Thread: Unpacking the Shunyata Everest 8000

A direct swap. PS Audio Dectet for a Denali v1.

Originally Posted by brodricj

A direct swap. PS Audio Dectet for a Denali v1.

If I were trying to access the performance of the Denali and PS Audio, and knowing how the PS Audio AC-10 performs, I'd suggest a couple of things.

Remove the AC-10 from the equation - it's uneven with the way it presents frequencies. What it does to the sound is heavy handed and unmusical in my experience. It acts like a filter to me. Swap in another power cable to replace the AC-10 or...

Try to test by plugging in components direct to the wall versus the Denali or Dectet ... or if you aren't able to reach your outlets, get an unfiltered power strip to serve as control along with a basic, stock all copper 10 or 12 gauge power cable. Both those things are cheap on Amazon, here in the USA, or you could even get an industrial extension cord at home repair place like Home Depot.

Mostly the older PS Audio xStream Prelude or AC-3 power cables.

Originally Posted by brodricj

Mostly the older PS Audio xStream Prelude or AC-3 power cables.

Before I'd even consider dropping coin on the Everest or Denali V2, consider upgrading the PS Audio power cables on all or at least your core audio gear. You'll get a big upgrade in terms of accurate sound.
Sell the Denali and Dectet if you really don't need them elsewhere in your system, too.

Look at the latest Venom, Delta, Alpha, or Sigma or even last generation Sigma. I owned the last Sigma NR and it's a GREAT, balanced sounding cable - the best Shunyata cable I've heard. I'd recommend that all day long. Audition or add the Shunyata Everest or Denali V2 after that.

My criticism with the PS Audio power cables is that all those different size, shape, and material conductors probably act as a filter on the electricity and as crazy as it sounds to non-audiophiles, we hear that it changes the sound from our audio systems. You've probably looked at how different the Shunyata cables are constructed versus the PS Audio and there's a reason for that. You'll get a more balanced sound without major dips or peaks, with the Shunyata, in my experience.

Originally Posted by Rnrmf

..Look at the latest Venom, Delta, Alpha, or Sigma or even last generation Sigma.... Audition or add the Shunyata Everest or Denali V2 after that.

I need to make a 3 inch radius 90 degree bend so that probably counts out Alpha/Sigma. Venom is also counted out due to length, they are only available in 1.5m, right? Auditions are not possible in my market, the local dealer does not stock any Shunyata products.

How long is the barrel of the alpha/sigma? The barrel length needs to be included in that 3 inch bend. So if the barrel is 2 inches long I need to make a 1 inch radius 90 degree bend.

Originally Posted by brodricj

How long is the barrel of the alpha/sigma? The barrel length needs to be included in that 3 inch bend. So if the barrel is 2 inches long I need to make a 1 inch radius 90 degree bend.

Unique problems.... Is the audio gear in a closet?
As I recall, the PS Audio barrel isn't small and the cord is stiff as hell. Shunyata is soooo much more flexible as Puma says. Actually one of the most flexible if not the most of what I've owned.

Originally Posted by Rnrmf

Unique problems.... Is the audio gear in a closet?

3 inches is the clearance below a Halcro power amplifier. A PS Audio Prelude or AC-3 power cable has a short enough barrel and enough flex to make the bend. Any of the higher spec cables won't make the bend radius.
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Originally Posted by brodricj

3 inches is the clearance below a Halcro power amplifier. A PS Audio Prelude or AC-3 power cable has a short enough barrel and enough flex to make the bend. Any of the higher spec cables won't make the bend radius.
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Interesting. AC port on the bottom. I suspect an ordinary power cable works loose over time. My Shunyata cables should be able to meet that curve, and stay very snug. I suspect the new Shunyata cables are at least as flexible, if not more.

That's interesting.

Looking at it, though, I think you might be able to use from Sigma NR v1 down the line. I think they might be in the same ballpark as the PS Audio but with more flexibility.
The barrels on Sigma V2 aka Reference and Omega could be a touch too big.

If memory serves me, I've read you write that no dealer near you has a Shunyata cable for you to investigate this but maybe somebody could take a pic of their IEC with the cable bent and a ruler for scale.

No. Ordinary power cables won't work loose. The IEC inlet connector on that amp has a tight fit. Certainly any after-market power cables can't be removed unless the amp is tilted to remove its weight off the cable.

Originally Posted by Rnrmf

...but maybe somebody could take a pic of their IEC with the cable bent and a ruler for scale.

Yes, if anyone could do that for me would be most helpful.

What is over the amp? If nothing then place it on a brick for a couple more inches of clearance.

Originally Posted by BlueFox

..If nothing then place it on a brick for a couple more inches of clearance.

That is not possible. If the amps were any higher they would infringe the line of sight of the projection screen.

Okay. You need two systems. One for music, and one for HT.

Seriously, my HT center channel sits a few inches above the bottom of the screen, and I never notice it.

I do have two systems but they share the same main speakers/power amps. Switching between HT and music is via HT bypass.

Also, now that I think of it, if possible subs should be off to the side, not in front of the screen.

A single sub below the center of the screen works fine in my room. 31 inches is the maximum height without infringing the sight line to the bottom of the projection area. I'm using a stock C19 power cable with my sub to the Denali V1. I wasn't contemplating using an after-market cable for that.

Four x Alpha v2 power cables = Everest. Hard to wrap my head around the equation...
option 1: use the same cables I presently have with Everest,
option 2: four new Alpha's with Denali v1.
Price is about the same for both.

Denali to wall cable is easy. Except it needs to be 3m long. Which fits into the expensive equation when you compare to the cost of Everest. We're now talking three power cables for the cost of Everest. Makes the Everest option appear great value.

Originally Posted by brodricj

A single sub below the center of the screen works fine in my room. 31 inches is the maximum height without infringing the sight line to the bottom of the projection area. I'm using a stock C19 power cable with my sub to the Denali V1. I wasn't contemplating using an after-market cable for that.

I thought we were talking about the Halcro power amp?

Originally Posted by BlueFox

I thought we were talking about the Halcro power amp?

We were but somewhere we slightly drifted to subwoofers. It turns out my sub is the same height as the Halcro, 31 inches. I contemplated using an Audioquest right angle adapter which will get me another inch or 2 of bend radius under the Halcro.

Originally Posted by brodricj

Denali to wall cable is easy. Except it needs to be 3m long. Which fits into the expensive equation when you compare to the cost of Everest. We're now talking three power cables for the cost of Everest. Makes the Everest option appear great value.

For my priorities, power cables make a more meaningful difference to the sound than power distributors/conditioners, which isn't saying the distributor/conditioner doesn't contribute benefits that enhance or refine the overall presentation to varying degrees from major to minor. My Triton V3 was ethereal and I miss it in my system. I can only imagine what the latest Shunyata distributors do.
But power cables, in my experience, directly impact the tone, focus, and depth of sound and create a foundation one can add a distributor/conditioner to afterward.

Originally Posted by bernardl

The obvious conclusion is that you should replace your Halcro power amp by something else...

Sure. The moment somebody builds a better power amp I will!

Halcro offered me a very good changeover price on their new Eclipse mono power amplifier, which is in the same chassis as all those which came before it. Its pairing with the Magico M3 is an impressive combination, as it was with Magico Q3 and S3 which I also own, and Wilson speakers before that. I wouldn't say it ever had a cult status following in Australia. It was primarily pitched at the Asian markets, hence the model numbers for the whole series ending in an "8", and their top dog being "88". I've owned Halcro dm38, 78 and 88 and I've been happy with all of them. I've powered Halcro with a PS Audio P10, Denali v1, with different power cables, direct to the wall, I don't hear any difference. It seems to be completely agnostic as to how/where it gets its electricity from. And mine is a tremendously revealing system, which as I mentioned before, very easy to "hear" cables of various flavors elsewhere in the system. Which is why I have my doubts whether Alpha/Sigma/Everest or whatever would be any different. Unfortunately I can't demo anything Shunyata, the way it works is you order, pay for it, and it will arrive a few weeks later. No returns unless faulty, and as we know, Shunyata doesn't build anything faulty! (unlike another brand which I once owned).

Originally Posted by CGabriel

if you only have one power circuit available for the audio system, plug them into the Everest. If you have two (or more) dedicated lines, then plug the Everest and source equipment into one line and use the other line for the amp(s).

I did the test today, and I am sorry I disagree with you. I have two dedicated 20 Amp lines. and 230 volt. Denali is plugged into one and the other is free. If I remove my amp (200wat at 8Ohm / 400 Watt at 4 Ohm) from the Denali and plug it in on the other line, I get no improvement in dynamics yet I lose the magic that Denali gives.

If I had just stopped at the Denali 6000s/V2, I would consider the improvement to be significant. But the Everest 8000 takes the benefits achieved from the Denali 6000s/V2 to another level.

My Omega XC has been burning in for over 2 weeks now and the Everest 8000 has a solid week of 24/7 now.

Today I sat down for a first critical listen. I started with Joni Mitchell’s Lady of the Canyon (24/192). This is an album I use frequently to test. On some systems, the Hammond B3 on “Woodstock” and her voice can sound shrill, edgy. The Hammond can sound thin, but with the Everest/Omega XC leading the way, the Hammond has the right amount of “weight” and her voice is fully fleshed out and natural.

Next up, I moved to Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors playing the John Prime song, “Long Monday” on the album “Through The Night: Live In The Studio”. Separating the vocals of Drew and his wife Ellie is no easy task for a system. Often, her sweet voice can get lost in the mix or entirely drowned out by Drew. With the Everest 8000/Omega XC combo in the system, I could clearly distinguish between husband and wife with much greater separation and clarity.

I moved on to a similar album, entitled Forest Floor by Ocie Elliott, another fabulous duo from Victoria, B.C. Canada consisting of Jon Middleton and Sierra Lundy. Once again the Everest 8000 with the Omega XC provided wonderfully black backgrounds which allowed Sierra’s sweet soft voice to shine through.

I continued with Led Zeppelin, Coda, “Hey Hey What Can I Do” (High Res, 2012 Remaster). Although the digital versions, regardless of remaster or not cannot touch the Classic Records versions, which were the last time the tapes were touched, I still greatly enjoyed what the Everest/Omega XC combo brought to the table, filling out the soundstage and taking additional digital edge off things, while providing a wonderful bass foundation. Symbols were also more realistic sounding and less “splashy”.

There is little surprise that the Shunyata Everest 8000 and Omega XC combo has taken my entire system up a notch...or two. If you stop at the Denali 6000S/v2 you will be one happy camper, I know I was. If you step up to the Everest 8000 and either a Sigma XC or Omega XC there will be no looking back.

Originally Posted by nonesup

I did the test today, and I am sorry I disagree with you. I have two dedicated 20 Amp lines. and 230 volt. Denali is plugged into one and the other is free. If I remove my amp (200wat at 8Ohm / 400 Watt at 4 Ohm) from the Denali and plug it in on the other line, I get no improvement in dynamics yet I lose the magic that Denali gives.

Good for you for doing your own test. And good that you “know” that it sounds best through the Denali.

Both of my amps have their own dedicated 20 amp circuit. Using a Shunyata power cord plugged into a Shunyata power socket, they sounded great. Later I added a Denali 2000 to each amp, and I was amazed at the sonic improvement. No contest, with the Denali they are unbelievably good.

Yes. Let us know what you think. It can only get better over time.

Originally Posted by BlueFox

...It can only get better over time.

I thought KPIP obviated the betterance over time theory?

As I posted here in another thread I just inserted a Everest in my set-up to demo for a bit. I was definitely not expecting much of a improvement over the Denali with basically just my front end going thru it. With absolutely no break-in on the unit the initial sound seemed much more expansive and weighty. So far impressive.

Well, I’m starting to get very curious. Mike has been forbidden to bring anymore gear to my home this summer but this new Shunyata Everest is starting to get my attention.

I have the Triton 3, so the question, would Everest be that significant of an improvement?

And, of course, the newly announced Omega Ethernet is also of interest.