After reading about the new Gemini it seemed to be the perfect solution for my “network closet”. My router, and Add-powr Symphony I/O are in an adjacent room to that containing my system and were powered from wall outlets. My Ethernet switch is in the main system’s room but not powered from my Denali. It is grounded to my SG hub however. After realizing the incredible improvement brought by Altaira, I was very interested in grounding these last few potentially noisy components. I read Puma Cats initial post with great enthusiasm and exchanged a few messages about his experience. I’ll admit I was a bit wary of ‘overdoing it’ for this application and originally considered several used power distributors of various levels. Naturally I consulted Ivan who fielded several questions regarding the used models and the potential of the new Gemini. I’ll say it again; this forum, its members, and Ivan have all helped me advance both my understanding and enjoyment of my system more than all others combined. Needless to say, I decided to go for the Gemini and complete the grounding of my components.
Shunyata must be extraordinarily busy these days! It took a few weeks for the unit to arrive but it seemed longer due to my childlike anticipation, but that’s my issue! I opted for an Alpha cable and Ethernet tail to ground the router. Upon arrival last Tuesday, the Gemini went into service powering the router, I/O, and switch with grounding for the router. Puma Cat, Ivan, and others have alluded to the fact routers are very noisy devices and are not principally designed for audio. My experience within seconds of connecting the Gemini and Alpha cable confirmed this to a degree I was not expecting. Just when I thought I had done an admirable job of removing noise with the Altaira hubs, the Gemini brought me back to reality. Grounding your router is a VITAL step in lowering your system’s noise floor, or at least it was here! Another layer of transparency was revealed and the soundstage increased in size and focus….again! And this was right out of the box. The Gemini hadn’t yet been powered up for a half hour. Subtle improvements were noted as the week progressed with a few rough edges disappearing and being able to “see” even deeper into the soundstage. The focus has tightened up even more.
Thanks to Ivan (Again), I have isolated all my components on Stillpoints Ultra SS and Ultra Minis. It has been said that adding those component by component yields steady improvement until the last piece is isolated which brings a huge leap forward. That was my experience for sure and started my contemplation if the same would be true about grounding. At that point, everything was grounded to the Altairas or Gemini, save for the Symphony I/O. A quick check with a multimeter revealed zero readings for chassis screws and the bottom plate of the body of the device. I improvised another DIY ground cable similar to that currently in use on my Wizard, and linked up the I/O’s bottom plate to the corresponding ground lug under its Venom 14NR pc at the Gemini. Either the ‘last component’ corollary applies to grounding as well as Stillpoints, or somebody upgraded my entire system without my knowledge. I don’t want to sound like a used car salesman or snake oil dealer, but the effects of grounding your system’s components simply has to be experienced to be fully appreciated.
If you are even remotely contemplating a grounding scheme for your system, I enthusiastically encourage you to try it. Shunyata gives guidance and recommends one utilize their own star ground infrastructure which can be very inexpensive and very revealing about the possibilities. I began that way by just linking up a few pieces to the ground lug on my Denali. That gave a noticeable boost to my system but simply cannot compare to what I’m experiencing now. I do not pretend to be an expert, or frankly, even knowledgeable about this process and it’s applicability across the spectrum of components and brands available today, but I implore you to do some research and ask questions.
I have read reviews and comments everywhere in which the writer qualifies their opinions with the warning you may only appreciate what he or she is saying if your system is “resolving enough”. I always understood that to mean “expensive enough” to be “resolving enough”. That maybe the case ultimately, but my components haven’t changed in a decent amount of time. But their collective performance has become exponentially better as a result of isolation and grounding. Not cheap additions of course, but much less expensive than moving up the ladder in every component.
I posted a while back how the Altaira allowed me to hear a single voice in the crowd exclaim his profane, yet enthusiastic approval of the recently departed Randy Meisner after he sang Take-it to the Limit on Eagles Live. I invite any Qobuz users to lookup the song “To Rome” by Ted Poor on his album You already Know. It may be available elsewhere I’m not sure. Anyway, the song begins with Poor striking a single drum repeatedly. After introducing the Gemini and grounding everything in the system, I can hear Poor’s stool squeaking as he initiates the drum strike. They probably should have sprayed some WD40 on it but I’m glad they didn’t. The reduction in noise from the network gear reduced the noise floor to such a level that the squeak of a stool isn’t only perceptible, it’s palpable. I didn’t know it was there before this week. I heard about this album in a review I read. It’s very well recorded with that sense of “you are there” about it. After Gemini, I have to remin myself that I’m not!
Wow, I just read this and realized I’m quite long winded today. I’ll leave it at that, but as you can tell, I’m a huge proponent of grounding and am so glad I decided to give it a try way back when. Thanks again to everyone for their input across the forum and for the insights provided. I can now say from experience, the Gemini is a bargain! I have to get used to this new level of performance. What a pleasure that will be…
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