Black Mamba CX for Power Amps?

[jayvis]

I'm wondering if anyone has used a Black Mamba CX power cord on their power amp. I know Shunyata had a high current (HC) version for that application but am curious if the standard CX version would be sufficient.

[Puma Cat]

Yes, I did. Works great. I still use Black Mambas for my preamp, Gungnir DAC, and phono stage. Great cord.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

Yes, I did. Works great. I still use Black Mambas for my preamp, Gungnir DAC, and phono stage. Great cord.

Great cord, & 2d Stephens' recommendation -- there are two CX's available on an audio for sale website for $750 total; 1.75M length in 9/10 condition (not sure if you need two -- but he has a pair).

Best Sir,

Bob

[jayvis]

So, the standard Black Mamba CX will do just as well with power amps as the Black Mamba CX HC?

[GrantS]

Originally Posted by jayvis

So, the standard Black Mamba CX will do just as well with power amps as the Black Mamba CX HC?

Hi,

No, the Black Mamba CX will not offer the same performance as the Black Mamba CX-HC for amplifiers because it has a ten-gauge conductor set versus an eight-gauge complement in the CX-HC model. The CX-HC will provide lower octave information with more weight, authority and impact than the CX. The CX is adequate for amplifiers, but the CX HC is superior, or the CX Python. You could also look at second-market Zi-Tron power cords like the Python or more recently the Alpha HC model. I would recommend the Black Mamba CX for pre-amp, DAC or phono-preamp applications.

Regards,

Grant

[jayvis]

Originally Posted by GrantS

Hi,

No, the Black Mamba CX will not offer the same performance as the Black Mamba CX-HC for amplifiers because it has a ten-gauge conductor set versus an eight-gauge complement in the CX-HC model. The CX-HC will provide lower octave information with more weight, authority and impact than the CX. The CX is adequate for amplifiers, but the CX HC is superior, or the CX Python. You could also look at second-market Zi-Tron power cords like the Python or more recently the Alpha HC model. I would recommend the Black Mamba CX for pre-amp, DAC or phono-preamp applications.

Regards,

Grant

Thanks for your input Grant. Your explanation seems to say that the Black Mamba CX power cord performance is purely conductor gauge dependent in high current applications. As compared to the current Venom HC (also 10 ga), how would the Black Mamba CX stack up?

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by GrantS

Hi,

No, the Black Mamba CX will not offer the same performance as the Black Mamba CX-HC for amplifiers because it has a ten-gauge conductor set versus an eight-gauge complement in the CX-HC model.

So ........ my wiring to the receptacle is 10 gauge, please explain how the last couple of feet going to 8 gauge is going to make a difference ?? and for Gods sakes for all I know the internal wiring of the amp is probably only 10 or even 12 !

[Puma Cat]

I fully support Grant's comments and conclusions, he certainly knows more about this than I do, and he's a terrific resource for us for all things Shunyata. I would like to qualify my comments as to why I said that a Black Mamba CX could be used with a power amp: it was given the context that jayvis was looking for a power cord that suitable for power amp with a max $300 price, and the fact that I used one for my C-J LP70S for well over a year with excellent results, until I got my Zitron Cobra.

While I fully agree with Grant that a CX HC or (CX Python) would be better for power amps, a used Black Mamba in the $300 price range would be suitable, though not ideal, for this application and would definitely provide considerable improvements over a stock OEM power cord. I am presently using a Zitron Cobra for my power amp with very good results.

Personally, I think the benefits that Shunyata power cords bring are so significant that you should use the best Shunyata power cords you can possibly afford; they really represent an important part of the audio reproduction chain. So, if you can spring for a Black Mamba CX HC or CX Python, you definitely should.

[Masterlu]

Grant... thank you!

[Mikado463]

Grant, thank you for the detailed explanation and the video.