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
How is Shunyata's technology really different from Kimber's? Five bucks and an ink-stained napkin will get you a U.S. Patent so don't hand me that one.

Shunyata's technology looks awesome but it seems awfully similar to Kimber's.

Anyone compare the two?
>>>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
As a scientist, I clearly appreciate Shunyata's technology. Quite frankly, they appear to have advanced Kimber's concepts beyond the $5.00 napkin stage.
I think I might want to audition them as well as Kimber's new 6000 series SC.
Truthfully, Shunyata's website is a paragon of clarity.
I suspect their cables may contend comparably.
Holy chit man, I just got my new Shunyata Anaconda CX power cord, damn.

I was going to order the Python CX, however they were out of stock due to high demand and have a long backorders. The Python CX is the sweet spot in the new Shunyata lineup. I was offered the Anaconda CX as a substitute for the Python CX, for a reasonable price difference. So I jumped on it.

Compared to my long time reference cable, Neotech with pure OFCC connectors, which BTW, has stood the test of time against Nordost (non- Valhalla), HMS Reference, Silent Wire AC32, Harmonix Reference, Pangea (9 and 14), Hi-Def Audio custom Neotech NEP 3200 with Oyaide P-079 connectors. Both Neotechs had sounded the best on my system compared to everything else. The OEM Neotech I have is the one I keep in use everyday and have compared to the rest. You would not think much of the Neotech OEM; it does not look like much except for the thick black cable and very robust IEC connectors. The Hi-Def Audio Neotech cables sound almost as good, have a colored sheath, and have a more pronounced bass. The Shunyata Anaconda CX is even balanced and provides me with a soundstage that is very expansive. The subtle shades from cymbals, strings, and brass have more bite, not etched, but more of a natural tone. Voices just seem to float from a silent background with an uncanny realism. Surpisingly, the Anaconda CX is very flexible, more so than the Hi-Def Audio. I can feel a what seems like a 1" rubber covering inside the Anaconda CX cable and bending it is real easy, no real connection strain concerns.

Hey, I am not going to say these are the cables to beat for anyone else, because my system is totally modded to suit me, so, these are my evaluation notes for my system. I guess you could say these cables have allowed the tones I have heard previously to be more polished. I don't recall the Gypsy Kings sounding so much in the room and as alive as I have now with the Anaconda CX. These power cables have only 8 hours on them and that is what I am reporting, no etch, no boom, no pronounced frequency, just pure musical bliss. That is all I can say. The new Anaconda CX really gets out of the way of the music. Expect a full review from me later on.

Having run the gamut of power cables at different price points, I would like to add that price is not always a determinant to reach musical bliss. Hence, my OEM Neotech cables which have been my reference for years were not at a price point of any of the higher end name brand power cords I have tried, but priced higher than the Pangeas.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life
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