Factory visit!

[2fastdriving]

Today I visited Caelin Gabriel and his staff at Shunyata Research.

I'll admit it - I didn't know much about Shunyata products. Seeing his very educational and interesting down-to-earth posts here on AA inspired me to look him up and drive out to Poulsbo, WA, to see what they are all about. After all, it's only an hour and a half from my house.

Their HQ is tucked away in a little industrial area that is very unassuming at first. But their office is very welcoming and modern. Caelin and his staff were even more welcoming, offering me treats and engaging in some discussion about why I was compelled to visit. I explained that although I have some very nice components, I have very little in the way of power products, and sick of paying exorbitant prices for cables in general. The combination of knowing my weak link is power products and appreciation for Caelin's views got me motivated.

After some initial discussion, Caelin walked me through the facility: The testing room, the listening room, and the manuafacturing and shipping areas. The environment was clean and it looked like a tidy and efficient operation. I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want to even ask...seems cheesy to do that. But I met all the employees, and they were intently building Hydra's and cables, etc. Caelin stopped to show me the construction of the cables with the hollow core, and the internals of the Hydra.

The best part for me was asking Caelin a ton of questions - everything from his opinion on a multitude of products (I won't tell you guys, though!) to many technical questions about how his and other products work. He literally spent hours educating me and even drawing me little illustrations about how power conditioning works. He explained how he extrudes his own wire, using a process that nobody else uses. It's clear that he's seen it all and done it all in the audio industry! I came away with an even stronger feeling that he really, really cares about what he's building and selling.

Then we listened to some music in his dedicated listening room. He has Devore speakers (O/93 or 96, not sure?) and a REALLY cool Ayon tube amplifier, headed by a dCS CD player. I'm not very familiar with any of those components, but he explained that he rotates components through there fairly regularly. I was happy to hear that he is a fan of Audio Research and Wilson

Then an interesting twist: We didn't just listen to his system, I actually participated in the testing of some of his new products! We tried several tests with a few products that I won't discuss, I don't know how "top secret" they are. But that was fun. I don't know that I have the best ear for that, especially when I am in front of a system I've never heard with unfamiliar music. But he did play a little Eva Cassidy, which I am indeed familiar with...and it was really great! Her voice was floating in the room with us, with lots of space around the instruments, which is an effect I always lust after in my own system.

Before I left, I asked him something I had always wondered: What the heck does Shunyata mean? Well here you go: Śūnyat� - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

He said he chose that name because it signifies the concept of something coming from nothing, like music coming from a perfectly black background. Cool.

Overall he and his staff spent about 2.5 hours talking with me and showing me around. It reminded me of the feeling I had when I visited the Wilson factory: Great family vibe, everything neat and tidy, extreme focus on building the best products possible right here in the USA. What more could you want?









IMG_20150320_132800.jpg

[Antonmb]

Marc,
Nice write-up of your visit, thanks for sharing. It must have been really interesting to see how the cables are put together, and it sounds like Caelin is a gracious host. Maybe I'll have to make the trek to Poulsbo some day, I'm only about 3 hours.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Marc, Nice write-up of your visit, thanks for sharing. It must have been really interesting to see how the cables are put together, and it sounds like Caelin is a gracious host. Maybe I'll have to make the trek to Poulsbo some day, I'm only about 3 hours.

If you do, let me know. I could go with you or meet up afterwards. Where are you located?

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

If you do, let me know. I could go with you or meet up afterwards. Where are you located?

About 30 miles east of Bellingham in the Mt Baker foothills.

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

About 30 miles east of Bellingham in the Mt Baker foothills.

Hmm you are about 2.5 hrs from me. Come on over!

[Ritmo]

Marc - Very nice update. Sounds like a great visit. Also, I'm not surprised by the gracious way in which Caelin hosted you. His and Graham's engagement on this site says a lot about the culture of the company.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by 2fastdriving

Hmm you are about 2.5 hrs from me. Come on over!

thanks Marc. I'm not in Seattle often but I'd like that. As it happens we're down for a show tonight but have to get back in the morning. Let me know if you're ever up,in the Mt Baker area.

[Masterlu]

Marc... Great day, thanks for sharing!

[Still-One]

Marc, Thanks for sharing. Even though I do not currently own and Shunyata products I try and read most of Caelin's posts. He is very informative and has me considering some of their units.

I made a couple of trips to Poulsbo way back in the mid '80's when EDS was doing some work on a project for the GM plant I was working in. I have fond memories of that town and the trips I took over to Seattle via the ferry.

[scirica]

Thanks for sharing. Good to hear Caelin is as generous in person as he is here on the forum.

So are you compelled to build a Shunyata loom now?