{"product_id":"nordost-qbase-reference","title":"QBASE Reference AC Distribution Unit","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"pa-d5\" style=\"color:#080808;line-height:1.6;font-size:15px\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 6px;font-size:11.5px;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;color:#8d1935;font-weight:600\"\u003eNordost · QRT · Reference\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:18px;line-height:1.45;font-weight:600\"\u003eNordost's reference AC distribution unit: ten outlets on a focused star ground, a dual Primary Earth design, multiple switchable QSINE and QWAVE devices and modified QPOINT technology inside a mechanically tuned chassis on Sort Füt feet. A filter-less alternative to a power conditioner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"display:inline-block;margin:0 0 18px;padding:4px 10px;border:1px solid #d8d5ce;border-radius:2px;font-size:13px;color:#55524c\"\u003ePrice is for one unit with two spare fuses, US outlets, 20 A IEC C20 inlet. Feed it with a Nordost power cord with a 20 A connector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(2,minmax(0,1fr));gap:1px;background:#d8d5ce;border:1px solid #d8d5ce;margin:0 0 22px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e10\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003eback-loading US outlets, star-grounded\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003eC20\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003e20 A IEC inlet; output equivalent to input\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003eQRT inside\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003eswitchable QSINE and QWAVE, modified QPOINT\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f7f6f2;padding:12px 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:20px;font-weight:600;line-height:1.2\"\u003e25.9 lb\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"font-size:12.5px;color:#55524c;line-height:1.35;margin-top:3px\"\u003e19 × 8 × 5.5 in, on four Sort Füt\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eThe QBASE Reference, the QB10, is where Nordost's modular QRT ideas become one component. Like every QBASE it is passive: there is no filtering or current limiting in the path, so the amplifiers see the wall. What it does is organise the AC. A large-scale dual board separates every ground connection from the live and neutral traces and keeps the live and neutral topology symmetrical, all ten outlets refer to one central star earth, and a Primary Earth outlet, with a switch-selected second Primary Earth for dual-mono preamplifiers, gives the control component the lowest-impedance ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 12px\"\u003eBuilt into the chassis are several QSINE and QWAVE devices, Nordost's passive AC enhancer and active line harmonizer, which can be switched in and out to taste, plus a version of the QPOINT resonance synchronizer optimized for AC. Internal wiring is solid-core Micro Mono-Filament, there is a dedicated pre-QKORE ground post, and the extruded aluminum chassis sits on four modified Sort Füt.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 20px\"\u003eAlan Sircom of hi-fi+ called it a cornerstone for systems already in audio's first-class lounge, Jacob Heilbrunn of The Absolute Sound found his system sounded hot-rodded with it, and it took the hi-fi+ power conditioner award and an Editor's Choice. It is the distribution unit we specify for Valhalla 2 systems and for reference electronics from McIntosh, Burmester, Boulder and dCS; we install it with a QKORE on the ground post and plan the outlet order with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px\"\u003eKey technologies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 20px;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStar-earth topology.\u003c\/strong\u003e All ten outlets refer to one central ground point; stray voltages and eddy currents are drained there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDual PCB design.\u003c\/strong\u003e Symmetrical live\/neutral topology with separate grounding and voltage-directionality technology.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSwitchable QSINE and QWAVE.\u003c\/strong\u003e Multiple internal devices can be tailored to the system and the listener.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModified QPOINT technology.\u003c\/strong\u003e Acts on the boards and the QSINE\/QWAVE devices to bring the internal elements into synchrony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary and Dual Primary Earth.\u003c\/strong\u003e A switch adds a second Primary Earth for dual-mono preamplifiers with two power inlets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePre-QKORE ground and Sort Füt.\u003c\/strong\u003e A separated ground path for a QKORE, and four modified Sort Füt under the mechanically tuned chassis.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdetails open style=\"border-top:1px solid #080808;margin:0 0 6px\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:12px 0;font-size:16px;font-weight:600\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:14px;margin:0 0 14px\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003ePassive AC distribution unit with integrated QRT technology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eOutlets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e10 back-loading, US (EU and AUS versions exist)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eInlet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eIEC C20, 20 A (16 A in EU form)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eElectrical output\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eEquivalent to input; no filtering or current limiting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eGrounding\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eFocused star ground, Primary Earth and switchable Dual Primary Earth, external ground post for QKORE\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eInternal wiring\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eSolid-core Nordost Micro Mono-Filament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eIntegrated technology\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eQSINE, QWAVE, modified QPOINT\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eProtection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eFused; two replacement fuses included\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eChassis\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eMechanically tuned extruded aluminum on four Sort Füt\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eDimensions\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e19 × 8 × 5.5 in (483 × 203 × 140 mm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003e25.9 lb (11.75 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eSold as\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eSingle unit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 10px 7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top;width:40%;color:#55524c\"\u003eWarranty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding:7px 0;border-bottom:1px solid #d8d5ce;vertical-align:top\"\u003eFive-year limited\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 14px;font-size:13px\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nordost.com\/qrt\/qbase-reference.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eNordost QBASE Reference product page and specifications\u003c\/a\u003e Specifications from nordost.com, the QBASE Reference manual and the Nordost USA price list (August 2026).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails style=\"border-top:1px solid #080808;border-bottom:1px solid #080808;margin:0 0 22px\"\u003e\u003csummary style=\"cursor:pointer;padding:12px 0;font-size:16px;font-weight:600\"\u003eWhere it sits in the range\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cdiv style=\"padding:0 0 14px\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px\"\u003eNordost's QBASE distribution units, with the QRT products around them, by price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qsine\"\u003eNordost QSINE AC Enhancer\u003c\/a\u003e: passive plug-in, $325\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qvibe-qv2\"\u003eNordost QVIBE QV2 AC Line Harmonizer\u003c\/a\u003e: active plug-in, $405\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qwave\"\u003eNordost QWAVE AC Line Harmonizer\u003c\/a\u003e: active plug-in, $450\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qpoint\"\u003eNordost QPOINT Resonance Synchronizer\u003c\/a\u003e: component-level resonance treatment, $875\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qbase-qb4-mark-iii\"\u003eNordost QBASE QB4 Mark III\u003c\/a\u003e: four-outlet passive distribution, from $1,400\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qbase-qb8-mark-iii\"\u003eNordost QBASE QB8 Mark III\u003c\/a\u003e: eight-outlet passive distribution, from $2,300\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qsource-linear-power-supply\"\u003eNordost QSOURCE Linear Power Supply\u003c\/a\u003e: six DC outputs, $2,750\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qnet-high-performance-audio-network-switch\"\u003eNordost QNET Network Switch\u003c\/a\u003e: five-port audio switch, $3,800\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qsource-mkii-linear-power-supply\"\u003eNordost QSOURCE MKII Linear Power Supply\u003c\/a\u003e: high-power, dual transformers, $4,500\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qnet7-network-switch\"\u003eNordost QNET7 Network Switch\u003c\/a\u003e: seven ports with SFP, nine power supplies, $5,500\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qkore-ground-unit\"\u003eNordost QKORE Ground Unit\u003c\/a\u003e: parallel grounding, QKORE1, 3 and 6, from $3,000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNordost QBASE Reference (QB10)\u003c\/strong\u003e (this model)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qbase-supreme-reference\"\u003eNordost QBASE Supreme Reference\u003c\/a\u003e: Odin 2 wired, 32 A powerCON, $30,000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qbase-gold\"\u003eNordost QBASE Gold\u003c\/a\u003e: Odin Gold wired, 32 A powerCON, $45,000\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:10px 0 0\"\u003eGround it with a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-qkore-ground-unit\"\u003eQKORE\u003c\/a\u003e and feed it with a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-valhalla-2-power-cords\"\u003eValhalla 2\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/nordost-odin-2-power-cords\"\u003eOdin 2 power cord\u003c\/a\u003e with a 20 A IEC.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:0 0 8px;font-size:16px\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 22px;padding-left:18px\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nordost.com\/assets\/images\/review-images\/hi-fi+_230%20Nordost[58].pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003ehi-fi+: Nordost QBASE Reference (QB10) AC distribution system\u003c\/a\u003e (Alan Sircom; hi-fi+ award winner)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.nordost.com\/assets\/images\/review-images\/review-pdf\/TAS%20356%20NORDOST%20REPRINT.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eThe Absolute Sound: Nordost QBASE Reference AC distribution unit\u003c\/a\u003e (Jacob Heilbrunn, 2025)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/gy8.eu\/review\/nordost-qbase-reference-qb10\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eGY8: Nordost QBASE Reference QB10, ground zero for AC distribution\u003c\/a\u003e (Roy Gregory, 2024)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin:0 0 5px\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.monoandstereo.com\/nordost-qbase-reference-ac-distribution-unit-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMono and Stereo: Nordost QBASE Reference review\u003c\/a\u003e (Matej Isak, 2025)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding:16px 18px;background:#f7f6f2;border-left:3px solid #8d1935\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 4px;font-weight:600\"\u003eA private consultation with John Loranger\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:14px\"\u003ePearl Audio is an authorized Nordost Reference and Supreme Reference dealer in Portland, Oregon, and Nordost power is the foundation we build reference systems on. John Loranger plans the distribution, grounding and power cords for your system, in the store or in your home, and we install and dress the finished installation. Call \u003ca href=\"tel:+15032222599\"\u003e(503) 222-2599\u003c\/a\u003e or email \u003ca href=\"mailto:sales@pearlaudio.com?subject=Nordost%20QBASE%20Reference%20AC%20Distribution%20Unit\"\u003esales@pearlaudio.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Nordost","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50801274323042,"sku":"NORD-QB10REF-US","price":18000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2475\/2780\/files\/QBase_Reference_front_angle_75a07b28-140b-41ff-af65-fb67508e753d.jpg?v=1793318958","url":"https:\/\/pearlaudio.com\/products\/nordost-qbase-reference","provider":"Pearl Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}