Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Power Conditioning on DSP8000SEs

I understand your question JeJe but I don’t think it is as relevant as you might imagine.
DSP speakers are stuffed full of a lot of analogue parts. So, if you wondered how power treatment might impact an analogue pre-amp or power-amp of a traditional setup then it is also applicable to DSP’s.

Ogri- do you genuinely want to know or are you just baiting with more sarcasm ?

I’m really interested in the science. Current areas of interest in Hi-Fi I’m following revolve around clean DC power (hence AC could have an impact but it’s the transfer I’m curious about and following on, whether improvements on the DC side are possible) and clocking (power supply a possible factor here).

We had a new substation in here, I was very hopeful, I didn’t make this up. The wink was for humour. Some people’s humour is another’s sarcasm, can’t help that.

I’m pretty neutral, having bought and tried products and then moved them on. There’s something in it, I want to know if there’s another approach, even if that means soldering. So knowing what’s happening is my curiosity.

After alot of discussion and vetting, the Shunyata demo gear has shipped. I will have it by mid next week to start running demos. It will be set up with DSP and a analog system with a Mark Levinson 515 turntable.

As promised, I am evaluating the Shunyata product line and how it relates to DSP speakers. Let me preface by saying that I have always been somewhat of a skeptic when it comes to high end cables.

The first test that I have done was to use Shunyata's Alpha NR cables to connect my DSP8000SE speakers to their respective wall sockets that are on the same 15 amp circuit. The comparison was carried out using first the stock power cables and then using the Alpha NR.

What I found was that when using the Alpha's, the presentation seemed to loose a mid bass bloat that was previously perceived as great punch. Removing this allowed a better presentation and detail of individual instruments similar to engaging and disengaging EBA. The bass seems to take a back seat with the Alpha's but was always preferable with a more visceral punch instead of it overpowering everything else. I found myself checking with a sound level meter to see if it wasn't somehow less loud but it wasn't.

The Alpha NR cable is also very flexible and surprisingly lightweight when compared to my Tributaries 8 series power cables which have a pressurized fire hose sort of feel to them.

More to come when I test the Denali with the DSP8000SE.

Thanks for that review Bruce. I have been skeptical when it comes to power cables since house wiring is generally bulk cable and it is a relatively short run from the wall to the speaker.

It's hard to understand how such a short run with a high performance power cable makes a difference when the cable from the panel throughout the house to the receptacle is cheap bulk cable. I would expect the bulk cable throughout the walls from the panel to be the limiting factor.

John

Adding the Denali was like adding another helping of awesome. More bass extension more detail. The grain and harshness of some voices are gone. The attack and sustain of instruments is much better. There are more layers to complex music.

It is a repeatable and demonstrable difference. I would encourange anyone to come and hear the difference. I am certainly impressed. The power cables contain some filtering along with some other technologies. Whatever it is, it works.

So Bruce, Can you share with us which Denali product(s) you used for the DSP8000's?

Denali 6000S
Aplha NR power cables
Alpha EF power cable

Bruce,

it's interesting to read your views here. Not sure if you read mine from a few months ago but you describe pretty much what I said. I use 2000T on each 8k with Alpha NR/EF combo.

The effect is repeatable and clear to hear.

Agreed and I was astounded. I would have never imagined the power products would make such a positive difference.

and wouldn’t it be great to understand why.

Ogri,

You could check Shunyata's website. Not just marketing hype; they've done some useful research that points to the "whys" of power conditioning.

But, I haven't tried their products; my 8000s/818 are fed straight from the wall.