I agree with both comments. I also cannot understand how a ground issue can effect volume except, the sense was that it did. It could well be that a darker background could create the sense of a greater sound pressure level. I did consider the possibility that I was hearing program material from a darker background and that accounted for the sense of an increase in volume. However, I was very careful in attempting to detect any changes in the detail presented and I simply heard none from listening to a number of different recordings. The whole idea of a darker background is to, hopefully, reveal more detail, clarity, etc. and I simply could detect none. When I first had my electrical side grounded with the copper rod, etc. without question I could hear more detail without the sense that the volume level had in any way changed. If the explanation actually is that I am hearing the same material from a darker background but without that material being presented with greater detail, resolution, with less grain, etc. I think the result is the same. As is often the case with different kinds of equipment we try- the Qkore just didn't work in this system.