Sweet spot in the Shunyata power cords line up ?


Friends,
I am thinking of trying some Shunyata power cords in my system. Primary application would be my solid state phonostage and my Wavac 300B amp. Since the line up is quite extensive, I am looking for some advice on where I should start to get good feel of Shunyata power cord's effect. I currently use Supra Lorad power cords, which are decent stuff already. I think I can do better so this is an attempt. I dont want to spend more than $500 on a power cord at the moment. My expectation is to have a clean back ground, great dyanmics, neutral tone and good timing.
pani
11-04-13: Stereo5
I don't know what "Gbmcleod" is thinking, but I hear great differences with the lower priced Shunyata cords.

Personally, I wouldn't spend more than 500.00 on a power cord.

It sounds as if you do not have the experience of Gbmcleod, which probably explains why you wouldn't understand his thinking. I was never very impressed with Shunyata's less expensive offerings like the Copperhead or Diamondback either. I agree with Gbmcleod's reco to stay at or above the Cobra level in the Shunyata line. Pani, if you want to stay under $500 per cord, you would probably be better off using something other than Shunyata. Though if you are patient you may find a Cobra for $500.
Guys, how about the Python Helix which appears very often audiogon for about $500 ?

Secondly, is there any special recommendation on which cord to use on low powered devices like phonostage and what to use on amps ?
The sweet spot is the store owners pocket. That's where all your money is. If you want to change the sweet spot, you really need to listen before you buy anything.
To really get to know a power cord you have to have it in your system. The older Python Helix does fit your $500 budget, but from everything i've read the Anaconda is much closer to the King Cobra. Some even like the Anaconda Helix over the Cobra. I know the Anaconda can still sell for close to $1k but it could be worth the extra money to hear one of SR's best. If $500 is your strict limit consider the Neutral Cable-Mantra 2($400 1.5m). Everything i've read leads me to believe the claims of Nordost dynamics and speed with the musicality and texture of PAD. Check TMH Audio if this pc might interest you.
I could also get the Black Mamba CX HC for about $500. I want to keep it under $500 because that way I can plan to upgrade the power cords on all my equipments. By any chance does Shunyata cords slow down the tempo of the music, like many other "fat" cables do ?