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 3 responses by samuel



There is one recently on SoundStage (this month) and upcoming in TAS and SP.

Regards,

Grant
We do not have the info on the site yet but all of our dealers are aware of the change which is why Vance likely knows. I had posted this earlier but went back to edit and add content and lost the post. The web info is finished but has not been posted yet. Should be there next week.

We did have dealer and distributor feedback about the relative stiffness of the Viper and SideWinder models compared to our up-market CX cords. Based on feedback we opted to make a change. The new Black Mamba and Black Mamba HC (high-current) will go up slightly in price by $100, and $50 respectively over the SideWinder and Viper model cords.

The Black Mambas will have the appearance and flexibility of our other CX models. They are intended to form a system with the less expensive model on sources/pre's and the HC model intended for amps/distribution. Though either will function on any component they have an obvious cumulative effect when used together.

If anyone has follow up or specific questions they are free to contact us directly.

Regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research
>>>How is Shunyata's technology really different from Kimber's?<<<

Ray makes great signal cables and offers real-world pricing. Hat's off, they
are fantastic products. However, outside of the color coding in some of the
cables and the fact there is a braid in both, there is zero similarity between
the two designs. I am sure each can be distinguished simply by viewing the
posted information on the respective web's.

Everything from the copper's CDA numbers, the cryo process, the
electromagnet process and the hand braiding, even the numbers of
conductors are all explained in detail on the Shunyata web.

>>>"Five bucks and an ink-stained napkin will get you a U.S. Patent so
don't hand me that one"<<<

Really? The patent for that specific signal geometry, which _has to be_ hand
wound belongs to physicist Tierry Budge. Another physicist, Caelin Gabriel
thought enough of it to License the patent, so you have two physicists
involved in bringing that specific tech to market. Now, whether the product
designs themselves are good, bad or indifferent each can judge, but the Helix
patent is not some frivolous "I just made Ma a new hair-net"
patent. The science is explainable, the info is available and there were no ink-
stained napkins involved. Most people that think signal or audio design
patents are cheap and easy to get and protect haven't gone through the
multi-year process to get them.

Regards,

Grant
Shunyata