Shunyata Research

[Confused]

We know from our forum members' experiments that the Devialet case degrades sound quality vs. a better ventilated, non-magnetic, and nickel-free case. However we also know that the casework is the limiting factor differentiating the lower and upper models, with the better Expert models having higher power output simply because the better case can dissipate the increased heat.

Do we know this?  I presume you are referring to Manoet's efforts modifying a D200.  Last time we saw Manoet on here he was selling the thing!  OK, he did state his reasons for selling, but am I the only one who thought it was a little odd to go to all that effort modifying, both for performance and looks, and then decide to sell?  To be clear, I have no idea if any of his modifications made any difference or not.  I would have loved to have had the pleasure of a head to head test between a standard D200 and the Manoet special.  In the absence of this, I have no idea if the better ventilated, non-magnetic, and nickel-free case made any difference to sound quality or not.  Maybe it sounded brilliant, but I am always sceptical of one man's views of his own modifications.  Anyway, it's at this point I need to apologise for going off topic, something I often get annoyed at others doing.  My excuse in this case is I just had to extend my thoughts to the above statement.

So, lets get this back on topic.  I recall reading a manufactures claim for the Denali 6000, this claim was that the Denali can improve dynamics.  This interested me enormously.  The fact is that my fairly limited experience with Devialets and power conditioners is that they have a very detrimental effect on dynamics.  In a way this is good for me, in that I can save money by plugging my amps direct into the mains, happy in my own little world that this is offering the best performance.  However, a mains conditioner that can improve dynamics?  That would be interesting!  The other mains conditioner thought that I have is related to the reports that Devialet's SMPS does push a lot of unpleasant stuff back into the mains.  One mitigation here is to plug dual mono amps into separate mains circuits, and perhaps connecting the delicate front end source stuff into a third spur, at perhaps their own mains conditioner.  However, if you had a top flight mains conditioners, would you not want to plug both amps into it?  This of course puts both amps back onto the same spur, maybe not an issue if the said mains conditioner also isolate the outlet sockets from each other.  Then  this leads me to the conclusion that the ultimate solution for a dual mono user would be to have three mains conditioners, one for each amp and one for the front end stuff.  Is this as crazy as it sounds?  Maybe I'm overthinking all this!  The thing is, I quite fancy having something like a decent mains conditioner, especially one that either has no negative effect on dynamics, let alone one that can improve dynamics.  But when I think it all through, I can help thinking that I'm ok as I am, going direct into the mains.  Maybe I am wrong?  To be honest I simply have not have enough hands on experience of this kind of stuff to be sure, so I am interested in the views of those that have.