I have nothing but the highest respect for Shunyata's power snakes. My Thiel CS3.7's have made it possible to hear all of their wonderful iterations with amazing clarity. A number of us who use them have remarked, however, that like the Thiels, the CX line does have a character and the word "articulate" comes to mind. My conrad-johnson is fairly new and not entirely broken in, so maybe I'll put a CX back on at some point |
Vhiner,
It's interesting that the Python CX sounded bright on your preamp as it also initially sounded bright on mine as well, but I left it on the preamp and after running it 24/7 for a week there, the brightness subsided and more of a neutral tonal balance came through. I've not yet tried it on any other components because I wanted it to fully acclimate with my preamp to give me a firm conclusion of its sound. I might take it out this weekend and put back in the previous cord for a few hours of listening. I'm convinced, though, that this new CX version is indeed better than its previous versions, although I never did have the last Alpha version for evaluation, but I did have the Tiapan Alpha for a short while. |
Sherod,
I have the Python CX on my DAC after trying it on my conrad-johnon CT5 tube preamp and my transport. In my system, the CX mated best with the DAC and transport. I have another Python CX running from my Hydra 8 version II and it was a marked improvement over the Python Alpha Helix I had. So far, my conrad-johnson seems to like the PS Audio Statement cable the best...the Shunyata cables (I tried Taipan Helix's as well as the CX) just make things to etched and bright on the preamp but do wonders for the digital. I have no idea why. A friend of mine in Miami, who is also a Shunyata fan, has noticed that the new CX line does not match well with everything in his system...but he loves them on his V-Ray. FWIW. |
It's only been a couple of weeks, but I'm liking the Python CX very much on my tube preamp. I haven't tried it anywhere else because it sounds so great on the preamp. Hmmmm, maybe I'll just leave it there for awhile. (o: |
Well, rather than debate about getting a new Sidewinder Cx or Viper Cx, I just made a deal on a mint, used Python CX. I can't wait to try it on various components. Hopefully it will synergize somewhere and I'll be a happy camper. Thanks, Gbmcleod, for your personal usage information. |
Sherod, what you'll get is likely the performance of a Python, just less of it. That's what I find most in Shunyata: same abilities, just in a lesser degree as one goes down the line. You might want to go for a Viper, though. I wasn't let down when switching between the Viper and the Python, although I certainly HEAR the differences. But the Viper sounds more "propulsive," which isn't a trait that should be ascribed to equipment, only music. Nonetheless, it's like the whip-crack of a lion tamer's whip at a circus when he's in the cage with the lions. No edginess, just more....direct. Can't explain it. Maybe it's like watching a performance on tv and seeing the same performance live. All the elements are the same, but one has more "energy" (hopefully, the live performance!). |
Has anyone tried out the new Sidewinder CX model? I'm looking for a good cord for my tuner. Hey! Don't laugh. My tuner is one of my most used sources. I'm currently using an older Acoustic Zen Tsunami with a Wattgate 330i male plug( much better than the stock Hubbell plug). Anyway, the AZ Tsunami and new Shunyata Sidewinder CX are priced the same so this would be a good comparison for those on a budget for source components. The Tsunami is 11 gauge while the Sidewinder CX is 12 gauge. Both are more than adequate for lower power drawing sources, IMHO. |
I recently a/b'd an Anaconda Alpha Helix and a Python CX hooked up to a friend's V-Ray. The Python CX won, hands down. The Python CX had all the clarity and microdynamics the Anaconda is known for but was far more musical and less shrill. There was something else that I'm going to conceed will make skeptics roll their eyes, so don't bother flaming me about it. The CX has this "bringing everything together" quality that I associate with all of their conditioners. It's hard to describe, but the music seems more "of a piece" when it is in place. Just my two cents. |
Anyone have experience to compare the CX lines, like Python, to another raved stars "Lessloss original & Signature"? Thanks much! |
I think my post said that i didnt believe it added brightness to my system...Nor did it take anything(slam,dynamics)away.Same as pluging straight into wall(amp),The little 4 is a bargain at the prices on a gone. |
Hi Antonkk, I am considering buying the newest Hydra 8v2. Have you auditioned this model? I asked Grant how close in performance the Hydra 6 got to the Hydra 8V2 & he said it provides 65-70% of the performance of the Hydra 6 with no dynamic loss at all. He also noted "The bigger and more complex the systems, the greater benefit from the Hydra 8 v2 vs the 6", so the 8v2 should comfortably surpass the 6 by all account. Also, I was reflecting on the massive cda-101 bus bars the 8 uses, that's got to be good for conductivity.
And picking up on Digsmithd's comment about the Hydra 4/6's silver components adding brightness, the Hydra 8's solid cda-101 copper bus bars replace most of that silver (and one would expect) any perceived brightness.. |
I bought the 2 Pythons CX. By far the best cords I ever heard. Great air, sounstage and dynamics. Wasn't too impressed with Hydra though. It added some refinement sure but took away some slam and speed, just like every other filter that I heard. |
Yes it was a fairly big differance,I am pluging amp and cd into the hyra 4 as i did with the 2.Using sim gear,i feel its resolving enough..it sounds sweeter in the high end, not bright to me(using adagios).Python on cd,and tiapans rest of system.To my ears it really was the icing i needed.4 also same layout(silver buss bars).For amps 2 is the ticket ive heard. |
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. |
Juan, thank you!
It did help having with several pairs of speakers and turntables at my disposal as well, but I didn't think to mention it at the time. You know how excited we get when we get something that energizes our connection with the music. |
If your next move is to conditioner,skip the guardian level and go to hydra 4 or 6.I thought how much better can 4 be than the hydra 2 and was glued to my seat with changes.Better overall timber of instruments,everything was just right for lack of better description,for the money on audiogon cant go wrong,imho. |
I'm impressed you are able to discern sonic differences so easily with a Cambridge 840 CDP in the Mix: |
Antonkk:
The Python is richer sounding than the Viper, without the Viper ever sounding "lean" in the way say, a Nordost Brahma, might. I haven't switched them in applications, but I can say that I am in no way feeling that the Vipers are cords that have me feeling I should have gotten Pythons instead. Still, having said that, I might prefer a Python on a CD player or preamp. 'Course, if one is rich enough, one might just go to Anaconda CX. Or King Cobra.
My experience is that the newer cords, during sudden explosions which follow with a death drop into sudden silence, let you hear into the room very easily. They sound...continuous in the same way that Hurricane amplifiers do. I had a King Cobra V2, which I compared to the Python CX. The KC's upper midrange and trebles are softer, to my ears, than the newer cables, which sound neither too sharp, nor too recessed. One could buy Vipers and be happy. Someone suggested I try Synergistic Research and so....I did. I have to say, comparing a $2400 cord against a $700 cord made me nervous: what was I going to do if I like the $2400 cord better?? I'm not going to say there was a huge difference, sonically. I'm not going to say the Viper was better. What I AM going to say is that I could not, with my system, hear much difference between the two at all. And MAN, was I glad about that! I also had the odd experience of putting the Synergistic between the wall and a PS Audio Ultimate Outlet last night, with the Viper plugged into the UO (you know, the put-the-best-cord-into-the-wall theorem). The three did not like each other, I can tell you THAT!! The sound got glassy, and opaque. So, I then plugged the Viper back directly into the wall, and I could hear into the silences again, glassiness gone, just liquid silence. Today, I plugged the Viper from the amp into the UO, and the other Viper from the UO into the wall. Quite a difference. A good one. In fact, there was less grain in the soundfield. Not a comment on Synergistic at all: it sounds great. It's just that, for 3 1/2 times the cost of the Viper, I was hoping for an Epiphany, I didn't get it. Now I'm wondering what the Guardian does for the sound!
And I got more Dark Elevators from when I first bought them a year ago. Interestingly enough, when I first put four of them into the system (I was cheap, I only go the 4-pack), I couldn't hear much difference with the ceramic elevators under one speaker cable and the Darkies under the other. After putting the other 4 Darkies under the other speaker, I heard a noticeable difference: the soundfiel was "darker" in the sense of a bas relief. Instruments were easily more 3-D as they separated themselves from each other and the air around them, and also, seemingly, even less grain (which goes along with lower noise, not in the freeze-dried vaccum sense, but in the living-silences sense). These things are quite a bargain, I now think (I didn't before think that: I couldn't hear the difference with only 4 of them under the cables. My advice: if you get them, get the 12-pack) and I'm pleased to say they're worth the money. They don't LOOK like they'd do much, but they do.
I think I must now hear the King Cobra, if only for comparison's sake. I loved the V2s (never had the V1s). They had SLAAMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm delighted that I don't have to spend a fortune to get excellent results. That's the bottom line.
The CX line in and of itself is a grand slam for Shunyata. To keep the costs the same as the old line and improve as much as they did (especially in the upper midrange and treble) bespeaks an extremely fair upgrade for almost no increase in cost. Now, THAT'S value. |
To me, this CX versus Anaconda Helix conundrum is huge. Why spend $900 on a used Anaconda Helix when the entry level CX cord bests it? I hope somebody does a comparison and posts the results. |
Let me ask a very loaded question. How does new python CX compare with old anaconda alpha helix. |
How do new Python and Viper compare? |
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. |
I don't have any idea how new cx sounds like but I can tell that I have taken my 20 amp Shunyata Anaconda out(Audio Research Ref 3) and put its black stock cord back. What happened? Nothing! Still sounding perfect! Anybody who is up to buy clearance Shunyata cords has to think twice!
Synergistic Research Tesla challenge?
No Thank you! I have SR Tesla 3 UHC 20 amp. I sometimes use it with Krell Evo 402. You may think both Krell and SR would work well together in theory, in practice Not.
I have never seen such a limiting cable like SR Tesla 3 UHC. It is funny because this cable sold and marketed for UHC capabilities. In reality, even my PAD Ann. 20 amp cord works at least 2.5 times better than SR.
I use modified stock cords together with Krell and ARC gear during these days and it seems they work more than adequate! |
Sherod:
I have a few hundred hours on the Shunyatas now.
Sonically, a very significant improvement over the Helix, which, without comparing them, one would not notice the great improvement in airiness. I was rather startled by the transients in the Mercury CD, The Rites of Spring. I've always had power cords by Shunyata, but had never heard the resonance of the strings on the bow of the violin.
This is an excellent upgrade, and one you will hear nearly immediately. Not 10 hour, not 100 hours. Immediately....well, give it 30 minutes to warm up. Double bass, which I heard just 30 minutes ago, have more wood. I think the midbass has improved significantly, as well as the upper midrange, both of which will cause any component to improve.
Try it: you'll LOVE it!!! |
Gbmcleod,
The SR 'Tesla Challenge' program allows you to audition any SR cables (or other SR products) for only the cost of shipping to and fro from an authorized SR dealer. If you can get a Shunyata dealer to do the same, let the games begin! I sincerely believe that you will be amazed at the Teslas.
I have a great SR dealer - email me if you are interested in trying the SR cables.
Best,
Dave |
I have not tried the Teslas, DL. What is your experience with the Tesla vs. the CX line? Without access to both cords, it would be hard to determine one being superior to the other.... |
Gbmcleod - have you tried the Synergistic Research Tesla power cords? You might want to "Take the Tesla Challenge"... |
I am curious how the Python CX will compare to an Anaconda Helix Alpha? The used market price on the Anaconda is very tempting right now. |
A while back i switched out all to the helix line,Taipan and Python.20 amp on hydra,python cd, taipan on amp.At first i wasnt impressed and thought what a waste of money.I talked to grant and he said put your python on your amp for a half an hour.Did so and switched around and lo and behold wow.The differance was remarkable,like you said separation and punch,3d imaging.He claimed that the python has more noise reduction than the taipan and he would be really surprised if i went with python on amp taipan on cd.Grant is always really helpfull,quite impressed with shunyata,There products never seem to let me down. |
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). |
Sherod:
One thing I need to correct is what I said about brass: I meant to say they are a LITTLE more golden, not "a LITTLE golden." Misspoke there.
And, MB, I think the jump in performance is obvious, but will be more so the more transparent the other equipment is. Some of my equipment is not the most transparent. At the moment, I'm using an Arcam FMJ22 integrated, hardly the last word in transparency. I think the more the equipment imposes itself on the signal, the less likely one will hear the improvement. I used to have a Versa Dynamics 2.3 turntable, but it was sold to me by a dealer who did not know how to set it up optimally. 2 years later, after I wrote a letter in TAS, the manufacturer and I had a talk and he claimed I "slammed" his turntable. I pointed out that I had said that it could be that mine was broken, because it didn't sound like what HP described. I sent it back, and Lo and Behold! It WAS broken. He fixed it, and returned it and I put in a Benz Micro MC3 cartridge (this was around 1992) and a friend came over and said, "THIS IS THE BENZ?!?!?!?! GOOD GOD, it sounds completely different." I said, "Yeah, not what it sounded like before at all, is it???" If our equipment has a major sonic signature, forget hearing the better component. This is one reason HP liked Nordost so much: although it turned out to be a lean-sounding component, it was wildly transparent and altered the signal almost not at all (except in tonal richness) and HP was able to hear the other equipment more easily through it.
The Taipan Helix and The Python Helix have different -- to me -- sounds. The Python has more colors of the rainbow. If your tube DAC is already saturated, as tubes can be (not a criticism: I have always owned tubes), then the Python may show you something you think is the Python's coloration, but may actually be your tube DAC's coloration, whereas the less saturated Taipan will make it sound more "neutral." It's not my experience that Taipan trumps Python at all, but I could see where system matching makes it seem that way.
I'm pretty confident the CX line has resolved the split between the VX and the Helix lines. The VX was always used on digital, and the sonic signature of most digital was "hard" sounding, but I think the VX softened the sound -- at least that's what I heard in the two generations of VX cabling (Python and then Python Helix). There's no question that triangles and the Balalaika have more "bite" without sounding hard. I'm a big fan of Shunyata -- always have been, but I've tried (as in owned) several of the other major lines top-of-the-line cables: Norddost (all the Valhallas), Transparent (the Reference, NOT the mind-bogglingly expensive Opus), MIT (around 1996, not the current, which I'm sure is dazzling, too. I just can't stomach some of the prices.) I never quite felt Nordost had all the meat on the bones -- like the difference between Kate Moss and Heidi Klum, but it was hella transparent. I prefer more meat (tonal color), the way it is in real life. Shunyta is more akin to the MIT line,which, when you heard trumpets, if you knew what they sounded like in real life, you went "Yes! That's exactly the right sound." I like Transparent's MM2 line a lot. Not exactly chopped liver. I wish everyone the best, but power cord-wise, I'll take Shunyata, as I have since 2003. I haven't heard the speaker cable, although I DID have Andromeda and I have to say, it had POWER to spare. If the new line has the same power, it's going to be a top player. |
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. |
Thanks for your review. I'm glad that you are liking these new Shunyata VX cords. I started with the original Taipan and liked it very much on my ss preamp. I sold it eventually to upgrade to the Taipan Alpha version and wasn't very impressed. I then decided to change out electronic components and tried other power cord lines. Because of my lack of enthusiasm for the Alpha version, I hesitated in trying out the Helix when it came out. Now that you've shared your great enthusiasm for the new CX version, I might just give Shunyata another try. I'd appreciate hearing your impressions of these cords after a few hundred hours of further conditioning in your system. |
