Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems My journey with Meridian (and Shunyata, AQVOX etc)

I thought I’d update on here with my recent experiences with power cords.

A few weeks back, I posted with my very positive findings of using a Shunyata UK6 mains distributor.

This improved the overall sound in my system in every way... with no downside.

I have since spent a couple of weeks investigating the benefits (or not) of upgrading my power cords.

I currently have LAT International AC2 mk2... which I bought a number of years back for circa £200 each.

These had great reviews at the time and were better sounding than many higher priced cables (£1000+) that I also listened to.

I have recently trialled the following at home, in the following order:

Nordost Frey 2 (Power cord) x3
Nordost Tyr 2 (Power cord) x4
Nordost QB6 (Mains distributor)
Nordost Heimdall 2 (Ethernet cable)
Shunyata Delta NR (Power cord) x1
Shunyata Alpha NR (Power cord) x1
Shunyata Sigma NR (Power cord) x1

I first tried the Nordost Frey 2, I found that these added nothing to what I currently have in my system and in fact reduced the soundstage in height and vocals were also set further back,which reduced the sense of realism. Being as I’d ‘only’ paid a few hundred pounds for the LAT International cables, I was actually quite pleased that there was no improvement with a £1600 cable... never mind 3x £1600.

I tried as many combinations as I could with 3x cables: direct from the wall, through the Nordost QB6, through the Shunyata UK6, just to the 818, and just to the 8000’s.

This at least confirmed that I could trust my ears and would not be overcome by the power of expectation of spending circa £5000 on power chords... GULP.

This also made it obvious that the major gains were from the wall to the main power block/distributor.

It also confirmed I had made a good 2nd hand purchase with the UK6. This was far superior to the Nordost QB6.

Next I tried the Nordost Tyr 2.
As I had borrowed 4x cables, I was able to try all permutations.

Unfortunately, these did make quite a big difference and were a definite step up from what I am currently using. DAMN.

The vocals returned to sounding more natural and soundstage was much improved in both depth and width.

All instruments had an extra sense of realism, as well as vocals.

When using 4x of these cables: wall to UK6, UK6 to 818 + UK6 to DSP8000’s, this ‘was’ the best I have ever heard my system sound... £12k worth of difference though... Too rich for me I’m afraid. I don’t think it was £12k worth of difference either... maybe £4K going by 818v2>v3 or 8k>8kSE... somewhere between the two.

At this point I was offered to trial a Nordost Heimdall 2 ethernet cable. I moved my MC200 upstairs to try the cable as input or output to MC200 or local thernet switch.

I found a very slight difference using it between switch and MC200. So slight I couldn’t detect if it was better or just different. From switch to 818, I heard no difference at all. Maybe I just have a good quality signal to the house, or the ID41 it so efficient there is very little to improve upon?

I have no technical understanding as to why these do or should make a difference.

In my system it made no difference... YMMV(never used that acronym before)

This made me focus on power cords as this had highlighted the most potential gains... albeit at a higher price point.

I then found a local distributor of Shunyata products and purchased a delta NR for sale or return. If I didn’t like it, I could return it, so nothing ventured nothing gained.

This was a major improvement upon my current cables but not quite as all round an improvement as the Nordost Tyr 2. Although the soundstage was wider and the noise floor lowered to a level I’d never heard my 8ks go before, (even with 4x Tyr 2) there wasn’t as much realism with mid to higher frequencies as with the Tyr 2. Vocals were also not as realistic in comparison.

If this was the ENTRY level Shunyata cable, what could the mid and top level deliver I thought?

I then home trialed the Shunyata Alpha and Sigma for a week.

I was limited to 1x of each cable, so only compared these from wall socket to UK6.

The step up from Delta to Alpha was a pretty major step up in my system. The noise floor in particular had dropped even further... this showed what the 8000’s are really capable of (I imagine the same for any powered speaker).

I would say that 1x Shunyata Alpha, sounded better than 4x Nordost Tyr 2... it’s that good... somewhat of a ‘Bargain’ for the improvement in my system. Considering what the cost of 818v2 to 818v3 card was, this was probably 3x the performance gain for not much more (circa £1750).

After hearing what the Alphas can do, I wasn’t expecting that much of a step up with the Sigma to be honest. The usual law of diminishing returns.

I was wrong, the noise floor dropped yet again. There was so much more Bass control, I was now hearing tightly controlled low notes on tracks I know very well, that up until now I though was just a single long bass note.

The other main gain in performance is very difficult to quantify, as it’s the parts in the music that you don’t hear, is where the real differences are.Some would call it blacker blacks for example.

To me there was more space between notes and on the Eagles track, ‘No more walks in the wood’ for example, there was not just a little more space between all the vocalists but a greater clarity in separation and the voice to the far right, that is slightly deeper than the rest, was more pronounced and could be focused on with greater clarity and separation.

It took 4x of the Nordost Tyr 2 to be this revealing with detail. They had nowhere near as low a noise floor.

Soundstage is slightly wider, deeper, higher and lower... but only on tracks that were recorded that way.

Every musical instrument and vocal just sounded even more realistic, live recordings sounded... ’live’... a new level of live had been discovered compared to my previous benchmark.

For anyone thinking of trying out some power cords, I suggest you try these last... so you can find out for yourselves how much better they are than a lot of more expensive cables.

Anyone thinking of upgrading a component or speakers, should maybe consider upgrading their power cords instead.

I have been truly blown away by the gains my already fairly high-end system has made.

I’m not the only one one this forum to form these opinions about Shunyata products, in fact there are a couple on here who I have to blame for my newly reduced bank balance

My 1st step has been to order 2x Alpha NR. Overall these deliver very similar performance to 1x Sigma in except for regarding the very low noise floor. I just couldn’t bring myself to spending that amount on a single cable.....just yet.

Nothing I have heard has matched the 1x Sigma in this regard.

My next step... when funds allow (quite some time away)... will be 1x more Alpha, so 818 and 8ks will all have Alphas and 1x Sigma from wall to UK6.

I’m hoping that will be me done for a very long time... where have I heard that before

For those that question if power cables even make a difference due to science not being able to prove any performance gains or it’s maybe just expectation.

I was very happy with my system and definitely did not want to spend this sort of money on any upgrade... especially not on cables.

I suggest you take an open minded (and cleaned eared) listen to a Shunyata product... especially the Alpha NR.

If you cannot hear a gain in performance, then lucky you, you’ve just saved your self a load of money

The Shunyata power cables only get you part way there. When paired with a Denali or Triton, you will be blown away.

I had a similar experience - I was lent a Sigma, an Alpha and a Delta and ended up buying one Alpha to the Triton and three Delta's to keep costs sensible. The two Delta's powering the 7200SE's were upgraded within a few weeks! I'm now trying to decide between an Alpha for the 818 and a Sigma for the Triton.

Glad you're enjoying them

I thought I should add that, for people thinking of using the GAIA's, there is a certain amount of height added to the height of the speaker (in the case of the GAIA I's, this is about 27mm), which means the rear supports are lifted off the ground.

As a short-term option you probably want to think about adding something (in an emergency, perhaps some wooden coasters) under the rear supports, as you may find the speakers somewhat unstable otherwise and could be knocked over.

I can't wait to hear what they sound like compared to the GAIA II's, but I have to wait for my 818 to get back to me (Meridian were repairing the USB port last week). Apparently, it was ready to ship back to me on Thursday, so I'm hoping it will be with me tomorrow.

I'd agree with this, the difference the Triton v2 or v3 makes compared to the cables alone is pretty stunning. I'd be inclined to keep an eye out for one on the second hand market and then upgrade it when funds allow. The upgrade cost isn't huge (compared to the cost new).

Agreed, first step if I would start from scratch with a Shunyata/Meridian setup. Triton v2/v3 with a Sigma to wall. If running 2ch a Denali with an Alpha to wall would be a sizable but very noticable improvment as well but half the price probably.

Also if you run the Triton V2/V3 the ground cables do work well with Meridian equipment and DSP speakers. I ended up connecting sources/preamps and front speakers with chassi ground cables to the tritons.

Where did you connect the earthing points to on the DSP's?

The chassi screws on the PSU are a good start.

I used the banana->small spade chassi ground connectors. Just loosen just a nudge so you can press in a small spade then secure it firmly.

The ebb and flow of the music is improved. Faster but more smooth. Less sibiliance.

Star chassi grounding is nothing new btw. But this was easy enough and the tritons have their technology to quiet the ground as well. Denali do not as it is only live/neutral dampened by the NIC’s but still star chassi grounding.

Thanks, I'll give this a go. I had tried grounding the 818, but this didn't seem to work so well in my scenario.

To continue the story, I have some good and some bad news...

My Shunyata Typhon QR power conditioner (which is designed to sit alongside the Triton) arrived yesterday and the good news is that it is very, very good. Instruments now sound hugely more lifelike and I think the imaging has improved further (after a few hours of running in). The bad news, however, is also that it is very, very good and, as a result, can do devastating damage to your wallet.

Unless you do what I did and buy a second-hand unit and get it upgraded, which makes it less painful. And you effectively get a brand new unit.

+1. Triton v3 and Typhon QR are my next items. I had already upgraded from Alpha to Sigma power cables earlier this year. Need to move the Denali on.

I believe the Denali is an exciting place for most people to be at, the Triton/Typhon combination seems to be an even better destination to aim for, if you can.