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
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.
Toffeng:
Sorry, I forgot to answer your question.
I had Brahmas as well. They're also very dynamic, but -- from memory -- I'd say the Python is superior. I'd have to have them at the same time to be certain, to be fair, but that's my memory of them.
Hi!

Thanks :) I will test out two Pyhton CX for the amp and cd player, and keep the Brahma for the time beeing between the Thor and the wall. Brahma all the way will be too "bright".

Cheeers, ToffenG
I have been a fan of Shunyata PCs for a few years, and have owned Anaconda Helix Alpha and VX. I have recently tried the Shunyata King Cobra CX to my Rowland 312 power amplifier with excellent results. King Cobra CX appears to share the general character of graceful neutrality of the older Anaconda Helix Alpha, but is not affected by the Helix series slight propension to dampening micro and macro transients. On the contrary, KC has added authority to the system, while making micro transients more filigreed and delicious. The wire is as 'fluid' as the Helix series, but is more transparent and yields greater ambient cues than helix. King Cobra PC in my system appears to be very extended from top to bottom with superior harmonic exposure throughout the frequency range, and extremely high ability to retrieve ambient cues. . . which means that it is very synergistic with 312's creation of a large and very transparent tri-dimensional stage with well defined instrument images. It is perhaps the PCs I have tried this far with the most balanced ability of yielding treble information that is highly extended, structurally pertinent, and musically involving. The bass is rather deep and tuneful, but also quick and nimble. What is even more interesting is that while King Cobra has a large gage that in theory should make it ideal for high current applications only, such as a power amplifier, the wire appears to be a complete generalist: I have applied it successfully to my X-01 limited CD player , to the GamuT CD3 player, and to the Furutech ETP-309 power distributor with consistently desirable results. Only the JRDG criterion preamplifier appears to be somewhat immune to any PC changes, including KC. The eventual insertion of a total of 4 King Cobras into the system has had a result that has been incrementally positive. My analysis is ongoing, but this far I have not found a single position in the system or a musical genre that is at odds with Shunyata King Cobra CX.

Please note however, that if you were looking for a wire that added artificial treble 'sparkle' to a system, or that yield a euphonic midrange, or a slightly turgid bass. or which creates that over-emphatic fizzy PRAT. . you should look elsewhere.

KC is not even faintly etched and dry. Rather, it certainly is a powerful sounding wire, its extreme grace falls solidly on the neutral side of romantic, and I have not observed KC reinforcing any particular frequency range in my system.

At this point, the King Cobra CX appears to be consistent with my own sonic and musical preferences.

One last observation, like with most power cords, KC requires a good amount of break-in to give its best. . . it seems to stabilize in approximately 300 hours of music making.
Guido,
Thanks for your thoughts on the new King Cobra CX. I currently have the Python CX and based on my experience with the previous versions of the Pythons, the new CX is a leap forward in better performance. You also hit it on the nose with the use of "romantic" in describing the sound. Apparently this romance is a signature of the new CX series. The Python CX, with a 9 gauge total conductor size, performs well on source components. I currently have it alternating on my preamp with other cords I'm experimenting with. Enjoy your new Shunyata cords. (o: