Confused with Current Shunyata PC Offerings.

still-one

still-one

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I have been considering the possibility of upgrading some of my Shunyata stuff but I must confess I am a bit confused when I compare what is shown on the Shunyata site and what I see listed as available on TheCableCo site. I was trying to do some homework in advance before contacting one of the two dealers I would consider working with. (One local , one out of state). That way I would have an idea of what the cost might be. There seems to have been a churning of Shunyata product levels in less than four years since I acquired by bits and pieces of Shunyata product.

My understanding has been that Shunyata's product range progressed as follows:
Alpha
Sigma
Omega

Now it appears that it is
Alpha
Sigma
Reference
Omega (QR/XC only)

The Cable Company shows v2 versions of
Alpha XC and NR
Sigma XC and NR

yet the Shunyata site shows v1 versions of
Alpha NR
Sigma NR

both at lower MSRP than the v2 at Cable Co.

There is also a Reference NR/XC v2 not on the Cable Co site.

Am I wrong or in four years they have;
Eliminated the Digital and HC
gone from Original to V1 then V2
added a Reference and Omega lines. I am confused.

I am considering possibly some or all of the following that I am currently using.
Denali to Everest
Original Alpha HC to Denali to ?
Original Alpha NR Vivaldi DAC to ?
Original Alpha Digital to dCS Upsampler to ?
Current Analysis Plus to dCS clock to ?

Power cables to amp, pre amp and turntable will remain.
 
You are correct. The XC cables are specifically designed for wall to Denali/Everest. There are three main levels there. The NR cables are three levels again and for used for each component.


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Mike said:
You are correct. The XC cables are specifically designed for wall to Denali/Everest. There are three main levels there. The NR cables are three levels again and for used for each component.


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Click to expand...

Where do the v1 and v2 fit in?
 
Hi Jim, V1 are outgoing and are replaced but the current V2’s. New and Improved with an increase in list price over the V1’s.

For components that only output digital signals, Caelin has recommended the V14 Digital. At the Vivaldi level, I’m sure the case could be made moving up the Shunyata line would yield better results. Anything outputting analog signal will benefit from an NR (noise reduction) cable. That leaves the cable from the wall to a power distributor which the XC is recommended.

The current line in ascending order is Venom, Delta, Alpha, Sigma, Omega.

Best of luck!

still-one said:
Where do the v1 and v2 fit in?
Click to expand...
 
Sean, Thanks for the reply. BUT on their site Shunyata has a Reference Line listed under the NR/XC.

Surprising they have not updated their site with v2.
 
Reference is just the overall name for alpha/sigma/omega. It’s not another cable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
Yes, a bit confusing. Shunyata banded together some like-kind products on their site with the recent releases. An example is their Ethernet cords which are listed in a single cable page where you then click the drop down to show the different tiers. But they still follow hierarchy I listed in my previous post. So that “Reference Line” page is how they present the top 3 tiers (Sigma, Alpha, and Delta) that sit under the new Omega.

still-one said:
Sean, Thanks for the reply. BUT on their site Shunyata has a Reference Line listed under the NR/XC.

Surprising they have not updated their site with v2.
Click to expand...
 
Mike said:
Reference is just the overall name for alpha/sigma/omega. It’s not another cable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Mike

That is why their site is confusing. They have a REFERENCE NR / XC Series v2 listed at $3500 on their site. You are indicating that must be the Sigma NR v2.
 
Mike said:
That’s correct. I’ve let them know it’s confusing and we should see an update.

View Cables By Type - Shunyata Research

Above IS confusing!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

It appears Referance applies to multiple cables. From the web site on the Referance cable page.

"For Alpha & Sigma cords there are options for the color theme. The standard color theme is Black Carbon Fiber with Silver Rings.
For Delta cords there are no color theme options."

REFERENCE NR / XC Series v2 - Shunyata Research
 
Mike said:
You are correct. The XC cables are specifically designed for wall to Denali/Everest. There are three main levels there. The NR cables are three levels again and for used for each component.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

There are five levels of NR cables:
Venom
Delta
Alpha
Sigma
Omega
 
still-one said:
Sean, Thanks for the reply. BUT on their site Shunyata has a Reference Line listed under the NR/XC.

Surprising they have not updated their site with v2.
Click to expand...

Hey Jim,
The "Reference line" of cable models are Delta, Alpha, Sigma and Omega, available in both NR or XC version. These PCs are "differentiated" from Venom as they comprise the new "Reference" line of product offerings.
 
still-one said:
I am considering possibly some or all of the following that I am currently using.
Denali to Everest
Original Alpha HC to Denali to ?
Original Alpha NR Vivaldi DAC to ?
Original Alpha Digital to dCS Upsampler to ?
Current Analysis Plus to dCS clock to ?

Power cables to amp, pre amp and turntable will remain.
Click to expand...

Hey Jim, here's some info/suggestions for your list above that should be helpful in your considerations:

Denali to Everest – YES. Denali to Everest is a significant upgrade. Knowing you and your system, I would consider this is a "must-upgrade."

Depending on your budget, use an Omega XC or Simga XC to power Everest from the wall receptacle.

Original Alpha NR Vivaldi DAC to ? Alpha NRv2 or Sigma NRv2
Original Alpha Digital to dCS Upsampler to ? Venom V14D Digital, believe it or not. This cable should be for powering any differences that remain entirely in the digital domain (i.e., no conversion to analog)
Current Analysis Plus to dCS clock to ? Also Venom V14D Digital.

Hope this helps and feel free to reach out via PM if you want to discuss on the phone.

Cheers, mate.
 
Yeah, we need to fix it. With all the new cables the filters and algorithms aren’t working correctly. We will wok on it.
 
Hi Jim, perfect timing for an upgrade IMHO. The V2's are significantly better cables.

Not having heard the Everest but understand what people are saying about it and it sounds like a no-brainer when you come from Denali(v1?).

Sigma HC-> Omega XC/Sigma XC
Alpha NR (Vivaldi DAC) -> Alpha V2 NR/Sigma V2 NR
Alpha Digital (dCS Upsampler) -> Alpha V2 NR
Analysis Plus (dCS clock) -> Alpha V2 NR

I know I go with higher spec cables on digital gear, but my experience is that digital gear do benefit from higher spec cables...

All usual disclaimers apply. :cool:
 
Crion said:
Alpha Digital (dCS Upsampler) -> Alpha V2 NR
Analysis Plus (dCS clock) -> Alpha V2 NR

I know I go with higher spec cables on digital gear, but my experience is that digital gear do benefit from higher spec cables...

All usual disclaimers apply.
Click to expand...

For DACs yes, but the Venom V14D Digital has a more effective noise filtering capability than the Alpha V2 NR PC for devices that remain completely in the digital domain, e.g. clocks, streamers, network bridges, upsamplers, NAS, etc. While they are both designated as "NR" power cords, the specific NR filtering is different.

The technology for the Venom V14D Digital came out of product development at Clear Image Scientific, Shunyata's sister company medical imaging.
 
CGabriel said:
Yeah, we need to fix it. With all the new cables the filters and algorithms aren’t working correctly. We will wok on it.
Click to expand...

Glad to read that. It's a dogs breakfast. I too can't wrap my head around the product lineup and how it all fits together.
 
Puma Cat said:
There are five levels of NR cables:
Venom
Delta
Alpha
Sigma
Omega
Click to expand...

Yes, both Mike and I are aware of the Venom and Delta lines that I hadn't noted. I has assumed since I was already at the (previous) Alpha level that going to one of those levels would not be considered an upgrade. Based on your comments in post #14 my assumption may not have been accurate.
 
still-one said:
Yes, both Mike and I are aware of the Venom and Delta lines that I hadn't noted. I has assumed since I was already at the (previous) Alpha level that going to one of those levels would not be considered an upgrade. Based on your comments in post #14 my assumption may not have been accurate.
Click to expand...

Hey Jim,
The new VTX-Ag conductors really raised the level of performance and the NR filters have been revised to sound better.

As Crion2 mentioned, the performance and sound quality of the new Reference line is significantly higher than the "V1" line, and by at least one "level", so the new Delta NRv2 minimally outperforms above the previous Alpha V1 NR cable, etc., and the new Alpha V2 NR surpasses the performance of Sigma NR "v1".

And, its a particularly-lovely sounding cable, too. Very detailed but also lyrical, layered and musical. And dead-on neutral.
 
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