Shunyata Alpha USB Review

[Mike]

I have the Alpha USB and Sigma USB in the store. They are both incredible sounding USB cables. So organic, full, smooth. Love them.

https://shunyata.com/download/11935/

 

[Kuoppis]

Do you think the Shunyata Alpha USB is better than the AQ Diamond USB?


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[Mike]

Do you think the Shunyata Alpha USB is better than the AQ Diamond USB?


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System and listener dependent. If you want ultimate transparency and resolution, go Diamond. If you want organic, smooth, meaty, go Shunyata.


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[Kuoppis]

System and listener dependent. If you want ultimate transparency and resolution, go Diamond. If you want organic, smooth, meaty, go Shunyata.


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Thanks Mike, as usual, you expertise is greatly appreciated.


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[Puma Cat]

Do you think the Shunyata Alpha USB is better than the AQ Diamond USB?


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In my system, no question, I prefer the Shunyata Alpha USB over the AQ Diamond and by quite a ways. Had the Diamond as my reference for better part of 5 years. IMHO, the Shunyata Alpha smokes it. They're not even in the same zip code.

System is C-J: CT-5 and LP70S. Harbeth 30.2s, SOtM UltraNeo network bridge and Sonore Optical Module, and Schiit Gungnir Mulibit DAC (aka Gumby). The Shunyata Alpha connects the SOtM to Gumby.
Power is Shunyata Denali V2 and Shunyata Delta NR, EF and Venom NR-series PCs.

 

[jdandy]

Mike.......I installed the Shunyata Sigma USB cable in my living room sound system this past June. It connects the Aurender N100H music server to the Schiit Audio Yggdrasil Analog 2 DAC. The Shunyata Sigma USB cable now has approximately 275 hours on it. In addition to its astonishing component level bump in audio performance, I found no discernible change to the sound of the Sigma USB cable from the initial hours when the cable was brand new, fresh out of the box. This USB cable has been a stellar performer from minute one. Having often noticed sonic characteristics develop in a cable's sound as hours accrue on interconnects, digital cables, and speaker cables, I find it remarkable the Shunyata Sigma USB cable demonstrated no audible sonic signature shift that I could detect in all these hours. To my ears the entire frequency range remained neutral and natural from the beginning. Obviously Shunyata’s KPIP process meets their intended goal. I believe the performance limits of the Sigma USB cable represents the culmination of multiple scientific discoveries Caelin Gabriel has implemented in the Shunyata Sigma line of cables.

It has been my experience the Shunyata Sigma USB cable consistently reproduces a more accurate, involving and believable audio performance than the Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable it replaced. By comparison the Shunyata Sigma USB cable has considerably more to offer owners of high-end sound systems, albeit at a price premium ($2000.00 for 1.5 meters) compared to the Wireworld Platinum Starlight USB cable ($850.00 for 1.5 meters). Despite the price difference between the two USB cables, it is evident the technology behind the Shunyata Sigma USB cable makes good on its promise to “do no harm”. It is a worthy contender when considering the performance level you wish to achieve. Shunyata Research has completely erased the nonsensical idea that wire is just wire. If one's sound system easily uncovers differences in resolution and detail, and these differences can be readily identified when swapping cables, then you are a perfect candidate for installing the Sigma USB cable in your sound system. The Shunyata Sigma USB cable is serious. My comment to everyone is be prepared to be astonished.

Shunyata Sigma USB cable

Owning the Shunyata Sigma USB cable served as a catalyst for me to purchase the Shunyata Sigma SPDIF digital cable in August that is now installed in the studio sound system between the Aurender N10 music server and the Esoteric K-01X coaxial DAC input. Once again this Sigma series digital interconnect raised the performance bar over the Wireworld Platinum Starlight digital cable that had served as my reference cable for several years. The clarity and transparency of the studio sound system were improved considerably once the Sigma SPDIF cable was installed. Shunyata Sigma series cables are the real deal.

Shunyata Sigma SPDIF digital cable

 

[Kuoppis]

In my system, no question, I prefer the Shunyata Alpha USB over the AQ Diamond and by quite a ways. Had the Diamond as my reference for better part of 5 years. IMHO, the Shunyata Alpha smokes it. They're not even in the same zip code.

As Mike pointed out, personal preferences and system are likely to affect anyone’s choice. Arguably Harbeth 30.2 + Schiit Gungir is hardly a high resolution system taking advantage of the AQ Diamond’s capabilities. Therefore I would be careful to pass too strong judgment. YMMV.


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[Puma Cat]

As Mike pointed out, personal preferences and system are likely to affect anyone’s choice. Arguably Harbeth 30.2 + Schiit Gungir is hardly a high resolution system taking advantage of the AQ Diamond’s capabilities. Therefore I would be careful to pass too strong judgment. YMMV.


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I'm not going to dignify this comment with a response.

 

[mdp632]

It’s amazing what Shunyata has been able to do technology wise with their latest cables.

The resolution obtained from Shunyata latest cables regardless of one’s personal subjective taste is impressive.

The flagship AQ cables all use silver to lower distortion and increase resolution. This however comes at a cost.

AQ also uses DBS system to further lower noise floor.
Whereas Shunyata on the Alpha and Sigma lines uses their Zitron circuit that doesn’t require a battery to provide a similar benefit.

Known for their power cables and products; Shunyata has certainly steeped up their interconnects, speaker cables and now network cables with their Alpha and Sigma lines.

Certainly State of the Art

 

[Rob181]

As Mike pointed out, personal preferences and system are likely to affect anyone’s choice. Arguably Harbeth 30.2 + Schiit Gungir is hardly a high resolution system taking advantage of the AQ Diamond’s capabilities. Therefore I would be careful to pass too strong judgment. YMMV.


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I'm not going to dignify this comment with a response.

What do you call this - reads like a response to me

 

[MusicLover]

Hi there,

I got a question regarding the Shunyata Sigma USB vs. S/PDIF cables: jdandy, did you have a chance to compare these two in the same System?! I was about to order the Sigma USB, but supply here in Germany is very.... how should I put it... sluggish. Waiting for a demo cable since last September!
Anyway not all is bad when one has to wait: In the meantime I demoed a Aurender N10 at home which sounded great. Now I read a couple of reviews about the dCS network bridge that say it‘s atleast as good and (other features aside) costs less than half the money. Thing is though, it‘s got no USB output, only AES/EBU (which my DAC doesn‘t have) or S/PDIF.
=> So the question is, is the Shunyata S/PDIF as good as the USB (it‘s the newer design I think) or which combination would you choose?

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

Regards from Germany!

 

[MusicLover]

Hi there,

jdandy, you mentioned that you got both the Sigma USB and S/PDIF.
My question: Did you ever compare them in the same system?




I was about to order the Sigma USB, but supply here in Germany is terrible... ordered a demo cable back in September. Still waiting...
Not all bad though: Auditioned an Aurender N10 in the meantime, which sounded lovely (vs my current 2012 MacMini); now I read a couple of times how wonderful the dCS network bridge sounds. Even better than the N10 (and less than half the price). However, it got no USB output. So my question is: Is the USB superior or equal to the S/PDIF (in general and/or because it the newer Shunyata design)? ... to decide which combination is best.


Any thoughts are much appreciated!
Regards from Germany

 

[joeinid]

Welcome

Hi there,

jdandy, you mentioned that you got both the Sigma USB and S/PDIF.
My question: Did you ever compare them in the same system?




I was about to order the Sigma USB, but supply here in Germany is terrible... ordered a demo cable back in September. Still waiting...
Not all bad though: Auditioned an Aurender N10 in the meantime, which sounded lovely (vs my current 2012 MacMini); now I read a couple of times how wonderful the dCS network bridge sounds. Even better than the N10 (and less than half the price). However, it got no USB output. So my question is: Is the USB superior or equal to the S/PDIF (in general and/or because it the newer Shunyata design)? ... to decide which combination is best.


Any thoughts are much appreciated!
Regards from Germany

 

[AceBaran]

I would also want to know this !

 

[Puma Cat]

I would also want to know this !

Unfortunately, Dan passed away a few weeks ago.

 

[AceBaran]

Unfortunately, Dan passed away a few weeks ago.

Oh RIP

 

[CGabriel]

All of our digital cables are designed using the same technical principles. So the performance of the different types of “cables” is equivalent. However the performance of various interfaces varies widely depending upon each DAC manufacturer’s specific implementation, In other words, S/PDIF may be better with DAC A and USB may be better with DAC B.

in the systems we have tested that have a choice of interfaces AES/EBU is usually best but the difference between S/PDIF is extremely small. Very difficult to differentiate. USB is roughly equivalent to SPDIF but the USB interface has the biggest performance variation between manufacturers. Some designs are very simple and don’t isolate ground planes or take care with power and signal isolation. So do some research to make the best choices.

 

[AceBaran]

All of our digital cables are designed using the same technical principles. So the performance of the different types of “cables” is equivalent. However the performance of various interfaces varies widely depending upon each DAC manufacturer’s specific implantation. In other words, S/PDIF may be better with DAC A and USB may be better with DAC B.

in the systems we have tested that have a choice of interfaces AES/EBU is usually best but the difference between S/PDIF is extremely small. Very difficult to differentiate. USB is roughly equivalent to SPDIF but the USB interface has the biggest performance variation between manufacturers. Some designs are very simple and don’t isolate ground planes or take care with power and signal isolation. So do some research to make the best choices.

thank you very much for your input

 

[brodricj]

...in the systems we have tested that have a choice of interfaces AES/EBU is usually best but the difference between S/PDIF is extremely small...

Yes. I found the same thing. Plus, AES/EBU can carry DSD wheras S/PDIF can't. I use Shunyata Sigma AES/EBU. I'm contemplating ordering Sigma ethernet however the dealer has told me to expect 5 week delivery. Perhaps more.

 

[Puma Cat]

Yes. I found the same thing. Plus, AES/EBU can carry DSD wheras S/PDIF can't. I use Shunyata Sigma AES/EBU. I'm contemplating ordering Sigma ethernet however the dealer has told me to expect 5 week delivery. Perhaps more.

They will be worth the wait...they're in a class by themselves.