Shunyata King Cobra V1 verses V2

Having had the anaconda its a great cable and will add body galore and be really very good on most any cd player, however there are better/different cables at much more reasonible prices. After you see a cut-a-way section of an Anaconda you will feel like a schmuck for just spending that much on what you've got! Again they are good, but there are many other's like Elrod(who has a new top of the line cable coming out around the corner), Omega Micro, Silent source, the list could go on and on that sound better/different which you may want to consider. I find Shunyata's cables to sound dark with too much warmth- then again my amp leans towards the warm side of nuetral. Try to get an in home demo on a few different cables all at once and listen, see what you find out.

I've said it many times before powercords are a based mostly on personal prefference, so its impossible to find a "best". But it is nice to have a place to start. Do yourself a favor and get a silent source cord when you demo the anaconda- you may be very shocked by what you hear. Good luck with your voyage.

Tireguy, my stomach does a couple of flips every time I contemplate the cutaway on new power cords :-(

Anyhow, somewhat OT but since you've brought up Silent Source, can you please describe the cord : detailed vs smooth, frequency extension, neutrality, clarity, transparency, dynamic or not, etc. Maybe to keep it OnT, you could compare it to the Anaconda. Thanks.

I would like to publicly appologize to Shunyata research and all shunyata owners, having been informed of the detail involved with these cables nobody should feel like a schmuck for owning them. Despite the simple design(or what I thought was simple), its actually incredibly involved to make and produce! I would like to thank Grant at Shunyata research and Jonathan at Chambers audio for explaining exactly what I saw and how what I thought was inadequate was actually designed that way for a reason! I am not an engineer and in fact a lowly tireguy I should not pass judgement on others electrical engineering work because I don't understand what is going on. After all as I said above they do sound great! In fact the one who feels like a schmuck is me for making that statement, it was uncalled for and before you fine folks at audiogon write off shunyata you should talk to the people over there and learn what actually makes there cables sound good! Cause unlike a lot of power cord companies they know what they are talking about. When my new EMM labs digital front end shows up I'll have to give them another listen.

Ok, now about the Silent Source.....?

Mitch,

I guess this crazy hobby is kind of contradictory ;0

While I can imagine how a "scientific minded person" can conclude the Python is 85% as good as the Anaconda, I disagree - you can re-read my comments between the lines :) Both versions of the KCs and Anaconda are better pc in my view.

Like Tireguy said, powercords are highly subjective, based largely on personal preference, so its impossible to find a universal "best". What pleases me may not do anything for you. Just a general guideline, Shunyata's cables tend to sound a little dark, perhaps "too warm" - great if you existing system sounds a little lean or if you like a warm, mellow sound. I found other pcs a better match in systems tending to the warm side of neutral.

I guess the answer to your question, Anaconda VX at $1700 or a King Cobra V2 at $900, is to get both and audition with your own CDP in your own system. You may also want to try the Python at the same time. In some systems, the Python is good enough (remember 85% ?) and you can save the $$ for something else. Sadly, it didn't work for me.

Tom