Is there any updates on the NDSP replacement power supply that has been in prototype testing?
I was told about it by NDSP support by email in April 2022 and got this second response a year later in August 2023:.
“We can happily say that the we are working with a company who have delivered us a suitable prototype of the alternative power supply. It is still relevant and prog
Unfortunately I don’t have an exact date when these will become available for you, but we have your details for this, and you will be among the first to know.”
Not sure of manufacturing timescales but it would be good to hear an update of how this is progressing? Was the prototype a success? If not what are the next steps for NDSP?
I understand that the OEM power supply is a sore point for some owners. Personally, I have never had any issues as well as many others. I was trying to determine if OP was having issues with their PS. If you have any further comments to make feel free to DM
I think I used the OEM wall wart once when I initially opened the unit just to test it. Had no issues with it.
But it’s been ciocks 7 + crux ever since.
Insane to think someone can drop $1800 on a “pedal” and worry about another $200-300 to have a complete, definitive, problem-free power solution. Like having a true blue ‘59 LP then complaining about the guitar when a string breaks.
Well i think it’s more insane to think that a $1800 unit doesn’t have to have “a complete, definitive, problem-free power solution” for that price and like all the competition.
Hi, I don’t want to go into the grounding issues as this is covered in other threads. However in April 2021 I wrote to support about my issues and they said:
“ For this, the solution we are exploring involves using a floating power supply , specially engineered to reduce the pickup/ground interference issue when using QC just with headphones, while minimizing the likelihood of ground loops when using the unit in conjunction with external devices.
Our preliminary tests are very promising and we are waiting for sample approval to proceed with sourcing.”
I was just wondering if they have made any progress on this as they said August 2023 they had a working prototype.
Thank you for the update. I’m glad to hear that the prototype is progressing. Could you provide any further details on the next steps for NDSP, or an estimated timeline for when the new power supplies might become available?
Aye, I’m interested in this as well.
I questioned support about this last year when I got my unit.
£1800 on a piece of gear only to get a 50p wall wart to power it is embarrasing. Mine still works, but is flimsy as the cheapest toy power supply. The ground loop thing was a bit annoying, but I rejigged the ouputs to my IEM’s and it’s fine.
I’ve got Roland and Line 6 PS’s that are built like tanks and have lasted years on the road.
The Cortex PS needs 4 security guards and a velvet cushion otherwise it feels like the lead will crack. It is so delecate I feel that strong language or an overly enthusiastic sound tech fart will snap it in half!
Having to spend an extra £400 odd to get the Cioks is insane. Great if you have an endless supply of cash (and if you do, feel free to buy me one).
Everything else is so good about the QC, but the power supply seems to be such an afterthought.
I like the idea of a floating power supply although, after some research I’m a bit disappointed it won’t actually float in mid air.
I hope when they build the new one they have a roadworthy lead attached to it. I need to swear around my pedalboard again!!
@alanstevenson did you get any updates from the support team?
I have sent an email regarding my noise issues and the prototype power supply but they totally avoided mentioning the later. After reiterating the subject in another email they stopped replying (it has been 6 days since my last email, normally they are quick to reply).
Thomann sells a wall wart power supply for 9,99€ that has all the right specs for the QC and looks and feels way sturdier (especially the cable since it’s way thicker): Harley Benton PowerPlant ISO-Adapter 12. I use it since a year or so and haven’t had any problems.
Hi @GreedBC No updated from NDSP support. I think it is a list cause as it’s been years since they said they had a working prototype. Which must of been a lie or they hit an issue they couldn’t resolve as I’ve not heard a peep.
I sent them an email today and they quickly replied with this:
“Unfortunately, unexpected issues have continued to impact our timeline, causing further delays in sourcing the components necessary to move forward. We sincerely apologize for this inconvenience. Please know that we are committed to delivering a solution that meets our rigorous standards.”
On a following email:
“If that noise continued after connecting the XLR outputs to a powered device, then it was likely another issue, perhaps a setup issue, or even related to faulty hardware of the Quad Cortex.
We do not have an ETA (for the new power supply) currently.”
As much as I like it, I simply cannot afford to have an expensive product having those noise issues, while not having them while using plugins or the amp.
Glad I was still in time to return the unit. Because from their response (no clear answer), this is going to take a while to solve it.
But the noise that could get fixed by a new power supply (or to be more precise: reduced) is only present if one plays through headphones without any connection to ground via xlr. I don’t get why that is a such a huge problem for some folks.
Like they wrote in their mail: If you have noise issues while an output is connected to an other grounded device (interface, amp, mixing desk, …) then it’s not the power supply that is at fault.
The problem is that NDSP support has stated otherwise to a lot of us. I asked them a few years back, whether the new power supply would solve the grounding issue. They said yes. They even sent me a beta unit. Which looked the same and did not solve the problem. After I reported that back to them, I had to return it and ever since then they have not answered with anything other then “we are working on it”.
“the grounding issue” (which is not an issue tbh) is the noise you (can) get when no output of the QC is connected to other grounded gear. If you have noise problems while you connect the QC to something that provides ground then it’s a completely different problem.
I read that. But again, that is not what NDSP support has told me. They specifically said that the new power supply would solve this issue as it should ground the QC.
