Two days ago I received my Altaira X from Mike at Talon Audio where I had been on a waiting list. I find the Altaira X is a significant improvement over the Altaira chassis I owned before. Granted, I did not own both Altaira boxes, but the X is not subtle in it's improvements. I also have not tried any other brands of grounding systems except the CAD. That said, what the X does in terms of resolution (lowering the noise), imaging space and depth, separation around instruments and the feeling of ease while you listen is remarkable. Currently I have Shunyata ground cables for only my Accuphase amps and my Horizon 360, but the improvements are notable with only these in place. Much more than a tube or cable swap can achieve to help with perspective. I have three more cables and a multi-head coming for my second Typhon 2, NetOne switch and Pink Faun Ultra. My Tidal Akiras have grounding terminals on them so I am anxious to try the X on my speakers as well. What occurs to me is what it would cost in better components to get what the X delivers. While I baulked at the 10K price versus the original Altaira I now find the 10K quite an audio hack. Its also heavy enough that the cables don't pull it all over like the original. My old school view of getting some weight for the 10K is satisfied. I strongly advise those who can afford one to get on a loaner/demo list. The improvements the X makes are typically the most expensive audio parameters to buy.
First Impressions of the Altaira X
- Thread starter wokeuptobose
- Start date
No, as I sold my Altaira chassis as soon as I knew about a new version that had 8 separate zones and could handle signal or chassis ground frequencies. Its safe to say that all the parameters I called out as highlights for the X version are strong points where the X outperformed the original version. I will leave it to others to compare in detail. I am at the stage in this hobby where if I try something that makes the sound more engaging I buy it. I'm actually making the effort to stop churning and do more listening.
Elliot G.
Dealer - Bending Wave
I did and I still have both, although I want to sell the originals as I have no need for them now. Once I changed I felt there was no reason to go back. I know my system and I can easily hear the difference. There is more there there!
Gary, well spoken. I was trying to say it was definitely not subtle, no further evaluation necessary for me to keep it.
The Altaira also has independent zones.Is the X chassis physically larger?
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What about in terms of noise floor specifically?
I have 3 Altaira in my system so it’s not an insignificant upgrade.
Also, I get that manufacturers need to make money but the Altaira was new just a couple of years ago.
Yes the X is larger and heavier. It feels a lot more like 10K than the original Altaira felt like 3K if you catch my drift. I mentioned the 8 zones in the context that all eight can accommodate signal or chassis grounding. Yes, I am worn out with Shunyata's development pace as well. The Altaira X feels different as it simplifies grounding into one instead of two boxes and reduces one cable. That said the X version ground cable with the platinum ends is 2K each and now I have three of them as my "sigma and omega ground cables are not up to standards". My system has never sounded better, but keeping up with digital and cable improvements is VERY expensive. Recently my Pink Faun Ultra arrived and wouldn't you know it had a distinct preference for the Omega X QR...
Yes, of course 
Lately I have gotten into Schnerzinger EMI and RFI cancellation devices and they have made an even bigger difference in my system than the ALTAIRA. I think I will get one ALTAIRA-X, to put on the source end, if it will fit into my rack. It's larger than the original.
Lately I have gotten into Schnerzinger EMI and RFI cancellation devices and they have made an even bigger difference in my system than the ALTAIRA. I think I will get one ALTAIRA-X, to put on the source end, if it will fit into my rack. It's larger than the original.
Elliot G.
Dealer - Bending Wave
I also had three and still have two chassis ground units one of which I am still using on my sub and power amps. I did remove and sell the SG unit.
I am using the X in the front end of my system where I am grounding pre and all my digital gear etc. The difference in noise floor was not subtle and the X series cables also in difference was significant. I don't know what words to choose nor do I want to get hyperbolic but the overall change in my system was very positive and I am glad I did it.
I would be willing to sell my CG units and get another X and maybe I will
Ok, I have ordered one Altaira-X which will replace the Signal Hub at my front end (Pre-amp, DAC, Turntable, Phono). I agree that at the front end you will get the most benefit.
I will be selling my silver Altaira Signal Hub. PM me if anyone wants it or has questions.
I will be selling my silver Altaira Signal Hub. PM me if anyone wants it or has questions.
I just checked my Altaira mounting posts and most were loose! Be sure to tighten them with a 14mm wrench! I believe this is why Shunyata made the posts this shape, so they can be tightened with a wrench. Don't reef on them, just tighten down.
I was tightening my hand, and this is not enough!
Connection between wire and post is really important here, as we are dealing with small voltages.
I was tightening my hand, and this is not enough!
Connection between wire and post is really important here, as we are dealing with small voltages.
I spent hours last night trying to resolve a small ground loop. It was not really audible as noise, but it did impact micro-dynamics and was immediately obvious when it was fixed.
BE CAREFUL with grounding among different components, especially if they are connected with a common ground (e.g., XLR cable, DAC). If you are using an external ground solution, like the ALTAIRA, you may create micro ground loops if you are not careful. Always check each possible combination of grounding.
Initially I assumed that with a system like ALTAIRA, it's best to ground everything. This is wrong. You must test each combination with each component grounded and not grounded and go with what sounds best. If your dealer is not saying this, he is wrong and just wants you to buy more ground cables (which is what they all do/say, in my experience).
BE CAREFUL with grounding among different components, especially if they are connected with a common ground (e.g., XLR cable, DAC). If you are using an external ground solution, like the ALTAIRA, you may create micro ground loops if you are not careful. Always check each possible combination of grounding.
Initially I assumed that with a system like ALTAIRA, it's best to ground everything. This is wrong. You must test each combination with each component grounded and not grounded and go with what sounds best. If your dealer is not saying this, he is wrong and just wants you to buy more ground cables (which is what they all do/say, in my experience).
+1 Zerotrope. I have spent two weeks working thru my bias that my new X gr. cbl and two headed tail plugged into the Altaira X and my new Pink Faun Ultra would sound fantastic. Turns out that the Altaira external ground wire is working against the internal grounding system. The resulting sound tended to the flat and uninspiring. So, check each cable addition for sound
How did you end up connecting the components?
I’m not sure about this yet but it seems like when connecting more than one component that have their ground connected, using more than one ground wire could work against you. This is because you can actually create micro ground loops. They may not even be audible; but they will degrade the sound (eg making it flat and uninspiring).
Some cables that connect grounds are:
- XLR (unless they are not connected at pin 3)
- DAC
So if a preamp and amp are connected via XLR, don’t ground both chassis without trying just the pre and just the amp ground only.
Remember also that Shunyata says to only ground at points that are connected to AC ground, and more specifically have a <0.1 ohm resistance to AC ground. Chassis grounds are often NOT connected to AC ground.
I just learned that the Taiko Router and Switch do not have this type of ground. Anything with a DC power input will be the same - so these components should NOT be grounded to an Altaira - you will likely be creating ground loops, adding noise, degrading the sound.
I just learned that the Taiko Router and Switch do not have this type of ground. Anything with a DC power input will be the same - so these components should NOT be grounded to an Altaira - you will likely be creating ground loops, adding noise, degrading the sound.
Yes, correct, that’s what Shunyata advises. You can always try it both ways and go with what you prefer; but unless the point at which you attach the Altaira ground wire is physically connected to AC ground, you are not getting a benefit, and are probably creating a ground loop.
Shunyata says to use a voltmeter that measures resistance to check that the ground point is tied to AC ground.
In my case, since the Taiko Router and Switch have their own ground screws, I assumed they were connected to AC ground; but that’s not the case.
Shunyata says to use a voltmeter that measures resistance to check that the ground point is tied to AC ground.
In my case, since the Taiko Router and Switch have their own ground screws, I assumed they were connected to AC ground; but that’s not the case.
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