Sam
>Can someone tell me how it compares to the Python Alpha VX or Python Helix VX? Or is there another PC you prefer for digital that is reasonably priced and why? <
Yep
but I dont want too.
OK
OK.. as youre a long time member Ill tell you what Ive found out for myself.
You have one of those answers already as you used the Python Alpha previously. The THVX has less grain than the PA.
The THVX also has less bass prominence and a not as wide SS, nor is it quite so forward with its presentation as the PAs.
Having tried the PHA & PHVX (briefly), the VX versions simply add greater quieting than do the Alphas. This comes at a cost in some folks minds. The leading edge of the notes are less gleaming, defined or merely appear less sharpened.
An alternative to the THVX might be any sort of cord designed expressly for noise reduction. There was some immense banter from the flavor of the month crew about the Lessloss pcs when they first came out and shortly thereafter came a different iteration and a price hike
or maybe it was just the price hike. that wave seems now gone back to sea once again.
The Python H & Hvx have none of the grain the former PA had. In fact I found the PHA almost as good a pc for digital as the VX iterations. It is far more refined and articulate. The distractive factor as you and I both have realized is the vast depth of its presentation
which can be accommodated by using other wires or different components.
I found also that if a few Taipan HAs are in use (and I suspect too the THVX) one Python H could well be used to great effect without making the presentation more remote & distant. Like as a supply cord for a PLC which feeds those other Taipans.. Adding a Python HA will bring more resolution & detail along with a broader and deeper stage. Images will become far more outlined & separated from one another, appearing less crowded than without the Python interaction. Adding a PHA will unveil the musical cues and bring you more pop & snap.
The Taipans bring the harmonics more to the party, the Python HA bring the flash & dash. Thats the thing about the Taipan Helix
with tubes they add a more robust harmonic color to the tones while still excelling at very good extension on both ends of the bandwidth. Its hard to reproduce what the Taipan HA add to the mix.
Put a Taipan Helix on that int of yours
plug them both into another Haley, and feed the Haley with a Python HA and you should be set. Even plug the Big screen into it too. The post above about the Python HA doing great good for video is true, and is so with the Taipan HA to a bit lesser degree of course.
Alternatively you could stick with the Airsine on the int and add a Python HA in the aforementioned config and do pretty well too. Without the PHA though I suspect the presentation will be to buttery smooth and the resolution and detail notifications will be a tad more diminished, but thats merely a presumption.
Id also recommend trying out using the THVX directly from an outlet as well or instead of going into the PLC directly. The Hvx DONT SEEM TO HAVE THAT ADJACENT CKT QUIETING AS DID THEIR FORMER SIBLINGS THOUGH AS I SUSPECT THE AMOUNT OF THOSE QUIETING BEADS INSIDE THE CORD ARE NOW FEWER.
Other cords for use with digital applications but maybe not expressly, and can be driven with or without a PLC.:
Elrod Sig II
Nirvana
JPS Digital
Voodoo Black Dragon
and any number of others IF theyre run off of a good enough PLC even THAs.
Good luck