Shunyata Research X Series: Elevate Your Audio Experience with Power and Clarity

Explore the Shunyata Research X Series and how its power cords, AC distributor, and grounding hubs transform audio clarity and dimensionality.

A Legacy of Sonic Innovation

If you’re like me, a passionate audiophile who’s chased every nuance in sound quality, you probably appreciate gear that doesn’t just change for the sake of marketing hype. That’s why Shunyata Research X Series stands apart. Every new product or update from them isn’t just a face-lift—it’s a meaningful leap in sonic performance. Their founder, Caelin Gabriel, is a relentless tinkerer and inventor, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in audio power delivery.

Their latest upgrade, the “X” series, includes the Everest-X AC power distributor, the Omega-X and Sigma-X AC power cords, and the Altaira-X Noise Reducing Grounding Hub. As a longtime fan of Shunyata’s original Everest and power cords, and more recently the Altaira Grounding Hub, I was eager to hear what these new iterations could do.

Before diving into my listening impressions, let’s take a quick tour of the foundational Everest platform, the power cords, and the innovative Altaira hub.

Everest Platform: Power Conditioning Elevated

The Everest is no ordinary power conditioner. Picture a vertical tower with a sleek, sloping front panel narrowing toward the top—think truncated pyramid. This design lets it sit gracefully on the floor next to your rack, saving precious shelf space.

On its rear, you’ll find eight AC outlets, all equipped with Shunyata’s cable-cradle system that firmly secures your cords. It uses an IEC C19 AC jack (rated for 20 amps) to connect to your wall socket, but heads up—you’ll need to provide that power cord yourself. Since this cord feeds your entire system, it’s worth investing in a quality one.

The power switch on the Everest is actually an electromagnetic breaker for over-current protection, not a master on/off switch for your gear.

A standout feature is the Ground-Plane Noise-Reduction (GP-NR) system. Four grounding posts on the rear let you daisy-chain all your components to a single, stable ground reference. Even if your gear doesn’t have dedicated grounding posts, simply attaching the ground wire to a chassis screw works wonders. Pairing this with Shunyata’s Altaira Noise Reduction Grounding Hubs (more on those soon) takes noise reduction to a new level.

Technically, the Everest’s roots trace back to Shunyata’s Hydra Triton and Typhon models but with juicy advancements in materials and build. Each outlet features multi-stage CCI (Component-to-Component Interface) filters that slice through noise like a hot knife through butter. Plus, their patented NIC (Noise Isolation Chamber) uses ferroelectric material to absorb high-frequency nasties—a technology borrowed from the Hydra Triton.

Another noise-slayer is the “CMode” filter that targets common-mode noise.

One of my favorite innovations is the QR/BB circuit (patented by Shunyata), designed to boost instantaneous current delivery during sudden power demands, avoiding the dreaded dynamic compression that can dull musical peaks. This circuit is three times bigger than the one in Shunyata’s previous flagship, the Denali. The result? Amplifiers and other components get the power they crave when they need it most, making for punchier, more dynamic music.

The Everest’s outlets are Shunyata’s CopperCONN, crafted from thick, high-purity oxygen-free copper. They grip power cords solidly, far better than standard outlets. Behind the scenes, internal wiring uses Shunyata’s VTX conductors—hollow tubes made from certified OFE copper that reduce “skin effect,” the phenomenon where high frequencies tend to migrate to the surface of the conductor.

The conductors undergo a proprietary KPIP (Kinetic Phase-Inversion Process), reducing break-in time and enhancing sound quality. Plus, many internal parts get cryogenic treatment in Shunyata’s lab, further refining performance.

To top it off, vibration-damping panels and physical isolation of the outlets from the chassis reduce mechanical noise pickup.

What’s New in the Everest-X?

Two big innovations set the Everest-X apart:

• TAPc (Transverse Axial Polarizer, compact version): Originally a tech in their signal cables, TAPc blocks disruptive longitudinal electromagnetic waves that distort audio signals, allowing cleaner power flow.
• HARP (High Amplitude Resonance Purifier): Borrowed from loudspeaker cable tech, HARP breaks up resonances in the current flow, smoothing the power delivery.

The Everest-X also sports platinum-plated contact terminals and other material upgrades for even better conductivity.

Sigma and Omega Power Cords: The Silver-Copper Duo

Shunyata’s power cords have always been a cut above, and the Sigma and Omega models continue this tradition. The Sigma sits just below the flagship Omega in the lineup, both boasting a unique conductor design: a silver core wrapped by a ring of high-purity copper, separated by fluorocarbon insulation. This special insulation minimizes dielectric absorption and re-radiation, crucial for keeping noise at bay.

All Shunyata cords and internal power conditioner wiring undergo KPIP v2 treatment, a mysterious but highly effective process that “refines” the conductor metals on an atomic level. I had a behind-the-scenes glimpse of KPIP in action during a factory visit, seeing raw wire spools pulsing with high-level signals for days on end.

The “X” versions of Sigma and Omega incorporate TAPc tech, which accounts for their sonic improvements over previous generations.

Altaira Noise Reducing Grounding Hub: Silence the Noise

Here’s a product category that may seem strange at first—the grounding hub. Shunyata’s Altaira system is all about tackling the subtle electrical noise that creeps through your system's chassis grounds.

The hubs are simple metal boxes with six grounding posts on the back, where you connect your components’ ground terminals using special cables from the Altaira line. A seventh post connects the hub to your power conditioner's ground or directly to the wall outlet ground.

Why bother? Because every component’s chassis ground carries a bit of noise. When different parts sit at slightly different electrical potentials, tiny currents flow through interconnect ground wires, resulting in audible hum and noise. Shunyata’s Altaira system creates a super-low-impedance path to drain this noise, using proprietary filtering inside the hub to dissipate it.

This concept isn’t new to pro audio or broadcast gear, but Shunyata’s take is a leap forward with their filtering tech and modular design.

The new Altaira-X combines the functions of two earlier models (for analog and digital components) into one chassis, with eight grounding posts instead of six. Because each post contains the equivalent circuitry of a full first-gen Altaira, these hubs are larger and heavier—proof that serious engineering went into their design.

Listening Experience: The Sonic Payoff

Replacing my original Everest, power cords, and Altaira hubs with the “X” versions over about a month was like peeling back the veil on my system’s potential.

The Everest-X brought a deeper, quieter background and a more expansive, three-dimensional soundstage. Instruments floated with newfound immediacy and presence, air around them turning tangible. The stage shifted slightly back but gained immense depth. I could hear the outlines of the listening space more clearly than ever, especially the instruments lingering at the rear of the stage—now rendered with greater clarity, timbre, and fine dynamic detail.

The bass became more authoritative, with increased impact, texture, and dynamic weight. Low-level resolution blossomed, revealing delicate timbres and micro-dynamics that injected realism into every note.

One memorable moment came when I previewed the Omega-X QR power cords. A visitor from Shunyata brought samples, and swapping these into my system alongside Sigma QR cords powering my Wadax Reference DAC was revelatory. The bass grew richer, denser, and more textured—imagine a large wooden acoustic bass effortlessly placed between the speakers. Dynamics and presence leapt forward, revealing the bassist's subtle finger work and rhythmic nuances with thrilling clarity.

Later, I installed Omega-X QR cords on my CH Precision L10 linestage. The results mirrored many Everest-X virtues—deeper background, wider soundstage, and sharper clarity.

The Altaira-X grounding hubs were the cherry on top. Replacing six original Altairas with three Altaira-X units (and their matching cables) magnified all the benefits—smoother textures, clearer detail, and an even larger, more immersive soundstage. Instrument timbres came with liquid ease and realism, grain dissolved away, revealing rich tone colors and inner detail. The music gained body, weight, and less metallic harshness. Listening at higher volumes became effortless without fatigue.

Conclusion: A Genuine Upgrade Worth Your Attention

The Shunyata Research X Series isn’t just another mid-cycle refresh—it’s a substantial technological leap. These new Everest-X power distributor, Sigma-X and Omega-X cords, and Altaira-X grounding hubs deliver clarity in spades. They focus the music like a laser, unveiling layers and dimensions previously hidden.

Each component on its own elevates your system, but together they form a powerhouse that transforms your listening experience entirely.

Whether you’re a longtime Shunyata fan or just stepping into this world, the X Series is a worthy investment to bring your audio to the next level.

Specs & Pricing

• Everest-X
  Type: Eight-outlet AC conditioner
  Max continuous current: 30A (US version)
  Max current per outlet: 15A
  Isolation zones: Six
  Noise suppression: Input to output >50dB (100kHz–30MHz); zone-to-zone >60dB
  Over-current protection: Hydraulic electromagnetic breaker
  Wiring: 8 gauge ArNi® VTX Buss system; 10 gauge ArNi® VTX wiring
  Dimensions: 8″ x 20.75″ x 14.75″
  Weight: 34 lbs
  Price: $15,000
• Omega-X QR Power Cord
  Price: $12,500 (Omega X XC is $9,000)
• Sigma-X and Sigma-X QR Power Cords
  Price: $4,000 (Sigma-X XC/NR); Sigma-X QR is $6,500
• Altaira-X Noise Reducing Grounding Hub
  Ports: 8
  Dimensions: 16″ x 3.9″ x 7.5″
  Weight: 13.5 lbs
  Price: $9,900 (X Ground Cables $2,000 each)

FAQ

• What makes the Everest-X different from the original Everest?
  Everest-X adds TAPc and HARP technologies, platinum-plated contacts, and material refinements for improved noise reduction, current delivery, and clarity.
• Can the Altaira-X grounding hub work with both analog and digital components?
  Yes, the Altaira-X replaces earlier models by supporting both analog and digital grounds within one chassis.
• Do the Sigma-X and Omega-X cords require a burn-in period?
  Thanks to KPIP treatment, these cords require minimal burn-in and deliver smooth, refined sound early on.
• Is the Everest-X suitable for high-powered amplifiers?
  Absolutely. Its QR/BB circuit provides extra current on demand, perfect for amplifiers with dynamic transient power needs.
• How much of a difference do these X series upgrades make?
  The upgrades significantly enhance clarity, dimensionality, and dynamic impact, revealing details that were previously hidden.

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