Shunyata Vs. Nordost power cables ?

Tvad & others-

I have 2 Epiphany X cords, an Anaconda Alpha and an Ultra Khan SII Rev on their way from Sanctuary of Sound this week. This silly-expensive 'kit' of cords was part of a trade-in deal for a bunch of other cables and components, so don't assume I am stinking rich (or just plain crazy!).

Anyway, the 'deployment' plan is this:

BPT 3.5 Sig line conditioner - Epiphany X
Esoteric DV-50 player - Ultra Khan SII Rev
VAC Renaissance preamp - Anaconda Alpha
Sim Audio W-5 LE amp - Epiphany X
Talon Raven C speakers - Jena Labs Valkyre spkr cables

In strategizing with Stewart @ SOS and subsequent conversations with Caelin Gabriel of Shunyata (they are next-door neighbors, and good friends), my question was this:

"What source cord and preamp cord would be good companions/contrast to the 2 Epiphany X's on the PLC and amp? Is TOO much of a good thing just too much?"

Stewart agreed, and did some experimentation for me with what he had in stock, then he consulted Caelin. Some things I already knew were confirmed - Shunyata really had no intention for the Anaconda Vx to function on anything other then digital devices. Analog is 'Alpha Land'...but, if a Vx works there in individual cases, then there is certainly no reason to change it. This has been the consistent recommendation that Grant & Caelin at Shunyata have made, especially without knowing a system's characteristics intimately or having gone thru very specific experimentation.

The surprise for me was Caelin's suggestion to use an Anaconda ALPHA on my tube preamp, rather then concentrating on the CD player with a Vx cable. Caelin indicated that in some recent trials with an assortment of cables in their labs, the Anaconda Alpha has proven itself to be unexpectedly beneficial when used on tube preamps.

In my case - I am hoping this will provide a great contrast to the 2 Epiphany X's. My only issue will be the fact that some of my PC's are deliberately very short, and one is a 20Amp'er, so moving them around to experiment on different components will be impossible.

We'll see....

Tvad-

ScottH makes great cables - no doubt. But yes, he certainly has the reputation of being a bear to work with sometimes. I would only buy his cables through Stewart, cause he has serious influence with Scott and can get him motivated like nobody else I know. I don't need the headache.

Any comments on the Electraglide/Shunyata PC combo that we have cooked up? A King Cobra V2 is already used on the CD player, so I can compare it to the UK Rev.

As for the BPT - Are you saying that when you connected an amp to the GFCI outlet that it constricted, whereas the same amp on one of the other built-in outlets didn't?

That is very interesting, and the first time I have heard this. I have followed the manufacturer's recommendations about what outlet to use for which component until now, but I will certainly try some different outlet combos once all these new cables get some break-in time.

In my current house, I don't have enough outlets near my system to run the amp directly off a wall outlet, so it has to run through the BPT - be that good or bad. Yet ANOTHER reason I want to build a new house - More Outlets for 'da systeme' ;^D .
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Tvad -

Thanks for the information. I will definitely try that. I know Chris Hoff's newest version of this unit - the BPT 3.5 Signature PLUS - employs a 'premium' industrial Hubbell GFCI and Cryo'ed Wattgate outlets.... maybe this is one of the reasons.

Simon -

I too had a Hydra with Mojave cord and the copper slug, and agree totally with your assessments there.

I guess we all question if we are making "Sound Decisions" with some of these purchases. You can beg application information out of the manufacturers, post Internet threads and research your butt off, and still end up feeling Buyer's Remorse when it is all said & done. This Synergy business truly is a Black Art.

That's why I applaud your occasional swap back to all stock cords - that usually seems to dramatically qualify that all this effort and expense DOES have its sonic rewards.

In fact, I have consolidated, sold or traded so much of my system lately that I have had NO choice but to dig through 'cold storage' to enlist the leftovers for temporary duty. I can tell you sincerely - it does NOT sound right now. I can't wait to get everything here that is in-transit, which should really finalize my consolidated system - Finally!
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Simon-

Which "PS" cable did you replace on the Syrah with that Harmonix? What were the characteristic differences between them?

Thanx