Nordost Sort Cones

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by cmalak

Bob...good to hear. If you don't mind doing an AC vs TC shoot out on your MCD500 that would be very helpful. Thanks so much .

Well Cyril, I haven't performed an AC to TC comparison; but, here's my take on the TC's installed in a triangular shape under the MCD500.

First off, being at the top of the Nordost kone food chain, the TC models are expensive and at least 3 are needed under electronic components. Nordost suggested at RMAF, for CD player placement, one should be placed under the transport, a second under the AC mains and the third, under the signal entrance. Therefore, placement under the MCD500 affords the triangular positioning I mentioned.

Before I go on, let me do a direct quote from Nordost on the purpose of the Kones.

"When it comes to hi-fi equipment supports we have tended to think in terms of isolation – racks, shelves or cone type devices that seek to
protect our electronics from the damaging effects of air or structure borne vibrational energy. After all, it’s an understandably intuitive
response given the presence of at least two very loud speakers in close proximity with the other equipment.

However, recent independent research into the influence of cable and support systems demonstrates that actually, internally generated
microphony is a far more significant problem. Internal components such as optical drives and power transformers generate considerable
amounts of mechanical energy, but what we tend to overlook is that almost every component in the circuit that charges and discharges or
passes signal will also be prone to vibrating. Now, whilst the actual level of mechanical energy in question is often very small indeed, it is also
coexists in the same mechanical space as the fragile audio signal – in same cases in the very same component.

The most successful equipment support strategies are designed to deal specifically with draining this energy out of your electronics and into the supporting structure – and that’s exactly what the Sort Kones do."

So, now onto the A/B:

After repeated listening sessions between several of what I consider great CD's/SACD's, I found the difference to be as I heard at RMAF. During the course of the A/B, I played with Kone placement -- moving each a 1/4 inch this way or that way, making sure I was under solid and not ventilated metal. The front Kone, under the transport ended up moving in several spots as well, and I settled on almost directly under the center portion of the transport mechanism.

What did I hear & learn by these devices? Without a doubt, the noise floor dropped which considerably darkened the background and was definitely noticeable on each CD A/B session. As a direct result, a slight fog or obscurity was lifted therefore allowing more detail encoded on the disc to be trurer and more dynamic.

So, I'm happy with their purchase and are keepers. These replaced my Stillpoint combination which I had employed for quite some time & honestly did not have the impact as I experienced with the Nordost 'TC' Sort Kones.

I have 4 'AC's under each Amp (near the corners because most of the underneath is vented) and another 3 'TC's' under the C500 set (triangular shape as like the MCD500). I probably won't do an A/B with the amps as it's nearly impossible to do it correctly with one person.

Hope this condensed Nordost Sort Kone impression is helpful.

Bob

[chessman]

Bob ... very interesting. Thanks!

[Masterlu]

Isolation devices performance is very real. I'm glad to see you found your favorite Bob.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Isolation devices performance is very real. I'm glad to see you found your favorite Bob.

You are absolutely correct Ivan -- something I was not personally aware of 6 or 7 years ago -- may have heard of them, but had no experience or belief in.

Learn something everyday is the saying and it correlates to experiences such as with the Kones.

Bob

[cmalak]

Bob...very nice review. Thank you

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

You are absolutely correct Ivan -- something I was not personally aware of 6 or 7 years ago -- may have heard of them, but had no experience or belief in.

Learn something everyday is the saying and it correlates to experiences such as with the Kones.

Bob

Since I have been exposed to HRS, I can really hear the difference; more than ever.

[gme109]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

So, I'm happy with their purchase and are keepers. These replaced my Stillpoint combination which I had employed for quite some time & honestly did not have the impact as I experienced with the Nordost 'TC' Sort Kones.

I have 4 'AC's under each Amp (near the corners because most of the underneath is vented) and another 3 'TC's' under the C500 set (triangular shape as like the MCD500). I probably won't do an A/B with the amps as it's nearly impossible to do it correctly with one person.

Hope this condensed Nordost Sort Kone impression is helpful.

Bob

Curious, what Stillpoints were you comparing the Nordost Sort Kone TC to?