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
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:
Thank you Sherod, the remarkable thing about King Cobra CX is that it seems to yield a touch of 'romantic' spirit but without any of the overt euphony, imprecisions, glossing over, or bloat often associated with the word. . . . it feels like having the cake and eating it too. . . call it 'romantic neutrality'. . . or 'neutral romanticism'? Furthermore, the transparency, staging, imaging and dynamics of this cord is IMO well above the performance of the Anaconda Helix Alpha. . . . very likeable creature the King Cobra is, really! . . . Am I becoming perhaps an ophidiophile? (grins!) G.
I'd love to hear from anyone whose heard the brand new Black Mambo CX and HN. I wonder if Shunyata had trouble selling the "stiff" Viper CX's and Sidewinder CX's... because they're being discontinued in favor of the Black Mambo series.
Grant,

Thanks for the response...honest as always. It's why I keep returning to Shunyata. BTW, the stiffness issue was a deal breaker for me because of my rack and its arrangment. So, I'm glad to hear of the change. I'm still perplexed that we haven't see any substantial reviews of the CX line...it's certainly a leap forward.


There is one recently on SoundStage (this month) and upcoming in TAS and SP.

Regards,

Grant