Shunyata Cyclops power conditioner

BlueFox

A thread on AudioAficianado started me thinking about my current power distribution system, and how to improve it. Until Thursday night I had my amps (Pass Labs X600.5) plugged into my Shunyata Triton, along with the pre, digital file player, DAC, and SACD player. To be honest, I felt this sounded great, and couldn't imagine much room for improvement, at least from a power perspective.

However, a couple of months ago I tripped the surge protector on my Triton while blasting the music, and this damaged the surge protector. While Shunyata quickly fixed it, and everything is back to normal, this incident has been in the back of my mind while playing music. Anyway, the question about whether BAT amps would benefit from using a Cyclops started me thinking about the Cyclops. Since the Cyclops appears to be a two port Triton, but without the surge protector, I decided to buy one for the amps, along with a Zytron Anaconda, and let the 20 amp breaker deal with the amps. So now I am using both outlets on the SR-Z1 outlet on a dedicated 20 amp line. One for the Cyclops, and one for the Triton.

So, how does it sound? My expectation is that there should be little, if any difference, but it turns out there is an improvement. As soon as I turned it on Thursday night it seemed as if the music was 'softer'. Not in a db manner, but it seemed smoother, less harsh. I wasn't even aware this harshness was there until it disappeared. Now, after a day or so of burn-in, it is sounding even better. It appears a bit more open, a little more precise in the placement of instruments in the sound stage, and more natural. All in all, I am very pleased with the result, and would recommend to anyone to use the Cyclops/Anaconda with their amps. Incidentally, the amp power cords are Zytron Pythons.

One thing in the back if my mind is another 20 amp line for the amps. However, I doubt if the rest of the gear even uses 1 amp total, so it would seem as if another line is overkill, even if there is a marginal improvement in sound.

Speedskater

Just how could playing loud music trip an over-voltage surge protector?
Generally the louder the music the lower the AC line voltage.
Maybe all that current tripped a circuit breaker.

BlueFox

Yes, I probably used the wrong word. They refer to it as the "Carling electromagnetic breaker for over-current protection".

http://www.shunyata.com/Content/products-PwrDist.Triton.html

BlueFox

Just a follow up after a week of use. The Cyclops/Triton combination, with Zytron Anaconda cables on each, continues to improve and impress. The music sounds effortless now, with the soundstage getting bigger and with more detail. I took today off from work so last night I was cranking it. Since my rack with gear weighs 700 pounds I sometimes use it a piece of exercise equipment to hold onto while twisting and turning to strengthen my lower back. Last night while blasting music I was on the floor in front of the rack, and I realized I was in the middle of the soundstage, and surrounded by music, front, back, and sides. That must have been there before the Cyclops, but I had never noticed it before. Perhaps the Cyclops helped more clearly define it.

Glen B

BlueFox wrote: »

They refer to it as the "Carling electromagnetic breaker for over-current protection".

That's like saying "bicycle for riding", LOL. What else do you do with one but ride it ? All circuit breakers and fuses are overcurrent protection devices.

DarqueKnight

BlueFox wrote: »

One thing in the back if my mind is another 20 amp line for the amps. However, I doubt if the rest of the gear even uses 1 amp total, so it would seem as if another line is overkill, even if there is a marginal improvement in sound.

For high resolution electronics with excellent transient response, no amount of power infrastructure improvement is overkill. I have a separate 20 amp line for each amp and a third line for the preamps and source components. Three separate AC circuits was one of the best bang-for-the-buck audio investments I ever made. I started out with one dedicated 20 amp line. Then I went to two (monoblock amps on one circuit, preamps and source components on the other), then I went to three. If had known then what I know now, I would have installed three 30 amp circuits in the beginning.

Glen B wrote: »

That's like saying "bicycle for riding", LOL. What else do you do with one but ride it ?

A nice bike parked beside a park bench is a very effective chick magnet.

headrott

DarqueKnight wrote: »

A nice bike parked beside a park bench is a very effective chick magnet.

LOL! Excellent point Ray!

Your points about the power improvements weren't bad either.

BlueFox

DarqueKnight wrote: »

For high resolution electronics with excellent transient response, no amount of power infrastructure improvement is overkill. I have a separate 20 amp line for each amp and a third line for the preamps and source components. Three separate AC circuits was one of the best bang-for-the-buck audio investments I ever made. I started out with one dedicated 20 amp line. Then I went to two (monoblock amps on one circuit, preamps and source components on the other), then I went to three. If had known then what I know now, I would have installed three 30 amp circuits in the beginning.

I agree. I have been absolutely amazed at how much improvement I have heard with what I have done so far in regard to power upgrades. I have a quote for a second circuit, and I guess I should add another one at the same time. Of course, then I would need another Cyclops, and another Anaconda, since even a dedicated circuit will have noise.