I agree with the consensus that the Cobra Z's might be too neutral and or lean with the wrong combination. That being said I replaced a pair of the mega sized Hydra Hc VTX cords on my amps with a pair of Cobra Zs without a loss in dynamics, bass, soundstage scale, etc... There has been a long kinda roller coaster ride with break in ei. first things sounding just right then leanish now finally just right again. I have no dobt the Python Z's would be even better but you may just get away with the $1k less expensive Cobras. Just my 2 cents. YMMV.
Shunyata for Arc REF5 SE
I understand audio research and shunyata cabling are a good match. I have a Ref5SE coming my way shortly and was wondering whether to get a z-tron cobra or a pick up as used phyton cx. I'd like to keep it in the sub $1K pricerange, so anything up the foodchain is out of the question. Anyone tried these two cables on an audio research preamp?