Shunyata Triton V2 vs V-3

[Adrian Molina]

Good day. I wanted to consult you, what improvement can I expect if I change my current Triton V-2 to the new V3, I'll just use it for digital sources as my Power Pass Labs XA-160.8 are straight to the wall

[rnrmf1971]

I did the upgrade in early 2017, and while it isn't possible to describe how the upgrade will affect the performance of your specific components, I can briefly describe how I think the sound changed in my system.

Obviously, there was about a month between sending the Triton and then receiving it after being upgraded, so A-B comparisons weren't possible.

But my impression after plugging the Triton V3 back into my system was that the sound was slightly less warm and slightly more precise/cool. Perhaps the sound was more neutral and revealing.

I wish I could have A-B compared the two versions because I couldn't swear to it, given the time that elapsed between listening.

Without that comparison, and to be totally frank, I was underwhelmed. I was happy before the upgrade and I was happy after the upgrade, so I'm not sure where it got me.

If a more revealing/neutral presentation and additional clarity is important to you, I might suggest upgrading to the Sigma NR cable for your Triton V2, as the change from the Sigma HC was large in my system. I'm of the opinion that the change in the power cable was larger than the change from the Trition V2 to V3. YMMV.

The looming question, however, is what the Typhon QR can add to the musical presentation. It's an enormous expense that I need to read feedback for and descriptions of.

I do think the regular Typhon is great connected to the Triton and on a separate circuit with my amps - I have 2 of them. If I get the Typhon QR, I'll use the 2 original Typhons on my amp circuit.

If you don't have a Typhon, that may even be a better investment than the V2 to V3 upgrade. The used prices for the Typhon are fairly reasonable compared to what the new Typhon QR is going to list for.

[zettelsm]

I thought my upgrade from Shunyata Triton v2 to v3 was pretty significant though like the previous poster I wasn’t able to directly A/B compare the two. But when I got my upgraded Triton back I played some go-to tracks I’ve used for years to evaluate system changes and my feeling was the improvements in noise floor and low-level details like air and space and subtle timing cues were worth the cost of the upgrade.

No doubt though, the Sigma NR power cords and Shunyata’s recently introduced Sigma speaker cables and power cords really do pack a lot of bang for the buck.

And I also agree that if someone doesn’t already have a Typhon to use in conjunction with a Triton that perhaps a Typhon would be the way to go first. I’m sure Grant S. can give informed guidance on a upgrade strategy that makes sense and is cost effective for you.

I’d like to point out that one of the big benefits of the Triton v3 is the ability to plug in high-current components like your Pass 160.8 amps without any diminishment of instantaneous current delivery. I don’t have 160.8s (which I envy you, by the way) but my more modest 250.8 amp actually sounds better to me — more relaxed, more spacious and more impactful — plugged into my Triton v3 than directly into the wall.

As far as the Typhon QR, I put one on order not too long ago so I should have some impressions to post before long.

I hope this is helpful.

Steve Z

[MisterBritt]

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971

I did the upgrade in early 2017, and while it isn't possible to describe how the upgrade will affect the performance of your specific components, I can briefly describe how I think the sound changed in my system.

Obviously, there was about a month between sending the Triton and then receiving it after being upgraded, so A-B comparisons weren't possible.

But my impression after plugging the Triton V3 back into my system was that the sound was slightly less warm and slightly more precise/cool. Perhaps the sound was more neutral and revealing.

I wish I could have A-B compared the two versions because I couldn't swear to it, given the time that elapsed between listening.

Without that comparison, and to be totally frank, I was underwhelmed. I was happy before the upgrade and I was happy after the upgrade, so I'm not sure where it got me.

If a more revealing/neutral presentation and additional clarity is important to you, I might suggest upgrading to the Sigma NR cable for your Triton V2, as the change from the Sigma HC was large in my system. I'm of the opinion that the change in the power cable was larger than the change from the Trition V2 to V3. YMMV.

The looming question, however, is what the Typhon QR can add to the musical presentation. It's an enormous expense that I need to read feedback for and descriptions of.

I do think the regular Typhon is great connected to the Triton and on a separate circuit with my amps - I have 2 of them. If I get the Typhon QR, I'll use the 2 original Typhons on my amp circuit.

If you don't have a Typhon, that may even be a better investment than the V2 to V3 upgrade. The used prices for the Typhon are fairly reasonable compared to what the new Typhon QR is going to list for.

Pardon my ignorance, please. Is the original Typhon upgradable to the Typhon QR?

[edward3132]

I believe that on another forum Shunyata responded that the changes were significant and an upgrade path was not possible to go from Typhon to Typhon QR

[MisterBritt]

Originally Posted by edward3132

I believe that on another forum Shunyata responded that the changes were significant and an upgrade path was not possible to go from Typhon to Typhon QR

Okay, cool. Thanks!

[SimonK]

Originally Posted by rnrmf1971

I did the upgrade in early 2017, and while it isn't possible to describe how the upgrade will affect the performance of your specific components, I can briefly describe how I think the sound changed in my system.

Obviously, there was about a month between sending the Triton and then receiving it after being upgraded, so A-B comparisons weren't possible.

But my impression after plugging the Triton V3 back into my system was that the sound was slightly less warm and slightly more precise/cool. Perhaps the sound was more neutral and revealing.

I wish I could have A-B compared the two versions because I couldn't swear to it, given the time that elapsed between listening.

Without that comparison, and to be totally frank, I was underwhelmed. I was happy before the upgrade and I was happy after the upgrade, so I'm not sure where it got me.

If a more revealing/neutral presentation and additional clarity is important to you, I might suggest upgrading to the Sigma NR cable for your Triton V2, as the change from the Sigma HC was large in my system. I'm of the opinion that the change in the power cable was larger than the change from the Trition V2 to V3. YMMV.

The looming question, however, is what the Typhon QR can add to the musical presentation. It's an enormous expense that I need to read feedback for and descriptions of.

I do think the regular Typhon is great connected to the Triton and on a separate circuit with my amps - I have 2 of them. If I get the Typhon QR, I'll use the 2 original Typhons on my amp circuit.

If you don't have a Typhon, that may even be a better investment than the V2 to V3 upgrade. The used prices for the Typhon are fairly reasonable compared to what the new Typhon QR is going to list for.

I have a Triton V2 and Typhon which I am about to upgrade to a Triton V3 and Typhon QR, your comment re the large difference with the Sigma HC cable to the Sigma NR interests me greatly as I have a mixture of Sigma Digital, Analog and HC's in my system.

Can you please expand on your findings with the differences between the older Sigma HC's and the new Sigma NR's. The upgrade cost is significant and I am trying to get a handle on where my money is best spent.

Thank you.

[rnrmf1971]

Originally Posted by SimonK

I have a Triton V2 and Typhon which I am about to upgrade to a Triton V3 and Typhon QR, your comment re the large difference with the Sigma HC cable to the Sigma NR interests me greatly as I have a mixture of Sigma Digital, Analog and HC's in my system.

Can you please expand on your findings with the differences between the older Sigma HC's and the new Sigma NR's. The upgrade cost is significant and I am trying to get a handle on where my money is best spent.

Thank you.

Sure. The Sigma NR is the technically better and more neutral cable in my system. I had a 4 meter Shunyata Sigma HC providing power to my Triton V3 which also has a Typhon attached to it. This distributes power to my front end components, only.

When I initially replaced the Sigma HC with the Sigma NR, the first things I noticed were changes in tonal weight and reduction of noise in the lower mids through the midrange. The Sigma NR is nowhere near as warm or as full in the lows through the lower mids. The Sigma HC is euphonic by comparison, which ironically, was why I liked it in comparison to the Anaconda Ztron (which I auditioned, but never owned) which preceded it. When I heard the Sigma HC, I said to myself, "Shunyata made a more realistic sounding power cable in comparison to the bass-shy Anaconda."

But the Sigma NR, in back to back comparisons with the Sigma HC showed me that the Sigma HC's warmth was not neutral and instead, compromised resolution. The detail evident with the Sigma NR made that clear beyond doubt. Don't get me wrong, I missed the warmth, initially, but I'm happy with the Sigma NR.

While I can't speak precisely to ultimate low end extension between the Sigma HC and Sigma NR, I'm pretty sure the Sigma NR goes at least as low, and with better resolution - essentially cleaner sounding.

I haven't mentioned the high frequencies, because they didn't particularly stand out to me with either Sigma version. I thought they were good with both, but some power cable upgrades I've made recently lead me to think the high frequencies in the Sigma NR are also cleaner and better defined.

As far as upgrade cost is concerned, I think one can justify upgrading if one considers putting the money from the sale of a Sigma HC toward the purchase of the Sigma NR. If I'm not mistaken, the Sigma NR, is actually slightly less expensive than the Sigma HC was. Alternately, the Sigma HC might sound great plugged into a Sigma NR powered Triton, especially on a component that could benefit from a warmer sounding power cable.

I think the Triton, Typhon, and Shunyata NR provide a neutral, noise-free, and clear sounding foundation for everything that one plugs into it. I'm interested to find out what the new Typhon QR adds to that foundation.

[SimonK]

Thank you very much for your clear and concise explanation of the Sigma cables. It would seem wise to keep some HR cables around for system tuning purposes. I have a 3.5M long AUS to Triton supply input cable. Is better to change the main cable supplying power to the now Typhon QR to a Sigma NR or can I leave the Sigma HC?

Thank you again for your help.

[rnrmf1971]

Originally Posted by SimonK

Thank you very much for your clear and concise explanation of the Sigma cables. It would seem wise to keep some HR cables around for system tuning purposes. I have a 3.5M long AUS to Triton supply input cable. Is better to change the main cable supplying power to the now Typhon QR to a Sigma NR or can I leave the Sigma HC?

Thank you again for your help.

I'm not sure what you're asking with, "I have a 3.5M long AUS to Triton supply input cable. Is better to change the main cable supplying power to the now Typhon QR to a Sigma NR or can I leave the Sigma HC?"

"AUS" is ?

Also, I don't have a Typhon QR so I can't speak to how it sounds, but I'd guess the although the mains cable swaps from plugging into the Triton and instead plugs into to the Typhon QR in Shunyata's new arrangement, that the sound quality changes I described when I swapped the Sigma HC to the Sigma NR on my Triton would probably still be apparent, but I don't know if it would be to the same extent as I noticed on the Triton.