Is There Some Problem With Shunyata's Everest Power Conditioner

moto_man OP

There was a very noticeable improvement over the week that I found to be unmistakable.

It’s called burn-in.

I always thought that was inexplicable BS.

It’s explicable.

@audioquest4life, I have Shunyata Alpha v2 power cable from the Pass Labs to the Everest, not the NR version (actually for the DAC, amp and pre) and Alpha v1 speaker cables. You are correct, NR is not necessary when using the Everest.

@aolmrd1241, I have a Sigma XC feeding the Everest.  The Omega XC is another huge ticket item and so it is highly unlikely that I will spring for the Omega any time soon.  I would rather upgrade my speaker cables from the Alpha v1 to Sigma v2 before I do that!  Interestingly, some people have written that the Omega is perhaps too revealing for some systems, but as with anything, the proof is in the listening.

@steakster, I understand the concept of burn-in, of course, but I purchased both the cable and the Everest used and already broken-in.  The effect that I experienced can only be chalked up to "settling in" after shipping -- a different concept than "burn-in" in my vocabulary, unless one must "re-burn-in" a used component after it has been shipped.

NEW UPDATE:  I have had the Everest in my system for 10 days now.  It is hard for me to believe, but what the Everest is doing to my system is continuing to improve!  Today, everything sounded even better than when I posted my semi-review.  Of particular note is the improvement in spatiality of the music, what we refer to as soundstage.  Even on albums that I listened to critically on Saturday, a week after install, they have improved, with a more 3D sound and more nuances to the various instruments, like stand-up bass strings vibrating and being plucked, breathing through the reed on sax, etc.  The soundstage is easily noticeable.  The nuances -- well, they are nuances, subtle improvements that contribute to the overall realism of the music.  Perhaps I am getting more used to what the Everest does so I am noticing it more, but it is approaching "transformative" at this point, and no way would I want to take it out of my system now that I have it in there!  As I said in my "semi-review," is this worth $7K+?  The answer depends on your budget and disposable income.  Some people who only spend that on an entire system are not likely to find that the improvements are worth the price of their whole system.  For people who can and do spend tens of thousands on their various components and cables, deciding to purchase the Everest is an easy one.  DO IT!

@moto_man 

Thank you for the reply. Sounds like you have a good combination with all the various devices and cables that you own. 
 

+1 for this “The effect that I experienced can only be chalked up to "settling in" after shipping -- a different concept than "burn-in" in my vocabulary”

My system was in storage for nearly a year after we moved. Man, after I fired it up the first time in the new house, the sound was atrocious. I knew what the system could do; wide stereo image, layering, holographic sound field with clarity of vocals and instruments. It took about 2 days of being powered up and used before all came into focus again. This settling in period I just chalk up to warm up, albeit somewhat extended, but due to the devices and cables already being burned in, it is so easy to discern and hear the difference a day makes when all comes to life again. Afterwards (initial warm up after long pause in use) it is only an hour for me to obtain excellent sound due mostly to the 80 plus tubes warming up.  
 

@agisthos he got the Furutech Pure Power 6

@audioquest4life, I wonder if the whole “settling in” phenomenon has any scientifically explainable basis.  I am no electrical engineer — far from one — but it doesn’t make much sense to me that an already burned-in product will sound better after it settles in after moving it.  But nonetheless, I can’t argue with it, since I too have experienced it with the Everest!  

Off-topic but 80+ tubes?   That is quite an impressive complement of tubes! It must suck when you have to buy a new set!  I think about availability of the measly 8 tubes in my ARC REF 6 in the future, and although I have a replacement tucked away, which should be good for another 4000 hours or so, I still wonder about the future availability of tubes, not today, of course, but say, 8 years from now.  Logically, I know that if you can buy NOS 1960’s tubes, it should be pretty likely that I will be able to get recently manufactured tubes, but still, I have contemplated going SS for the pre because of that . . .