My Sigma V2 NR demo finally arrived. Shunyata recommended I wait 150 hours to let the cord settle into my system after it’s long stint in the hands of USPS.
But immediately the Sigma NR showed the considerable flaws in my prior cords I was using (Clarus Crimson and AudioQuest Hurricane).
I now see the Hurricane as a decent cord for those who might want to tame an edgy or strident system. It obscures a lot of detail and has a slightly exaggerated rich sound. With the Sigma NR I hear far more detail in all bands. Most noticeably I can hear far more upper mid detail, treble is better resolved, and the bass. Lots of it, and Hurricane just sounds muddy and unresolved in comparison. The Sigma NR also has more of a heavy, punchy impact with rock music, along with the smooth, refined and detailed presentation across all bands. It is also totally pleasing with my system, despite the added detail.
This is not a fair comparison as the Sigma NR costs much more; I am simply noting the differences I hear from the cables I’d been using.
I’ll do my critical listening after a few days of breakin.
Another note is how unprecedented Shunyata is. While other vendors tell me to pound sand when I inquire about demo cords (The other vendor told me it is trade show season and they have none), Shunyata jumped through hoops to get a demo into my hands even though they didn’t have any. Also, they are specifically building me an Omega QR power cord even with my colour preference, without any commitment for me to buy anything. Of course I wouldn’t be asking them if I wasn’t sure I was going to buy a set of cords in this caliber range. This level of customer focus by Shunyata is refreshing! And yes, the Sigma NR cord at least is certainly a highly capable cord.