QKore boxes via a single cable.)

Ultimate Tests

Initially, I connected the sample QKore6 to my Thrax DAC, Thrax Libra Tube Preamp, Thrax Orpheus Tube Phono Stage amp, Esoteric CD player, and a spade connection to one of my line conditioners. I left the other Nordost QKore3 connected to the Thrax Teres monoblocks. After a couple of days of settling in, I started with some critical listening to some familiar tracks played via my CD player. I then compared some of the same tracks played via my Pink Faun Ultra 2.16 Streamer. In comparison, I felt the presentation was much smoother and more open coming from the Esoteric CD player. The center stage was clearly defined, and the soundstage had greater depth.

Switching to analog through my Pro-Ject RPM10 turntable, powered by the Thrax Orpheus phono stage, was an ear opener. Talk about turning up the quiet, this setup was extraordinary. I played the same familiar vinyl tracks from Herbie Hancock’s ‘Joni Letters’ as I previously did on the Esoteric CD player and PF streamer. Still, this time it was significantly more relaxed and dynamic. The layers of the music were noticeably expanded laterally and vertically, creating a more focused, defined soundstage without sacrificing realism. Mr. Hancock’s keyboard strikes were done with authority and clarity, along with timbral accuracy. Everything in the music was exact, with a sense of realism that made you forget there were electronics involved- nothing but pure music.

After weeks of switching between analog and digital sources, I came to the subjective conclusion that the Nordost QKore ground boxes were more adaptable to analog sound. I then disconnected different sources and noticed a clear improvement in the sound when I disconnected the ground wire from the Thrax Libra Tube Preamp. At first, this was just an observation I needed to look into. After several attempts to switch between the tube preamp and ground box, it became clear that the Thrax Libra Tube Preamp was not fully compatible with the QKore. Don’t ask me why this happened; I am simply reporting what I observed in my system.

I decided to take the tube preamp out of the equation and connect my Otari Reel-to-Reel Tape Deck in its place. I cannot begin to express or even describe what I experienced next. I queued up a Fritz Reiner/Rimsky-Korsakoff: Scheherazade ultra master tape, and the live concert was “on”. The sound, attenuated through my YG Acoustic 3.2 speakers, exhibited greater fidelity, resolution, and detail than I had ever heard before.  The orchestra expanded out, revealing more ambiance and air between the violinists, brass section, cymbals, and bass drums, etc. The listening experience was extremely captivating, especially coming from a home high-end audio system. It does not get any better than this.

Final observations

The added refinements that the QKore grounding system, Sort Kones, and the premium ground wires bring to an audio system are well worth the price; in fact, it’s an absolute bargain. Folks, this is what it’s all about; this is why we audiophiles spend the big bucks, to get as close to the real thing as possible.

In my audio system, I felt the QKore grounding system had more of an effect on the analog sources than on the digital sources. The system delivered more analogism, quietness, and resolve than the digital side. If I were forced to use one word to describe what I experienced overall, it would be “Captivated”. Thus, highly recommend!

Specifications:
Nordost QRT Products:
QKore1 Ground Unit  $2999
Provided with a 2M Banana-to-Banana QKORE Wire.
Furnished with one “QBASE Ground” binding post to ground your distribution block.
Offers an effective ground on the primary side of the power supply.

QKore3 Ground Unit  $4099
Provided with a 2M RCA to Banana QKORE Wire.
Furnished with three multi-use binding posts to ground your audio circuitry.
Grounds system components on the secondary side of the power supply, where the audio circuit is.

QKore6 Ground Unit $5749
Provided with a 2M Banana to Banana QKORE wire and a 2M RCA to Banana QKORE Wire.
Furnished with three multi-use binding posts for audio circuitry, two binding posts for left and right monoblocks, and one “QBASE Ground” binding post to ground your distribution block.
Offers an effective ground on the primary side of the power supply, for a distribution block, as well as on the secondary side of the power supply, for system components, including those with separate left and right chassis.

QKore Premium Ground Wire  $379
Sort Kone  $129 each

Website: www.nordost.com

Moreno’s Associated Equipment
Analog
Thrax Spartacus 300B Tube Amplifiers
Thrax Teres Hybrid Power Amplifiers
Thrax Libra 300B Tube Preamp
Thrax Orpheus-3 Tube Phono Amp
Pro-Ject RPM 10 Carbon Turntable/ My Sonic Labs Signature Platinum MC Cartridge
Otari MX5050BIII-2 Reel-to-Reel Tape Machine
Digital
Thrax Maximinus DAC
Esoteric K-01Xd CD/SACD Player. Esoteric G-05 Master Clock
Network
Pink faun 2.16 Ultra Streamer/Server
Waversa EXT Reference Plus
Roon Neutrilik Plus
Sean Jacobs Power Supply
Speakers
Y.G. Acoustics Sonja 3.2
REL G1 MKII Subwoofers (2)
Cables
Albedo Metamorphosis Signature Speaker Cables
Cardas Clear Beyond Phono X2
Hemingway Sigma, Beta, Alpha Power Cords
Albedo Metamorphosis Signature and MKII Monocrystal Interconnects (2 sets)
Albedo Gravity III Power Cords
Inakustic 2405 Digital Cables
Ansuz Audio Interconnect DTC
A.C. Conditioners
Puritan PSM156
Sound Application TT-7
Inakustic AC4500 Power Station
Accessories
Townshend Audio Seismic Platforms
Live Vibe Audio RP-2 Stands
StillPoints S.S. Ultra 5 and Ultra 6
StillPoints Equipment Rack
Room Tube Bass Traps
Franck Chang Resonators
Ansuz DTC Power Box