New Sigma, Alpha, and Delta products

[bthomas9]

While visiting the Shunyata room at AXPONA 2017, I just happened to see this cable haphazardly lying in the cabinet. No advertising, information, or a sign saying "hey, look at me. I'm a new product." Picked it up curiously, saw it said Sigma XLR...looked around the room and got a grin from the Shunyata rep. He came over and explained a bit of it, all too technical for me. And in Shunyata style, it was full of technical anagrams...many new ones too. So hopefully someone for Shunyata will come explain it all.

What I got from the convo is the Sigma and Alpha lines will have the same cabling and terminations but the Sigma adds these tube "things" on the shield of the signal cable to filter out grunge? Nothing in the signal path. The Sigma speaker cables get a inline "network" box (IIRC the terminology) that does something. LOL. Sorry I'm not much more help. Pricing was 4K for 1m Sigma interconnect and 7.5k for 2m speaker. I didn't get an exact amount, but Alpha was something just over half of the price of Sigma. They just got a huge shipment of parts and pieces to start building all of this AND the new Power cords over the next few weeks. EXCITING!!

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[mdp632]

Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to the new interconnect and speaker cables. I'm thinking that if I they suit my tastes, I hope to go full Shunyata loom. I already use their power products and conditioners.

However, this Sigma looks like a network cable? E.g. Is this Shunyata's take on Networked speaker cable? Aka MIT and Transparent ? I hope not as I'm skeptical of networked cables.

 

[CGabriel]

This is the biggest, across the board, product release in our history. There are entirely new series of cables and several new technologies.

The Product Guide and the website information will be released in about 2 weeks.

The products are currently being produced in our factory and first shipments will go out next week.

 

[CGabriel]

Let's clear up one issue; we DO NOT and have never made 'networked' cables. The term 'network cable' implies that there are filters within the cable that manipulate or alter the signal in some fashion. These filters consist of RC (resistor-capacitor) networks, sometimes called zobels; or in some cases impedance matching transformers. All network filters are either connected 'inline' with the signal path or are connected across the signal and return conductors.

We do have an internationally patented technology called ΞTRON[SUP]® [/SUP]that eliminates dielectric distortion, which I will explain later. First, I would like to present our design philosophy and some insights into the new technologies featured in our new product line. I will break this up into manageable posts so that is not burdensome to read.

 

[CGabriel]

Shunyata Research: A Design Perspective

Shunyata Research: A Design Perspective

For years, the term 'cable science' has been considered an oxymoron because little credible science existed to explain why audible differences were apparent in power cords, signal cables and digital cables. Shunyata Research is changing that perception through scientific research, precision measurements, patented technologies and the development of exclusive parts and materials.

Shunyata Research cable designs are based upon several simple design principles. The first and seemingly obvious principle is to ‘preserve and protect the signal’. This means, “Do no harm.". Once the signal has been altered even subtly, it cannot be reconstructed. Cables in your audio system represent the longest path that a signal travels from source to destination. All cables degrade the signal to one degree or another so care must be taken to preserve the original signal. Most people know that cables act as simple filters with a capacitive and inductive reactance; however there are other more subtle forms of ‘micro-distortions’ that affect the signal including: dielectric absorption; skin effects; current resonance; and electromagnetic polarization distortion.

The second principle is critical to the first; power and signal cable systems are surrounded by a sea of high-frequency RFI and EMI interference including radio, television, microwave, cell phones and wifi sources that can damage the signal. A less obvious but equally important contributor to noise and interference are the electronic components themselves. This is a concept we call CCI or ‘component to component interference’. Noise generated by a component’s power supply and internal circuits may travel through the power lines via the power cords; or it may radiate between the power cords and interconnects.

Shunyata Research cables are designed to protect the delicate music signal from both conducted and radiated interference with integrated strategies for noise suppression and isolation. Further, cable designs are application specific and optimized using patented technologies and proprietary parts that are designed to eliminate noise and micro-distortions that may otherwise compromise the clarity, resolution and fidelity of the entertainment system.

 

[CGabriel]

Four Cable Looms

Four Cable Looms

Shunyata Research has developed four highly specialized cable looms. Each cable family includes the following types of cables: speaker cable, speaker jumpers, RCA interconnect, XLR interconnect, phono cable, AES/EBU, S/PDIF, clock cable, USB cable and CGC/SGC grounding cables.

Moving from one level to the next confers higher levels of specialization, advanced technologies, construction techniques and conductor materials. We are proud to provide extensive explanations of the technologies, customized parts and specifications that go into the production of the products.

Products from each of Shunyata Research’s cable series are designed to complement one-another, ensuring perfect system compatibility and balance.

 

[CGabriel]

Shunyata Research Cable Looms

Each of the following cable series are listed progressively in terms of performance, technology and price level.

Venom Series signal cables include exotic Ohno (single crystal) copper, VTX (hollow core) conductors and STIS (interchangeable speaker-cable terminals). The award-winning Venom Series power cords feature massive OFE copper conductors, 100% coverage shielding and an array of power-connectors designed using Shunyata’s own DTCD Analyzer, which ensures superior instantaneous current delivery.

Delta Series builds upon the Venom Series high-quality features with advanced fluorocarbon dielectrics, larger VTX conductors and superior connectors terminated using a high-tech sonic-welding process. The Delta power cords include Shunyata Research’s own CopperCONN[SUP]®[/SUP] connectors made with pure copper contacts. The Delta is also the first in Shunyata Research’s NR Series of power cords to incorporate on-board CCI noise reduction filters. Finally, the ‘Kinetic Phase Inversion Process’, abbreviated KPIP, makes its first appearance in the Delta Series. KPIP is more than just another break-in box; it is a truly advancement process that goes beyond simple burn-in. KPIP not only makes time consuming burn-in a thing of the past; it elevates the performance of the products to which it is applied.

Alpha Series adds to the customization and technologies of the Delta Series with the internationally patented ΞTRON[SUP]®[/SUP]technology. ΞTRON[SUP]®[/SUP]measurably reduces dielectric distortion rendering an improvement in perceived coherency and low-level resolution. ΞTRON[SUP]®[/SUP] technology is one of many reasons why Alpha Series Cables are used as performance references by recording and sound professionals.

As the performance vanguard in the Shunyata Research’s cable line-up; Sigma Series cables take the term ‘state-of-the-art’ to an entirely new level with the introduction of two new cutting-edge technologies. Sigma Series interconnects include a ‘Transverse Axial Polarizer’ (TAP) that minimizes a form of micro-distortion identified as ‘electromagnetic polarization’. The Sigma Series speaker cables incorporate a proprietary device called HARP that reduces current resonances within the cable; a concept that is somewhat analogous to diffraction in room acoustics. —Patents Pending —

 

[CGabriel]

SIGMA XLR - TAP Polarizer

 

[CGabriel]

TAP Technology Definition

TAP (transverse axial polarizer) is a device that interacts with the electromagnetic field generated by the signal traveling along the signal cable. TAP improves the sonic performance of the cable by modifying the behavior of the electromagnetic wave that surrounds the signal cable. In effect, the TAP blocks longitudinal-oriented waves while passing transverse-oriented waves. The effect in sonic terms is not unlike using polarized sunglasses to combat reflected sunlight. Correcting polarization micro-distortion reduces what some call sonic glare.

In the photos you took, the device that you see attached to the Sigma cable is the TAP polarizer. It consists of a precision aligned array of gold plated copper discs. There are no electrical connections to the signal wires. The device works entirely through the radiated electromagnetic field.

 

[mdp632]

Caelin,

Thank your for your informative posts. Just a few questions when you have a moment regarding these new products.

1.) Is it correct that the Zitron technology on the interconnect and speaker cable level will debut in the Alpha series but, will be available in the Delta power Cord? I've read conflicting information.

2.) Will the USB cables feature Zitron technology were applicable (Alpha and Sigma line) ?

3.) Regarding TAP and HARP on the Sigma Line. Is the end result of these technologies is to just reduce distortion? Thus, the Sigma line will indeed have a lower noise floor than the previous Anaconda interconnects/speaker cables? In addition, are these new technologies measurable? For example, on the Zitron and Denali videos you respectively demostrated their effects.

Thanks

 

[CGabriel]

ΞTRON[SUP]®[/SUP] is a technology developed by Shunyata Research that prevents signal transmission dielectric absorption and re-radiation. It requires a special type of conductor that has two signal paths and an electric field compensation circuit that creates a cancellation signal that prevents the insulation from developing a charge. ΞTRON technology preserves the integrity of the source signal even when using very long runs of cable.
— Patents: US 8,912,436 Ch ZL201180047344.2 —

ΞTRON[SUP]®[/SUP] is used in Alpha and Sigma Series interconnects and speaker cables. It is not used in Delta Series products.

USB cables do not use ΞTRON[SUP]®[/SUP] technology but Sigma USB cables will use a TAP Polarizer specifically designed for digital signal transmission.

Shunyata Research cables are designed to protect the delicate music signal from both conducted and radiated interference with integrated strategies for noise suppression and isolation. Further, cable designs are application specific and optimized using patented technologies and proprietary parts that are designed to eliminate noise and micro-distortions that may otherwise compromise the clarity, resolution and fidelity of the audio system.


The Sigma Series speaker cables incorporate a proprietary device called HARP that reduces current resonances within the cable; a concept that is somewhat analogous to diffraction in room acoustics. Every room has acoustic resonances that are associated with the dimension of the room. Resonance modals can accumulate causing emphasis and depressions of some frequencies within the room. Diffusion and diffraction panels are often used to reduce the effects of the modal patterns. In an analogous way, there are current-mode resonances that can develop in speaker cables that are dependent upon the dimensions of cable and the impedance curve of the connected speaker. The HARP module acts in a manner similar to diffraction panels in that it smooths current modals within the cable.

As far as we are concerned there is no 'end result'. There is only a continuous program of research into the elimination or reduction of various forms of distortion; even if those are subtle micro-distortions, that may corrupt the original integrity of the music signal. TAP and HARP are simply the latest technologies that move us closer to that ideal.

We intend to do public demonstrations of both HARP and TAP at trades shows and dealer events. We will try to notify people of upcoming events on the various forums.

 

[Kuoppis]

Any update on availability of these?


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