Shunyata Delta or Alpha V2 NR vs. AQ Hurricane HC

Thanks @vonhelmholtz 

Do you have your amp plugged into the power conditioner or direct to wall outlet?

Cool. Bet it sounds great!

Guess I’ll just have to try the Alpha and compare with the AQ Hurricane.

@j-wall thx. The AQ Thunder is just ok though. Hurricane is a significant improvement. 
I ended up borrowing Alpha v2 NR. Should have it mid week. 

@jimmy2615 agreed 100%. It’s very system a d component dependent.
I do not find hurricane bass heavy or muddy on my amp or preamp. The bass is textured and fast. Great clarity and seductive mids. Voice reproduction is superb. 
But…I haven’t yet heard the Alpha. We’ll see. 

@lordmelton Dragon is a bit more than I am willing to spend. 
I’m checking out the Alpha V2 NR now. 

@lordmelton what are the improvements with Dragon over the Hurricane?

@marks560 unrefined top end with the hurricane in the system? That would only be if your components are not on the level. The top end is sweet and warm, mids are luscious and bass is full and textured. I would call the overall sound plump and warm. There’s a slight midbass boost.

I had two hurricanes at one point - one on puritan psm156 conditioner feeding sources and another on the amp connected directly to the wall outlet. 
 

@lordmelton Same as with the Hurricane, it’s best on the amplifier. I’ll look into Dragon. 
 

@ozzy I’m listening to the Alpha V2 NR on my amp right now, plugged into the Furutech GTX-D NCF outlet. I hear more neutral and balanced presentation with more air, details and focus than I did with the Hurricane. It does sound slightly cooler than the Hurricane. Perhaps slightly leaner in the mids with a bit more clarity. I’m used to the plump midbass of the Hurricane and this us a drastic change. Each cable has pros and cons. Shunyata layers better front to back and throws wider stage. Hurricane is warmer and more bassy which can be interpreted as boomy like you saud. I need to listen more to determine what I actually prefer. 

Keep in mind I’m exaggerating here for the intents and purposes of highlighting key differences. 
 

That’s all I got for now. 
 

@w123ale NR or XC?

@w123ale thanks! How long did you allow for break in? I know Shunyata states their KPIP process eliminates or shortens break in, but I’am not so sure about that claim. 

So…few weeks spent with the Shunyata Alpha V2 NR I have a pretty good idea on what it does in my system.
By now the cable is fully broken in with over 400hrs on it.
Here’s my take on it based on what I’m hearing in my system in my room.

What it does well:

1. Clarity
2. Space and air
3. Instrument separation
4. Soundstage width

What I don’t like:

1. Overall sonic signature is lean and cool
2. Smaller images, despite the overall soundstage being wide and decent in depth
3. Vocals sound thinner
4. Overall there’s this “hi-fi” flavor to everything and that makes it less natural

There are trade offs here as with any change. When compared to AQ Hurricane, there are some things I like with the Shunyata better (the airiness for example), but overall I prefer the Hurricane despite its own faults. The AQ just sounds more natural and real to me in my system. I will be looking to try the Dragon but it’s going to take a while.

@ozzy LOL that’s why I said it will take a while. 
I also want to try Audience AU24SX power cable to match my speaker cables. May be compare it with Dragon. 

Always wanted to try Transparent. Never got around to it.

Interesting discovery…

Tried the Shunyata cable on my Bricasti M3 in place of the Furutech FPS-032n with FI-28(R) connectors. The Furutech went on to power the amp. 
The outcome is more natural tone, more engaging and non-fatiguing presentation. Instead of wanting to lower the volume it begs to be cranked up and opens up nicely at around 85-90db. The noise floor is significantly lower and the highs lost harshness and regained the smoothness and liquidity I’ve gotten so accustomed to with my system. Vocals and strings have more presence and body. There’s a flow to the presentation that’s quiet special.
The funny thing is the 12 gauge Furutech cable is a better fit on my Pass amp than the significantly more expensive 8 gauge Shunyata. Or is it the Shunyata that’s a better fit for the DAC than it is for my amp? This is a surprise to say the least. 

@dilatante yup over 200hrs drawing current. Don’t like it. I’ll continue exploring. 
Going to run a dedicated line soon and will see if it changes things.