Audioquest Niagra 7000

**Duke97** · July 28, 2016, 09:02 PM

Has anyone listened to the Audioquest Niagra 7000 Power conditioner? If yes, what was your impression?

Thanks,
Duke97

**Mike** · July 28, 2016, 09:05 PM

Yes. It's the one I would buy if I didn't need UPS.

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**the professor** · July 29, 2016, 12:18 AM

I've compared it to the shunyata Triton and they are more alike than different. I could live w either. It's certainly not a secret that I'm a shunyata guy so I'd go w them. But like I say - it's really a toss up and depending on your system and power feed one might be better than the other. Try to get home demos

**Alpinist** · July 29, 2016, 10:08 AM

Here's the Stereophile review of the Audioquest Niagara 7000. At the end of the review, he directly compares the sound of the Niagara 7000 and the Shunyata Triton V2/Typhon .

Best,
Ken

http://www.stereophile.com/content/a...3tzeUmYw7XT.97

**Duke97** · July 29, 2016, 10:17 AM

Mike, Jock & Ken,
Thank you for your input. i appreciate it.

Duke97

**RedSectorA** · July 29, 2016, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by the professor

I've compared it to the shunyata Triton and they are more alike than different. I could live w either. It's certainly not a secret that I'm a shunyata guy so I'd go w them. But like I say - it's really a toss up and depending on your system and power feed one might be better than the other. Try to get home demos

Jock,

I'm curious to know. You compared Triton V2 or Triton V2 with Typhon? I currently have Triton V2 with Typhon and love it!

**the professor** · July 29, 2016, 11:28 AM

I compared it to the Triton V2 by itself. A Typhon wasn't available.

Originally Posted by RedSectorA

Jock,

I'm curious to know. You compared Triton V2 or Triton V2 with Typhon? I currently have Triton V2 with Typhon and love it!

**Odyssey** · July 29, 2016, 09:50 PM

And now for an in depth explanation from the designer himself:

**Mike** · August 22, 2016, 02:39 PM

My AudioQuest rep brought the 1000 and 7000 for me to hear and compare with my APC S20's. Both were better than my APC S20's by a large margin. The 7000 is a game changer - I would honestly say it's as big as an amp change. Soundstage depth was improved, the last bit of aggressiveness on bad recordings was gone, vocals were MUCH more fleshed out. I was honestly astounded.

I've ordered the 7000. I couldn't live without it in my system after hearing what it did.

**Duke97** · August 22, 2016, 04:19 PM

Mike,
Are you still using UPS or just Niagra 7000?

**Mike** · August 22, 2016, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Duke97

Mike,
Are you still using UPS or just Niagra 7000?

Just Niagra 7000. It was "no contest". To be honest, it made such a difference, it totally messed with my head. I can't believe it would be THAT big of a difference. Still trying to wrap my head around it. We A/B for 2 hours. Bigger than an amp change type of difference.

Even the 1000 beat my APC S20 by no small amount.

I played recordings I knew inside and out. Even some that had some aggression. Lots of "how in the F%$# can it make THAT big of a difference" was said.

I have a Doug MacLeod recording I use. On one song, his voice gets very shouty. Not at all with the 7000 or even 1000 in the system.

If I had to summarize the 7000/1000 in one word, it would be "smooth".

mauidan · August 22, 2016, 05:46 PM

Mike, Did you check the 7000/1000 with your Entech Wideband AC Noise Analyzer?

**Mike** · August 22, 2016, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by mauidan

Mike, Did you check the 7000/1000 with your Entech Wideband AC Noise Analyzer?

Dan - I DID!

1000 = 0.01%
7000 = 0.00%

**asiufy** · August 22, 2016, 08:38 PM

I haven't heard the 7000 yet (they're in demand!), but the 1000 made quite an impression here too. It beat a $12k conditioner that we had in the store, also in for evaluation. Very impressive! I already had high hopes for the 7000, and now with Mike's report, seems we're in for a treat!

**Alpinist** · August 22, 2016, 11:23 PM

I've heard the Niagara 7000 on ARC CD-9 player, REF 6 preamp, Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amps and Model 7 MKII speakers. In a word...outstanding!!! I've also been hearing great things about the Shunyata Denali 6000T and the noise rejection between banks. It's a great time for power conditioners!

Ken

**Jim Smith** · August 23, 2016, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Just Niagra 7000. It was "no contest". To be honest, it made such a difference, it totally messed with my head. I can't believe it would be THAT big of a difference. Still trying to wrap my head around it. We A/B for 2 hours. Bigger than an amp change type of difference.

Even the 1000 beat my APC S20 by no small amount.

I played recordings I knew inside and out. Even some that had some aggression. Lots of "how in the F%$# can it make THAT big of a difference" was said.

I have a Doug MacLeod recording I use. On one song, his voice gets very shouty. Not at all with the 7000 or even 1000 in the system.

If I had to summarize the 7000/1000 in one word, it would be "smooth".

Mike,

IME, the "smooth" conditioners have exhibited - depending on the model - a bit (and all too often, a lot) of dynamic compression. I have owned (and subsequently sold) several mentioned in this thread. Are you saying that the Niagara is free from these effects? That would be an awesome achievement if so.

Best,

Jim

**Mike** · August 23, 2016, 01:57 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Mike,

IME, the "smooth" conditioners have exhibited - depending on the model - a bit (and all too often, a lot) of dynamic compression. I have owned (and subsequently sold) several mentioned in this thread. Are you saying that the Niagara is free from these effects? That would be an awesome achievement if so.

Best,

Jim

Yes, completely. It was as dynamic as plugging the devices EACH into 20 amp dedicated outlets. There is a 90 amp reservoir. "Transient Power Correction: Provides over 90 amps peak instantaneous current reservoir with reduced line impedance for current-starved power amplifiers, whether they incorporate linear or switching power supplies."

I would encourage people to watch the video posted earlier in the thread.

**Jim Smith** · August 23, 2016, 02:06 PM

Wow! My problem is that my components are spread apart too far for a single 700 unit. That's mainly to get the two ASR amplifier channel power supplies as far away from the control unit as possible for sonic reasons. Sheesh!! I would need at least two...

How would you say the 1000 compares to other conditioners in the dynamics area?

**Duke97** · August 23, 2016, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

I've heard the Niagara 7000 on ARC CD-9 player, REF 6 preamp, Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amps and Model 7 MKII speakers. In a word...outstanding!!! I've also been hearing great things about the Shunyata Denali 6000T and the noise rejection between banks. It's a great time for power conditioners!

Ken

Ken, Thanks for sharing your impression of the Niagra 7000.

Duke

**Duke97** · August 23, 2016, 02:16 PM

Originally Posted by asiufy

I haven't heard the 7000 yet (they're in demand!), but the 1000 made quite an impression here too. It beat a $12k conditioner that we had in the store, also in for evaluation. Very impressive! I already had high hopes for the 7000, and now with Mike's report, seems we're in for a treat!

Asiufy,
Thanks for sharing your impression of the 1000.

Best,
Duke

**Mike** · August 23, 2016, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Smith

Wow! My problem is that my components are spread apart too far for a single 700 unit. That's mainly to get the two ASR amplifier channel power supplies as far away from the control unit as possible for sonic reasons. Sheesh!! I would need at least two...

How would you say the 1000 compares to other conditioners in the dynamics area?

My take away was that the 1000 was 85% of the 7000 - for whatever that's worth in terms of assessment. What I loved about the 7000 was it had everything the 1000 had, but was just better in all areas: dynamics, noise floor, more 3D, smoothness.

**hoosiertom** · August 27, 2016, 04:09 PM

Mike,

The 2 Audioquest 1000's for my Mono amps..... are phenomenal

, can't imagine how great the 7000 is....

Great improvement from my APC S20...Just like you said

Thanks for your input and all the Sharks who contributed to this thread

All the best, Tom

**Mike** · August 30, 2016, 07:10 PM

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mauidan · August 30, 2016, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Dan - I DID!

1000 = 0.01%
7000 = 0.00%

Thanks Mike.

Now that I've got all my DIY power cables with Furutech NCF connectors installed, I'm getting 0.00% reading with my custom P.I. Audio UberBuss.

**Odyssey** · August 30, 2016, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

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Congratulations Mike on getting the 7000 in the house! Is it meeting or exceeding all of your expectations? You've made a long study of power conditioners over the years.

**Mike** · August 30, 2016, 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by Odyssey

Congratulations Mike on getting the 7000 in the house! Is it meeting or exceeding all of your expectations? You've made a long study of power conditioners over the years.

I'm waiting for my top AQ PC to arrive before firing it up. But if it's like the demo unit, I'll be very happy.

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**Alpinist** · August 30, 2016, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I'm waiting for my top AQ PC to arrive before firing it up. But if it's like the demo unit, I'll be very happy.

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Mike,

What are you using for your top AQ Power Cord??

Thanks,
Ken

**Mike** · August 30, 2016, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Mike,

What are you using for your top AQ Power Cord??

Thanks,
Ken

I went with the top all copper NRG-1000.

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**Alpinist** · August 30, 2016, 11:05 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I went with the top all copper NRG-1000.

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Thanks Mike,

Do you prefer the pure copper to the pure silver power cords?

Ken

**Mike** · August 30, 2016, 11:18 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Thanks Mike,

Do you prefer the pure copper to the pure silver power cords?

Ken

I didn't have a choice as the silver power cables are all being upgraded.

**kzhtoo** · August 31, 2016, 12:33 AM

Hi Mike,
If one doesn't know it could be mistaken for a Burmester. lol
Impressive looking unit. I wonder how it'd compare to PS Audio P10.
Do you have your Niagra 7000 plugged into a dedicated line or normal wall outlet?

**asiufy** · August 31, 2016, 02:04 AM

kzhtoo,

Funny you ask, as we have a P10 in the store, that we keep around to use at shows (hotel energy = yuck), and the 7000 is considerably better. Things are just more vivid with the Audioquest in the system, while the P10 things tend to mellow out a bit.

The P10 is good in "war zones", like the hotel rooms, where the usual 127V can go down to 102, 105V, and you just need a clean, stable power source. But in a more controlled environment, like listening rooms, the benefits of the Niagara is just plain better.

cheers,
alex

**Mike** · August 31, 2016, 07:26 AM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Hi Mike,
If one doesn't know it could be mistaken for a Burmester. lol
Impressive looking unit. I wonder how it'd compare to PS Audio P10.
Do you have your Niagra 7000 plugged into a dedicated line or normal wall outlet?

I have it plugged into a dedicated 20 amp circuit which is run from a separate panel box with a separate feed from the main and a separate ground.

I guess you could say, I'm a little power obsessed.

**Mike** · August 31, 2016, 07:56 AM

Niagra 7000 (inside)

Shunyata Denali (inside)

**the professor** · August 31, 2016, 10:57 AM

Two different technologies. I suggest listening to both.

**BruceLet** · August 31, 2016, 11:22 AM

I have an Audioquest Niagara 7000 on order. Waiting for it's arrival. Like Mike, I purchased the NRG1000 20 amp ac cable. I will be comparing it to the Ansuz Mainz 8. I still have all my Ansuz ac cables purchased when I had my Raidhos.

**kzhtoo** · September 1, 2016, 03:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I have it plugged into a dedicated 20 amp circuit which is run from a separate panel box with a separate feed from the main and a separate ground.

I guess you could say, I'm a little power obsessed.

Obviously power obsession is the right way. The reason I asked is, given your situation, you can undoubtedly bring out the best from Niagra 7000. But for people like me who don't have a dedicated line (too much changes needed on my house and I'm simply not there yet), I'm wondering if PS Audio P10 is more suitable.

**Elberoth** · September 1, 2016, 03:26 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Niagra 7000 (inside)

Shunyata Denali (inside)

How much is the Niagara vs the Denali ?

**Mike** · September 1, 2016, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Obviously power obsession is the right way. The reason I asked is, given your situation, you can undoubtedly bring out the best from Niagra 7000. But for people like me who don't have a dedicated line (too much changes needed on my house and I'm simply not there yet), I'm wondering if PS Audio P10 is more suitable.

Khin, I can plug my 7000 into my house line and let you know.

**The Sandman** · September 1, 2016, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I have it plugged into a dedicated 20 amp circuit which is run from a separate panel box with a separate feed from the main and a separate ground.

When you say "separate ground" do you mean a separate ground rod outside your house, or a separate wire running to the same ground rod?

**Mike** · September 1, 2016, 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by The Sandman

When you say "separate ground" do you mean a separate ground rod outside your house, or a separate wire running to the same ground rod?

They buried a separate ground rod. I wanted everything completely separate.

**The Sandman** · September 1, 2016, 08:04 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

They buried a separate ground rod. I wanted everything completely separate.

Are the two ground rods bonded together? You can run into big problems if they're not.

**Mike** · September 1, 2016, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by The Sandman

Are the two ground rods bonded together? You can run into big problems if they're not.

Yes, with heavy gauge copper.

**The Sandman** · September 1, 2016, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Yes, with heavy gauge copper.

Then you're golden! Or cupric?

**kzhtoo** · September 2, 2016, 12:19 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Khin, I can plug my 7000 into my house line and let you know.

Thank you, Mike. Only when you have absolutely nothing to do. 7000 is built like a jewelry store, very impressive internals.

**Kuoppis** · December 8, 2016, 10:29 AM

Mike, as you have had the Niagara 7000 in your system and do have the Denalis now, how do they compare?

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**Mike** · December 8, 2016, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Mike, as you have had the Niagara 7000 in your system and do have the Denalis now, how do they compare?

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Yes. And AQ has released the 5000 which fixes the issues of the 7000.

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**Kuoppis** · December 8, 2016, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Yes. And AQ has released the 5000 which fixes the issues of the 7000.

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Mike, I read the thread again and did not find the issue you are referring to. Maybe you could point me to it?

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**Mike** · December 8, 2016, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Mike, I read the thread again and did not find the issue you are referring to. Maybe you could point me to it?

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Once I plugged in tube amps, tube preamp, tube DAC, tube phonostage, tube tape preamp, it developed a buzz/hum. The Dielectric-Biased AC Isolation Transformers in the 7000 negatively interacts with a full tube system. In a solid state system, the Dielectric-Biased AC Isolation Transformers shines. It performs flawlessly and is a champ.

AudioQuest has come out with the 5000 which does not have the Dielectric-Biased AC Isolation Transformers. It performs otherwise, just like the 7000, but at a much lower price point and works flawlessly with an all tube, all solid state or combination system.

AQ's approach to power conditioning is "active". Shunyata's is "passive". I cannot tell you which will work best in your system. I have both and use both and like both. Ultimately, you need to try both in your system (I recommend the 5000 over the 7000 if you have anything tube related or may have something tube related in the future and a 6000T).

**Kuoppis** · December 8, 2016, 11:31 AM

Thanks Mike, this is very valuable input. Appreciate you summarizing.

I feel a bit tempted about the 5000, even though I am currently happy with my Triton.

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Thread: Audioquest Niagra 7000