Sigma Power Cords

[MisterBritt]

Originally Posted by GrantS

Hi Mr. Britt,

Although each listener and system may be different, the general consensus among many I talk to, including my own listening would be one full week to ten days of steady use before the Sigma (Analog or Digital) stops going through substantial change. You may find that number to be 1-4 days longer for the HC model. There may be refinements still to come after, but 1 complete week of use gets past the most troublesome parts of break in (generally). We make the adaptors for just that purpose and recommend a fan or a combination of a fan and a 60-75w light, alternating. I use my dehumidifier while turned up for constant running. Refrigerators don't run continuously, so I'd skip those.

The Analog model has received the most feedback of the three models and it has been very consistent in terms of results, so hang in there and give it a full week before deciding. Yours is likely at 25-75 hours, where performance would be at its most unstable.

There is much more than the CopperConn connectors that contribute to the Sigma performance. The VTX (hollow core) cryo-treated conductors are significant as are the micro-filters used to isolate noise. Even the termination methods and alloy being used are obvious factors. Each cord is treated as a mini-system of micro-managed and treated parts and they all play a noticeable role in creating the overall result.

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

Thanks for the reply. While I'm not the most outspoken member here, I will say I am among the most diehard of Shunyata customers. I have every hope of taming this bad boy. Indeed, I have an adaptor arriving tomorrow and I appreciate your advise to forgo the refrigerator scheme. I'll put it on a 60 watt lamp and burn the proverbial midnight oil for a week to 10 days before I re-install the Sigma. I'm looking forward to rendering favorable report. Thanks again!

[MisterBritt]

As I say, I am not the most prolix contributor here but I pretty well read everything. A little humor here, a picture being worth a thousand words, here's a photo haiku of sorts: the new Sigma Analog PC burn-in process on a 60 watt bulb, all the while spinning vintage Japanese Blue Note King issues. Specifically, Herbie Hancock's Maiden Voyage is our featured album. Just nine more days!

[GrantS]

:-) Nice picture.

A compliment to the light would be to run the power cord the final 2 days of your planned time on a table fan or dehumidifier. Simple motors will pull current differently than a light and that would be beneficial because you are pulling current through the whole sine-wave instead of just off the top, as a light does. You could use the analogy of the light heating it up and the fan cooling it down -- readying the cord for its normal operation. Once you apply the Sigma to the system, let it have another full day to settle. One thing is certain, it will perform very differently than it did when you first listened.

Best regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research

[chessman]

Originally Posted by GrantS

:-) Nice picture. A compliment to the light would be to run the power cord the final 2 days of your planned time on a table fan or dehumidifier. Simple motors will pull current differently than a light and that would be beneficial because you are pulling current through the whole sine-wave instead of just off the top, as a light does. You could use the analogy of the light heating it up and the fan cooling it down -- readying the cord for its normal operation. Once you apply the Sigma to the system, let it have another full day to settle. One thing is certain, it will perform very differently than it did when you first listened. Best regards, Grant Shunyata Research

Is there a preferred lamp/fan schedule? Say in a two week period, what would be the intervals?

[GrantS]

The light provides an initial shock and load on the conductors which is good for a start, but the fan (any simple motor) pulls a continuous load through the sine wave and is more effective for break in, in terms of conditioning conductors, terminations etc. I'd recommend half/half as the ideal probably, but more-less one way or the other should not be significant toward the outcome. Also important are 1-2 days in the system after the fan and, or light is used. They get you most of the way but not all. The system needs to do the final 10-15%.

best regards,

Grant

[Litespeed]

Gentleman, could you advice on which shunyata cable would be sufficient for my setup? Of course the easy way is to spend on all anaconda and sigma PC, but it seems to be a lot of money to spend for cables. System is ARC GSpre, ARC G150, ARC CD9, aurender N10, and wilson sasha. I am very new with this hobby and have listened the similar setup using black mamba and also anaconda/phyton but never back to back. All are satisfactory for my ears. Appreciate your feedback.

[Litespeed]

Hi Grant, maybe you can advice me as well. Im pretty new with this audiophile hobby. Listened to several setup using black mamba, phyton, as well as anaconda. All are satisfactory. I have my new setup almost ready, but will need the last link - cables. Of course the easy way is just to get the best money can buy, bit seems to be a lot of money to spend on cables. Dont get me wrong, im sure it sounds really good. My setup will consist of - ARC GsPre, G150, ARC CD9, aurender N10, and wilson sasha speaker, along with an old MIT Z power distribution and stabilizer. Any recomendation on which shunyata inshould spend on and which is not that important? Ie which to spend on anaconda or phyton will be enough or maybe venom, also the PC. Appreciate your feedback

[GrantS]

Hi Literspeed,

No need to go all-in to get great performance. However, for the main source, amps and power distribution I would consider spending enough to optimally support what is a reference-caliber system.

Starting with the main-power distributor, I would consider a minimum of the MPC-12 A with an Alpha HC to the wall. The MPC-12 A is a 12 outlet distributor that can sit beside of behind the rack and you can plug down into it. This Distributor has two well isolated component zones. You can separate the CD-9 and Aurender digital from amp/pre-amp on opposite sides of the distributor.

I would consider the Alpha HC model C-19 for the amp and pre-amp. You could decide between the Venom Digital and Alpha Digital for the Aurender Server. For the CD-9 I would spend a little more for the Alpha HC or Alpha Digital (Alpha HC may pack more weight in the low octaves.). For Signal cable, I'd consider the Anaconda speaker cables because the speakers and amp deserve and will perform best with the better speaker cables. Perhaps go with the Python Interconnect to cut a cost corner if that is desirable. I would spend to your max budget on the power cord for the amp and the power cord from the wall to the MPC-12 or other power distributor. Speaker cables are also very important in that system because of the Sasha/150 pairing.

ARC now uses our best wiring within their electronics so obviously there will be great synergy. Feel free to follow up with me in e-mail with more specific system and option questions. I check mail more frequently than I am on-line.

Best regards,

Grant

[Litespeed]

Hi Grant, thanks for the response. Sorry for the double post, pretty new to this, thought i missed the first one. Whats your email if i may know?

[Masterlu]

Litespeed... Welcome to AA!