Shunyata Delta or Alpha V2 NR vs. AQ Hurricane HC

@marks560 unrefined top end with the hurricane in the system? That would only be if your components are not on the level. The top end is sweet and warm, mids are luscious and bass is full and textured. I would call the overall sound plump and warm. There’s a slight midbass boost.

I had two hurricanes at one point - one on puritan psm156 conditioner feeding sources and another on the amp connected directly to the wall outlet. 
 

@lordmelton Same as with the Hurricane, it’s best on the amplifier. I’ll look into Dragon. 
 

@ozzy I’m listening to the Alpha V2 NR on my amp right now, plugged into the Furutech GTX-D NCF outlet. I hear more neutral and balanced presentation with more air, details and focus than I did with the Hurricane. It does sound slightly cooler than the Hurricane. Perhaps slightly leaner in the mids with a bit more clarity. I’m used to the plump midbass of the Hurricane and this us a drastic change. Each cable has pros and cons. Shunyata layers better front to back and throws wider stage. Hurricane is warmer and more bassy which can be interpreted as boomy like you saud. I need to listen more to determine what I actually prefer. 

Keep in mind I’m exaggerating here for the intents and purposes of highlighting key differences. 
 

That’s all I got for now. 
 

I did extensive back and forth between Delta and Alpha into my power conditioner and my DAC. Both vast improvement over my stock cords, but for SQ the Delta was the winner for my system. The Alpha was almost too much of a good thing and the music was a little to clear and lost some musicality. 

@w123ale NR or XC?

@audphile1 both. XC into the power conditioner and the NR into the DAC

@w123ale thanks! How long did you allow for break in? I know Shunyata states their KPIP process eliminates or shortens break in, but I’am not so sure about that claim.