Shunyata VX vs CX

Hi Redoctober2, Shunyata VX wires are an old series that were filled with pellets of a filtering compound.... They were meant to be used with systems where a digital source either emitted, or was otherwised extremely sensitive, to grunge. VX do remove harsheness, but they also tend to have an almost caramelizing effect on the music, by filtering out micro detail.

The CX series is the 2nd most recent series of Shunyata wires, just before the current Z-Tron group... CX are amazing wires for their ability of yielding spatial information, micro detail, dynamics, extension.... while they have a singular ability of removing distortions without the need of internal filtering compounds.

Unless you want to give a try to the even more resolving Z-tron series, Shunyata CX are tremendous wires.

Guido

The VX may still be a good choice for some applications. They worked wonders for my friends all Meridian system. (It needed all the help it could get).

I'd have to agree with all the comments above, I've had VX, CX and Zitrons...They are all good cords and all have a sound.

The VX on certain digital is a very good thing...

Redoctober...the models matter to...like a anaconda vx maybe be better in a application than a python cx...or a King Cobra CX may beat a Python zitron...

Keep in mind that the original Shunyata power cords, King Cobra V1s, had a power to them not equalled since. On amps, they could make a system's dynamic range jump like a runner out of his block when the gun fires. What they lack in resolution, they made up for in dynamics. That stardust brought Black backgrounds that even Zi-Trons would have trouble reproducing. Don't underestimate them simply because they were not crystal clear. They were exceedingly "real" - sounding. They were musically mesmerizing. And the holographic effect was resoundingly superior to the CX cuties.

I have had every single line of Shunyatas. As "accurate" as the current (Zitron) line is, I think the Python is about as low as I'd like to go. The Black Mamba CX and The Cobra ZiTron, while both very good cords, have a lack of "heft" to the sound (centered around the midbass/upper bass) that the Python restores. ANY Python of ANY generation.
That doesn't negate the fact that newer generations are 'cleaner' or 'more detailed', but music is, to me, not about having the 'cleanest' or 'most detailed' presentation - at least, not when I hear it live. Audio is a parallel world, where we try to get a sound commensurate with the real thing (although not ALL of us cherish that particular goal). I currently have several generations of Python, including the first and second generation (which both had softer upper midrange sounds, presumably to filter out the digital 'nasties.' They also killed some of the life of the music, not that I noticed initially, but a guitarist who played in a band heard it instantly. I poo-poohed his observation until my use of Nordost power cords (the Brahma) confirmed it. Shunyata is still tops at the tonal quality without a CJ-type sound, and is, in fact, similar to Transparent Audio's line (I know the principals from Transparent and while they themselves did not say it, it was obvious, since I had their MM1 as well as the MM2 Ultra speaker cable, that Shunyata has the same complete tonal palette - but with better transients). I heard, years ago, that a dealer who sold Transparent could not also sell Shunyata. Given Transparent's political pull, I imagine dealers fell into line. A bit Machiavellian, since Transparent was MIT's original distributor, and then suddenly started their own line - with boxes very similar to MIT's!!
Back to the Shunyata: I found the original line to deliver musical inflections of heart-wrenching proportions. In other words, they did not fail to deliver the emotional, evocative reactions many of us have to a haunting song or composition. I wouldn't throw out a King Cobra V2 (circa 2003) in favor of a King Cobra CX just because the technology got better. Sometimes technology replaces "magic," that ineffable quality that makes us cry or choke up.
Jfrech's statement reflects my feelings.

That doesn't negate the fact that newer generations are 'cleaner' or 'more detailed', but music is, to me, not about having the 'cleanest' or 'most detailed' presentation - at least, not when I hear it live.

I understand where you're coming from though rather than 'cleaner' or 'more detailed' I would characterize the ZiTron line relative to prior Shunyata wires (including the signal cables) in terms of "reduced distortion".

Thanks for the interesting comments. Now, throw in the cost differentials and they become more so.