Welcome the Niagara

[Kuoppis]

A new light entered my music room. This is, as the Niagara 5000 has a small blue light on the front fascia.

As a long time Shunyata Triton user, I thought I’ll try something else for a change, as upgrade conditions for EU customers are a bit unfavorable. And I have heard only good things about the AQ power conditioners. Technology wise they are also a bit more sophisticated compared to the Shunyatas, due to the different engineering approach.

And happy I am I did. What do I hear? More plasticity of instruments, clearer echos, additional sense of the recording venue, better instrument separation and more soundstage depth. Otherwise pretty similar to the Triton, takes out the nervousness, adds definition, provides a black background etc.

The looks are also a bit more modern. Nice darkish shiny front.


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[GSOphile]

Good choice, Kuoppis. Any plans to try Hurricane PCs with the Niagara?

 

[Kuoppis]

Good choice, Kuoppis. Any plans to try Hurricane PCs with the Niagara?

Yes, definitely. Home demo already agreed with a dealer. I’m looking forward to it, have heard the Hurricanes are great.


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[Kuoppis]

With the Pass connected to the high power outlet, it appears it has a bit improved dynamics. As if it would get more current to play with.

Excellent effect with classical music: Beethoven Piano Concerto “Emperor” with Alicia de Larrocha.


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[GSOphile]

With the Pass connected to the high power outlet, it appears it has a bit improved dynamics. As if it would get more current to play with.

Excellent effect with classical music: Beethoven Piano Concerto “Emperor” with Alicia de Larrocha.


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Same here with my Gryphon, classical music.

 

[nonesup]

A new light entered my music room. This is, as the Niagara 5000 has a small blue light on the front fascia.

As a long time Shunyata Triton user, I thought I’ll try something else for a change, as upgrade conditions for EU customers are a bit unfavorable. And I have heard only good things about the AQ power conditioners. Technology wise they are also a bit more sophisticated compared to the Shunyatas, due to the different engineering approach.

And happy I am I did. What do I hear? More plasticity of instruments, clearer echos, additional sense of the recording venue, better instrument separation and more soundstage depth. Otherwise pretty similar to the Triton, takes out the nervousness, adds definition, provides a black background etc.

The looks are also a bit more modern. Nice darkish shiny front.


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You have been extraordinarily kind when it comes to rating the upgrade conditions for European customers.

 

[Kuoppis]

Installing this unit in my system offered a good reminder about how important good and clean power is for music playback.


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[AJR]

Kuoppis - congratulations! I love my Niagara 5000, for the reasons you described.

 

[Kuoppis]

Kuoppis - congratulations! I love my Niagara 5000, for the reasons you described.

Thanks Andrew, I am also very happy with the Niagara.

Did you notice any burn-in period when you got yours?


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[steinkrieg]

I have the Niagara 5000 and the Triton/Typhon QR. Yes, the 5000 has a burn in period... Maybe 50 hours? It's hard for me to say that I prefer one over the other all that much when just comparing the 5000 and the Triton. Add in the Typon QR and it seems to all come together at a higher level. The Triton/Typhon QR is a great combo (but way more expensive too). As with most of the questions around this level of gear the answer is "it depends on your room and system". Still, for the price of the 5000 it is a no brainer add in comparison with all of the other upgrade options out there. Definitely suggest Hurricane cables or higher, as they make a difference that is pretty hard to believe... Technology changes really fast these days, but I think it would be very hard to say that anyone is making power cables that compete with AQ right now.

 

[Randy Myers]

Congratulations on your AQ Niagara 5000. I only have the 1000 but I agree that it was a good solid improvement in my system!

 

[Kuoppis]

Congratulations on your AQ Niagara 5000. I only have the 1000 but I agree that it was a good solid improvement in my system!

Hi Randy, good to hear from you. I was off for a while as I had to attend to other things.

I also like the Niagara. And after the positive experience with the 5000, I am contemplating a 1000 for the summer house.


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[Kuoppis]

I have the Niagara 5000 and the Triton/Typhon QR. Yes, the 5000 has a burn in period... Maybe 50 hours? It's hard for me to say that I prefer one over the other all that much when just comparing the 5000 and the Triton. Add in the Typon QR and it seems to all come together at a higher level. The Triton/Typhon QR is a great combo (but way more expensive too). As with most of the questions around this level of gear the answer is "it depends on your room and system". Still, for the price of the 5000 it is a no brainer add in comparison with all of the other upgrade options out there. Definitely suggest Hurricane cables or higher, as they make a difference that is pretty hard to believe... Technology changes really fast these days, but I think it would be very hard to say that anyone is making power cables that compete with AQ right now.

Thanks Steinkrieg for sharing your experiences. It is always valuable to hear it from the horse’s mouth.

I have heard so many good things about the Hurricane cables, that I must try them. Really looking forward to it, as I am a total power convert in the meantime.

Have an auditioning already scheduled [emoji3].


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[AJR]

Thanks Andrew, I am also very happy with the Niagara.

Did you notice any burn-in period when you got yours?


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Not a long one (agree with steinkrieg- about 50 hours) and for me only a small improvement.

 

[UltraFast69]

Good to hear your happy with the Niagara - I do like their clean build.

Where did you plug the Brinkmann, into the Niagara or wall?


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[Kingrex]

Why did you purchase it. Was there a specific problem you were trying to fix. I have sine wave distortion that manifests as hum in my speakers, and the transformers in amps. Not sure how to fix this. I tried Isoteck, a line isolation transformer, Furman. Nothing helps. What i did notice was all changed the sound and it was not in a pleasant way. Kind of fake. Maybe even plastic, Plus the conditions all hum themselves where I hear them in my room.

 

[Kuoppis]

Good to hear your happy with the Niagara - I do like their clean build.

Where did you plug the Brinkmann, into the Niagara or wall?


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I have everything plugged in into the Niagara. I like it that way [emoji3].


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[Kuoppis]

Why did you purchase it. Was there a specific problem you were trying to fix. I have sine wave distortion that manifests as hum in my speakers, and the transformers in amps. Not sure how to fix this. I tried Isoteck, a line isolation transformer, Furman. Nothing helps. What i did notice was all changed the sound and it was not in a pleasant way. Kind of fake. Maybe even plastic, Plus the conditions all hum themselves where I hear them in my room.

I had a Triton before, and wanted to try something else. I do believe in clean and good quality power. Very happy with the Niagara.

For the hum I would check if your ICs or speaker cables get contact with power cables somewhere. That easily transmits some hum, even when music is not playing. I had that issue, and therefore I put all cables into pipe isolation foam rolls. Issue solved.


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[nonesup]

Why did you purchase it. Was there a specific problem you were trying to fix. I have sine wave distortion that manifests as hum in my speakers, and the transformers in amps. Not sure how to fix this. I tried Isoteck, a line isolation transformer, Furman. Nothing helps. What i did notice was all changed the sound and it was not in a pleasant way. Kind of fake. Maybe even plastic, Plus the conditions all hum themselves where I hear them in my room.

If the alteration in the sine wave is due to the presence of offset current, only the transformers should buzz, but not the speakers. Also with Isotek Syncro should disappear. This is my case. If I use a Shunyata Sigma NR to connect my Constellation, the sound of the amplifier improves, but the humming (intermittent) becomes unbearable. If I use the Isotek Syncro the sound is not so good but the problem disappears.