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Nordost Sort Kones
Rethinking Equipment Support
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 infl uence of cable
and support systems demonstrates that actually, internally generated
microphony is a far more signifi cant 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
specifi cally with draining this energy out of your electronics and into the
supporting structure – and that’s exactly what the Sort Kones do.
Why Sort?
Sort is Danish for black – and black is what you get from
the Sort Kones. Placing them under your electronics
will produce a signifi cant drop in noise fl oor, a blacker
background to your music. The instruments will gain
colour and textural detail while music becomes more
alive, dynamic and performances more dramatic.
All because the haze that was obscuring that level
of detail, that was confusing the precise timing
relationships between instruments, has been
reduced. In this case, black really is the new black.
Four Levels Of Performance
The Sort Kones are available individually and
in four different material combinations.
Each molded housing contains a three part,
mechanically tuned structure that is designed
to drain the mechanical energy generated by
the operation of your electronic equipment.
In each case, a vertical post is supported by a
ball bearing, itself resting on a base element
machined from the same material as the post.
The different combinations are as follows:
AS – aircraft grade aluminum post and base, used in conjunction with a
high-grade steel ball.
AC – the same metal parts as the AS cone, but employing a ceramic
ball instead.
BC – bronze is substituted for the aluminum, but with the same
ceramic ball, giving signifi cant gains in dynamic range and tonal colour.
TC – the ultimate Sort Kone, using titanium metal parts with the
ceramic ball. Brings breathtaking weight and presence to recordings.
How To Use Sort Kones
Nordost Sort Kones are designed for placing between audio electronics
and their supporting surface. They bypass the existing feet (normally
made of rubber) to create a more effi cient exit route for internal
mechanical energy. They can be used to augment the performance
of an existing audiophile rack, or in conjunction with normal furniture.
They can also be used beneath large power amps, which are often
placed directly on the fl oor.
You will need a minimum of three Sort Kones to support each item of
electronics in your system. Start by switching off the unit under which
you are going to place the Kones. The Sort Kones should be positioned
so that their fl attened “points” contact the base-plate of the unit,
their wider bases being stably supported by the shelf or other
surface on which the unit previously sat. When placing the
Kones, avoid fi xings, screws or bolt-heads in the underside of
the unit and keep them clear of the existing feet. Make sure
that the equipment is stable on the three Kones before
switching it back on.
The performance will be infl uenced by the
precise placement of the Kones. You should
seek to position them directly beneath the
largest energy source(s) in each item of
electronics. These are generally any
transport or power supply elements.
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CD Players
Place one cone directly under the transport, the second under the
power supply (generally close to the AC input) and a third to balance
the unit safely. CD players with tube output stages will often benefi t
from a Kone positioned underneath the tubes themselves.
Integrated Amplifi ers
First priority will be the power transformer, with the other two Kones
arranged to provide stable support. If possible place one Kone under
any tubes employed.
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Pre-Amps
These should be treated in the same way as integrated amps. However,
those with external power supplies will require some experimentation.
For the pre-amp itself, a good starting point is to place two Kones
towards the rear of the unit with a single one placed centrally towards
the front, while the power supply should again follow the rules for
integrated amps.
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Power Amplifi ers
The fi rst Kone should be placed beneath the power transformer, the
others beneath the output stage(s) in such a way to balance the unit.
If there are two power transformers, either place one Kone centrally
between them or use two Kones under the transformers and the third
to balance the unit. With tube amps, place at least one Kone under the
output tubes. With a tube mono-bloc, if practical place the third Kone
under the output transformer, although often this will depend on the
weight distribution of the unit itself.
Ringing the changes...
The basic rules outlined above should allow you to establish the
optimum placement for any type of equipment, although it is always
worth experimenting. Sometimes, moving a Kone by as little as half an
inch can create a very worthwhile improvement. Likewise, the physical
structure of a product can also effect the ideal placement, sometimes
with unforeseen results so, if you fi nd an alternative placement superior,
then stick with it. These suggestions will serve as a useful starting point,
but they far from perfect or universal.
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Taking Things Further…
Whilst using three Sort Kones will produce excellent results, you can
improve things still further by adding extra Kones. But rather than
simply placing four Kones in a symmetrical arrangement, we’d suggest
an alternative approach. Very few pieces of equipment have a chassis
that is suffi ciently stiff or strong enough to resist twisting, especially
those containing large power or output transformers. Place them on
three Kones and the chassis will almost certainly bow in one direction
or another. The way to add a fourth Kone to the set up is to start by
supporting the unit on three Kones and then taking the fourth, slide
it around beneath the unit until it “grounds” on a low point in the
base-plate. This will be under tension and form a vibrational node for
mechanical energy, so placing your fourth Kone here will prove most
effective, even if it isn’t pleasingly symmetrical. In fact, you can extend
the approach and add a fi fth Kone, a measure that is particularly
effective under large, stereo tube amps, with their three large
transformers.
Although the Sort Kones are available individually, we would not
recommend mixing and matching the different Kones under a single
unit. However, there is of course a benefi t to be had by prioritizing
your primary reproductive chain and using higher grade Kones in these
critical applications.
Further Information
Sort Kones are available through all Nordost authorized dealers and
distributors, who can advise on their application to your specifi c
equipment and system.
If you would like additional information
Customer Services at [email protected] or call +1-508-881-1116.
or advice please contact Nordost
Nordost 93 Bartzak Drive Holliston MA 01746 USA
www.nordost.com
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