Shunyatas New CX series


I looked for the thread where someone inquired if anyone had heard the new Shunyata power cords, but it's gone. Hence, new thread.

In the last 3 weeks, I've purchased the Python CX and then again, I got a new baby -- Viper CX.
As I said in my other post, there's no distinction between Alpha and Helix lines. It's two (slap), two (slap) two cords in 1 (apologies to the old two-mints-in-one commercial).
As I also said before, I wasn't expecting to hear a noticeable difference. BUT. BUT. I did.
Already covered the lowering of grain so that a fine mist - or grain - in the soundfield, is gone. What was the Python.
Having had to endure the Viper CX that came in 10 minutes ago on an Arcam FMJ22 while awaiting the Antique Sound Labs Flora premap's arrival, I wasn't expecting much. Got it, though, and right off the bat. Now, you may say, well, it could sound "exciting" because it's cold. And in other circumstances, I might agree. But I've had every generation of Shunyatas and none, out of the box made me cock my head like a dog who hears something nobody else can hear.
Even on the Viper (and I prefer the more expensive cords because, lets face it, they put more into them), the dynamic jump was obvious, the grain lower and more fluid--just like the Python. Obviously, I'm not going to make up stories about how the soundfield expanded: it's 10 minutes old, dummy! Like I should know from that?!?!? Suffice it to say, for $700, it made me take noitce in a way that my older Python Helix Alpha and VX didn't themselves do, right out of the box. I use the lazy ear approach: pay zero attention and see if your attention is captured despite yourself. I'm not yet captured, but I'm sure snagged. I think Shunyata surpassed their old bugaboos: a slightly soft upper midrange and lower treble (those hits on triangles not only lacked punch, they lacked transient bite and, even more, shimmer). Can't tell about the shimmer now, but I'm taking the day off work. I'm snagged ENOUGH and that works for me. '
I'd recommend starting with a Viper, because I KNOW you'll hear it, and if you can hear it from the lower cords in the range, you can expect jumps from the higher ones. One Python and One Viper today: 2 more Pythons in a couple of weeks (there goes the summer vacation in Ibiza, but given the medical things happening, I'll just have to use my imagination when I'm listening to Chabrie that I'm in sunny Spain or on Ibiza. I think with these cords, I could fool myself [don't worry, I've have the fan on to simulate the breeze]).
Try these out guys. I'm using Ushers, and driven by ASL Hurricanes and the Cambridge Audio 840C with transparent interconnects/speaker cable. (yeah, yeah, stifle yourselves. I have Shunyata speaker cable and interconnects too, but this is what's in the system at the moment and I'm HIGHLY analytical. Never change a compoenent during a controlled experiment)

Oh, one more thing: the tonal quality of groups has improved in the new iteration of cords: brass are a LITTLE golden, strings silvery, and on Balalaika, I actually heard more of the body of the instrument, which is to say, instead of just strings, there's more texture, so it doesn't sound like it could just be a guitar. Quite a jump in the line's resolution, especially the low-level resolution...Maybe it's the midbass-to-lower midrange dynamics, which SEEM more powerful. OR maybe it's the fumes from that Rogaine I just put on my scalp ...
gbmcleod
Anyone have experience to compare the CX lines, like Python, to another raved stars "Lessloss original & Signature"? Thanks much!
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.
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.
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!).
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.