Shunyata Alpha USB 1.5

[DMelby]

Originally Posted by RH67

I`m still waiting for the transistor sound to disappear at 130hrs in, i`m also missing some detail, tone and musicality.

I`m really giving this cable a chance a lot more than i have done with others.

In my experience breaking in lots of Shunyata cables over the last 10 years I'd say you've given it a great chance to shine, and the Alpha USB doesn't seem to be a good fit in your system. Typically over the first week to 10 days of continuous data streaming you might hear a harsh sound, but that should come and go (if its going to eventually go away completely). You should also hear periods of absolute brilliance followed by a drop off in performance. An up and down process, but in general always improving. These flashes of brilliance are signs to keep going and push through the breakin. Since you've had a persistent harsh sound all the time my guess this is an indication the Alpha isn't not a good match with your system. It was definitely worth a try though You might want to try the Sigma USB and see if that works better for you. I've had wonderful experience with the Sigma.

[RH67]

Originally Posted by DMelby

In my experience breaking in lots of Shunyata cables over the last 10 years I'd say you've given it a great chance to shine, and the Alpha USB doesn't seem to be a good fit in your system. Typically over the first week to 10 days of continuous data streaming you might hear a harsh sound, but that should come and go (if its going to eventually go away completely). You should also hear periods of absolute brilliance followed by a drop off in performance. An up and down process, but in general always improving. These flashes of brilliance are signs to keep going and push through the breakin. Since you've had a persistent harsh sound all the time my guess this is an indication the Alpha isn't not a good match with your system. It was definitely worth a try though You might want to try the Sigma USB and see if that works better for you. I've had wonderful experience with the Sigma.

Thanks! I`m working with Gabriel right now, he was good enough to reach out to me with possible solutions.

[DMelby]

Originally Posted by RH67

Thanks! I`m working with Gabriel right now, he was good enough to reach out to me with possible solutions.

[John Jordan]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Walter was a Class Act. As a fellow Metro New Yorker, really miss his style!

[John Jordan]

Originally Posted by kennyb123

Fair point as I can fully understand it not being a good fit. A friend tried my Alpha and but preferred his Lush^2. I listened to his Lush^2 and preferred the Alpha. Then we both heard the Sigma and we each purchased the Sigma.

I’m sorry I escalated things but I did so because I’ve never heard a USB cable that caused the music to take on a transistor sound - and I’ve tried many. So, I inferred that it’s not so much that the cable was a bad fit - but that there was a problem to be solved and he was seeking help to solve it.

A few years back my music server was a Mac mini powered by a JS-2 and running Roon. It streamed to a microRendu plus an ISO Regen. At one point I decided to mail out the microRendu for an upgrade so I thought I could get by with running the Mac mini directly into my DAC. Wrong! I was honestly stunned by how bad it sounded relative to what I had become accustomed to. Even the ISO Regen couldn’t make it listenable. The sound I heard could have very well been described as transistor-sounding. I could not listen to it so I binge-watched some TV shows while waiting for the microRendu to return. I’ve advised several people to get their Macs as far from their systems as possible, and they had all been grateful for the advice. Puma Cat had earlier in the thread suggested a streaming endpoint and I thought trying one would be great way to sort out what was going on.

As far as the Alpha and it not working out in every system, contrasting the Alpha with the Sigma can revel where it may fall short. The Sigma was so much better than the Alpha in so many areas - shockingly so. But the Alpha’s sins were sins of omission. It didn’t cause any harm that I could hear, but it just couldn’t let as much goodness come through. The amount of goodness one prefers will determine how good of a fit it will be.

The "Spirit of Inquiry and Debate" goes ever on. It's great to have this forum to discuss with passion, celebrate our preferences and most importanty:

Enjoy the Sounds!

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by John Jordan

The "Spirit of Inquiry and Debate" goes ever on. It's great to have this forum to discuss with passion, celebrate our preferences and most importanty:

Enjoy the Sounds!

[RH67]

Update on my experience with the Alpha USB cable.

I will get right to the point, i`am now thoroughly enjoying the cable it has to be the best USB cable that i have heard.

The issue that i was having had nothing to do with the cable the culprit was a tube that was going bad on my Lampazator DAC. There is a tube that is about two inches above the USB port and this is the tube that was failing, it`s quite possible that i bumped this tube while changing the USB cable or just by bad luck it started failing when i installed the Alpha cable. I first noticed that the tube was not burning as bright as normal so i replaced it and all of the magic returned to my system and i was finally able to experience the magic of the Alpha cable.

I want to thank Shunyata for their support and making a beautiful sounding cable.

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by RH67

Update on my experience with the Alpha USB cable.

I will get right to the point, i`am now thoroughly enjoying the cable it has to be the best USB cable that i have heard.

The issue that i was having had nothing to do with the cable the culprit was a tube that was going bad on my Lampazator DAC. There is a tube that is about two inches above the USB port and this is the tube that was failing, it`s quite possible that i bumped this tube while changing the USB cable or just by bad luck it started failing when i installed the Alpha cable. I first noticed that the tube was not burning as bright as normal so i replaced it and all of the magic returned to my system and i was finally able to experience the magic of the Alpha cable.

I want to thank Shunyata for their support and making a beautiful sounding cable.

Yep, the Shunyata Alpha USB was an absolute revelation for me. A component-level upgrade, IMHO. This was the cable that made me realize, that next to power cables, digital cables are the most important, influential, and impactful cables in a system.

A good buddy with a superb system (powered by a Denali V2, I should add) bought one on my recommedation, and agrees.

[WaterdogCA]

Hi all. First time poster. Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread.

My question pertains to the Shunyata Delta USB. I haven't heard anyone mention trying that cable and I would be curious to how it compares to the Alpha or any other USB cables. Both the Delta and Alpha seem to have very similar specs.

Yes, yes, I know I should just get the Alpha, but I have a fairly modest system and I like the idea of getting good value/sound without spending too much.

My system is:
EtherRegen > opticalRendu > Hegel H390 (using the DAC as well) > Dynaudio Special Forty speakers. Power conditioning = Audience AR6-TS.

I am currently using a DH Labs Mirage. It is okay, but it is just a touch too bright at times and I can't help but wonder if it is the silver plating over copper construction. However, I guess the Shunyata USB cables also have this type of conductor too. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Masterlu]

WaterdogCA... Welcome to AA!