Sonti:
I might consider the King Cobras, not the Pythons.
I sold my King Cobras for financial reasons, but still have the Python. While I like the Python, it is not in the King Cobras class.
I can't comment on the Audio Aero player; never heard it. However, I've heard the King Cobras on both digital components and on integrated amps, and mono amps. They are superlative, and quite, quite, dynamic (which, ever since I sold them, has had me wondering why the system sounds less dynamic!). The low noise floor allows you to hear into the music in a way that the Python, good as it is, does not, so if you want a very low noise floor (and who doesn't want that?!), then go with a King Cobra.
I imagine the Anaconda is even better, but I'd think the noise floor of the King Cobra would be enough for a digital front end.
If you intend to buy the latest Hydra (I have a Model 4), and put an Anaconda on THAT, then, by all means, do. You might wish to talk to Grant at Shunyata, who will suggest the best cord coming off of the Hydra and lesser cords afterwards (Roy Gregory of HiFi Plus has stated the same thing in his review of the Nordost power cords recently). So, you might get two King Cobras if you want, or one King Cobra and one Python.
Incidentally, I've also bought the Shiva Nordost, and interestingly, it doesn't seem any more refined than the Shunyata Diamondback -- although the "leanness" typical of the Nordost designs is apparent, compared to the [Shunyata]Diamondback, which sounds fuller (not "warmer," just fuller). The Shiva gives its sense of "transparency" by making all the individual images thinner, which, to me, isn't genuine transparency.
The King Cobra, again, has enormous "presence" in the "you-are-there" sense. You could not possibly be disappointed in its abilities, unless what you want is a euphonic sound.