Shunyata ztron power vs cx cables...


Hi, I have a few Shunyata CX powercords (anaconda cx and king cobra cx). Has anyone done a detailed comparison? What are your thoughts as to the differences?

I did just replace my Hydra vray II with a Hydra Triton, and that was a nice improvement, in clarity, naturalness, ease and dynamics. It was one of those upgrades that once it goes in...wasn't even worth going back to compare...

Thanks in advance
jfrech
hahaha you're right! Those are not cables easy to compare. I must say that I don't have any zitron IC cables in my system... yet. I'm currently using a mix of Audience AU24e and Acoustic Zen Absolute interconnects. They are great but I'm wondering if the zitron could not elevate the performance to another level. Before verifying this, I need to complete the break-in of the speaker and AC cables. I also need to get a few more pay checks as well LOL
Allow me to jump in, if I may here guys and add to the fun. Vhiner and I know each other very well. We've discussed the cables for some time and collaborate quite a bit.

I have King Cobra and Anaconda CX AC cables throughout and all Anaconda ZTron signal/speaker cables along with the Python XLR digital cable. Both Vhiner and I have the same digital front end.

My Anaconda ZTron signal/speaker cables now have well over 800 hrs on them. They sound magnificent in all reference aspects and are easily the finest signal cables I have yet heard in my system and I have had many over the 40+ years in this crazy hobby.

You will find they take a minimum (MINIMUM) of 500 hrs to get to about 95% of their final settle in. Vhiner and I both know at least one other fellow Shunyata user who has stated that Shunyata can take up to 1,000 hrs to be finally fully settled in. By the way my Anaconda ZTron's have sounded past the 500 hr mark I have no doubt he is correct. As they have aged they become sweeter, if you will, and more refined in a micro sense. Up to the 500 hr region you will find they will drive you nuts closing in, muffling, then opening up for a very short time giving you hints of their greatness, then muffling/closing back in, etc., until they finally settle. When they do, Robert Harley was right on with his TAS review - they are SOTA in sound. Yes, others may have strenghts here or there, but as others I have seen in this thread have heard during their break in process, they begin to hear pieces of what they truly can possess. They are, in a word, magical, in your system once they settle.

The main difference, besides a slight difference in wire gauge for the Anaconda ZTron signal cables vs. the Python, is they Anaconda does not have a second, typical shield around them. Yes, they have the ZTron circuit shield which is not a normal grounded at one end shield, only. According to Shunyata, that makes them more open on the top end and extended. However, supposedly, it makes them somewhat more environment dependent due to the fact they could pick up external noise. So far, in my system, I have not heard any sort of noise, hum, RFI, EFI or any other artifact entering my system through these cables. They are dead quiet and possess the lowest noise floor of any cable I have ever used, period (once they are fully broken in). Their "startle factor", speed, dynamic expression, pacing, etc. are exquisite, sounding so naturally alive and real, it is uncanny.

The point Vhiner makes, and I want to concur is that you have to be patient. VERY patient. Your patience and virtue will be well rewarded once they are all settled in.

Like Vhiner, I have no idea nor explanation why they Ztron cables take so long to finally sing, but they do. Frankly, I don't care why, just that it does which my ears and emotional connection to the musical expression easily were able to ascertain. Prior to the 500'ish mark, I could not easily connect with them. Now, its a joy beyond measure each time I sit down and spin a disc.

The interesting thing, too, is that the Python XLR ZTron digital cable took exactly the same turn of events. Odd, that a digital cable would make that difference. But, oh, boy, did it ever and once it passed the 600 hr level it just blew my mind.

I hope my experience can help shed some light and give those in the process right now breaking their cables in a bit of emotional stability while they go through this process. You are not alone, but please, make sure you go through it and not give up or you risk losing the best thing you could have added to your system.

Hang in there guys, its worth its weight in platinum.

Best,

Odd
How does the new Ztron Cobra AC power cable compare to the older CX series, especially the Python CX? I have the Python CX right now and it sounds pretty darn good as the main power cable for an Aesthetix IO. I need a good cable to power an Isotek 8 way power isolation strip which will power some other components besides the Aesthetix IO.

Thanks in advance,
Audioquest4life
Odd,

I couldn't agree more with you. It's that emotional connection that makes these cables special...most musical wire I've ever encountered.

Audioquest4life,

This is what I've heard others say, so take this with a large grain of salt:

The Cobra Zitrons best the Python CX in all respects, but don't beat the Anaconda CX. . Some even prefer the Anaconda CX. The Python Zitron is said to be incrementally better than the Anaconda CX. However, the Anaconda Zitron is supposed to be utterly amazing...far better than the King Cobra CX...which I find hard to believe.

Again, this is what I've heard second hand. YMMV.
Oddeophile,

Thanks for the detailed post of your impressions! I may have to find an alternate mean of breaking in my Cobra IC because I have a tube integrated amp and tube CD player but possibly could put in some cheap 6SN7 in my player and run that 24/7 with my tube amp off when not listening