Shunyata Zitron Cobra, Python, Anaconda RCA interconnect A/B Listening Evaluation

[MyPal]

I can already foresee myself getting slammed writing about this, but please be patient. I will try to offer an unbiased opinion...

First evening, I went straight with the Anacondas from the McIntosh MCD1100 source to McIntosh C1000T pre. I performed a rapid A/B side-by-side switching comparison against my existing XLRs by remote input selection during CD play.

First impressions are that it is a very good cable that deserves more listening time... There are discernible differences which I heard immediately with music that I am accustomed with.

Stay tuned...I shall contemplate with another fresh session & take some notes. From there, I will add another pair of Anacondas to the chain from the pre-amp to the McIntosh MC2301 mono-block amplifier. Then plan to work backwards from Python to Cobra & back to Anaconda again using my existing cable as a baseline. I am hoping this methodology is sufficient enough.

More to follow over the course of the next week.

[MyPal]

2nd listening session with the Shunyata Zitron Anaconda ICs. Added 2nd pair from the pre to the power amps.

Plenty to write about. One thing I will say is that these interconnects perform better when they are run straight through the system end-to-end.

I only wish I had balanced XLR pairs to demo...nevertheless, the McIntosh system is a faithful rig & the Dali Grands are honest to the performance giving everything that has been thrown at them so far.

Please stay tuned for the review in the days to come.

[Ritmo]

Very good Steve...

Mike

[MyPal]

4th listening session with the Shunyata Anaconda ICs. They are settling more into the system & are sounding better this evening. Quite an enjoyable listening session. They are temperamental & do not appreciate disturbances once plugged in. This makes it difficult to rotate in/out when making comparisons. Neverthelss, the C1000 pre-amp is well equipped for A/B switching.

The Anacondas have been given an IsoTek full system enhancer CD burn-in treatment for 8 hours overnight. Not sure how many hours these ICs have had on the way of the burn given their rounds around the country but this CD has helped open up the ICs considerably.

After clocking up around 12 hours of listening time, there are a number of attributes that I really like about this cable. There are also a couple of areas I feel it falls short of in my system. More to come when I'm done.

I briefly listened to the Cobra & Python ICs too.... Whilst the stepped up Python appears to sound the weightiest of them all, clearly the Anaconda outperforms overall.

[dmnc02]

Steve, what IC's did you have in your system before the Shunyata Zitron? Are you just comparing the different Zitron models to one another or to something else as well?

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

Steve, what IC's did you have in your system before the Shunyata Zitron? Are you just comparing the different Zitron models to one another or to something else as well?

I'm comparing against each other. My baseline is Furutech FA-220 braided with Techflex Flexo Conductive with Furutech Flux Rhodium/Carbon XLR plugs with approx 800 hrs.

Not exactly fair to compare RCAs with balanced XLRs but that is all I could get to demo. Currently, the baseline is just winning overall with better micro detail & articulation across the entire spectrum.

In short, I feel the Anaconda has a more laid back presentation when compared to the baseline. There is nothing wrong with that as the soundstage is also deep & holographic. The Anacondas are slightly smoother at the top end of the spectrum with excellent decay. Listening to bells & whistles is a true pleasure. They do excel at the high end frequencies. Overall though, it is a leaner sounding cable which I feel is lacking at the bottom end of the spectrum. This may be attributed to less break-in time. There is also less weight to the mids, so I would surmise to say that tonally, it is a brighter cable. Despite this, there is no harshness to the overall sound & it is not at all fatiguing. The speed & timing of the Anaconda is a pleasure & it is certainly musical.

Python sounds more forward & bolder sounding much like my baseline with a little less resolution than Anaconda. The Anaconda is exhibiting less micro detail than the baseline.

I really do like the sound of the Anacondas, but I was hoping to be captivated even more.

[dmnc02]

Are you also using the Furutech Speakerflux? There are usually synergies when using both interconnects and speaker cables from the same brand.

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

Are you also using the Furutech Speakerflux? There are usually synergies when using both interconnects and speaker cables from the same brand.

Whilst listening to the Anaconda ICs, I have the Anaconda Zitron Power Snakes plugged in as well!

Honestly, the Furutech cables throughout sound better in my system IMO. Notwithstanding, Shunyata make great power distribution/conditioning products. I'm loving the new Hydra Cyclops of which I have recently commissioned a pair alongside a pair of Hydra Talos.

[dmnc02]

I am not disagreeing with you. I auditioned the Zitron IC's and chose something else for my system. However, I was not able to audition the Shunyata IC's and SC's together because the binding posts on my speakers do not fit the standard spades used by Shunyata. So I was just curious about how you ran the comparison.

[MyPal]

Originally Posted by dmnc02

I am not disagreeing with you. I auditioned the Zitron IC's and chose something else for my system. However, I was not able to audition the Shunyata IC's and SC's together because the binding posts on my speakers do not fit the standard spades used by Shunyata. So I was just curious about how you ran the comparison.

I had to use the Power Snakes in reverse for the same reason. I was assured by the distributor through my retailer that given the passive nature of the Zitron design that it would make no difference at all despite the directional markings. So I'm not sure why there are directional markings on their loudspeaker cables in the first place. I was told however, that it is important to plug the ICs in the right direction per the yellow sheet as the shielding would not work properly otherwise. Given that the Anacondas are purported to be unshielded for added performance reasons, I'm a little perplexed by the relevance of that instruction for them as well.

Needless to say, I tried the Anaconda interconnects with & without the Anaconda Power Snakes & came to the same conclusions. The biggest favorable change was running Anaconda ICs from both the source to pre & pre to power amp. Adding the 2m length from pre to power was akin to dialing the lights up. They work best when running straight through.

All cables were elevated & not crossing.

At the end of the day, I only have so many hours to play around with them & had to ask for an extra couple of loaner days to get through listening to them all..