Shunyata Alpha USB and Sigma USB

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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The best USB cables we have tried in the store.


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I wasn’t sure if and when things were moving today.

The first on my playlist. Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scotts.

First impression. More weight and energy for sure. Instruments are better placed and singular. Music just jumps at me. But, there is an ease to what I hear. Just very natural with this live recording.
 
Darrel said:
I wasn’t sure if and when things were moving today.

The first on my playlist. Jeff Beck Live at Ronnie Scotts.

First impression. More weight and energy for sure. Instruments are better placed and singular. Music just jumps at me. But, there is an ease to what I hear. Just very natural with this live recording.
Click to expand...

Yup, that sounds the like the Alpha USB. Very dynamic with excellent instrumental weight and "grativas". And, very, very, natural and organic-sounding.

Just wait a few days for the cable to settle; it will get better.

Listen more and report back! ;)
 
Just listened to Chris Botti “Italia”. Just a great relaxing musical mix of instrumental and vocals. I feel like the DAC in the Diablo 300 is getting what it needs to sound its best. If as you say Puma Cat the cable will settle in. I’m looking forward to enjoying and hearing what comes.
 
Darrel said:
Just listened to Chris Botti “Italia”. Just a great relaxing musical mix of instrumental and vocals. I feel like the DAC in the Diablo 300 is getting what it needs to sound its best. If as you say Puma Cat the cable will settle in. I’m looking forward to enjoying and hearing what comes.
Click to expand...

Yes, well, it is....

There is just a naturalness to this cable that is really wonderful. It has what I refer to as an "organic" quality to it; its like the best of analog reproduction: engaging and involving.

Two days from now it will be even better.
 
Hi Mike and fellas,

you confirmed what I heard back last year when I had the Alpha USB as demo vs a AQ Diamond. The Diamond was really clear and one thought... very nice!

... then I plugged in the Alpha and it was another world! Very analog and natural - just so much more engaging. I thought, if that has been missing to digital replay, I now can fully understand why analog guys always complain about „digital“ sound. :)

Wanted to audition the Sigma, but after waiting for over half a year here in Germany with none in sight, I thought I might as well just order one to get my hands faster on this cable.

The waot has been agony and now that I read your experiences it just brought back memories from last year. What a cable the Alpha was! I said to my dealer it‘s like swapping a 1k DAC to a 10k one.

Mike / Puma... how does the Sigma compare to the Alpha? Maybe you can share some impressions and ease my wait until my Sigma finally arrives! :)

All the best and happy Easter over the pond!!
 
MusicLover said:
Hi Mike and fellas,

you confirmed what I heard back last year when I had the Alpha USB as demo vs a AQ Diamond. The Diamond was really clear and one thought... very nice!

... then I plugged in the Alpha and it was another world! Very analog and natural - just so much more engaging. I thought, if that has been missing to digital replay, I now can fully understand why analog guys always complain about „digital“ sound. :)

Wanted to audition the Sigma, but after waiting for over half a year here in Germany with none in sight, I thought I might as well just order one to get my hands faster on this cable.

The waot has been agony and now that I read your experiences it just brought back memories from last year. What a cable the Alpha was! I said to my dealer it‘s like swapping a 1k DAC to a 10k one.

Mike / Puma... how does the Sigma compare to the Alpha? Maybe you can share some impressions and ease my wait until my Sigma finally arrives! :)

All the best and happy Easter over the pond!!
Click to expand...

MusicLover,
I haven't heard the Sigma USB, only the Alpha. I imagine the Sigma will provide even more clarity and transparency and naturalness from the use of the Shunyata TAP device in the cable.
 
MusicLover said:
Hi Mike and fellas,

you confirmed what I heard back last year when I had the Alpha USB as demo vs a AQ Diamond. The Diamond was really clear and one thought... very nice!

... then I plugged in the Alpha and it was another world! Very analog and natural - just so much more engaging. I thought, if that has been missing to digital replay, I now can fully understand why analog guys always complain about „digital“ sound. :)

Wanted to audition the Sigma, but after waiting for over half a year here in Germany with none in sight, I thought I might as well just order one to get my hands faster on this cable.

The waot has been agony and now that I read your experiences it just brought back memories from last year. What a cable the Alpha was! I said to my dealer it‘s like swapping a 1k DAC to a 10k one.

Mike / Puma... how does the Sigma compare to the Alpha? Maybe you can share some impressions and ease my wait until my Sigma finally arrives! :)

All the best and happy Easter over the pond!!
Click to expand...

The Alpha USB is very good. The Sigma has some performance increases for sure. They are both really really good.


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Alright... so if I may draw a comparison to the AQ power cords discussion we had: The difference between Alpha vs Sigma to me sounds somewhat like that between a Firebird vs Dragon or Tornado vs Hurricane ... not e.g. like that between a Hurricane and a Dragon.

In any case... I will be extremely happy once I can connect it to my system. :)
 
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