Cascade power cords priority

[Brucemck2]

I’m considering moving to Shunyata’s latest power cords for my Cascade. Which of the two power cords would you prioritize and why?

 

[Arewethereyet]

I use the MSB Cascade as my pre, therefore, Cascade Powerbase is my clean power priority. I currently run an AQ Dragon High Current (HC) from the Powerbase to a Shunyata Everest 8000, then into a dedicated 20a 10 gauge wall outlet with a Furutech GTX D NCF outlet. I have also grounded the Powerbase to the Everest with a dedicated home made ground copper braided wire. The Digital Director is on a separate 20a circuit with an AQ Dragon HC PC but into another power conditioner, a Puritan 156, notionally to isolate the digital side from the analogue side, that is the theory anyway. I did not ground the DD since there is not a dedicated ground post on the chassis and didn't want to futz with removing a case screw. At one point, I had a Shunyata Omega PC but sold it as I preferred the sonic characteristics of the AQ over the Omega. I have not tried the Omega X but something I will explore at some point. It will be interesting to hear your results if that is the chord you choose.

 

[Daniel Francis]

@Arewethereyet is correct. Please prioritize the main powerbase. This supplies the analog circuits and has the greatest interaction with the performance of the DAC. The Digital Director is much lower priority and should be isolated from the analog domain as much as possible.

 

[Brucemck2]

Thank you both! I hadn’t though of isolating the two power cords but can easily do that.

Arewethereyet - Did you find that the Everest made a material improvement? In years past I used a Hydra/Typhon but it’s in another system.

 

[Arewethereyet]

Thank you both! I hadn’t though of isolating the two power cords but can easily do that.

Arewethereyet - Did you find that the Everest made a material improvement? In years past I used a Hydra/Typhon but it’s in another system.

The Everest provided a substantial improvement in sound, particularly consistency in sound regardless of the time of day and degree of demand on the grid from my neighbors. What I later discovered is the benefit of grounding various component chassis grounds into the Everest. And again, this further improved the sound quality lowering the noise floor even more. I wholeheartedly recommend considering adding an Everest if your budget allows.