#11
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Silver...the only evidence of silver i beleive i heard is incredible speed and articulation, no bright or harsh edges at all. FWIW... |
#12
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I know it sounds like a cliché to say it sounds like "real music", but....it does. It sounds more like real music than any PC I've heard.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#13
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I'm wondering if you or anyone might be able to comment on experiences over the last 2 generations of shunyata cables. We all know that each next generation is an amazing improvement, and in my experience Caelin and the team at Shunyata have been doing their best work ever over the last few years. It can though get a little confusing to know when to upgrade and when the older generation is adequate. Perhaps you can comment on how the NR v2 sounds compared to the NR v1, and also the prior generation of sigma digital and analog cables. Also are there differences in absolute measured noise reduction and DTCD (does DTCD have an absolute value which can be compared between cables?). It would be great to have an experienced ear comment and compare as well as provide any objective measurements. |
#14
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I can't comment on cables I haven't heard. I made a big jump last fall in going from Black Mamba CX and HC CX that were about 9-10 years old in design to Venom NR-V12 and V-10 respectively, and those were a BIG jump in performance. I've also beta-tested Delta EF and NR PCs that were prototypes for the new VTX-Ag conductor construction, but I've never heard the Alpha or Sigma NR v1 or earlier Alpha or Sigma PCs, so I can't comment. As for measured differences in NR or DTCD, I'll leave that to the guys from Shunyata to comment. What I will say is that the new Alpha NR v2, and to an even larger degree, the new Sigma NRv2 and Sigma XC have, for me, moved out of the realm requiring "audiophile lexicon" to describe them to requiring a new "vocabulary". A lexicon that does not describe "equipment" but rather describes music, or rather, live music. I've heard from users I trust (e.g. SCAudiophile) and dealers who are straight-up guys, that the new Alpha V2 surpasses the previous Sigma V1, and, based on my listening experiences and comments in this post, I have no reason to doubt them. This is why I've made the comment above that they represent a paradigm-shift for me.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. |
#15
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first post :-) - i really like this forum especially the shunyata threads. great reading about first person perspectives' on these products i am super interested in but that you don't hear so much about sometimes. these user reviews are fantastic and i like that it is focussed on perceptions/subjective.
based on the sigma NR v2 review here and elsewhere Shunyata have achieved something quite significant. so much noise has been taken away and this description of a "live" sound resonates and is desireable. it seems like it is the QR/BB that is really making this happen as i read a review of the omega in which the reviewer had the same sort of gobsmacked reaction as the OP did here. and that's how this works i think, trickle down tech etc. one thing i have found noteworthy in regard to these latest reference series of cords (sigma thru to delta in NR and XC variants) is that Shunyata are specifically saying if it is digital use venom instead. on shunyata website for reference power cords "For digital-output only electronics, such as clocks, transports, servers, disc-arrays, NAS, computers, routers, network bridges, and for video/film applications, we recommend our value-oriented Venom NR Series power cords. —" i believe this reinforces the criticality of the QR/BB development. essentially Shunyata are advising (very helpfully in my opinion) to not bother with the big current capacity reference cords for components which won't benefit. for me this is a paradigm shift. it is not just about filtering noise now. shunyata is now giving a cord (in the reference series) that delivers power on demand faster and better than any other cord (i don't think that is hyperbole, i think that might be an actual fact). in fact it sort of implies that if all one wants is a noise reduction, go no further than venom. i have a new alpha coming and i will try that from the wall making for the following chain :alpha NR from wall into furutech flux-50 then into isotek syncro then into nr-v10 then ps8 (with defender). i wish i was adding the new sigma nr v2 at the wall. oh boy! |
#16
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Welcome to AA. Your conclusions from reading the first-hand user reviews are insightful and accurate. Just some additional info for your consideration and to provide context around which power cords to use for specific applications. For components that remain fully in the "digital domain", where the input is digital and the output is digital, the Venon V14D Digital is the best power cord. This cord was developed in Shunyata's sister company, Clear Image Scientific, for digital imaging applications, e.g. a digital heart monitor, etc. It is purpose-designed for use with clocks, disc transports, music servers, disc-arrays, NAS, computers, routers, network bridges, streamers, etc. V14D has a somewhat different noise filter design than the other NR-type power cords in that it is designed to deal with specific digital domain noise components. For D/A Convertors, phono stages, pres and amps, disc players that are also performing D/A conversion, the other NR series of power cords are the best choice. The component informs which PC might be best-suited. For example, for an Oppo 105/205, etc. I'd probably use a Venom NR-V10, or if budget was constrained, an NR-V12. For a DAC or Pre, Venom NR-V10 is an excellent power cord, and the Delta NR v2 provides a notable and audible step up improvement in audio quality and performance (the VTX-Ag and CopperCONN connectors really pay off here). For reference-grade components, Alpha NR v2 gets you into that "magic zone" in which I've found that traditional audiophile lexicon and terminology no longer applies, and which differentiates Alpha and Sigma NR from other power cords. For your application, my recommendation would have been either Delta XC or Alpha XC to power the PS 8 power distributor. Personally, I would forego the Furutech Flux-50 as, in my experience, it will be superfluous in this application. I've never heard the Isotek, so I can't comment on what it brings to the table, but given that you're getting an Alpha NR PC, if it has a plug compatible for powering your PS8 directly, I would try it with and without the Isotek, give each config a few days to settle, and then go with what sounds best. You may find that Alpha NR powering your PS8 directly sounds better than having the IsoTek in the power distribution chain. Or not. Try it and see what you prefer. Personally, I am not a fan of anything that utilizes coils, chokes, inductors, transformers, etc. in a power distribution chain, because while these components will solve one or another "problem", they usually cause problems or functional conflicts for other parameters, the most notable of which is generally negatively impacting DTCD. I don't know what other PCs you'll be using to power the components connected to your PS8. My recommendation would be to use as many Shunyata PCs as possible for these components that is within your budget. Even using the Venom HC V2 is significantly better than using generic black PCs. In general, it is best to allocate your budget to use the best PC for the distributor and then choose the best PCs you can for as many components as you can within the remainder your budget. Here's a couple suggested hypothetical setups with a budget of $4K for 1 power distributor (PD) and 3 components: Amp, Preamp and DAC. Config 1: PD: Delta XC Amp: Delta NRv2 Pre: Delta NRv2 DAC: Delta NRv2 Config 2: PD: Alpha XC Amp: Delta NRv2 Pre: Venom NRv10 DAC: Venom NRv10 I'm not sure which of these two configurations would sound better than the other at an a level of "absolute sound"; they would both sound superb. My thought is Config 1 might sound a bit better as it has higher-spec PCs across the board, but Config 2 might be better over the longer term as you'd have the better PC on the PD and could upgrade the Venom NR-V10s as finances allow. Hope you find this info helpful. Cheers.
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Lumin P1 streamer/DAC/preamp, Constellation Inspiration integrated TT: Michell Gyro SE MkII, SME V, Koetsu Urushi Vermilion, EAR324. Harbeth 30.2s, REL R-305, Shunyata Alpha V2 ICs, Alpha V2 SPs, Sigma XC, Sigma NRv2, Omega QR-s & Alpha NRv2 PCs, segmented Altaira SG stack w/ Alpha & Omega CGCs, Everest 8000 PD. Remote Server Room: Uptone EtherREGEN, AfterDark Master Clock & LPS, Alita, Battle Angel, (Akasa NUC Roon Core), iFi DC Purifiers (for SMPS used for Alita & router), Shunyata Gemini combo power distributor & Altaira-type CG GP-NR hub, Venom & Alpha CGCs, Shunyata NRv14 power cords for digital components. Last edited by Puma Cat; 05-02-2020 at 01:05 PM. |
#17
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mr_gray... Welcome to AA!
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Ivan FLORIDA MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES CAPE COD MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES |
#18
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thankyou for the kind welcome Puma Cat and MasterLu.
Puma Cat i welcome your suggestions and only wish I could "start all over again" and follow them. right now i have one NR v10 which is a c19 so feeds the distributor. i have one alpha PC. then i have a hodge podge of other stuff. It is of some relevance that i note i did alot of experimenting last night with layout of power cords. keeping the story short i eventually plugged this into the wall to supply the chain as per sage advice on here. owing to the alpha being c15 and ps8 being c19 i had never done this before. the arrival of the isotek syncro facilitated this in my case. (no A/B test possible there i am afraid). i admit i thought all of this a bit over the top. being 6 layers of "treatment" (alpha is #1, furutech is #2, isotek is #3, nr v10 is #4, ps8 is #5 and then defender is #6. it sounded great. i did not really believe it (i was source obsessed) but there is no doubt having the best cord in distributor supply raises the standard everywhere. it sounds like a better system. (although right now it lacks a slight immediacy (i must give it a chance to settle in though). i think the isotek sounds good (i do have a dc issue it addresses i think) and i was very surprised to see the flux-50 ncf really made a positive improvement feeding the chain (as per the threads from 4 years ago it does open things up and provide some 3d). i have not found it terribly effective relative to say shunyata stuff when just using it on a single component however. and perhaps of more relevance to the thread, i tried the alpha pc on my high frequency amplifier last night as opposed to the usual position on the CX. this means i compared alot of other cables to the Alpha PC. nothing is even close to what the alpha PC does for the CX. but then i don't have the digital cable Puma Cat describes to compare it too. unfortunately it also had a wonderful impact on my opera 880i tube amp! so i have one more alpha PC (v1) coming. i don't know whether it will end up on the CX or the Amp. either way i know it will makes things sound even better! i admire shunyata for their advice (re: non use of reference series on digital in/out devices as per Puma Cat's advice above) but i think they underestimate the standard audiophile's obsession with getting 3d/body out of their system and even on computers the reference series might help with that. i will need a shunyata digital cable to make a truly fair comparison. |
#19
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Due to the excellent review and subsequent comments in this thread, I plan to audition one or more of these new Shunyata power cords to compare with my present power cords from Shunyata and Synergistic Research.
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#20
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