Shunyata Sigma s/pdif Digital Cable Review

[jimtranr]

Once again, Dan, you manage to cover all the bases with characteristic thoroughness and incisive analysis. Bravo Zulu!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by For The Love of Music

Nice review Dan, I need to gather the boys and go on a backyard tour.

Ed.......Might be time to consider experimenting with Shunyata yourself. I don't see how a person can go wrong. Even the testimonies from other users who purchased the lower price point cables are echoing much of what I discovered.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jimtranr

Once again, Dan, you manage to cover all the bases with characteristic thoroughness and incisive analysis. Bravo Zulu!

Jim.......I appreciate the kind compliment. Thank you. I am having to force myself to shut the studio system off and go to bed. The performance is addictive. I am rediscovering music I haven't listened to in years and finding it to be a fresh experience. Lots of fun.

[Masterlu]

Slightly off topic, but I’ve been receiving Shunyata orders daily

[2fastdriving]

Originally Posted by For The Love of Music

Nice review Dan, I need to gather the boys and go on a backyard tour.

I went several years ago by myself and had a great time. Caelin personally showed me around and explained his philosophy. Since then, I've replaced all my power cords with alpha HC, and recently purchased the sigma usb and clock 50. Unfortunately I was out of town the last few days and missed delivery, or I'd be listening to those digital cables tonight! Maybe I can get them tomorrow.

Anyway, great review Dan, and I know I'm looking forward to putting more shunyata gear into my system.

[Levitator]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Jamie.......Thank you. If I get in the mood to compare the Shunyata Sigma USB cable with the Shunyata Sigma s/pdif digital cable it will have to be the studio system. The Aurender N10 has both s/pdif and USB outputs that I can route to the K-01X DAC. The Aurender N100H in the living room system is USB only. My only issue with using the N10 with a USB cable is I lose the use of the N10's oven controlled crystal oscillator clock. Still, if I give it a whirl I will post a separate thread. Right now I am in love with the sound of the Shunyata Sigma s/pdig digital cable with the N10 and K-01X. Heavenly.

No worries Dan - time to sit back and just enjoy!

[medward0]

Excellent review, Dan! Thank you for taking the time to do this.

I've got the Sigma SPDIF digital cable and wholeheartedly agree with your findings. (My prior was an Shunyata Anaconda v2 SPDIF.)

I also have the AES/EBU version of the Sigma digital cable. Both are excellent and I currently use the AES version from my Aurender N10 server to the DAC. To my ears, the AES version is a little bit more of what the SPDIF version offers in terms of quiet background, taming some harsh highs (looking at you Tidal), and just a bit more "organic" sounding. Not a lot more, just a bit. Of course, YMMV.

I bought the AES version out of curiosity, not out of lack of satisfaction with the SPDIF. The SPDIF version is now on duty with my disc transport and am really enjoying the improved performance there...makes it sound like I upgraded my transport.

I'm very familiar with the sucking sound of the vortex in my bank account and I have to say that the Sigma cables are worth the investment IMO. I have stopped thinking that I need to upgrade cables and that in and of itself is worth a lot.

[kaarmstrong]

Dan, I would be replacing a platinum series 7.

Originally Posted by jdandy

Kyle.......Which Wireworld digital cable are you considering replacing?

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by medwardo

Excellent review, Dan! Thank you for taking the time to do this.

I've got the Sigma SPDIF digital cable and wholeheartedly agree with your findings. (My prior was an Shunyata Anaconda v2 SPDIF.)

I also have the AES/EBU version of the Sigma digital cable. Both are excellent and I currently use the AES version from my Aurender N10 server to the DAC. To my ears, the AES version is a little bit more of what the SPDIF version offers in terms of quiet background, taming some harsh highs (looking at you Tidal), and just a bit more "organic" sounding. Not a lot more, just a bit. Of course, YMMV.

I bought the AES version out of curiosity, not out of lack of satisfaction with the SPDIF. The SPDIF version is now on duty with my disc transport and am really enjoying the improved performance there...makes it sound like I upgraded my transport.

I'm very familiar with the sucking sound of the vortex in my bank account and I have to say that the Sigma cables are worth the investment IMO. I have stopped thinking that I need to upgrade cables and that in and of itself is worth a lot.

medwardo.......Thanks for letting me know you own the Shunyata Sigma s/pdif cable and the Shunyata Sigma AES/EBU digital cable, as well as confirming my impressions are accurate. The Aurender N10 has AES/EBU output but unfortunately the Esoteric K-01X does not provide for AES/EBU input, only coaxial, optical and USB. Had I had the option to go AES/EBU with the Shunyata Sigma cable I would have gone that route. None the less, I am absolutely thrilled with the Shunyata Sigma s/pdif digital cable performance.

I agree, it can get expensive to play in the Sigma series arena, but I am with you on the value of the cables when you consider their performance level.

[RLF]

Dan. Excellent and comprehensive review as usual. I love reading your reviews, but I don’t thank you often enough.

I may have to try one of these Shunyata digital cables soon due to your review and since I’m on a Shunyata roll now with pair of new Denali v2s.