The Hidden Foundation: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 Power Distributor & Sigma CX Upgrade.

[exupgh12]

Last week, I upgraded and replaced the power distributor (Nordost QB8 Mk2) that had served my system for several years with a Shunyata Research Everest 8000 model, and also added a Shunyata Sigma CX cable between the wall outlet and the distributor itself. The result surprised me.


The first thing that jumps to the ear is the absolute silence in the background. It's not that my system ever suffered in this area, but here I'm talking about how the noise floor didn't just drop - it completely disappeared. This allows me to hear every small detail in recordings as if a filter I never knew existed has been removed. The tones and textures that were always there have improved further, and now the instruments stand out and sound clearer, with plenty of air (separation) between them.
In the dynamic range, the impact and feeling is that the system received a refresh and energy boost and operates effortlessly when transitioning from quiet passages to noisy and/or multi-instrument sections, all accompanied by tonal richness, organic sound, and an expansion of the soundstage width and depth.
In the lower range, the bass is tighter, more detailed (depth and layers), and more defined than ever. It's like rediscovering the low-end capabilities of the S5 all over again.

For me, upgrading to the Everest 8000 and Sigma CX didn't "just" address the power treatment issue; these are components that enabled the release of audio and music potential in my system.

 

[Salectric]

Quite a collection of Cardas power cords there. I just ordered a Clear Beyond power cord which should arrive next week.

 

[itay123]

Congrts & Enjoy,
honestly the best purchase you made,
among the other good purchases you have,
the added value of an extreme Power Distributor like the EVEREST is a Game Changer!
In the following I recommend, to the new OMEGA XC, you will discover the Power Distributor again!
Good luck and enjoy youre Fine setup you have built!
Speaking of which, I recommend giving the EVEREST on an insulated platform.

 

[Sampajanna]

I would replace those Cardas for a Shunyata loom You will be happy you did!

 

[exupgh12]

Congrts & Enjoy,
honestly the best purchase you made,
among the other good purchases you have,
the added value of an extreme Power Distributor like the EVEREST is a Game Changer!
In the following I recommend, to the new OMEGA XC, you will discover the Power Distributor again!
Good luck and enjoy youre Fine setup you have built!
Speaking of which, I recommend giving the EVEREST on an insulated platform.

Thank you for your comment and advice Itay.

 

[exupgh12]

I would replace those Cardas for a Shunyata loom You will be happy you did!

I'll need to open an OF account to cover such expence

 

[mxk116]

Last week, I upgraded and replaced the power distributor (Nordost QB8 Mk2) that had served my system for several years with a Shunyata Research Everest 8000 model, and also added a Shunyata Sigma CX cable between the wall outlet and the distributor itself. The result surprised me.


The first thing that jumps to the ear is the absolute silence in the background. It's not that my system ever suffered in this area, but here I'm talking about how the noise floor didn't just drop - it completely disappeared. This allows me to hear every small detail in recordings as if a filter I never knew existed has been removed. The tones and textures that were always there have improved further, and now the instruments stand out and sound clearer, with plenty of air (separation) between them.
In the dynamic range, the impact and feeling is that the system received a refresh and energy boost and operates effortlessly when transitioning from quiet passages to noisy and/or multi-instrument sections, all accompanied by tonal richness, organic sound, and an expansion of the soundstage width and depth.
In the lower range, the bass is tighter, more detailed (depth and layers), and more defined than ever. It's like rediscovering the low-end capabilities of the S5 all over again.

For me, upgrading to the Everest 8000 and Sigma CX didn't "just" address the power treatment issue; these are components that enabled the release of audio and music potential in my system.

Wonderful choice exupgh12. The Everest is a major investment but as you say it has an effect that lifts the entire system to new levels (it has a high ROI). When I purchased our Everest I also started with the Sigma XC power cord and experienced a similar outcome. Enjoy the music as you are and know in the future there is a bit more to be revealed if choose to add an Omega XC.

 

[exupgh12]

Wonderful choice exupgh12. The Everest is a major investment but as you say it has an effect that lifts the entire system to new levels (it has a high ROI). When I purchased our Everest I also started with the Sigma XC power cord and experienced a similar outcome. Enjoy the music as you are and know in the future there is a bit more to be revealed if choose to add an Omega XC.

Thank you for the kind words, and your experience sharing.

 

[iaxel]

Did you try to connect the power amps directly to the wall and only connect your source components and preamp to the conditioner?

 

[exupgh12]

Did you try to connect the power amps directly to the wall and only connect your source components and preamp to the conditioner?

I don't have enough outlets for that (I can spare 2 outlets, but I'll need 3 outlets for the above - 2 for the amps and 1 for the rest).

 

[tima]

This allows me to hear every small detail in recordings as if a filter I never knew existed has been removed.

When in fact a filter has been applied.

"The CCI™ [component-to-component isolation] filter consists of a proprietary multi-stage filter that reduces electrical noise and interference generated by a component’s power supply."

"Shunyata Research has developed a CMode filter that effectively reduces common-mode noise without introducing the sonic compression effects associated with conventional filters."

I don't have enough outlets for that (I can spare 2 outlets, but I'll need 3 outlets for the above - 2 for the amps and 1 for the rest).

You can recover an outlet by running 2 amps off of a Typhon T2 or T30 independently from the Everest.

 

[exupgh12]

When in fact a filter has been applied.

"The CCI™ [component-to-component isolation] filter consists of a proprietary multi-stage filter that reduces electrical noise and interference generated by a component’s power supply."

"Shunyata Research has developed a CMode filter that effectively reduces common-mode noise without introducing the sonic compression effects associated with conventional filters."

As the results are better than before, I don't care what 'magic' Shunyata applies.

You can recover an outlet by running 2 amps off of a Typhon T2 or T30 independently from the Everest.

Thank you for your advice.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I would replace those Cardas for a Shunyata loom You will be happy you did

Hello,

Why do you advise this?

 

[exupgh12]

Hello,

Why do you advise this?

We are all easy when spending other people money

 

[Sampajanna]

Hello,

Why do you advise this?

I have compared the two, especially with the Everest.

 

[Sampajanna]

We are all easy when spending other people money

Cables are always the hardest spend for me too

 

[exupgh12]

Cables are always the hardest spend for me too

I’ve always seen cables as a kind of unpredictable equalizer. They do make a difference, but there’s no way to predict how they’ll interact with different equipment.

A cable might complement one component perfectly, be mediocre with another, and completely miss the mark elsewhere. The outcome is never certain.

On top of that, some cables are priced higher than the speakers and electronics themselves, which I find absurd.

I take a practical approach—cables aren’t meant to fix system mismatches. Their job is simply to interfere as little as possible with the signal.

 

[exupgh12]

I have compared the two, especially with the Everest.

Can you elaborate which cables from both companies you’ve checked, and to what equipment those cables were connected?

 

[Sampajanna]

I’ve always seen cables as a kind of unpredictable equalizer. They do make a difference, but there’s no way to predict how they’ll interact with different equipment.

A cable might complement one component perfectly, be mediocre with another, and completely miss the mark elsewhere. The outcome is never certain.

On top of that, some cables are priced higher than the speakers and electronics themselves, which I find absurd.

I take a practical approach—cables aren’t meant to fix system mismatches. Their job is simply to interfere as little as possible with the signal.

This is a wonderful insight. I fully agree... In fact, most of what you mention relates to why I settled on Shunyata for my cable needs and also why I am not so interested in further experimentation at this point.

 

[PYP]

I’ve always seen cables as a kind of unpredictable equalizer. They do make a difference, but there’s no way to predict how they’ll interact with different equipment.

A cable might complement one component perfectly, be mediocre with another, and completely miss the mark elsewhere. The outcome is never certain.

On top of that, some cables are priced higher than the speakers and electronics themselves, which I find absurd.

I take a practical approach—cables aren’t meant to fix system mismatches. Their job is simply to interfere as little as possible with the signal.

I have not found that kind of variability with the Kubala-Sosna cables (at least to my ears, setup). Perhaps that is due to using them exclusively, as you use Cardas. With previous cables, when you found variability, were you mixing and matching manufacturers? I'm wondering if using one brand throughout reduces variability. Although I only use KS, I do use a variety of "levels" of their power cords. For example, the highest level for the Grimm streamer/DAC and a lower level for a switch.

Completely agree that the prices are absurd at the top level ICs and speaker cables and that the job of a cable is to pass the signal.

Your turntable is visually beautiful. Digital gear just doesn't reach the level of an architectural statement.