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).
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).