Shunyata 2020 - -Choices Choices

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jimtranr

You mean I have to reload my penny jar again?

[mr_gray]

Originally Posted by Gondo101

Mr Gray
Sorry for hijacking the topic, but I am interested to know more about your experience with Isotek Syncro, any significant impact on your system? Although based on your update above I can sense that it might rob dynamics from your system
Thanks

what a honour to have this thread graced by Caelin himself announcing that a second edition of Interconnects is on the way. i'm so glad i didn't buy those sigma rca from usedcables.com the other day.

also to confirm i did order the new AU8, the sigma xc and alpha nr v2. have received the AU8 and it really is a very good piece of kit. made a very substantial improvement although as per most shunyata stuff i've tried goes thru a brief phase of being a bit up and down (thin/harsh a bit) but not consistently so imo. i believe this is "settling" rather than burn in as per Caelin's own comments on the topic previously (i do hope i'm accurate in this regard).






In this regard I am not sure.

My impression is that the Isotek did remove a hum and improved my noise situation at the time i installed it. And whilst I think dynamics improved when the Syncro came out, what also came out was the Shunyata V10 NR. Perhaps a bit more distortion sounded like dynamics. i don't think that's it but perhaps i am communicating the murkiness of it all. it is not crystal clear to me. on installing the syncro my gut feeling was "nothing has changed". which was OK because it was supposed to help with an intermittent hum i was getting.

i will say this: i spent $1k AUD on the Syncro unit. It is also available in a cord format for $3k. At $1k i think it was good for my system at the time i bought it and it played a role. at $3k AUD, i would have to say, comparing the value to an Alpha NR v1 for example ($2.2k AUD), the value is not there.

the alpha v1 is a game changing cord. the isotek syncro is to clean up DC and I think it was of some utility to me in that role but i've now decided i'll try a shorter and less convoluted path than

wall - cord - isotek - cord - PD

[crion2]

Mr Gray, I think you are right, the Syncro has fulfilled its role in your setup and can be let go.

I’m so glad you went for the Sigma XC. I think all so far that has gotten this cord in their system swears by it. Your system will really start to sing! Is the alpha V2 NR for the amp/s?

[mr_gray]

yeah alpha nr v2 for my amp on your recommendation! it is a tubey class D amp (spec) and apparently they are only as good as their power. so should have some impact over alpha nr v1 i reckon based on others' impressions. looking forward to finding out.

[thyname]

Originally Posted by CGabriel

10 .. 9 .. 8 .. 7 .. 6 .. 5 .. 4 .. 3 .. 2 .....

Well? Ignition? We are already in August

[mr_gray]

what we do have is ignition of 2/3 of my plan in that i now have the alpha v2 installed as well as the AU8 with only the sigma XC to come.

i only got it today and alpha nr v2 replaced same but V1 from wall to AU8. some other changes made at same time (well run in v10 on renderer replaced with new V12 and other cables shifted around).

i've seen settling in periods with recent new shunyata kit and i don't expect any different here. this makes my initial impressions less valid and likely not representational of where i will end up. however it's a subjective pursuit (IMO) and i do have significant experience with this process generally.

so it sounds like it is headed in the right direction and it is auspicious that it sounds better than it did albeit with a slight sheen where previously there was autumn afternoon sun warm clearness. whilst KPIP does what it does, IME it remains the case that cables greatly improve relative to where they start. not so much with noise removal at all (or current characteristics perhaps), but with tone.

of course in end alpha v2 comes back to amp and sigma xc goes on the wall. as long as it keeps moving toward my goal sound (muscle bound electron microscope that also sounds like a party you want to dance at) i'm happy :-)

[crion2]

I’m sure you will be most pleased when you receive that central bit, the Sigma XC.

Not sure what you mean by downsizing the renderer (DAC?) from V10 NR to V12 NR?

[mr_gray]

i had a v10 on it and have gone to v12. the Antipodes EX is the renderer and the CX is the server. two separate boxes. noise management strategy i think.

[crion2]

Ok, but that doesn’t sound like an upgrade for the DAC. Did you put that V10 NR on the preamp?

[mr_gray]

almost everyone got an upgrade :-)

Chord DAVE dac got an Alpha instead of Siltech
Low power amp got the V10 NR instead of a Mad Scientist (i run two amplification systems, one for above 300 hz and one for below 300 hz).
Power from wall improved via the Alpha V2

Dynamics have improved alot even 6 hours in. Bass is quite alot better. Surprisingly so.

Arguably direct A/B comparisons with these cables aren't feasible due to the nuanced things that happen as a system settles in. But on other hand who needs it; noise removal is an unalloyed good as is enhanced current delivery. Both of which Shunyata seem to deliver in spades.