Thread: Everest Omega QR Interaction Question

On the system I am building, I have 3 Everests with 3 Omega XC's powering each on 3 dedicated circuits (all the exact same length). One Everest is for preamp, dac and sources. The other 2 are for simply powering my 2 monoblock amps. I realize it may be an unconventional setup, but I wanted the surge protection and additional QRBB for the amps. I have Omega QR's for the amps.

My question is, is it ill-advised to have Omega QR's plugged into the Everests from the standpoint of too much filtering? If so, what power cable from Shunyata is suggested for this setup? Or might this sound wonderful as I originally had hoped for?

Would the setup be greatly improved by eliminating the 2nd and 3rd Everest and going straight to the wall with the QR's? If so, why? And what should I do for surge protection? I already have a surge protector at the panel, but I believe in belts and suspenders when it comes to this expensive equipment.

Speakers are TAD Reference One MK2 Loudspeakers, amps are Esoteric Grandioso M1 monoblocks and preamp is Esoteric Grandioso C1. Since I do not yet have a source and DAC, I cannot experiment myself yet.

Your thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.

Mike

Originally Posted by Mike

Mike, it’s no problem at all, just not benefiting from the capabilities of the cable. But it’s all good. In the store, we do it too.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks Mike!

From another forum:
"Oh, I also meant to say I called Shunyata yesterday for advice on power cables in an all Shunyata system. They said if you’re using an Everest with Omega XC, that using more Omega QR or QR-S cables downstream was not recommended because the filtering in those power cords were duplicative of what was already in the Everest. That the Omega QR were meant for amps plugged directly into dedicated 20a outlets and not into a conditioner at all, and the QR-s meant for source or other lower voltage plugged directly into a dedicated line. The rep said I should use the Sigma v2 NR cables downstream from the Everest/Omega XC combo."

Originally Posted by GSOphile

From another forum:
"Oh, I also meant to say I called Shunyata yesterday for advice on power cables in an all Shunyata system. They said if you’re using an Everest with Omega XC, that using more Omega QR or QR-S cables downstream was not recommended because the filtering in those power cords were duplicative of what was already in the Everest. That the Omega QR were meant for amps plugged directly into dedicated 20a outlets and not into a conditioner at all, and the QR-s meant for source or other lower voltage plugged directly into a dedicated line. The rep said I should use the Sigma v2 NR cables downstream from the Everest/Omega XC combo."

I appreciate you sharing. However that is some confusing advice. I am not sure who would plug source components directly into the wall. Furthermore, Sigma NR also has noise filtering. How is that okay to plug into Everest but not Omega QR? I am not one to question Shunyata but I am confused by that advice.

Why not call Shunyata and discuss?

Well I had the same thoughts/suggestions at first to not use an Omega QR downstream from my Everest. Demoed a QR with my Taiko Server and then ordered the QR-s which is recommended for sources. However I felt that the QR sounded fuller with more ease than the QR-s. Then ordered the QR for the Taiko with actually behaves more like amps in that regard and moved the QR-s to my DAC and the Sigma NR v2 from DAC to preamp and love it!

Reported that finding to Grant at Shunyata which confirmed. Yea, they normally don‘t recommend the QR downstream an Everest, but also admitted they had some use cases in the recent past that confirmed my finding that the QR works together with the Everest.

My recommendation is since you can‘t do any harm: Try for yourself and use the combination you like best!

Originally Posted by GSOphile

From another forum:
"Oh, I also meant to say I called Shunyata yesterday for advice on power cables in an all Shunyata system. They said if you’re using an Everest with Omega XC, that using more Omega QR or QR-S cables downstream was not recommended because the filtering in those power cords were duplicative of what was already in the Everest. That the Omega QR were meant for amps plugged directly into dedicated 20a outlets and not into a conditioner at all, and the QR-s meant for source or other lower voltage plugged directly into a dedicated line. The rep said I should use the Sigma v2 NR cables downstream from the Everest/Omega XC combo."

The QR was designed to be used when powering amps plugged directly into a wall AC receptacle, but not sure I agee that "additional NR filtering" is "duplicative". It could be that the recommendation was based on the guidance to (generally) not use a NR-specification power cord for powering a power distributor. And my experience is consistent with that guidance; power distributors benefit from the "extra current" delivery from the XC-spec PC. However, in my experience, this doesn't mean you can't use an Omega QR-s connected to a power distributor to power source components. You can never completely eliminate noise, this is just the "physics" of things (for example, there will always be, down at the very lowest level, "shot noise"), and in my experience, using NR PCs (I use Sigma NR for my integrated) with Everest or Denali for powering components provides an additive positive effect.

My understanding of the "recommended best practice" is to use QR PCs when powering a component directly plugged into an AC wall receptacle. Use XC (extra current) PCs e.g., Omega XC, Sigma XC, Alpha XC, etc. to power a power distributor, e.g. Everest, Denali, Sigma S12, Alpha A12, etc. connected to an AC wall receptacle. In most cases, use an NR PC for powering components connected to that power distributor, e.g, preamp, amp, integrateds, DAC, phono, etc. If funds allow, use an Omega QR-s for powering DACs and the like for "source" components.

Just for some reference regarding different use-cases, I connect my Omega QR-s directly to my Everest to power my Lumin P-1 and it works really well. The QR-s is a breakthrough as a power cord "source" components; that's what it's designed to do.

By way of example regarding NR vs. XC PCs, I've have a friend who have tried both in his set-up for his system, he actually preferred using an XC to power one of his components than the same PC as an NR-specification. He put the NR PC he had another device in his system, where he felt it worked better. But, again, just try different configurations and see what works for you. You can't "hurt anything" by doing this.

Also, be mindful that just because a "dedicated line" is installed, that does not mean there is not RFI/EMI and other noise components on that AC line. All a dedicated line does is ensure that maximal current delivery is available for the specific connected component. It does not mean that line is not susceptible to noise factors. One of the most prevalent noise components on AC lines is RF because the wires in your walls literally act as an antenna for RF. There's nothing that can be done to prevent this unless all the AC wiring in has been laid inside shielded conduit in the walls, under the floors, etc.

Sometimes I think that finding the right cord for the connected PSU is more important than figuring out what device it is. I'm not at all surprised that Taiko Extreme sounds better with Omega QR than QR-s.

Also regarding the XC vs NR is an interesting aspect in this hobby. Sometimes certain devices just sound more alive/vibrant with no filtering and then I changed the PSU powering that network/streamer stack and after that NR was preferred again.