Niagara 7000 vs Denali 6000T - my experience

I still prefer #2 better. Sure, it seems a little bit muted compared to #1 but over the long term, less fatigue for me in #2. I can see how some would think #2 is a little more boring but that's my take.

joeinid said:
I think that I like the second test or conditioner 2 more than the first. Seemed a little less bright, smoother and a little fuller. I'll try again later on my computer and see if I still feel the same way.
Click to expand...
 
Mike said:
Well, this is going to be interesting when the results are revealed. My gut feeling is that 1 is Denali, 2 is AQ.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Mike, since you have used both of them, was that your experience as well ?
 
Mike said:
#1. There is much more air and extension in #1. To me, #2 seems rolled off and the air in the flute is missing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Devg said:
Mike, since you have used both of them, was that your experience as well ?
Click to expand...

Mike is the only one so far on this thread that preferred #1 on the video, which he thinks is the Denali 6000.

I think #2 sounds more natural and more lifelike, whichever it is.

Ken
 
Alpinist said:
Hi Carlos,

Just out of curiosity, which one did you prefer on the video?

Best,
Ken
Click to expand...

Hi Ken,

A few observations before answering your question.

First, my criteria for evaluating sonic quality is whether I become engaged in the music.

In this case, the music was not my cup of tea, so engagement was not really possible for me. So instead I listened for traditional audiophile criteria (e.g., air, lifelike timbers, soundstage etc).

I first listened in my car while driving and I couldn't tell the difference. I then stopped the car and listened. The lower noise floor made it easier to hear details that were obscured by the road noise. I went back and forth between the two versions several times. In the end the differences in my car stereo were not dramatically different. But if you put a gun to my head and forced me to decide, I'd say the second version checked off more audiophile criteria. But it wasn't a dramatic difference.

Perhaps I would have chosen differently if I had heard it on my reference system.

For the record I have a Denali conditioner, but it has been relegated to the bullpen. I have not heard the other conditioner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
cmarin said:
Hi Ken,

For the record I have a Denali conditioner, but it has been relegated to the bullpen. I have not heard the other conditioner.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

What are you using now?
 
I tried to listen to it on an iPad, and frankly speaking there is little difference to be honest. Based on that I would however maybe join Mike in the odd camp. On a quick listen #2 sounds better, somehow sweeter, but I found #1 to be more neutral.

I will however try once more through a laptop and my system later on today and see whether there is a definitive preference to be made in my ears.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Comparing take 1 and 2 - still on iPad but with decent headphones - I am definitely in the odd camp. Choice is #1 as I find it more neutral and precise, the stand-up bass is muddled in #2.

My wild guess would be that #2 is the Niagara, as it messes with the electricity more than the Shunyata does. Similar effect as can be observed with the PS Audio Power Regenerators.

And of course the chance is 50/50 that I am wrong [emoji3]. Which would mean to me that the Niagara brings something new to the table the Shunyata before did not.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
bonzo said:
What are you using now?
Click to expand...

Hi Bonzo,

I'm using an AC Nexus Power System from HiFi One. And awaiting production of a custom balanced power transformer.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Through my main system I could live with either one, not very significant a difference as I find. There was a more audible difference through the iPad with headphones and no DAC in between.

Reason might be that I have a Meitner DAC, which up-samples all incoming data to double DSD [emoji3].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
My wife and I gave this video a listen on our system. As with others giving some disclaimers, weare not familiar with the music, not sure how accurate it is to use a YouTubevideo for a source, and wish there was a way to use various types of music (more familiar to us and more than just one track) to come to a more informed decision. Anyway, since we own a Niagara 7000, it will be interesting to see which is which especially since we demoed the Shunyata (a wonderful product too) also and chose the Niagara for ourtastes.

We both felt there was a distinct difference between #1 and #2 and felt that neither was bad for our tastes. However, when thinking about which one we preferred, my wife chose #1 (Mike, you now have company) and I chose #2.

She picked #1 due to what she considered was a finer detail (crisper images). In her mind, after hearing #1, #2 sounded a bit “slow” and not as clear.

I picked #2 due to my thoughts that it sounded more “musical” to my ears. Oddly even though I agree that #1 has more air (flute example Mike gave) and had a finer detail in someways (my wife’s observation), I found #1 a little lean for my taste (#2 had more meat on the bones to my ears).

Furthermore, #2 IMHO seemed to render the timbre of the instruments more accurately to my ears (one example being when the trumpet hands off to the trombone in parts of the song). The hand claps on #1 seemed a little less real and non-meaty (they also felt about 2 rows further back on #2 for some reason to my ears vs. #1).

Finally, I had a better sense of resonances on #2 (the kick drum at the beginning being one example where I heard more of the enclosure than on #1).

Anyway, to each his/her own.

Does anyone have an idea as to when we will find out which was which?

Thanks.
 
laynesaddiction said:
My wife and I gave this video a listen on our system. As with others giving some disclaimers, weare not familiar with the music, not sure how accurate it is to use a YouTubevideo for a source, and wish there was a way to use various types of music (more familiar to us and more than just one track) to come to a more informed decision. Anyway, since we own a Niagara 7000, it will be interesting to see which is which especially since we demoed the Shunyata (a wonderful product too) also and chose the Niagara for ourtastes.

We both felt there was a distinct difference between #1 and #2 and felt that neither was bad for our tastes. However, when thinking about which one we preferred, my wife chose #1 (Mike, you now have company) and I chose #2.

She picked #1 due to what she considered was a finer detail (crisper images). In her mind, after hearing #1, #2 sounded a bit “slow” and not as clear.

I picked #2 due to my thoughts that it sounded more “musical” to my ears. Oddly even though I agree that #1 has more air (flute example Mike gave) and had a finer detail in someways (my wife’s observation), I found #1 a little lean for my taste (#2 had more meat on the bones to my ears).

Furthermore, #2 IMHO seemed to render the timbre of the instruments more accurately to my ears (one example being when the trumpet hands off to the trombone in parts of the song). The hand claps on #1 seemed a little less real and non-meaty (they also felt about 2 rows further back on #2 for some reason to my ears vs. #1).

Finally, I had a better sense of resonances on #2 (the kick drum at the beginning being one example where I heard more of the enclosure than on #1).

Anyway, to each his/her own.

Does anyone have an idea as to when we will find out which was which?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Great post, Anthony! I totally agree with you and your wife's description of tracks #1 and #2. Track #1 was more clear, faster, had more detail and more air in the highs. It also seemed a bit bright in the treble and thin in the midrange. Track #2 sounded more relaxed in the treble with more body and natural presentation in the midrange. But it lacked the clarity, detail and dynamics of Track #1, especially in the treble. In the end, the musicality and non-fatiguing sound of Track# 2 won out for me but I could see how someone could prefer the attributes of Track #1 as well. YMMV.

To get the results, you'll have to join the Analog Planet website and prod Michael Fremer to reveal the results.

Best,
Ken
 
Mike said:
Well, this is going to be interesting when the results are revealed. My gut feeling is that 1 is Denali, 2 is AQ.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I finally had the opportunity to read the Stereophile review of the Denali 6000 and after reading Michael Fremer's description of the sound of the Denali 6000 and Niagara 7000, I totally agree with Mike's picks: #1 = Denali 6000 and #2 = Niagara 7000. The two power conditioners sound so much different in my opinion on the music Fremer played, I would think that someone would definitely prefer one or the other but couldn't be neutral on the choice. It really comes down to what you prefer in terms of sound. #1 is clearer, brighter, faster and more dynamic. #2 has more midrange body, less treble and a smoother and more relaxed presentation. I'll avoid using descriptors like "musical" or "natural" because they are arbitrary.

For me, #2 best matches the sound of my system. I like being able to play hours on end with zero listener fatigue. When I redesigned my system, I made sure that each individual component or cable did not add any brightness to my system. Getting #2 would stick to that theme.

Best,
Ken
 
Rnrmf said:
I liked the second. It sounded more focused and natural, to me.
Then again, that's what I thought of my Triton vs the PS Audio P10 when I had them both.

I've never heard the Denali and not sure if these are attributes of it.
Click to expand...

I'm pleased the results correspond to what I heard. I won't stress over second guessing my power delivery.
 
Hmmm, So I am a Denali lover :)


I guess you'd be able to help tune your system with the appropriate conditioner.
 
Last edited:
Yeah, seems like I am a Denali lover as well.

Curious as to why did Mike and others thought it was the opposite ?
 
It's funny, just by the comments of prospective users and some who've heard them independently, I expected the Denali to be #1 and the Niagara to be #2. I am actually very surprised by the results and a bit more curious now. :)



Devg said:
Yeah, seems like I am a Denali lover as well.

Curious as to why did Mike and others thought it was the opposite ?
Click to expand...
 
Mike,

Yes, very interesting.

Do you own both the Denali and the Niagra conditioners?

If you do, It would be interesting to see how what you hear by listening to the same LP cut on your system with each conditioner compares with what you heard when playing back the "YouTube" versions.

Would venture to guess that the lower quality playback from the "YouTube" versions likely confounds the differences between the conditioners. And that removing the "YouTube" step from the playback chain would likely make the preferences between conditioners clearer; but the choice would still likely remain highly system dependent.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top