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
That's an interesting question, Gbmcleod. I have new interconnects just introduced to my system, so too many variables. I'm thinking that prior to adding the new interconnects cymbals might have been a bit soft-sounding, but until I get everything broken into the system, I'm not sure yet. I also have two other very good cords that I'll be substituting for the Python CX for comparison. Can you give us your impressions of the sound of percussion instruments in your system with the Python Cx?
Gbmcleod,

While I haven't done any a/b comparisions while focusing on percussion, I have noticed that "rim shots" and "skin attack" on drum kits can be very pronounced probably due to the cx's abilitity to bring out detailed microdynamics...which depending upon the recording, is either exciting or a bit much.
Gbmcleod,
What's your opinion of the sound of percussion with the Python CX in the system?
Hi!

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays :)

I have been experimenting with Quantum Qx4 lately, and experienced both advantages and disantvantages. Currently I run Nordost Thor and a Nordost Brahma into the wall using stock Burmester AC cords from the cd player and amp to the Thor. When testing out the Quantum, I borrowed a second Brahma. I connected it to the amp. The sound tightened up, but it got a little shear of edginess. So I think I need to use different power cords from my cd player and amp to the Thor.

I have been reccommended Shunyatas Python CX as AC cords. How do they compare to Nordost Brahma? I presume they can be used both on the integrated amp and the cd player.

The rest of my system is Burmester 051 amp, Burmester 061 cd player, Revox B77mk2 reel to reel, Wilson Sophia 2, Nodost Tyr interconnects and speakercables, etc.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Cheeers, ToffenG
Sherod:
I find the sound of percussion to be pretty dynamic on the CX series, but it depends on the preamp one has and whether or not it has considerable dynamics in the upper midrange. I had a King Cobra V2, which I re-bought last year (I missed it!) before I ever got the newer CX series cords. The CX is distinctly lower in noise, purer and "faster" without being "leaner" in sound. And the dynamics were superior on the newer CX series in the upper midrange.
I recently bought a Convergent preamp, but it's an earlier model (circa 1988) and the upper midrange of the Convergent from that area is lightweight in that area. I'd have to say from other equipment I've used that the dynamics in the upper midrange are good. A caveat here: my ASL Hurricanes have -- once again -- blown a resistor, and until they're repaired (next week), you need to take this with a grain of salt. I'd rather err on the side of caution here. It may be better than I've stated: the Hurricanes are extremely dynamic in all parts of the frequency spectrum, including the upper midrange. When I had my First Sound Deluxe Mk II preamp, and older models Shunyata (specifically, I used The King Cobra V2s on the amps, although Grant [Hi, Grant] expressed mild surprise I was using them on the amps [they were made for cd players and other front end equipment that had a harsh upper midrange, which the King Cobras "softened]), the dynamics, perhaps due to Nordosts' Quattro Fil interconnects, were quite good. Literally, the hair on my neck stood up, and, being Black, that's quite a feat! I remember, when I played Gaite Parisienne, which has considerable percussion, I never felt there was a lack of energy in that frequency. But again, I don't think the CAT is quite as dynamic there as the First Sound.
I will say that, when I, briefly, had the Parasound JC2 preamp, the dynamics were great, and I had the CX'es at that time. I quite like the CX Pythons. Someone on here (in another thread) asked me to take the Synergistic challenge -- so I did. I tried Synergistics' $2400 power cord. As I indicated in a different thread, in my system, the difference was slight, between the Synergistics cord and even the Shunyata CX Viper power cord. Maybe others have had different results, but those were mine. Frankly, I was pleased the difference was not a night and day thing.
I don't think one can go wrong with these at all, unless one is looking for a compensatory piece of equipment (warmer, richer, leaner or whatever) to fill in the gaps in other pieces of equipment.
I'll let you know how everything sounds when the 'Canes are repaired. Right now, they sound rather ordinary, and Hurricanes are NOT ordinary sounding. Ever. I can actually listen and be bored right now, where what SHOULD be happening is that I should be gripping the edge of the listening chair wondering if my woofers are going to blow. Oh, I've re-inserted the Hales Revelation 3s into the system, but I mainly used Usher 718s. NOT the BEs, I want to make clear, but the pre-beryllium/titanium garden variety tweeter.