Thread: Hydra Denali Series review In TAS

Hi Guys,

I wanted to let everyone know, Editor Robert Harley has written a very detailed review of the Hydra Denali Series in the current, April Issue of TAS. The review is also on-line at:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/arti...ioning-system/

Harley's review is the most detailed review we have received from either of the US print magazines. We were pleased that his results were consistent with those from the principle writers at The Audio Beat, AudioStream and the posted opinions of those who have taken the time to evaluate the Denali's at AudioShark and elsewhere.

We don't presume our products will enjoy universal success; none do, but the results have been consistent enough in a variety of venues, including mastering, recording and medical imaging that we feel confident the research and design path Caelin has followed will continue to yield surprising results as we move forward.

We hope to announce many new power cord and signal cable products in the coming weeks. Much of this success is the result of the shared opinion and context on these forums.

We appreciate everyone's participation and support at AudioShark. Our thanks to Mike for creating a collegial place for people, including manufacturers, to come and share their opinions and experience.

Best regards,

Grant, Caelin

Grant,

Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed reading Robert's review and I've had the same positive experiences with my Denali and Shunyata power products. I look forward to your upcoming interconnects and speakers cables. I hope that perhaps I can complete a full loom of Shunyata in the near future. In fact, I'm almost holding off purchasing a brand of electronics because I don't like being tied to one manufacturer of speaker cable/interconnect that must be used with these electronics. That brand which I won't mention. I just have trouble understanding their technology and how it applies. To that end, I appreciate how "Transparent" no pun intended Shunyata is with regards to how the company goes out the way to explain the real world benefit of your proprietary and exclusive technologies.

Will Shuynata be introducing new technologies in these products that lower distortion and improve performance even beyond the existing Zitron Anaconda line? To that end, I really enjoyed your Youtube videos explaining the Deanli technology. Perhaps we can see similar with for the new cables.

Thanks!

Hi Ken,

Protection is an interesting topic. Short answer is yes, the Denali models all have three-stages of protection, starting with the Component To Component (CCI) filters on the back of each outlet. These filters provide short-duration transient protection from line spikes. Behind the CCI Filters, we use Next-Gen TMOV's (Thermally Insulated MOV's) which engage only in the event of a catastrophic surge/spike event. Behind that, we have the external-sensor Carling Electromagnetic breakers, all set to trip should they detect any surge over 20A. Since we first introduced Hydra models to the market in 2001-2002, we have had fewer than 7 returned for service related to replacing the protection--a very simple fix. Denali models do have a small LED to let you know if the protection fails and needs replacing, which is a simple service issue.

Despite all that, we urge anyone serious about complete protection for their system to consider Whole House Surge Protection. This is a device that is installed at the panel and protects everything in the home (about 80% effectiveness). The WHS systems costs about $500-$700 installed and most have an LED that lets you know if the protection ever fails. Short of unplugging your electronics when not in use, there is no perfect protection system. A product called zero-surge comes close, but just try listening with that in line (eye-roll). Yes, the WHS does have a small effect on sonics, but even that has a work-around if you spend a little money on a switch that can by-pass the circuit when you are listening and re-engage the circuit when you are not.

Any company that says they have a 100% protection power-conditioner is lying or very misinformed; there's no such thing. If you layer protection starting at the panel, you stand a good chance your gear will survive a big event. The majority of surge/spike disasters I've been aware of over my 18 years doing happens to the big AV systems. This is because the path of least resistance for harm comes from ungrounded video cabling and satellite systems, not the power-line. Catastrophic events are very rare, and we've taken the best steps toward offering solid system protection--without completely wrecking fidelity, because often the two are at odds in extreme cases of over-protection.

I hope this helps with your question.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

Originally Posted by Alpinist

TMOVs are very fast and effective at stopping surges, although they do sometimes sacrifice themselves. But I'd rather it be sacrificed than my components.

Exactly. Caelin has implemented them to fail only in the event that a sustained, hard transient gets through the CC! filters, which are themselves quite robust. These are not the more common MOV's that fail over time. If our TMOV fails, it did so to protect and there was a significant event that caused the failure to occur. The module containing the TMOV is easily replaced.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

Hi Ken,

We are awaiting delivery of a few of the final custom-cosmetic parts, but the new cables should be available soon.

Best regards,

Grant

TAS has yet to produce a critical honest review of any equipment. The TAS reviews are essentially fluff and are useless. Gullible folks eat it up.

Whilst these reviews do serve a useful purpose, if only we could get the "hands-on" experience at a SR dealer to complete the picture.

Hello Grant,

I'm looking forward to receiving my Denali 6000/s since the beginning of November 2018. I live in the Netherlands and heard there's a production problem with the 's' version. Is that correct? Can you give me any info on when i can expect the Denali? My dealer and distributor unfortunately don't have an answer.

Best regards, Rob

Originally Posted by steinkrieg

That review seems to say that the Denali is better than the Typhon/Triton combo. Is there more clarity on the differences that can be offered here? I have the Typhon/Triton, and have enjoyed them immensely... If the Denali really is better than that combo, then I guess i should sell my Typhon/Triton and go the Denali route... Is this really the case?

Thanks!

This older thread and review pre dates the Triton V3 and Typhon QR.

When the Denali originally came out some felt it bested the current Triton V2 but, the new V3 Triton contains Denali tech.

Rest assured, your V3/QR combo is current the flagship.

Originally Posted by Rob40

Hello Grant,

I'm looking forward to receiving my Denali 6000/s since the beginning of November 2018. I live in the Netherlands and heard there's a production problem with the 's' version. Is that correct? Can you give me any info on when i can expect the Denali? My dealer and distributor unfortunately don't have an answer.

Best regards, Rob

Hi Rob,


What you are likely referring to is a second run of chassis and internals for the Denali/6000S. Caelin updated the units to make them (internally) universal for all countries rather than our previous method of making the US, Asia and EU models as distinct products in each market. Making the 6000/S design a universal product will be of benefit, but in the short term this has created an unintended gap in production.

There were delays in receiving molded assemblies that were manufactured to our spec. for this update. I believe that issue has been resolved. Shipping should be possible in late April. We are keeping More Music updated on timing and delivery. We are monitoring the process closely so the units get to market as soon as possible. I apologize for this unintended gap in production and will make More Music's order a priority once units come available. If there is anything else I can do to be of direct service, don't hesitate to call or write.


Best regards,


Grant

Hello Grant,

Thank you for your update on the production process. That's enough information for me at the moment, looking forward to its arrival later this spring.

Best regards,

Rob

Originally Posted by GrantS

Hi Rob,


What you are likely referring to is a second run of chassis and internals for the Denali/6000S. Caelin updated the units to make them (internally) universal for all countries rather than our previous method of making the US, Asia and EU models as distinct products in each market. Making the 6000/S design a universal product will be of benefit, but in the short term this has created an unintended gap in production.

There were delays in receiving molded assemblies that were manufactured to our spec. for this update. I believe that issue has been resolved. Shipping should be possible in late April. We are keeping More Music updated on timing and delivery. We are monitoring the process closely so the units get to market as soon as possible. I apologize for this unintended gap in production and will make More Music's order a priority once units come available. If there is anything else I can do to be of direct service, don't hesitate to call or write.


Best regards,


Grant