Adding to my digital end with the Alpha Ethernet cable

Darrel

Darrel

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Joined
Nov 1, 2018
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443
Location
Auburn, Washington USA
Most if not all of my listening music comes from streaming using Roon with Tidal and Qobuz with a i7 linux computer connected to a Lumin T2. I recently added a Shunyata Alpha USB cable to the Diablo 300s DAC with great results. I've been thinking that there is more to be gotten from my system without changing any major hardware pieces such as speakers, amp/preamp or streamer. And having a little experience with Shunyata I though the next step should be going with the Alpha Ethernet cable. Sending Mike a few messages he suggested the Alpha cable as well. So, I ordered and waited. To be honest I was a little reluctant about if I would experience the same jump in systems performance that I had with the Alpha USB cable. While waiting I was wondering if maybe changing my power cable and speaker cables may also be a way to get more from my system. Mike suggested his 1+1+1=10 results when using Shunyata. Meaning the more Shunyata within a system the bigger the results. He suggested if I chose not to go completely Shunyata. That adding a AudioQuest Hurricane HC power cable would be a step up. My thought was to get the Alpha Ethernet cable and see if that was indeed a performance boost. Just so happens a local ad had a used 2 meter AudioQuest Hurricane HC power cable at a very reasonable price and only a 20 minute drive to boot. So, I added the Hurricane to my system before the Alpha Ethernet cable arrived. Mike is as always right. The Hurricane from the Diablo to the wall outlet was a jump in clarity, bass punch, soundstage and just what my system needed.

So, now enters the Shunyata Alpha Ethernet cable. As I said I was reluctant about the money spent just to send a signal from my i7 Linux computer to the T2. My first go to recording is always "Air Hadouk" Hadouk Trio. This starts off with a song called "Lomsha". Solid bass. Very clean clarinet and just a bit of snare drums. With the Alpha cable in, the bass is just more solid and instruments having such a ease without losing any energy. If anything they just settle into place. And stand alone in the soundstage. My next go to selection is "Italia" from Chris Botti and his take on the song "The Very Thought of You" with Paula Cole. It starts with just a trumpet easing into Paula Coles voice taking over the duties. Just a great song. His trumpet just hangs in the air and her simple vocal style is seperated in the soundstage in a most quiet way.

So, I have to say. Once again Shunyata has made something that has brought my system up to a level I thought only a hardware upgrade could produce. I am constantly impressed with what Shunyata is doing. I'd like to say I'm done with my system. But, we all know that isn't going to happen. But, I am where I need to be now.
 
Audioquest fake cables out of China would be my concern buying a used Audioquest cable. Unless the seller could demonstrate provenance with a dealer receipt. You don't have that problem with Shunyata. I've never heard of fake Shunyata cables being unscrupulously peddled on the used market.
 
brodricj said:
Audioquest fake cables out of China would be my concern buying a used Audioquest cable. Unless the seller could demonstrate provenance with a dealer receipt. You don't have that problem with Shunyata. I've never heard of fake Shunyata cables being unscrupulously peddled on the used market.
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I can understand the concern when it comes to buying used cables. I see Cardas cables on Audiogon and Ebay that advertise shipping from Asia. So, buying from someone local and getting a chance to talk audio with a living person is a big plus. This was his last AQ Hurricane HC power cable. He bought his McIntosh equipment from a dealer I'm familiar with along with his power cords. They had all of the packing slips, carton and wraps. That, and a very reasonable price was why I felt comfortable getting the Hurricane PC. It also sounds great to boot.
 
It is true that anything and everything can be ripped off by some off the wall company in China. Therefore, buy only from reputable dealers. You can always ask us about a used product if you have any doubts.

Most of these "fakes" are so bad that they don't even cosmetically look like the authentic products. And of course, internally they are absolute crap.

Apparently, there is even a speaker in China designed by Caelin Gabriel. Maybe I should get a royalty?

That said, our latest generation of products are almost impossible to duplicate because the of the cost to recreate the molds for the parts and connectors. Heatshrink labels are easy. Custom molded parts - not cheap or easy.
 
CGabriel said:
..Custom molded parts - not cheap or easy.
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PS Audio power cables use molded barrels and they are probably the most widely ripped off power cables in the universe. PS Audio's solution to the problem was not to use anti-counterfeiting measures such as serial numbers and certificates of authenticity etc. Instead, if a customer was suspicious as to authenticity PS Audio were checking the cables and replacing them with genuine if found to be fakes. I don't know if they are still doing that, but they certainly were for quite a while.
 
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