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
It's only been a couple of weeks, but I'm liking the Python CX very much on my tube preamp. I haven't tried it anywhere else because it sounds so great on the preamp. Hmmmm, maybe I'll just leave it there for awhile. (o:
Sherod,

I have the Python CX on my DAC after trying it on my conrad-johnon CT5 tube preamp and my transport. In my system, the CX mated best with the DAC and transport. I have another Python CX running from my Hydra 8 version II and it was a marked improvement over the Python Alpha Helix I had. So far, my conrad-johnson seems to like the PS Audio Statement cable the best...the Shunyata cables (I tried Taipan Helix's as well as the CX) just make things to etched and bright on the preamp but do wonders for the digital. I have no idea why. A friend of mine in Miami, who is also a Shunyata fan, has noticed that the new CX line does not match well with everything in his system...but he loves them on his V-Ray. FWIW.
Vhiner,
It's interesting that the Python CX sounded bright on your preamp as it also initially sounded bright on mine as well, but I left it on the preamp and after running it 24/7 for a week there, the brightness subsided and more of a neutral tonal balance came through. I've not yet tried it on any other components because I wanted it to fully acclimate with my preamp to give me a firm conclusion of its sound. I might take it out this weekend and put back in the previous cord for a few hours of listening. I'm convinced, though, that this new CX version is indeed better than its previous versions, although I never did have the last Alpha version for evaluation, but I did have the Tiapan Alpha for a short while.
I have nothing but the highest respect for Shunyata's power snakes. My Thiel CS3.7's have made it possible to hear all of their wonderful iterations with amazing clarity. A number of us who use them have remarked, however, that like the Thiels, the CX line does have a character and the word "articulate" comes to mind. My conrad-johnson is fairly new and not entirely broken in, so maybe I'll put a CX back on at some point
Vhiner,
I'm suspecting that although these new CX series seem to sound half-way decent upon first listen, they still require some time to smooth out. The first two weeks with mine was a tad too 'articulate", as you mentioned. I came close to taking it off the preamp a few days ago and trying it on the amp, but I hung tight and toughed it out some more and was soon rewarded for my patience. Going into my 3rd week with my Python CX it has continued to smooth out with a more refined, neutral character with a more natural articulation of notes. Female voices, especially, are very mesmerizing and enjoyable when listening with this cord. I'm also guessing that had I started the Python CX on my amp, the extra current would have helped expedite the break-in. Since the preamp is a lower current drawing component, the Python CX, with its large 9 gauge conductors, might take a month or so to fully flesh out. We'll see. One aspect I have also noted is that the soundstage with this new Python is HUGE! happy listening. (o: