Thread: Shunyata Launches - ALTAIRA GROUNDING SYSTEM!!

Nice setup Puma. The STISv3 system is new for me. Is the base cable able to have banana-banana ends? I favor this between ground units and Tritonv3 as I have furniture with side-walls.

Also, in my theorizing I believe that CGC inlet of SG-NR (Omega) cable affect the whole grounded stack performance, correct?

Originally Posted by Crion

Nice setup Puma. The STISv3 system is new for me. Is the base cable able to have banana-banana ends? I favor this between ground units and Tritonv3 as I have furniture with side-walls.

Yes, IIRC, banana/banana is the standard termination configuration for the base cable. A principal reason is it allows attaching a "tail" of a specific termination on the component end, e.g., for applications requiring an RJ45, BNC, USB, S/PDIF, etc., connector. Also, bananas are a good way to make the connection at the Altaira hub terminals as the cable runs "straight in".

For some components, e.g., many of the Asian DACs, streamers, such as those from Esoteric, Aurender, Lumin, and the EtherREGEN from UpTone, these have proper dedicated screw-type ground terminals on them, so for those devices or components, you'll want one end with a spade connector. This will make a very positive and secure connection to the device. For those applications, you'll want to order a ground cable with a spade on end, and a banana (or spade) on the other end to connect to Altaira.

Originally Posted by Crion

Also, in my theorizing I believe that CGC inlet of SG-NR (Omega) cable affect the whole grounded stack performance, correct?

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question; what do you mean by "inlet"?. Are you referring to the specification of the ground cable that connects the Altaira hub 7th terminal to, say, an Everest, Denali, or other Shunyata power distributor's GP-NR system?

Thankyou for the STISv3 answer.

As for the second question. Yes I’m referring to the 7:th inlet on the SG-NR labeled CGC. To be used in connecting to a Shunyata power distributor. Would say an Omega class cable placed here affect the sound of all connected components to this specific Altair positively?

Originally Posted by Crion

Thankyou for the STISv3 answer.

As for the second question. Yes I’m referring to the 7:th inlet on the SG-NR labeled CGC. To be used in connecting to a Shunyata power distributor. Would say an Omega class cable placed here affect the sound of all connected components to this specific Altair positively?

It's not really an "inlet" per se, more of an "output" terminal.

As for using an Omega-class cable there? Ohhh, yeah....👌 The Alpha CGCs are great, but Omega takes things to another level altogether.

cool that the price difference between delta to omega are not so dramatic

Question. Let’s say in an Altaira system with amp, pre, DAC, master clock, EtherREGEN, HT pre/pro, where would your 2 of better grounding cables go?

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Question. Let’s say in an Altaira system with amp, pre, DAC, master clock, EtherREGEN, HT pre/pro, where would your 2 of better grounding cables go?

I would probably go with DAC and EtherREGEN for the ground cables of the highest specification. This is because ground-plane noise plays more of a role in "digital-domain" devices. But the pre may also be a good alternative to the DAC. The nice thing is you could try both easily enough, and go with whatever component sounds best. My direct experience with EtherREGEN is that it wil want to be one of the two higher-spec ground cables. My recommendation would be to work in 2 main tiers: Tier 1: Alpha and Tier 2: Venom. If the budget allows, Omega for the 7th terminal that connects to the power distributor.

Thanks for the detail suggestion. I forgot to mention I also have an Everest, so it sounds like my two delta’s should go to Everest ground connection and EtherREGEN. The rest, I’m thinking Venom for now.

ATM I have DAC and EtherREGEN’s ground lugs connected to Everest with Delta’s. I must say improvement I remember is subtle at best. I did make quite a few system changes this year, so may need to re-experiment.

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Thanks for the detail suggestion. I forgot to mention I also have an Everest, so it sounds like my two delta’s should go to Everest ground connection and EtherREGEN. The rest, I’m thinking Venom for now.

ATM I have DAC and EtherREGEN’s ground lugs connected to Everest with Delta’s. I must say improvement I remember is subtle at best. I did make quite a few system changes this year, so may need to re-experiment.

Yeah, that's a great way to start. I have a couple Delta and Venom CGCs, and least for 1M runs, say, there really isn't much in it between them. The jump to Alpha is quite a bit bigger improvement. That's why I would suggest working in three main tiers: 1) Venom 2) Alpha and 3) Omega.

The improvement from the Altaira will be on another level altogether compared to connecting to the GP-NR of Everest.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Yeah, that's a great way to start. I have a couple Delta and Venom CGCs, and least for 1M runs, say, there really isn't much in it between them. The jump to Alpha is quite a bit bigger improvement. That's why I would suggest working in three main tiers: 1) Venom 2) Alpha and 3) Omega.

I already have a couple of Delta’s. So, now will start with Venom with Altaira. Let’s see how they go.

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

The improvement from the Altaira will be on another level altogether compared to connecting to the GP-NR of Everest.

That’s encouraging. Thanks.

Originally Posted by brodricj

With the grounding cables, I would have a 6m run from Altaira to a power amp, and 9m to the other power amp. Does each power amp need it's own ground cable to Altaira? Or could I buy one 6m ground cable, and one 3m ground cable, connect the signal ground from each power amp to each other with the 3m cable, and connect the 6m grounding cable from there back to Altaira?

That's an interesting question. So, just to clarify, when you say "signal ground" does that mean you'd be connecting a ground cable from a signal input (e.g. RCA or XLR-connector ground cable) from one one amp to another amp?

I've done what (I think) is kinda comparable to what you've described, but using the 2-way (banana & spade) chassis ground terminals of my First Sound's preamp's external dual mono power supplies (box 1 and box 2). In my case, I first checked the the chassis ground post made a connection to ground by checking with an ohm meter, one lead to the IEC ground pin of the power supply box, and the other end of the lead to the chassis ground post. That read 0 ohms for each PS box. That done, I then connected a short, 1M CGC from the ground terminal of one PS box 1 to the ground terminal of PS box 2, and then just ran a single, longer cable CGC from PS box 2 to Altaira. For the short connection, between the two power supplies, I used a CGC with a spade on one end and a banana on the other, and connected the spade end to PS box 2. Then just ran the "long run" of the ground cable with bananas on both ends from PS box 2's banana plug receptacle to a ground terminal on the Altaira. Hope this is clear, I can make a drawing if necessary.

Oh, I should add that FS's MCU (main control unit) had a ground terminal installed by Emmanuel of First Sound. So, I also connect a ground cable from that to an analog segment Altaira.

And, as my C-J LP70S power amp didn't have an "accessible" ground terminal (it has a locked screw that connects the chassis to earth ground), I drilled a holed in the rear panel of it's steel chassis, and installed a proper ground binding post. I checked that it made connection to chassis ground by doing the ohm meter test above. Shown here...



Because it's a stereo amp, I just run a single CGC from that ground post to Altaira.

Originally Posted by brodricj

Halcro power amps have a signal ground terminal. I have 4 Esoteric devices and 2 Halcro devices with signal grounds. That is a full set for Altaira. At the moment the Esoteric signal grounds are not connected to anything, and the Halcro signal grounds are connected to the ground terminal of a Denali 6000S/v1. The Altaira will sit next to Everest and be connected to its ground terminal.

If there is a screw-terminal positioned on the back of the chassis that is a designated ground conneection, e.g., as shown on this piece of Esoteric gear, that is usually designated as an earth (aka chassis) ground connection, not a signal ground connection. Also, for most, but not all gear, if you connect a ohm meter probe from that ground terminal and the ground pin of the IEC receptacle, it will show a connection with a 0 or < 1 ohm reading. An exception to this Constellation gear, and it may be the same with Esoteric gear, I just don't know as I don't own any Estoteric gear.

Regardless, connect a ground cable from this ground terminal to your Altaira.



The way Esoteric has it labeled is somewhat misleading. In the interests of clarity and accuracy, in the Altaiara guidance documents from Shunyata, when they refer to making a "signal ground" connection, they are referring to an actual signal cable interface connector, e.g. an RCA or XLR jack, S/PDIF connector, Ethernet RJ45 port, USB A-slot, or BNC port, etc.

Originally Posted by brodricj

That's right. Signal ground. I would be very surprised if Esoteric would label a chassis ground as a signal ground. The plan will be to connect these signal ground terminals to an Altaira Signal hub. I wasn't planning on buying an Altaira Chassis hub. The Halcro signal ground is definitely a signal ground and not chassis ground.

Yep, understood. As for how it's labeled, I can't speak to that, but regardless, use this ground terminal to connect to your SG hub. The good thing is, there's actually a dedicated ground terminal to connect to; a lot of components don't even have that anymore.

Originally Posted by brodricj

Esoteric having a signal ground on the power supply box does seem odd when all the signal wizardry only happens in the pre-amp box.

Yep, agreed. Lumin and Aurender designate that terminal "Earth Ground". But, the good news is...they actually put a dedicated ground terminal on each chassis. 👍 A lot of American and European mfrs don't do that anymore. Also, this is best possible type of connection to make to an Altaira.

Altair black version?

Originally Posted by Crion

Altair black version?

Agreed. I'm ready to buy 2 black Altairas to match the black Denali V2 and Typhon T2.

Also awaiting the black version before ordering. Will change the whole stack to black. It just looks so good.

Not yet. But will for sure.

I wanted to confirm that an Altaira Black version is not a thing yet. We need to voice our opinion to make it happen.

People interested in black versions of Altaira SG or CG please drop 'richard at shunyata dot com' a line to make it more probable to happen.

That's it, I'm personally looking forward the prospect of a Black Altaira SG-NR and CG-NR 'driven' by a black Typhon T2. I'm sure that stack would look wonderful.

Originally Posted by Crion

I wanted to confirm that an Altaira Black version is not a thing yet. We need to voice our opinion to make it happen.

People interested in black versions of Altaira SG or CG please drop 'richard at shunyata dot com' a line to make it more probable to happen.

That's it, I'm personally looking forward the prospect of a Black Altaira SG-NR and CG-NR 'driven' by a black Typhon T2. I'm sure that stack would look wonderful.

I just did!

My Altaira CGS and 4 Alpha cables arrived today. After getting it all connected to my Antipodes K50 server, Bricasti M21 DAC/PRE and a Keces P3 that powers my modified Buffalo switches and the Altaira to my Everest, my system immediately took a deep breath and lowered its heartbeat 15 BPM.

I assume it will further evolve as the ground plane settles across my system but this product/system is amazing!

Originally Posted by crwilli

My Altaira CGS and 4 Alpha cables arrived today. After getting it all connected to my Antipodes K50 server, Bricasti M21 DAC/PRE and a Keces P3 that powers my modified Buffalo switches and the Altaira to my Everest, my system immediately took a deep breath and lowered its heartbeat 15 BPM.

I assume it will further evolve as the ground plane settles across my system but this product/system is amazing!

Congrats. It'll get better as it and the cables settle. Just curious, how did you connect it to your Keces P3?

I found continuity with the screw on the rear plate just above the IEC plug.

Originally Posted by TommyC

Agreed. I'm ready to buy 2 black Altairas to match the black Denali V2 and Typhon T2.

They're making a list of folks who want a black Altaira to determine demand. Reach out to Richard at Shunyata and get on the list!

EDIT - I saw after posting this that you already did!

Originally Posted by brodricj

I can confirm that the "signal ground" binding post on Esoteric components is actually a chassis ground. You need to connect it to Altaira-CG, not Altaira-SG. Now I have discovered this I have to undo my order for a -SG and change it to a -CG, but it's already shipped from the factory.

How many Altairas did you order? If you ordered more than one for configuring a segmented system, the guidance is to use the SG hub regardless of whether the Esoteric's binding post is actually a "chassis ground", or not.

Originally Posted by SCAudiophile

I do not believe that is correct without clarification. The suggestion is to focus on SG for digital I believe. That does not imply that if the Esoteric ground lugs are chassis grounds (which they are) that they should be connected to the Altaira SG.
Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

Hi Mark,

If folks plan to use a single Altaira for their entire system, as Brodric had planned to do, the guidance is to use an CG Altaira.

If however, one is going to implement a segmented system, that is, utilize more than 1 Altaira in the system to segment the specific types of componentry into functional "domains", the guidance from Shunyata's Hub Selection Guide for a "segmented" system is that the Altaira for each "segment" (i.e., a "digital front-end segment" domain and an "analog amplification segment" domain) should be an SG Altaira hub. So, if you're going to have an Altaira dedicated to a "digital stack" (e.g. streamer, network bridge, DAC, switch, etc.) that Altaira should be an SG hub, and then the Altaira for the "analog amplification segment" (pre, amp, or monos, etc.) should also be an SG Altaira.

Screen shot from page 3 of Altaira Hub Selection Guide:


Same applies when configuring a dual-mono system (e.g. dual-mono DAC, preamp, mono-blocks, etc.), folks should use an SG hub for each channel of the dual-mono system, including the analog amplification components.



Again, folks should read all the literature and info from Shunyata thoroughly, and then work with a trained and certified Altaira dealer (e.g. Mike).

It's unfortunate that Esoteric inaccurately labeled a ground terminal that actually makes a connection to chassis ground as "signal ground", because Brodric could have ordered the CG hub from the get-go.

i'll just add that if CG hub users decide they want to implement another Altaira in their system, e.g. getting an SG hub for segmenting the digital domain components, one can still use their CG Altaira for the analog amplification segment.

From the Hub Selection Guide pg. 3 footnote, referenced above: "NOTE: If you have an existing grounding system that already has an ALTAIRA Chassis Hub, and you want to segment the digital components, you will only need to purchase a single ALTAIRA Signal Hub for the digital components. All the other non-digital components may be connected to the existing Chassis Hub."

Originally Posted by brodricj

My reading of the QSG is that the starting point is always the -CG. If you then want to segment, add a -SG. So a dealer shouldn't be selling a customer a -SG if they don't already have a -CG. Is that right?

No, I purchased two SG hubs from the get-go, as I knew I would be configuring a segmented system, one for "sources" and one for the analog amplification gear. This was all clearly explained in the extensive guidance Shunyata published when the system was introduced.

I'm an Australian dealer and have both a signal and chassis version for demo, as well as a full dealer kit of Alpha ground cables and tails. I think you'll find there are a few dealers with demo kits available if you just contact them....