Shunyatas New CX series


I looked for the thread where someone inquired if anyone had heard the new Shunyata power cords, but it's gone. Hence, new thread.

In the last 3 weeks, I've purchased the Python CX and then again, I got a new baby -- Viper CX.
As I said in my other post, there's no distinction between Alpha and Helix lines. It's two (slap), two (slap) two cords in 1 (apologies to the old two-mints-in-one commercial).
As I also said before, I wasn't expecting to hear a noticeable difference. BUT. BUT. I did.
Already covered the lowering of grain so that a fine mist - or grain - in the soundfield, is gone. What was the Python.
Having had to endure the Viper CX that came in 10 minutes ago on an Arcam FMJ22 while awaiting the Antique Sound Labs Flora premap's arrival, I wasn't expecting much. Got it, though, and right off the bat. Now, you may say, well, it could sound "exciting" because it's cold. And in other circumstances, I might agree. But I've had every generation of Shunyatas and none, out of the box made me cock my head like a dog who hears something nobody else can hear.
Even on the Viper (and I prefer the more expensive cords because, lets face it, they put more into them), the dynamic jump was obvious, the grain lower and more fluid--just like the Python. Obviously, I'm not going to make up stories about how the soundfield expanded: it's 10 minutes old, dummy! Like I should know from that?!?!? Suffice it to say, for $700, it made me take noitce in a way that my older Python Helix Alpha and VX didn't themselves do, right out of the box. I use the lazy ear approach: pay zero attention and see if your attention is captured despite yourself. I'm not yet captured, but I'm sure snagged. I think Shunyata surpassed their old bugaboos: a slightly soft upper midrange and lower treble (those hits on triangles not only lacked punch, they lacked transient bite and, even more, shimmer). Can't tell about the shimmer now, but I'm taking the day off work. I'm snagged ENOUGH and that works for me. '
I'd recommend starting with a Viper, because I KNOW you'll hear it, and if you can hear it from the lower cords in the range, you can expect jumps from the higher ones. One Python and One Viper today: 2 more Pythons in a couple of weeks (there goes the summer vacation in Ibiza, but given the medical things happening, I'll just have to use my imagination when I'm listening to Chabrie that I'm in sunny Spain or on Ibiza. I think with these cords, I could fool myself [don't worry, I've have the fan on to simulate the breeze]).
Try these out guys. I'm using Ushers, and driven by ASL Hurricanes and the Cambridge Audio 840C with transparent interconnects/speaker cable. (yeah, yeah, stifle yourselves. I have Shunyata speaker cable and interconnects too, but this is what's in the system at the moment and I'm HIGHLY analytical. Never change a compoenent during a controlled experiment)

Oh, one more thing: the tonal quality of groups has improved in the new iteration of cords: brass are a LITTLE golden, strings silvery, and on Balalaika, I actually heard more of the body of the instrument, which is to say, instead of just strings, there's more texture, so it doesn't sound like it could just be a guitar. Quite a jump in the line's resolution, especially the low-level resolution...Maybe it's the midbass-to-lower midrange dynamics, which SEEM more powerful. OR maybe it's the fumes from that Rogaine I just put on my scalp ...
gbmcleod

Showing 4 responses by mb9061

I'm curious how much improvement there is to be had between the CX and the previous line, but with the price breaks on the now discontinued stuff it's hard to pass them up (Musicdirect has them for about $75 more than you can find them used on Agon). I basically recabled my entire system with brand new versions of their discontinued helix cords from Musicdirect.

One lesson I learned is the higher end cables may not always be better depending on equipment (though generally they are). The MHDT tube DAC I own sounds MUCH better with the Taipan Helix than it does with the Python Helix.
I've had their speaker cable (Andromeda Bi-wire, albeit with silver spades which ultimately were too bright) and I currently use their Altair RCA ICs. My system is all tube except the IMac computer feeding a Turbo-3 USB converter. You may have a point as far as tubes imparting more of a signature.

Most all my experience has been with the Taipan Helix and Python Helix (including one or two Vx helix cables here and there). I'd say the Python exhibits the same signature on the MHDT tube DAC as other equipment by giving you more of a 3d image and separation/punch. But the tubes do such a good job with midrange presence, particularly with vocals and drums, that using the Python helix on the DAC seems to rob some of that midrange. It's more of a tone control deal with these power cords anyways, but that's one reason why people use them to begin with I guess. My system's pretty revealing, as much now with tube gear as it was with a Benchmark DAC1 and a Musical Fidelity A5 2 channel, where I used the DAC1 as the preamp. Hated that setup though, the DAC1 was too bright...

My post wasn't a condemnation of the Python Helix, as it's my all around favorite and I'm using a 20amp version on a Hydra-2 before the DAC anyways, but for some odd reason the Taipan is better on this DAC. Proves the point though that when mixing/matching cables you occasionally stumble onto something that fits absolutely perfectly (even better when it's a lower priced cable in the model line).
It's cliche saying this...but mileage varies. I' wouldn't dump $50.00, let alone a few grand on something if I don't think it was worth while. I got a real good laugh over the thought of high priced USB cables with computer audio until I decided to demo one.

But...if you can't discern a worthwhile improvement, that's a plus considering the $ saved.
Digsmithd - You're saying there's a huge difference between the Hydra 2 and Hydra 4/6? I have both, can't really discern any huge benefit of the 6 over the 2 and my system is fairly resolving. The 2 works better in that I can isolate my amp/dac from my other components (using all helix Pythons and Taipans). I believe the 6 has silver buss bars in it, not sure of the hydra 2's makeup. One thing I've found, the hydra's silver topology can add a bit of brightness to a system as does anything silver in my opinion (at least with my experience), though others swear by silver.
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