VTL Siegfried II monoblocks, Wilson Alexx V, Nordost QNet Switch, and more

New components in Wilson's other eye-candy exhibit may have been limited to the new Nordost QNet 5-port internet switch and QSource Linear Power Supply, but that didn't prevent a miracle from happening. In a room that D'Agostino's Bill McKiegan had warned me rarely delivered good sound, VTL's Siegfried II Series II monoblocks and top-level line TL 7.5 Series III and TP 6.5 Series II preamplifiers, seen here with Nordost’s Dennis Bonotto, sounded extremely musical and inviting.

Is Wilson's Alexx V a miracle worker? Is it because, as VTL's Luke Manley (pictured below) said, "Tubes can be modern sounding and dynamic?" Was it the VPI Titan turntable with a van den Hul Colibri cartridge. Not even my hairdresser knows for sure what was responsible for what. All I know for certain is that a track from an LP of Cécile McLorin Salvant singing in French sounded heavenly and irresistible. Some people may be more resistant to Shostakovich, but his music, too. sounded superb.

I'll be reviewing the Nordost Switch and optional LPS in a forthcoming issue, so commentary must be limited. Among other things, these babies can replace the Ethernet ports on your router. Claims Nordost, in part, "Every aspect of this product, from part to placement, was made to perfect the transmission and reception of high-speed audio signals, while achieving extremely low noise operation.

"Internally, the QNET uses a high speed, multi-layered, impedance-controlled layout, which optimizes signal routes, minimizing reflections, interference, and crosstalk. It also boasts an extremely low-noise, stable oscillator for the main clock of the device, which allows for minimal jitter and phase noise. It is equipped with six dedicated power supplies, which provide unencumbered current to all parts of the switch, while minimizing noise cross-contamination and ensuring clean, interference-free operation."

For what Stereophile has to say, please stay tuned.

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