Has anyone tried the Shunyata Diamondback PC?

>Currently breaking-in 3 Shunyata power cords,

So you already bought them. I would have took two different cords for the same price $375, one more expensive than the other, more like $150 and $225, and trieng them in different locations, on amps, dacs, transports. Cords ACT differently in different places. But bringing "signature" character is common.

I have put my thoughts in the other thread.. played with Diamondback, Copperhead, Taipan Helix Alpha couple days ago.. I found Daimondback not very interesting cord, yes noise floor lowered a bit, bass got more punch.. but I found this very subtle, really not worthy, and instanty wanting to go one level up.

Interesting things happened with Copperhead, which widened the soundstage (kinda loose imaging, though) and gave base huge and most importantly NATURAL feeling slam. Thats was on DAC. Then I decided to bring back imaging, so Copperhead fit nicely on amp, maintaining wide soundstage, + SLAM. And then I brought back detailed precise imaging by putting my favorite DAC cable Kimber PK14 (ordinary, not GOLD version!). This way I felt the power cord loop was complete.

So my suggestions - always get at least two different power cords...so you be able to COMPARE, search for positions, and have more FUN.

I had the Diamondback in my system for over half a year. Things I found not to my liking:

1. The IEC connector doesn't fit snug in lots O' inlets.
2. It's way to stiff!

Ultimately, I noticed no difference between "it" or the stock pwr cords on my DAC and phono stage.

I have the Diamondback. I don't think it is materially better than what you can get for $10 at Radio Shack. I also agree that the IEC connection is looser than it should be.

Although somewhat more expensive, the Audio Arts Power 1 and/or Black Sand Violet Z1 are both real upgrades. Audio Arts is good if you are looking for a bit of warmth, Black Sand is good if you are looking for great dynamics.

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>>> have the Diamondback. I don't think it is materially better than what you can get for $10 at Radio Shack."<<<

You are welcome to your opinions about performance, applications, comparisons and suggestions, but your comment about material value is way out of line and grossly misinformed.

First of all, find another power cord that uses 12 gauge wire and has molded connectors. I'll save you the trouble, there are none and there is a reason for that. The molds had to be created from scratch to accommodate a 12 gauge conductor set. The cost to manufacture custom IEC and AC molds for production is between $15k-$20k--each. Do the math. Try amortizing those costs into low-priced power cords over time. There is a reason no one else custom manufactures molded connectors for cords at these prices and its not because they are cheap.

The connectors are gold plated over brass with crimped and soldered connections. The conductors are pure CDA copper and are shielded twice, once with a foil shield, another time with a tinned-copper braided shield. I am not sure which part of that you consider to be cheap radio-shack $10 construction?

The DiamondBacks, Venom and new Venom3 are all UL Listed. Care to guess what maintaining a UL listing costs a company? How many UL listed aftermarket power cords do you see out in the market? That may give you some idea on UL Listing's cost and its complexity to achieve.

The shielded power cords in our line are _extremely_ high cost, low margin products, meaning they cost a great deal to manufacture and maintain and do not represent any reasonable profit for our business. They exist almost solely to get our brand better known and into applications that may not otherwise consider aftermarket cords at higher prices. We pay a premium to make them high quality so that our reputation is maintained even at entry level prices.

>>>" I also agree that the IEC connection is looser than it should be. "<<<

The 15A IEC inlet connections on electronics vary so widely almost no two are alike--which is why we use a C-19 IEC on our power distributors. We chose the most common 15A IEC circumference for the DBack connector but certainly it will not fit the wide variety of different spec connectors the same way. No 15A IEC ever will. We get some complaints they are too loose--which can be worked around and some complaints they are too tight.

With the hundreds of different power cord models out there and the mix & match nature of power cords/conditioners in many systems its no surprise that preferences and recommendations vary so widely. That is expected. There are certainly many choices available, especially on the web.

I understand that. What I don't agree with is pot-shotting products material value with no idea what that cost might actually be. Like them or not, the DiamondBacks are precision made, high-cost items to manufacture. If you think differently, head out and try to copy its spec's and offer it at a better price. I am sure your experience will enlighten your opinion a bit.

Regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

Dear Grant of Shunyata Research,

It is very nice to have a manufacturer in the discussion.

I am from europe, and the Diamondback PC I have evaluated was without advertised IEC and AC custom molded connectors - I assume the molding machine at your company simple said not capable to produce SCHUKO europe type AC connectors? Cable was fitted with really low-grade SCHUKO (rubber type) and IEC connectors.

My second concern was about cable length, local dealer was left with only 1 m-type of Shunyata leftovers, and I was bit surprised to see that there is not price difference between 1 m and 2 m Power cords. When everyone around charges more for longer lenght and less for shorter, i found Shunyatas position interesting. I bet there is a reason for this.

mjordanas