QSA LANEDRI Series

[romaz]

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FULL LOOM

It is, of course, in our best interest to suggest you should use a full loom of our cables in your system. However, let me provide you with a different perspective that came as a surprise to me. When Anas first shipped to me the first batch of Veridion cables to try, I received one 18awg power cord, one LAN cable, and one HDMI cable. As I compared the lone Veridion power cable against an Ultimatum Infinity, then a Spectra Infinity, along with both Gamma Infinity and Gamma Revelation, and eventually other manufacturer's cables, the impact of Veridion was obvious. Against larger gauge QSAL cables, the impact of the larger gauge was there and so you could say that against the Veridion cable, some things were better and some things were worse.

As I returned home from AXPONA, I suddenly had more Veridion cables on hand to try but insead of the initial 18awg prototype with the older Veridion treatment, I now had production cables that were using larger 14awg wire and the latest Veridion treatment. Prior to Veridion, I was using an Ultimatum Infinity power cord on my CH Precision I1 streaming amplifier, Spectra Infinity on my power distributor and 98 inch TV, and Gamma Infinity on RoonServer, master clock, switch, router, and modem. All of these power cables are larger gauge than the Veridion Discovery power cables but I wanted to know what would happen if I replaced each of these cables with a $250 Veridion-treated Monoprice cable. In my system, the impact of full loom Veridion was surprising. Yes, you could hear some letdown from removing the Ultimatum Infinity with respect to soundstage and dynamics but the overall improvements in clarity, purity, and dimensionality were so profound that I preferred my system with a full loom of these inexpensive power cords compared to what I had previously. If I were to start from scratch, for the system that I have, I would actually prefer to go full loom with these inexpensive Veridion Discovery cables instead of my more expensive non-Veridion cables. Does this mean this is what I'm going to do? Obviously, a Veridion-treated Gamma, Spectra, or Ultimatum would perform even better and so I hope to get there eventually but this is why Infinity and Revelation treatments have been discontinued. There's just no point offering them anymore.

Some of you have purchased multiple Veridion Discovery power cables, some as many as 6. We obviously would be very interested to hear about your experience. Like I said before, the collective impact of these inexpensive cables may be profound enough that they may be end-game for some.

 

[romaz]

VERIDION LAN CABLE

Until now, I haven't really talked about the Veridion LAN cable. Digital cables are a bit trickier. As Anas mentioned already, getting it right with USB has been challenging especially since these cables don't lend themselves to being large gauge. We are working on a large gauge SPDIF cable and if R&D proves me right, it will be potentially Ultimatum level with regards to impact. With LAN cables, they don't lend themselves to large gauge and there are still optimizations to be made. For example, it is still unclear to me whether a treated shielded cable sounds better than an unshielded cable but for now, we are opting to temporarily include a Monoprice unshielded 24awg CAT6 PoE LAN cable in the Discovery series for $250. I say temporarily because the impact of this cable is too large for it to remain in this price segment for long. In my testing, it has greater impact than a much more expensive AfterDark dual-stacked Buffalo switch with their best OCXO and in some situations, it has greater impact than the Discovery power cord. At this point in time, it will easily outclass a Gamma LAN cable and so rather than upgrade your Gamma Infinity or Revelation LAN cable, save your money and purchase a Veridian Discovery LAN cable.

Will you benefit from replacing all of your LAN cables (i.e. modem to switch, RoonServer to switch, switch to streamer or endpoint)? I think you already know the answer to that question but at this price point, hopefully, full loom is a practical consideration. As you know, QSA Lanedri LAN cables are directional and it would be intuitive to think that the cables should be directed to each component but we have not found that to always be the case. With my RoonServer, since it is the source of the file that eventually leads to an endpoint, we have found better SQ if the cable directionally leads away from the RoonServer. Obviously, listen for yourselves and go with what sounds better to you.

 

[Blake]

Hi. I don't see the Veridion Discovery LAN Cable on the QSA-L website? The only Veridion product I see is the Discovery power cord?

 

[romaz]

Hi. I don't see the Veridion Discovery LAN Cable on the QSA-L website? The only Veridion product I see is the Discovery power cord?

Feel free to DM Anas, we'll make sure to provide you what you need. Like with everything, you'll have 30 days to try it out.

 

[Blake]

For the Veridion Discovery series, what other cables are available, in addition to the power cord and the LAN cable?

 

[romaz]

For the Discovery series, what other cables are available, in addition to the power cord and the LAN cable?

It is evolving. Part of my condition for signing on with QSA Lanedri was that I wanted some autonomy to at least temporarily explore products that are outside of the norm for QSA Lanedri and that are reasonably priced. That means I might make some decisions that might cause Anas or Steven to shake their heads in disapproval, however, for now, I have the green light to trial items for limited time frames.

For AXPONA, we intentionally wanted to use inexpensive components because otherwise, people would assume the great sound they were hearing was because of the uber expensive speakers or amplifier or power conditioner we were using. I think we were probably the only room at AXPONA that dared to use a product such as this:



Nothing special but it served our purpose of being able to plug everything in. After AXPONA, I decided to have this thing treated and was more than pleased by the end result. Without naming names, this unassuming power strip was outperforming another power distributor that cost thousands of dollars. This thing is easily Gamma level of performance but because it doesn't look the part and will have questionable resale value as an Amazon product, Anas has agreed to have me include it in the Discovery line for $600. Like with all things, we stand behind it with a money back guarantee. What I like about this device is it offers no surge protection or power conditioning that may be current-limiting. It also has generous length of 15 feet. With QSA-treatment, the longer length comes with more conductor and actually sounds better. It has 12awg wire. I have not been able to find bigger gauge than this without the unit becoming very expensive. While the outlets are spaced close together and won't accommodate more than an Ultimatum or two, having plugged my Ultimatum and a few Gammas into this thing, the improvement is well above what I had before. If you're using Discovery power cables, obviously, you'll be able to take advantage of every outlet.

As we "discover" new gems like this, we may continue to add them to the line for limited time frames but we have to be able to validate the results for ourselves. I am actually open to suggestions.

 

[QSA-LANEDRI]

It is evolving. Part of my condition for signing on with QSA Lanedri was that I wanted some autonomy to at least temporarily explore products that are outside of the norm for QSA Lanedri and that are reasonably priced. That means I might make some decisions that might cause Anas or Steven to shake their heads in disapproval, however, for now, I have the green light to trial items for limited time frames.

The Veridion Breakthrough: A Bold New Chapter for QSA Lanedri

The breakthrough technology Veridion marks a bold new chapter in the journey of QSA Lanedri, a chapter where we extend our innovations across the entire audio and video chain. From day one, our vision has been to integrate our technology from source to destination, redefining performance expectations throughout the signal path.

Our first commercial products—cables—served as proof of concept, showcasing how QSA technology transforms music performance. Today, with a dedicated production unit in Belgium, we are excited to move into the next phase: expanding our product catalogue far beyond cables.

Introducing the Discovery Series

While we are actively collaborating with various brands to integrate Veridion into their product lines, we will be launching a new range of products under the Discovery Series. These offerings use standard, non-audiophile components as a foundation to demonstrate how Veridion technology can elevate basic products into high-end performers, surpassing alternatives many times their price.

As part of our ongoing R&D, we are applying Veridion technology to virtually every component imaginable, from grounding rods and power sources to speakers, headphones, TVs, projectors, and everything in between. With the Discovery Series, we invite our clients to experience firsthand the transformative power of Veridion, end to end. This initiative represents a significant step forward in our mission to share the joy and performance gains we've discovered.

Roy joins the mission

We’re thrilled to welcome Roy—a dedicated supporter since the inception of QSA Lanedri—into a more active role. His passion and belief in our vision are invaluable as we work together to bring Veridion to every part of the audio and video experience. With Roy on board, we’re more confident than ever that the sky is the limit.

Gamma, Spectra & Ultimatum: The Pinnacle of Veridion Cables

As we embrace this exciting new chapter, cables remain at the heart of our offering. And while the Discovery Veridion cables are remarkable in their own right, they merely hint at what our higher-tier lines—Gamma Veridion, Spectra Veridion, and the flagship Ultimatum Veridion—can deliver.

 

[QSA-LANEDRI]

For AXPONA, we intentionally wanted to use inexpensive components because otherwise, people would assume the great sound they were hearing was because of the uber expensive speakers or amplifier or power conditioner we were using. I think we were probably the only room at AXPONA that dared to use a product such as this:

View attachment 150992

Nothing special but it served our purpose of being able to plug everything in. After AXPONA, I decided to have this thing treated and was more than pleased by the end result. Without naming names, this unassuming power strip was outperforming another power distributor that cost thousands of dollars. This thing is easily Gamma level of performance but because it doesn't look the part and will have questionable resale value as an Amazon product, Anas has agreed to have me include it in the Discovery line for $600. Like with all things, we stand behind it with a money back guarantee. What I like about this device is it offers no surge protection or power conditioning that may be current-limiting. It also has generous length of 15 feet. With QSA-treatment, the longer length comes with more conductor and actually sounds better. It has 12awg wire. I have not been able to find bigger gauge than this without the unit becoming very expensive. While the outlets are spaced close together and won't accommodate more than an Ultimatum or two, having plugged my Ultimatum and a few Gammas into this thing, the improvement is well above what I had before. If you're using Discovery power cables, obviously, you'll be able to take advantage of every outlet.

As we "discover" new gems like this, we may continue to add them to the line for limited time frames but we have to be able to validate the results for ourselves. I am actually open to suggestions.

New Additions to the Discovery Series​

We’re excited to announce two new products in our limited-edition Discovery Series:

• Discovery Veridion Power Strip – $600
• Discovery Veridion HDMI Cable – $250

Each product in the Discovery Series showcases how Veridion technology can transform standard components into high-performance solutions that defy expectations.

Please note: These products are available for a limited time only.

 

[jeremya]

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FULL LOOM

Some of you have purchased multiple Veridion Discovery power cables, some as many as 6. We obviously would be very interested to hear about your experience. Like I said before, the collective impact of these inexpensive cables may be profound enough that they may be end-game for some.

Guilty as charged.



I’m what you could call a QSA LANEDRI “early adopter.” I’ve had a smattering of Gamma Infinity cables in my system since each launched (power from the wall to my distributor, power to my pre-amp, the 6m network cable to my server, the USB cable to my DAC, a DC extension cable for my router) and I even heard the impact of the speaker cables when @alwayslearning brought them over one day, I jumped at the Veridion Discovery offering.

Lest anyone accuse me of being biased or undiscerning, I also purchased two pairs of Gamma Infinity XLR interconnects (DAC to pre, pre to amps) expecting more miracles. After a few weeks of trying to like them, I wound up returning them.

From this, I learned two things: First, Anas is a man of his word. He stands by his products and his promises. Second, QSA isn’t a “one size fits all” kind of treatment. The GI interconnects “pushed” (or perhaps revealed) the sound of my system in a way I didn’t find pleasing. I suppose in my system’s case, the Emperor needed a few more clothes...

That’s not to say the Gamma Infinity XLR cables were objectively bad — far from it! I’ve heard the same cables at @kennyb123 ’s house and they integrated beautifully there. I doubt you could pry them out of his hands except, perhaps, to rub some Veridion magic on them.

All that to say that I’m quite enamored with QSA LANEDRI as an outfit. @romaz ’s deeper involvement only bolsters that reputation in my book.

For me, and for my system, I’ve come to find that the power products have been absolute no-brainers for me.

I “aped” into 6 Veridion samples as a chance to move the needle in my combined A/V and Hi-fi system at a price one could only dream of.



And while it’s far too early to share any conclusive findings, I can say that I’ve got all 6 Veridion samples cooking in my system and so far, so good.

As for early impressions, one of the things I’ve wanted to do for a while is get some kind direct QSA improvement to my 85” LG C2 OLED TV. I thought about getting those little plugs, but haven’t seen any listings I favored.

Along comes Veridion and I realized for about the price of one of the cheapest of QSA plugs, I can add a couple of meters of 14 gauge treated cable to the end of the TV’s captive cord with an adapter. So, that’s what I did first.

I set up a tripod so I could take the same picture twice with my iPhone 13 Pro. I found a reasonably detailed frame in WW84 UHD 4K and proceeded to swap the extension I made on and off of the TV, taking pictures each time. I also put the AE/AF lock on the phone’s camera and captured RAW to minimize on-the-fly WB and color processing.

Due to how much finagling swapping a power cord takes in my rack, it was ~2 minutes in between shots (1:23PM, 1:25PM).

The results are subtle but I find them compelling. Here’s how I put it to some friends in an email:



After making this swap, I also replaced the stock cables powering a couple devices in my A/V chain — a commodity Ethernet switch and an AfterDark power supply (providing power to a pair of fiber media converters that isolate my audio network segment).

I also updated my Apple TV 4K’s power cable from a 2.0m Wireworld Stratus 10 Shielded Mini ($90) cable (which previously had brought improvements on its own over the stock cord, indicating to me that the Apple TV is sensitive to power improvements), to a Veridion sample cord with an IEC to Type F hard adapter on the end.

I didn’t have the tripod set up anymore as the family wanted to watch TV, but I can say that familiar sources were looking better across the board with these changes in place. More lifelike color and dimensionality. A clearer, more natural center channel and improved musicality from the mains. I’ve certainly paid more for less of a bump over the years… and these cables hadn’t really settled in at all.

The final pair of Veridion cables I put on the Hypex Nilai DIY 500 monoblocks, replacing Shunyata Delta NR v2 cords plugged directly into the Typhon T2. These power my mains (L/R).

(A Marantz SR8015 powers the rest of the channels (it remains QSA and Veridion-free for the meanwhile, powered by a Shunyata Alpha NR v1)).

The difference there surprised me. Right out of the gate, the soundstage deepened and a naturalness emerged that I was not expecting. Acoustic instruments in streamed TV shows and movies caused me to hearken (which almost never happens; I usually have to wake up the Magnetar UDP900 and toss a UHD disc in to get music in movies to impress me).

Admittedly, all of this is very preliminary, but for a grand total of $1500, I can say my only lament so far is not buying more. If the sight and sound only continues to improve, this may be the best bang-for-the-buck I’ve ever realized.

For those finding all of this to be too “hand wavy” or too light on music listening, please bear with me. I intend to share some proper musical impressions later, after these Veridion samples have settled in, and once I find time to apply some pseudo-scientific rigor to my methodology (isolating a component, etc.).

Until then, I’m going to enjoy some good tunes and chill.

 

[jeremya]

I think we were probably the only room at AXPONA that dared to use a product such as this:

View attachment 150992

Nothing special but it served our purpose of being able to plug everything in. After AXPONA, I decided to have this thing treated and was more than pleased by the end result. Without naming names, this unassuming power strip was outperforming another power distributor that cost thousands of dollars. This thing is easily Gamma level of performance but because it doesn't look the part and will have questionable resale value as an Amazon product, Anas has agreed to have me include it in the Discovery line for $600. Like with all things, we stand behind it with a money back guarantee. What I like about this device is it offers no surge protection or power conditioning that may be current-limiting. It also has generous length of 15 feet. With QSA-treatment, the longer length comes with more conductor and actually sounds better. It has 12awg wire. I have not been able to find bigger gauge than this without the unit becoming very expensive.

You chose an excellent strip, all things considered. My research brought me to the same one for satisfying some high-power needs I had (a stack of Xbox and PS5 dev kits as well as a high-power game development machine and a couple of network switches for my home office). I needed a proper 20A switch with a long 12/3 cord and this was the only one I could find that didn’t break the bank!

 

[highstream]

Is the power strip surge protected or not?

 

[romaz]

Guilty as charged.

View attachment 151260

I’m what you could call a QSA LANEDRI “early adopter.” I’ve had a smattering of Gamma Infinity cables in my system since each launched (power from the wall to my distributor, power to my pre-amp, the 6m network cable to my server, the USB cable to my DAC, a DC extension cable for my router) and I even heard the impact of the speaker cables when @alwayslearning brought them over one day, I jumped at the Veridion Discovery offering.

Lest anyone accuse me of being biased or undiscerning, I also purchased two pairs of Gamma Infinity XLR interconnects (DAC to pre, pre to amps) expecting more miracles. After a few weeks of trying to like them, I wound up returning them.

From this, I learned two things: First, Anas is a man of his word. He stands by his products and his promises. Second, QSA isn’t a “one size fits all” kind of treatment. The GI interconnects “pushed” (or perhaps revealed) the sound of my system in a way I didn’t find pleasing. I suppose in my system’s case, the Emperor needed a few more clothes...

That’s not to say the Gamma Infinity XLR cables were objectively bad — far from it! I’ve heard the same cables at @kennyb123 ’s house and they integrated beautifully there. I doubt you could pry them out of his hands except, perhaps, to rub some Veridion magic on them.

All that to say that I’m quite enamored with QSA LANEDRI as an outfit. @romaz ’s deeper involvement only bolsters that reputation in my book.

For me, and for my system, I’ve come to find that the power products have been absolute no-brainers for me.

I “aped” into 6 Veridion samples as a chance to move the needle in my combined A/V and Hi-fi system at a price one could only dream of.

View attachment 151262

And while it’s far too early to share any conclusive findings, I can say that I’ve got all 6 Veridion samples cooking in my system and so far, so good.

As for early impressions, one of the things I’ve wanted to do for a while is get some kind direct QSA improvement to my 85” LG C2 OLED TV. I thought about getting those little plugs, but haven’t seen any listings I favored.

Along comes Veridion and I realized for about the price of one of the cheapest of QSA plugs, I can add a couple of meters of 14 gauge treated cable to the end of the TV’s captive cord with an adapter. So, that’s what I did first.

I set up a tripod so I could take the same picture twice with my iPhone 13 Pro. I found a reasonably detailed frame in WW84 UHD 4K and proceeded to swap the extension I made on and off of the TV, taking pictures each time. I also put the AE/AF lock on the phone’s camera and captured RAW to minimize on-the-fly WB and color processing.

Due to how much finagling swapping a power cord takes in my rack, it was ~2 minutes in between shots (1:23PM, 1:25PM).

The results are subtle but I find them compelling. Here’s how I put it to some friends in an email:

View attachment 151263

After making this swap, I also replaced the stock cables powering a couple devices in my A/V chain — a commodity Ethernet switch and an AfterDark power supply (providing power to a pair of fiber media converters that isolate my audio network segment).

I also updated my Apple TV 4K’s power cable from a 2.0m Wireworld Stratus 10 Shielded Mini ($90) cable (which previously had brought improvements on its own over the stock cord, indicating to me that the Apple TV is sensitive to power improvements), to a Veridion sample cord with an IEC to Type F hard adapter on the end.

I didn’t have the tripod set up anymore as the family wanted to watch TV, but I can say that familiar sources were looking better across the board with these changes in place. More lifelike color and dimensionality. A clearer, more natural center channel and improved musicality from the mains. I’ve certainly paid more for less of a bump over the years… and these cables hadn’t really settled in at all.

The final pair of Veridion cables I put on the Hypex Nilai DIY 500 monoblocks, replacing Shunyata Delta NR v2 cords plugged directly into the Typhon T2. These power my mains (L/R).

(A Marantz SR8015 powers the rest of the channels (it remains QSA and Veridion-free for the meanwhile, powered by a Shunyata Alpha NR v1)).

The difference there surprised me. Right out of the gate, the soundstage deepened and a naturalness emerged that I was not expecting. Acoustic instruments in streamed TV shows and movies caused me to hearken (which almost never happens; I usually have to wake up the Magnetar UDP900 and toss a UHD disc in to get music in movies to impress me).

Admittedly, all of this is very preliminary, but for a grand total of $1500, I can say my only lament so far is not buying more. If the sight and sound only continues to improve, this may be the best bang-for-the-buck I’ve ever realized.

For those finding all of this to be too “hand wavy” or too light on music listening, please bear with me. I intend to share some proper musical impressions later, after these Veridion samples have settled in, and once I find time to apply some pseudo-scientific rigor to my methodology (isolating a component, etc.).

Until then, I’m going to enjoy some good tunes and chill.

Thank you for the report, Jeremy. I was especially hoping you would pipe in with your experience with your 6 power cords.

You have an enviable system. I have always been a big fan of B&W. I find tonally, they are very similar to my Wilsons, just very natural sounding. Back in my more ambitious days, I had contemplated modifying a Holo Audio May DAC by upgrading its power supply. That's how highly I thought of that DAC. Anyway, I can see how this system you have curated is a focal point for your family as my system is for mine.

One of the reasons I really encourage people to consider powering as many things with these relatively inexpensive Discovery power cords is because of their impact on things you wouldn't think they would have much impact on. No one would blink if someone bought an Ultimatum power cord for their DAC, preamp, or amplifiers. Same thing with SOTA sources like a Taiko Extreme, CD transport, or turntable. As people would expect, huge impact there. But it would hardly make sense to spend thousands for a power cord for small inexpensive devices like a network router, switch, or modem or devices that might be shunned by hardcore audiophiles because they are powered by inexpensive and noisy switch mode power supplies (SMPS). But herein lie the gems that could potentially elevate your system to levels beyond anyone's expectation and these hiding gems waiting to be discovered are what make the "David & Goliath" stories that excite me much more. For those who haven't yet explored the impact of QSA treatment on the network, the impact is potentially HUUUGE and cannot really be overstated. Properly configured, I have found QSA treatment on the network, especially now with Veridion, to allow a lowly NUC or similar device to play in the same arena as the $30k Taiko Extreme that I used to own but that is a deeper conversation I will save for a future post.

When I hear a system that costs more than a million dollars, with high cost come high expectations that are rarely ever met because these systems hardly ever sound that much better (at least to my ears) than my system at home (at least the system I used to own). However, when I hear a system that costs a fraction of my own or is comprised of gear that, imo, has no right to sound as good but somehow sounds more engaging than my own, that's when you have my attention. This is how QSA first sucked me in and why I finally decided to jump on board. I love unexpected giant killers. With Veridion, if I can help bring to market an inexpensive piece of gear that somehow outperforms another piece of equipment that is >10x the price or more importantly, elevates your engagement to your system where you no longer feel you need to upgrade to much more expensive speakers or amplifiers, or source, this is the challenge that gets me going and that is what is so good about these inexpensive Veridion Discovery cables. No, they will not perform as well as a Veridion Gamma, Spectra, or Ultimatum cable but for a relatively small outlay, they will you to power everything and allow you to realize a level of performance that will hopefully surprise you.

 

[romaz]

You chose an excellent strip, all things considered. My research brought me to the same one for satisfying some high-power needs I had (a stack of Xbox and PS5 dev kits as well as a high-power game development machine and a couple of network switches for my home office). I needed a proper 20A switch with a long 12/3 cord and this was the only one I could find that didn’t break the bank!

Since you happen to already own this power strip, should you purchase a treated version of it, you can hear for yourself how it gets transformed with Veridion. If you have ever heard the impact of a QSA Power Jitter, even when combined with a QSAL power cord, this thing takes it to another level.

 

[romaz]

Is the power strip surge protected or not?

No, it does not offer surge protection but it does offer current overload protection (like a fuse) which is different. Most inexpensive power strips that incorporate surge protection use cheap MOVs (metal oxide varistors) that tend to wear out over time. As they wear out, they potentially become current-limiting because they start to get leaky and shunt current away from your components. The devices that use more effective surge protection like magnetic breakers are much more expensive. With that said, this device is not perfect. I would prefer for it not to have a power switch or a light (which probably generates some noise) and it would be great if I could find a device like this with a detachable power cord so that a larger gauge power cord can be used but I have not been successful in finding one. This is where we are open to suggestions for potentially better candidates but having tested a treated version of this power strip, I am quite pleased with how it elevates my system. For a limited time, it has been included in the Discovery line. Imo, for the asking price, even if you have QSAL power cords, I feel this one is a no brainer. It would be like getting a Veridian Gamma cable for $600.

 

[treitz3]

Okay...let's get some ears on this before (nevermind).

Tom

 

[jeremya]

Thank you for the report, Jeremy. I was especially hoping you would pipe in with your experience with your 6 power cords.

You have an enviable system. I have always been a big fan of B&W. I find tonally, they are very similar to my Wilsons, just very natural sounding. Back in my more ambitious days, I had contemplated modifying a Holo Audio May DAC by upgrading its power supply. That's how highly I thought of that DAC. Anyway, I can see how this system you have curated is a focal point for your family as my system is for mine…

Thank you for the kind words, Roy.

Trust me, I’m looking at dipping back in for some Discovery HDMI cables, a power strip or two (dining room system anyone?), and maybe some more Discovery AC cords (for my subwoofers, disc player, and AVR…)

Speaking of the Southwire power strips, one thing I note is that the plug (at least on my untreated one) is a NEMA 5-20p. For those with 20A NEMA receptacles (the ones with a “T” shaped slot), this is ideal, but most NA service outlets are 15A, so one needs to take care (or upgrade their receptacle to a 20A one; note that doing so without updating the breaker and the romex in between is at best false advertising and at worst a code violation)!

I believe this is the same strip you’re using for the Discovery Veridion Strip?

 

[romaz]

Thank you for the kind words, Roy.

Trust me, I’m looking at dipping back in for some Discovery HDMI cables, a power strip or two (dining room system anyone?), and maybe some more Discovery AC cords (for my subwoofers, disc player, and AVR…)

Speaking of the Southwire power strips, one thing I note is that the plug (at least on my untreated one) is a NEMA 5-20p. For those with 20A NEMA receptacles (the ones with a “T” shaped slot), this is ideal, but most NA service outlets are 15A, so one needs to take care (or upgrade their receptacle to a 20A one; note that doing so without updating the breaker and the romex in between is at best false advertising and at worst a code violation)!

I believe this is the same strip you’re using for the Discovery Veridion Strip?

View attachment 151285

Yes, thank you for bringing that up. It seems in many homes, I am finding that 20A NEMA outlets are in place and so it shouldn't be a problem but obviously, potential buyers need to make sure.

 

[romaz]

The above QB8 power distributor is what I would consider an ideal candidate. It comes with star earth topology, either 15A or 20A IECs, along with the option for UK and Schuko sockets, however, the latest Mark III version of this device starts at $2,300 and would obviously not belong in the Discovery line. I have an older version of this unit and I'm confident it will be a monster once treated but for now, the treated Southwire power strip is outperforming it. This is what I mean by "giant killers."

 

[highstream]

The plug looks 15A outlet style. Not sure it’s proper to run that at up to 20A.

I was looking for a yes or no on surge protection — I avoid it — but thanks for elaborating. I would think someone knowing what they are doing could open it up and bypass the light and anything else in the way. I have a four outlet box from Home Depot with a long higher gauge cord that has neither light nor protection. I use it for my grounding pieces and Gutwire ground cord.

 

[romaz]

The plug looks 15A outlet style. Not sure it’s proper to run that at up to 20A.

I was looking for a yes or no on surge protection — I avoid it — but thanks for elaborating. I would think someone knowing what they are doing could open it up and bypass the light and anything else in the way. I have a four outlet box from Home Depot with a long higher gauge cord that has neither light nor protection. I use it for my grounding pieces and Gutwire ground cord.

The Southwire uses 20A plug and sockets. Their brochure rates it as a 20A device. The Nordost QB8 is available with either 15A or 20A IECs although it is the 15A model in the photo. Mine is 20A and has both a 20A IEC and 20A sockets.

Obviously, you would be welcome to modify the Southwire if you know what your are doing and I'm confident it can be improved but even "as is", the treated version of this strip works exceptionally well. The unit is solidly built.

Speaking of grounding, the impact of QSA treatment on ground cords is HUUUGE. Potentially, you could get a treated power strip just for your Gutwires. I have played around with Gutwire and I really like it. I have considered including the Gutwire in the Discovery series but I want to hear a treated version first.