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Shunyata Research Altaira Grounding System

Shunyata Research Altaira Grounding System

$2,998.00

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Description
Specification
Reviews
Q & A

The Absolute Sound 2022 product of the year, click on the link below and read the full review.

Shunyata Altaira TAS review

Groundbreaking Approach to Noise Reduction

Designer Caelin Gabriel created the ALTAIRA to be the absolute state-of-the-art solution for controlling ground-plane noise in home entertainment and pro-audio systems. The ALTAIRA is a centralized grounding system that eliminates inter-component ground loops while reducing ground-plane noise that is known to cause audible humming, buzzing, and other undesirable distortions. Electrical grounds are often contaminated with various types of electromagnetic interference, including radio, television, microwave, wifi, and cell tower frequencies. The ALTAIRA System uses patented technologies that significantly reduce these types of noise and distortion. The ALTAIRA System is also designed to reduce power supply binning, which can lead to an inconsistent sound between different components. With the ALTAIRA System, you can achieve a more consistent sonic experience across all of your audio components.

ALTAIRA is based on an expandable and scalable hub-style architecture. ALTAIRA hubs combined with Shunyata Research’s purpose-built CGC/SGC ground cables provide the means to create a high-performance grounding system for professional or personal use. A single six-terminal ALTAIRA hub is all that is needed for small to medium-sized home entertainment systems. For pro-audio systems or very large home entertainment systems, a more complex ground system with multiple interconnected ALTAIRA hubs may be installed.

The ALTAIRA hubs reduce chassis and signal ground-related noise to the degree that will astonish even the most critical music enthusiast or recording engineer. It strips away multiple layers of noise, revealing previously hidden musical detail and micro-dynamics while improving dynamic scale, tonal accuracy and timbral definition with an expanded sense of spatial dimensionality. The bass foundation has added weight, grip, and articulation. Video content has improved image resolution, Dmax, and color saturation.

The sheer degree of improvement in resolution in both audio and video performance must be experienced first-hand to be fully appreciated.

Two Unique ALTAIRA Hubs

There are two ALTAIRA models available. Both have six terminals, each with their own dedicated zones of isolation. The ALTAIRA Chassis Hub is ideal for simple systems that have fewer than six components. The filters at each zone of isolation are tuned to the frequencies most commonly found riding the chassis-grounds of components.

For more complex systems, the ALTAIRA Signal Hub may be used to segregate and isolate certain types of components. For instance, separating the digital components from the analog components will provide a higher levels of performance. Filters are tuned to reduce frequencies that most commonly ride the signal ground of components.

Adding an ALTAIRA grounding hub to your system requires some process and deliberation. We have created a series of documents to support your considerations.

TECHNOLOGY

The ‌‌NIC™ (‌‌Noise Isolation Chamber) is a patented Shunyata Research device that reduces high frequency power line noise. It employs a ferroelectric substance that actually absorbs high frequency noise without any of the reactive negatives associated with transformers and large capacitors as used in conventional power conditioners.

~ Patent US 8,658,892 ~

‌‌CCI™ filters have the unique ability to reduce component-generated power line noise without inhibiting DTCD® (dynamic transient current delivery). This unique filter element prevents power line noise from one component contaminating the other adjacent electronic components. Shunyata Research’s ‌‌CCI™ filter modules consist of proprietary multi-stage filters that reduce power supply-generated noise without the use of heavy transformers, coils or large capacitors.

Six Isolation Zones
ALTAIRA has six terminals that are each individually isolated from one another. Each terminal is designed to connect to a single component for best performance. Each zone and each component is therefore isolated from one another and from earth-ground common-mode noise.

Dedicated Earth-Ground Terminal (7th Terminal)
ALTAIRA should be connected to a true earth-ground for best results. All Shunyata power distributors provide a chassis ground terminal which makes an excellent method to establish a safe earth-ground connection. The Everest and Denali power distributor’s GP-NR system both provide an excellent earth-ground connection point. The 7th terminal may also be used to interconnect multiple ALTAIRA hubs. For instance, an ALTAIRA Signal Ground Hub can be connected to an ALTAIRA Chassis Ground Hub.

Completely Passive Design
The ALTAIRA does not require AC power or batteries. It operates without generating heat or noise of any kind.
No Hum – No Buzz – No Heat

Pure Copper Terminals
The ALTAIRA uses the finest pure OFHC copper terminals for best performance.

All Metal Construction
No cheap plastic cases here. The ALTAIRA is made from solid steel and aluminum, then powder-coated for a high quality finish that will withstand the test of time.

Limited Lifetime Warranty
It is all too common and easy for a company to make wild marketing claims. The true measure of a company’s confidence in their product’s performance and reliability is their commitment to stand behind the product. The ALTAIRA is built to deliver reliable performance for a lifetime. We put it in writing and guarantee it.

ALTAIRA is available for upgrade to SSF-38 solid stainless steel feet.

Shunyata Research’s SSF (Stainless Steel Feet) provide a significant upgrade in performance on ALTAIRA grounding hubs. It is well known that component performance can be improved by placing them on a shelf, a dedicated amplifier stand, and by using high-performance cones under them. While these tweaks are beneficial, they can be quite costly. We’ve developed the SSF to optimizer performance without the high cost of accessories.

Our SSF feet are milled from solid blocks of high-grade stainless steel and feature an energy absorbing polymer isolator. The SSF feet are easy for the dealer or customer to install and replace the rubber isolation feet that come standard on some Shunyata power distributors.

SPECIFICATIONS

Power Requirements:
None

Number of Port:
Six

Isolation Zones:
Six

Noise Reduction:
6-12dB @ 3kHz-30MHz

Earth Ground Isolation (SG-NR unit only) :
>6db @ 50kHz-30MHz

Vibration Control:
Isolation polymer footer

Construction:
Aluminum and steel chassis and machined aluminum faceplate

Dimensions:
Width: 14.1 inches (35.814 cm)
Total Depth: 6.9 inches (17.526 cm), faceplate to end of ground terminals
Depth: 5.6 inches (14.224 cm), faceplate to back of chassis
Height: 3.4 inches (8.636 cm) chassis with feet

G R O U N D C A B L E S Y S T E M S

Shunyata Research's recent advances in conductor science have revolutionized the design and performance of its

CGC/SGC ground cable lineup. Every conductor, terminal, connector and dielectric materials has been refined to provide

superior conductivity and optimal connectivity. Whether you choose the most affordable Venom model or the reference

level Omega, CGC/SGC ground cables deliver an ultra-low impedance interface between the ALTAIRA ground hub and

the system components.

Establishing the lowest impedance ground-path is critical to ground system performance. Using inferior commodity

ground cables may limit the performance capabilities of the ALTAIRA. Even the most affordable Venom CGC/SGC

ground cables offer performance benefits that go far beyond the capabilities of common ground cables. Shunyata

Research's CGC/SGC cables feature proprietary hollow-core VTXTMconductors in the Venom and Delta models while the

Alpha, Sigma and Omega models sport silver-core VTX-AgTMconductors. Superior terminals and connectors expand

the performance envelope while Shunyata Research’s exclusive KPIPTM(Kinetic Phase Inversion Process) accelerates

the cable burn-in process while elevating performance to even higher levels.

G R O U N D C A B L E C H O I C E A N D P E R F O R M A N C E

6

With five models available, the ideal balance of price and

performance can be achieved. Venom and Delta CGC/SGC

ground cables are the most affordable options, allowing the

ALTAIRA grounding system to demonstrate its incredible

performance in even the most modest of entertainment

systems. The Venom can be used for component-to-

ALTAIRA connections while the Delta’s larger gauge makes

it an exceptional choice for the power distributor/ALTAIRA

connection or for interconnecting multiple ground hubs.

Alpha and Sigma CGC/SGC cables raise the performance

bar with their superior VTX-AgTMconductors. They are suited

to more upscale systems and to the larger and more

complex entertainment systems.

Omega CGC/SGC cables represent the pinnacle in ground

cable performance. They feature Shunyata Research’s

patented hybrid TAP/CMode module that reduces common-mode

noise and eliminates polarization distortion. Omega’s

capabilities have been described as shockingly dramatic;

with impressive improvements in low-level resolution and

apparent reductions in noise levels that must be experienced

to be believed.

For most systems requiring shorter lengths of cables, the

Venom and Delta models are sufficient to demonstrate

the ALTAIRA’s abilities. If there are longer-length cables

needed for connections between ALTAIRA hubs or between

the ALTAIRA hub and the power distributor the Delta, Alpha,

or Sigma models are recommended as budget allows.

In summary, for shorter connections, the less expensive

models will do the job, but for longer lengths the larger

gauge models will deliver notable system improvements.

Style

ALTAIRA Chassis Hub, ALTAIRA Signal Hub