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Shunyata taipan or Python, for BAT?

Hello all,

Who would have thunk it. Power cords do make a difference? Well, there's no mistaking it. They do. Geeez!
I'm looking for a PC to add to my vk500, Sony SCD xa 777, primarily. ...perhaps the VK5i too. With such a great influence of Shunyata power cords present here I thought to inquire as to 'which' cord for what will give the best bang for the buck, and/or just the best fit. Regardless... in the shunyata line, that is...

Having just tried/trying the following:
Kimber PK10 (preamp) - VERY GOOD
JPS Dig AC - (CD) not bad, at this price, pretty good, but a tad restrictive in attack and decay.
PAD Venusta - (CD & pre)fair only due to price.. but good sounding, simply not what I want in this price range, eSpecially.
Audience - (CD & pre) a nice cord. though a bit lacking overall but given the price, a better value than the PAD WHICH COSTS TWICE AS MUCH. wORKED BETTER ON THE cd THAN THE PREAMP..

I've recently been told a good fit would be this way:
VX on the CD, either Taipan or Python. Alpha on the vk500, either Taipan or Python again. Oddly enough a far leser model on the VK5i, like a Copperhead or Diamondback...

Sounded a bit odd given the threads here regailing such lofty additions of high end PC's to the preamps in so many other systems...

... so what for what, sportsfans? Is the additional price of Python over Taipan equate to better overall? or just where is the P.O.D.R.? (point of diminishing returns)....

I really appreciate the help... thanks a lot.
blindjim
simon74
216 posts
 
Hi there,
Rello, I wondered if you went from a Taipan Alpha or an old model Taipan to the Python Alpha ?- I agree fully with your description but find the Taipan Alpha an altogether better cord than the original Taipan.
I use a Taipan Vx (on cd player)at the moment and prefer this to the original Python but it is not universal and imo only works on digital. The old Python gave great results on most components.
I will get around to the newer Pythons yet, no doubt.
Si
rello
311 posts
 
I switched from a Taipan Alpha to a Python Alpha
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
just for closure... I wound up with two gold Dragons III on the amp itself. Also got an Erod sig 3 to run them via a UPC 200 or Duet. since then I've found the Elrod best suited to use on the vk5i preamp, either as supply for the Taipan helix Alpha & Duet, or just at the preamp itself with the taipan helix Alpha as the supply.

in fact having tried both previous Taipans, and now the Helix's.... I have to say the Taipan helix Alpha, is one of, if not THE fav of my PCs. it introduces such a sweetness to the timber of the music that I find a place for it always... or until I find a beter one. it's quite the cord.

The Elrod Sig 3 doesn't seem to ADD weight in my rig. Rather it firms up the tonal elements. tighter. More distinct. In fact at firstt I thought I had compromised the bottom end by some fair margin. it simply got put on a diet. Same extension, just more well resolved and seemingly, less prominent.

the Elrod is on the pre now as I've a tesla 2 on the UPC200 supplying both Golds on the BAT vk500 amp. this combo seems best for tonality, SS layering, and resolution which picked up significantly with the addition of the Tesla 2. significantly.
nolitan
865 posts
 
Although this is a bit off topic.
Without breaking your bank on Hi end powercords, try putting a Symposium Rollerblock series under your Sony SCD player. It made a huge difference in my friend's player.
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
Nolitan thanks... I've done something along that line by using the herbie's 'iso cups' w/ebony balls. They sure did a bundch for the sonics, all by themselves, including driving me nuts trying to figure out just where to place them... Geeesh.

I've heard much about the Symp stuff and know it's another form of iso that likely yields different sonics... I'm thinking to add a Neuance platform (which I'm way behind schedule on doing), but after I make a rack worth putting it all onto, I'll reconsider them.

The rack decision is being held up as is the Neuance item for logistical reasons. I'm on the fence about moving the gear into the same room as the loudspeakers... it isn't right now. I use an infa red repeater to adjust the vol and change tracks/stations. That's gonna be a major move as I'd need move the dedicated ckts too... and I myself might have to move this year. Consequently, the big moves are on hold.

I'll surely keep the roller blocks in mind, however. I liked the Herbie's iso cups influence so much that I got a second set for the preamp. $60 is a far cry from $300 - $400 though, and have been the best overall performer in terms of iso-ing I've yet tried. Thanks.
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