Shunyata alpha xlr v2
 

Is Shunyata alpha xlr v2 using VTX AG CONDUCTOR ?
What is the difference in sound quality comparing to V1 ?

Regarding your question about differences in sound quality, I haven't heard any of the new Shunyata ICs, but I have heard the benefits of the new VTX-Ag conductors in the Shunyata power cords and speaker cables, and it is a very notable improvement over the previous generation VTX conductors. There is greater transparency, clarity, and "speed" (from the silver), but you still have the power, warmth, and naturalness of copper. It's unquestionably a big step up. One way to think about it is looking at a 12-bit digital photograph from a full-frame 36 megapixel digital camera, and then a 16-bit photograph from a 50 megapixel medium format camera. There is just a lot more information there; and not from the total number of pixels. Rather, there is much more breadth, separation, and "fineness of gradation" over the entire tonal range. Its this separation and finer gradation within the overall tonal range that give VTX-Ag a more resolving and accurate sonic picture without being. "overdone".

Also, the new Alpha has the TAP device that used to be exclusively on the Sigma ICs. Personally, I've not heard any of Shunyata's ICs past the first-generation Delta line, but I've heard the TAP device on the Omega Ethernet cable, and it brings notably improved focus, clarity, definition over the very impressive Sigma. It seems that a removes a class or type of what I would classify as type of distortion (?) that was there, but it's the sort you didn't notice it was there until it is gone.

Caelin , can you clarify the alpha xlr v2 using VTX AG or not ?
In your web its said VTX Ag , in the spec VTX .

The website has been corrected. When you release 34 new cables it can get confusing.

Is it using VTX AG ?

Caelin, I don't think it's rolled out yet. Just looked and the Alpha V2 speaker cables have the VTX-Ag logo and text; the rest of the Alpha analog cables have this;

"VTX[emoji769]*— Shunyata Research’s exclusive VTX[emoji769] conductors have virtual tube geometry. The core of the conductor is completely hollow minimizing skin effects and random eddy currents. *They are produced using OFE Alloy C0101 - the highest grade of copper with a*minimum*99.99% purity and a conductivity rating of 101% IACS.
—*Certified by ASTM F68 C10100
"

Did not look at any others (Sigma)

v2 speaker cables including the Delta v2, Alpha v2 and the Sigma v2 are built using VTX-Ag.

VTX-Ag cables are uniquely constructed with both an inner, center conductor made of pure silver and an outer concentric ring conductor made of pure copper. It is made using the finest fluorocarbon insulation to minimize dielectric absorption and re-radiation which translates to an improvement in resolution and clarity. VTX-Ag delivers the speed and clarity of silver and the midrange warmth and three dimensional power in the lower octaves of copper without imparting any of the negatives associated with either metal.

The v2 interconnects including RCA, XLR and phono cables are made with ΞTRON® VTX Ohno conductors.

The insulation that protects wire can create a ghost-like signal that subtly blurs the source audio signal. The scientific term for this is: dielectric absorption and re-radiation. ΞTRON® is a technology developed by Shunyata Research that prevents this type of signal cable micro-distortion. It requires a special type of conductor that has two signal paths. An electric-field compensation circuit creates a contra-signal that prevents the insulation from developing a charge. ΞTRON® ™cables preserve the integrity of the source signal even when using very long cable runs are required.

— Patent US 8,912,436, Patent Ch ZL201180047344.2


VTX™ — Shunyata Research’s exclusive VTX™ conductors have virtual tube geometry. The core of the conductor is completely hollow minimizing skin effects and random eddy currents. They are produced using OFE Alloy C0101 - the highest grade of copper with a minimum 99.99% purity and a conductivity rating of 101% IACS.


Ohno wire, also called *PCOCC was invented in 1986 by professor Atsumi *Ohno of the Chiba Institute of Technology in Japan. Copper wire is created by an extrusion process that pulls a rod of cold copper through a small orifice which creates multiple crystalline boundaries. By contrast, **Ohno wire is made by a process using heated molds that cast a wire to form a single crystalline structure. **Ohno wire is well known for its exceptionally pure, grain-free sonic qualities.

Caelin, when convenient could you please explain why ΞTRON® technology is no longer included in Shunyata power cables? It was utilized in at least the tail end of the Cobra/Python/Anaconda era as well as with the early Alpha cables (like the Analog, Digital, and HC that I personally still use).

Edit: adding keyword zitron for easier searching

Sure, first it is extremely complex and expensive to produce especially in large conductor sizes. And the effect when used in a power cable is much less effective than when used in a signal cable. And finally, we have found more effective methods to achieve the performance required in a power cable.

:goodpost:

"The insulation that protects wire can create a ghost-like signal that subtly blurs the source audio signal. The scientific term for this is: dielectric absorption and re-radiation. ΞTRON® is a technology developed by Shunyata Research that prevents this type of signal cable micro-distortion."

"Fascinating" – Mr. Spock.