The other new product that Thales had on display was an innovative phono-stage, dubbed the Magnifier. A cooperative project with Stellavox, it shares the same footprint, finish and distinctive slate-grey/soft copper colourway as the Reference turntable, its design and execution similarly understated and chic. Offering two MC inputs (on RCA) and two, line inputs (one balanced, one single-ended RCA), a by-passable volume control and balanced and single-ended inputs/, the Magnifier offers up to 66dB of phono gain, with ±6dB switching around a central 60dB reference level. The fully balanced, feedback-free circuit employs inductive RIAA EQ, to eliminate capacitors from the signal path. There are two, fully independent output stages, one with volume control and one without, meaning that both can be used simultaneously to drive different systems. The Magnifier is priced at €37,000 and we should be reviewing it shortly.
Nordost’s new Leif 3 source cabling and QNET7switch
Nordost is slowing evolving into one of the most venerable brands in the high-end market. There are fewer and fewer audiophiles who can remember a time before Nordost established its place amongst the small handful of cable products that can rightfully claim pre-eminence. When it comes to current thinking on cable systems, cabling systems and how to get the best out of cable systems themselves, so much of what might currently be considered conventional wisdom actually originated with Nordost and simply didn’t exist in the time BN.
The company’s attendance at the High-End Show underscores this position. They’ve been in the same room for so long that if you simply set your guidance system on autopilot and dial in the word “Nordost”, you’ll quickly find yourself in the familiar surroundings of their split listening/meeting room, surrounded by equally familiar faces. But each year, along with all that familiarity, you can also count on a host of newly introduced product that helps keep the legend. This year was no exception.
Although Nordost’s Odin Gold loom of cables could be heard in the show’s much trumpeted “most expensive” room, assembled around Wilson WAMM speakers and other aspirational products, Nordost’s latest products are aimed at real world audiophiles. New introductions this year included a new series of digital products in the Lief range, with dedicated BNC, USB and Ethernet designs in the Blue Heaven series, that along with the new White Lightning 3 Tonearm cable fill out the updated family that launched last year.
Blue Heaven 3 USB cable is priced at $320 for a one-meter length. Blue Heaven Digital 3 interconnect is $285 for a 1-meter length. Blue Heaven Ethernet 3 cable is $500 for a one-meter length. The White Lightning Tonearm lead is $650 for a one-meter length.
In addition to cabling, Nordost also introduced a new layer-2 ethernet switch, the QNET7. Designed to eliminate noise for high-speed digital transmission. Featuring 7 ports, including an SFP optical connection, it offers 10/100/1000BASE-T (1 Gbps), 100BASE-TX (100 Mbps) and 1000BASE-LS/SX (802.3z-1998 (CL 3B) capability. It is equipped with nine power supplies to minimize cross contamination and is compatible with Nordost’s QSOURCE. Coming later this year the QNET7 will retail for $5,500.
The Wadax Studio Power Supply and Clock
