Shunyata Research

[GuillaumeB]

I’m assuming it’s some sort of power conditioner? 

It's a type of passive power conditioner; it offers no voltage regulation or mains regeneration and instead improves the power quality through noise suppression, transient impulse protection and an innovative (patented) circuit that improves instantaneous current flow into AC/DC PSUs. The device is quite unique in that it eschews most of the traditional solutions including inductive components (i.e. coils), capacitors, transformers and ferrites all of which have advantages but also corresponding negative effects. For example coils and transformers typically limit instantaneous current leading to a loss of dynamics.

The device includes a number of technologies developed/refined by Caelin Gabriel for medical applications, specifically medical imaging. Here is Shunyata's sister company Clear Image Scientific (CIS), the Denali shares many of the tech with the CIS Model-6:

http://clearimagescientific.com/technology/

So you could say it delivers demonstrable results in environments where it matters, the subjective stuff for hi-fi will always come down to individual tastes and preferences. With that said in pretty much every environment I have placed it in the impact has been quite dramatic.

Cheers,

Guillaume

Is there any guidance as to what Devialet models the Denali is suitable for?  Is this all the way up to a 1000 Pro?  I'm guessing that the Hydra range is better in all cases, but is there a limit to what would run satisfactorily from the Denali?

From the spec sheet for the Denali it looks like the two "HC" outlets are good for 16 amps, considering that that many of us are running 1000 Pro's from standard 13 amp UK outlets, then it would seem to me that the Denali is well within specification for anything Devialet.  Maybe there are some subtleties I have missed?

One other question I have, are the two HC outlets insulated from each other?  It is known a Devialet amp can create noise and push this back into the mains, or back into something like the Denali, if you like.  So can the Denali help to stop this getting back to the other Devialet also plugged into "zone 3 HC", as well as the other zones where the more sensitive "front end" kit might be plugged in?

The Denali has been tested fairly extensively by us with most Devialet models, and many other brands including the giant Constellation Audio Hercules. I know there are also a few on here that run pairs of Devialets on Denalis. There really are no limitations other than the current that you supply to the Denali, I think the specs quote a peak instantaneous current of 1000 A @ 10 ms which I imagine would cover most situations.

As to the filtration between outlets, the CCI filters are fitted to firewall each zone from another. So yes switches, renderers, reclockers etc can be placed on zones 1 & 2 and will be isolated from the Devialets by a massive 67+ dB of noise reduction. The filter technology also ensures that noise isn't "reflected" back out to the opposite socket in the same zone. The QR/BB circuit actually sits within an NIC chamber (which is the bigger cylinder thing that feeds the 2 high current outlets) so the Devialet dual monos are actually benefitting from a range of noise reduction technologies.

Guillaume