Shunyata Denali 2000 review
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BlueFox
Posts: 15,251
in Electronics
This is a repost due to useless Vanilla removing the first one.
After going for a few months I have decided it is time, again, to tweak the stereo with some upgrades. As I have posted a few times, my philosophy is clean power, cables, and vibration control are the foundation of a good stereo, and the better the foundation then the better the stereo. A solid foundation allows the other gear to work at its optimum.
Although I was very happy with my system I also knew that improvements were possible, but wasn't overly anxious to try anything. Then for whatever reason, I thought, why not. Let's spend some money. LOL
Since Shunyata had just released their next generation power conditioners and cables, they were a natural upgrade path. Magico also released new spikes with vibration elimination technology, so that too was an option.
After a little thought I decided to buy another Shunyata Denali 2000 power conditioner, and the Magico SPODs. The new Shunyata Sigma cables will be next, but in a month or two. I already had a Denali 2000 I purchased for the TV in the HT, but I later learned the Denali 2000 is designed mainly for amps. It has no current limitation, and uses the noise reduction technology from Shunyata's Medical Science division.
Before today, I was using Shunyata Cyclops v2 power conditioners on my amps, and they sounded great. Certainly better than plugging the amps directly into the wall. However, they did have a slight current lag, but the great noise reduction offset that. After thinking about this I felt the TV just needed the Cyclops. Hence, I ordered another Denali to use on the stereo, and it arrived today.
I installed both Denali at 3 this afternoon, and now 4 hours later, the stereo is starting to warm up.
While I really won't be able to judge it until later tonight as the system warms up, the air cools down, and the ambient noise decrease, my first impression is positive. While the music seems a bit clearer, along with vocals having a better 'edge' to each word, that will have to wait until later to really judge. However, I can say that the bass is more precise and hitting. That jumped right out at me. Hopefully, as the amps, and associated power cables, adjust to the Denali then things will continue to improve.
Since the SPODs are also supposed to tighten up the bass, and overall coherence, in the music then I expect these two upgrades to have an overall effect of getting new speakers. Can't complain about that.
The one thing I dislike about the Denali is they stand upright versus the Cyclop, which was flat on the floor. This let me place the Cyclop under the rack, while the Denali has to be on either side of the rack.
Anyway, as I gain more experience with this upgrade I will post it. I will say I have yet to be disappointed with a Shunyata product.
After going for a few months I have decided it is time, again, to tweak the stereo with some upgrades. As I have posted a few times, my philosophy is clean power, cables, and vibration control are the foundation of a good stereo, and the better the foundation then the better the stereo. A solid foundation allows the other gear to work at its optimum.
Although I was very happy with my system I also knew that improvements were possible, but wasn't overly anxious to try anything. Then for whatever reason, I thought, why not. Let's spend some money. LOL
Since Shunyata had just released their next generation power conditioners and cables, they were a natural upgrade path. Magico also released new spikes with vibration elimination technology, so that too was an option.
After a little thought I decided to buy another Shunyata Denali 2000 power conditioner, and the Magico SPODs. The new Shunyata Sigma cables will be next, but in a month or two. I already had a Denali 2000 I purchased for the TV in the HT, but I later learned the Denali 2000 is designed mainly for amps. It has no current limitation, and uses the noise reduction technology from Shunyata's Medical Science division.
Before today, I was using Shunyata Cyclops v2 power conditioners on my amps, and they sounded great. Certainly better than plugging the amps directly into the wall. However, they did have a slight current lag, but the great noise reduction offset that. After thinking about this I felt the TV just needed the Cyclops. Hence, I ordered another Denali to use on the stereo, and it arrived today.
I installed both Denali at 3 this afternoon, and now 4 hours later, the stereo is starting to warm up.
While I really won't be able to judge it until later tonight as the system warms up, the air cools down, and the ambient noise decrease, my first impression is positive. While the music seems a bit clearer, along with vocals having a better 'edge' to each word, that will have to wait until later to really judge. However, I can say that the bass is more precise and hitting. That jumped right out at me. Hopefully, as the amps, and associated power cables, adjust to the Denali then things will continue to improve.
Since the SPODs are also supposed to tighten up the bass, and overall coherence, in the music then I expect these two upgrades to have an overall effect of getting new speakers. Can't complain about that.
The one thing I dislike about the Denali is they stand upright versus the Cyclop, which was flat on the floor. This let me place the Cyclop under the rack, while the Denali has to be on either side of the rack.
Anyway, as I gain more experience with this upgrade I will post it. I will say I have yet to be disappointed with a Shunyata product.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits.
Comments
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Now I look at my system and I am totally embarrassed, thanks.2 channel: Anthem 225 Integrated amp; Parasound Ztuner; TechnicsTT SL1350; Vincent PHO-8 phono pre; Marantz CD6005 spinner; Polk SDA2BTL's; LAT International speaker cables, ZU Mission IC's and power cables all into a PS Audio Dectet Power center.
Other; M10 series II, M7C's, Hafler XL600 amp, RB-980BX, Parasound HCA-1500 amp , P5 preamp, all in storage. All vintage Polk have had crossover rebuilds and tweeter upgrades.
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
It is imperative that we recognize that an opinion is not a fact.
Imagine making politics your entire personality. -
Bud,
Not sure what happened but I saw that txcostal responded.
Wow, looks amazing! Good to hear prelim experiences, can't wait for your full review.
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In before Vanilla deletes this one.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
President of Club Polk -
LOL. I do have an idle two port Shunyata Cyclop v2. I think I will sell that one.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
I see how they may be hard to place due to being tall and not flat, but I love the looks. Congrats on the purchase, I love power products, and I believe that they make a huge difference.2 channel:
Bryston 4B3, Bryston BDA3, Cary SLP05, Shanling CDT1000SE with parts conneXion level 2 mods, Nottingham analogue ace space 294, soundsmith Carmen MKii, Zu DL103 MKii, Ortofon MC 20 MKii, Dynavector XX2 MKii, Rogue Audio Ares, Core power technologies balanced power conditioner, Akiko Corelli power conditioner with Akiko Audio HQ power cable, Nordost heimdall 2, Frey 2, interconnects, speaker and power cables, Focal Electra 1028 BE 2, Auralic Aries Femto, Black diamond racing cones, ingress audio level 1 roller blocks, JL Audio E110 with Auralic subdude, Primacoustics room treatments.
Theater:
Focal Aria 926,905,CC900, SVS PB ultra x2. Pioneer Elite SC85, Oppo BDP93, Panamax M5400PM, Minix neox6, Nordost Blue heaven LS power cables. -
Very nice.Pio Elete Pro 520
Panamax 5400-EX
Sunfire TGP 5
Micro Seiki DD-40 - Lyra-Dorian and Denon DL-160
PS Audio GCPH phono pre
Sunfire CG 200 X 5
Sunfire CG Sig 405 X 5
OPPO BDP-83 SE
SDA SRS 1.2TL Sonicaps and Mills
Ctr CS1000p
Sur - FX1000 x 4
SUB - SVS PB2-Plus
Workkout room:
Sony Bravia XBR- 32-Inch 1080p
Onkyo TX-DS898
GFA 555
Yamaha DVD-S1800BL/SACD
Ft - SDA 1C
Not being used:
RTi 38's -4
RT55i's - 2
RT25i's -2, using other 2 in shop
LSI 15's
CSi40
PSW 404 -
It is now Saturday 2:40 PM, and the stereo is still going. I have watched some HT, and puttered around in the backyard, but no sleep yet. The music is giving me energy. While nice, it does mess up a weekend.
The only other time this has happened is when I bought my first Magico, the S5. That speaker kept me up all night more than once. I have to give credit to the Denali. I was very happy with the Cyclop performance, but am amazed at the improvement.
The only negative aspect is that now I have started to seriously think of an interconnect and speaker cable upgrade. LOL.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
I didn't go to bed until 9 PM Saturday. That was getting up at 6 AM Friday, and lasting 39 hours. One thing I can say for sure is that is not a 'fatiguing' stereo, rather it is the opposite. I'm also glad I don't have to go to work until Wednesday.
Lumin X1 file player, Westminster Labs interconnect cable
Sony XA-5400ES SACD; Pass XP-22 pre; X600.5 amps
Magico S5 MKII Mcast Rose speakers; SPOD spikes
Shunyata Triton v3/Typhon QR on source, Denali 2000 (2) on amps
Shunyata Sigma XLR analog ICs, Sigma speaker cables
Shunyata Sigma HC (2), Sigma Analog, Sigma Digital, Z Anaconda (3) power cables
Mapleshade Samson V.3 four shelf solid maple rack, Micropoint brass footers
Three 20 amp circuits. -
These look much nicer than the ones in the other post
I
