Shunyata Vs. Nordost power cables ?

Hi Tvad,
I know for a fact the two Ultra Khans Rev that I have don't have grounds as I opened them up to find out and also to see if I could alter the IECs to 'grip'.
I have used the 'tape' method but I'm talking about the actual prongs inside. Even squeezing these closed makes no difference as the metal is soft and any spring in it has long since gone. To be fair these cords have seen a bit of use.
I have an Anaconda Vx, King Cobra V2 and a Taipan Vx and would tend to agree with the rolled off top and may look for another Taipan Alpha which ime, does not suffer this affliction.
Regards Si

Hi Moemoney,

I have shuffled the Shunyatas around a fair bit and had lots of other Shunyatas but the present set up is
Anaconda Vx -powering Hydra (original with slug)
King Cobra V2 - powering the Pass X-250
Taipan Vx - powering either Nu-Vista CD3 or Cayin SCD-50T
Mini Khan - swapping with above
PS Audio Statement - powering my Supratek Syrah

Strange set up but (IME) the Shunyatas sometimes work really well where least expected. I prefer the KC on my source but the Taipan Vx was funded by the sale of a Taipan Alpha which used to power my amp & it don't sound good on anything other than digital source.
Never really liked the old Taipans but the Alpha was a great cable and worked really well on the Pass and surprisingly well on cd player with an Active Synergistic Research on the amp. In fact it was a fabulous combo but the lust for more always prevails - sure most folk here know that feeling !
Cheers Si

Seurat,

I'd try a used Python/Taipan Alpha and save yourself the grief of listening to a new one burning in.
I think the Accuphase might sound a bit lean with Nordost.
Only my tuppence worth.
Si

Hi me again, I have experienced the Vx's sounding grainy on most things other than digital. I always wondered about my Anaconda Vx feeding the Hydra but given the Nema connector and the expense to change to an Alpha and the fact it seems to work well?
I found a Python (older model) to be fabulous on various phono stages (even a dc powered Camelot), really nice on digital but positively lethargic on amps.
These observations may be turned on their head when using the new model Hydras.I owned an 8 and at that time found it to be slighty 'bright' and forward sounding compared to the original.
Given the changes to my system I have a horrible feeling that the 8 (6 or 4) would introduce a sparkle that's a bit lacking at the moment.
Interestingly enough I tried using a seperate Hydra 2 for digital which did nothing to my mind. However trying a Hydra 4 for digital with the original running the analogue components made an immediate & obvious improvement.
They are strange stuff and I always tell people to juggle them around and stick with the combination that suits their ears & system the best!
Si

Very nice to know Caelin never intended an Anaconda Vx on anything other than digital - shame he hadn't reached that pearl of wisdom before bringing out the Anaconda Vx first and fitting lots to my knowledge with Nemas ( can something that wiggles about so much actually be called a 'connector') and selling them to power Hydras ?
Still at these prices got to keep the bucks rolling in.
Funny how advice from the manufacturers is always pretty specific BUT they always hedge their bets - whoa, were not saying it won't work for you ????
I love my Shunyatas and the more I try other cables , better the devil you know and can tune so in spite of the above rant, I'll probably just try a few Alphas in the system and once again sublimate the fact I have spent as much on conditioners/cables as components.
I still think it's money well spent as a decent foundation in power cords will make the best of any upgrades or changes.
To anyone still using the original Hydra with the 15 amp slo blow - it's a waste of time.
I had an 8 & was about to sell the original till I sourced a copper slug - the difference is night & day.
The 8 is probably a better bet in that it offers protection the original does not and the old adage - don't shoot the messenger, springs to mind, given the upgrades to my system since those events.
We buy,we try & hopefully we learn from our mistakes.
At least this forum gives us a chance to make informed,inspired or sometimes just insane decisions.
Here in Scotland, I reckon by touring every dealer in the country, I could audition about six or seven brands of power cord, only two being from the states and even these have UK mains plugs with 13 amp fuses.
My first Shunyata came connectorless (a Mojave silver) and when I looked at the the live conductor, I thought why am I paying for this gauge of silver to go thru a sliver of fuse wire that costs fractions of a pence ? How I ever squeezed it into a UK plug, I don't know but it was an utter revelation when I plugged it into my cd player.

Every time my faith dwindles(about once every 3 years), I pull out the Hydra and replace all the funny cords that makes my friends think I'm nuts with the stock cables - it is usually good for a few bars and then drives me to a bar !
Si

Tried a Harmonix Studio Master on my Syrah today in place of the PS.without drawing any conclusions, the difference was unbelieveable
The Syrah is obviously a very open window to power cords.
I like to think I have a lot of experience but these cords are poles apart - no winner just incrediby opposing ends of the spectrum.
Back to the drawing board !
Si

Hi Bhouser,

I had a Ultraglide Mini Khan plus on cd, PS Audio statement on pre and the
King Cobra V2 on the Pass.

Replaced PS with Harmonix and had a good and enjoyable listening session for about 7 hours before deciding :

this cord (Harmonix)does so many things better than most.
spatial relationships, micro dynamics, timbre, depth, width and possibly the most stable imaging I've heard from anything. Lovely balance and just the right amount of bloom.
Finding the 'control' lovely - it does seriously
great bass - but - there's just a slight smoothing off/sat on quality. Hiking the volume addresses this to a certain extent but listening to live recordings, they are not coming over with the dynamic range I know they have.
It's even more annoying to find something so nearly right !
Saying that, it's really unforced and very relaxing to listen to.

Not entirely happy with that I swapped to KC V2 on cd, Studio master on pre and PS on Pass.
Much more life but loosing the very tight grip and imaging.
Also think the PS rolls of the top end and have lost the incrdible extension I was getting in the bass.

I would have to say the Harmonix at least in my system is favourable over the PS, much cleaner, more air, better control but whether the same would be true on the power amp , I can't say - the Harmonix is not long enogh to make that journey!
Strange as I know the King Cobra V2 to be great on the source.
I think I'll look for another Taipan Alpha for the Pass and fund this by selling the Taipan Vx. I'm also tempted to try a Python Alpha or Anaconda Alpha on the pre.
I love to try an Anaconda Alpha to the Hydra and have the Anaconda Vx
re-terminated for the cd player but it's way too much money
unless I was certain it would be the final frontier so to speak.
I think some of the newer Ultraglides would be great cables mixed with Shunyata - they have a pace & delicacy that none of the Shunyatas can match but sound a bit thin unless there's Shunyata in the mix somewhere !

Ah well it's keeps me out of mischief !

Rgds Si

Hi Stan,
I currently have an ad running for one - the guy I was trying to get it for has given up, he can't live with the original as he says it's dead!
My sentiments till I got the slug and sold my 8 !
If I get any offers, I'll direct them to you if that's OK.
Make sure you get a couple of levels of isolation under it or it will sound crap.
I use Dharumas/butchers block/mi-rollers - it will sound shit if you sit it on the floor.
RE the wall to Hydra, I'd say a Pyhton Alpha but have never seen one witha Nema for sale. The Mojave is a blinding cord
value wise.
Simon

Any input welcome !
I have loaned out my Taipan Vx and have borrowed a Taipan Alpha to try on the power amp.
At present a Mini-Khan on cd and Harmonix cord on pre are giving very nice results - a liitle sat on but very natural.
A very different sound from the Shunyatas but I'm happy to try anything !Not through disatisfaction, just curiosity.
Python Alpha on it's way which I will try on my Supratek.
3 years on and many,many power cords later, I'm still amazed at the changes that can be made by taking 4 or 5 power cords and juggling them around on different components !
Si