Shunyata Alpha V2 full loom

[Mike]

Arrived today!

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[the professor]

Christmas came early!!!

 

[MusicLover]

Looks tempting... interesting to hear your impressions especially against those highly appreciated AQ Thunderbirds, since they are in a similar price range.

Happy listening!!

 

[Mike]

First reaction: holy F!

- big soundstage
- detail, detail and oh yeah, more detail.
- bass!!!!!
- depth!!!!
- as big of an improvement the V1 to V2 power cords are, the IC’s and speaker cables are an even bigger improvement. By a lot.

Breaking in on:

Magico A5’s
Pass X260.8
Pass XP22
MSB DAC






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[strojo]

How flexible is it?

 

[Mike]

How flexible is it?

Very!! The Alpha V2 Speaker cables are much much heavier and thicker than V1.

The IC’s and speaker cables are gigantic step up over v1. A quantum leap. The Alpha V2’s leap frog the Sigma V1’s and then some.

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[tino27]

I shared in some of the excitement today as my new Delta v2 speaker cables also arrived. I know that most of the Shunyata products don't require a significant burn-in period because of their KPIP technology -- however, I'm wondering from those in the know, can I still expect the sound to change as I use the cables more and more? Perhaps it won't take hundreds of hours like other products, but I'm still curious if can expect to hear a change ... ?

Thanks!

 

[Puma Cat]

I shared in some of the excitement today as my new Delta v2 speaker cables also arrived. I know that most of the Shunyata products don't require a significant burn-in period because of their KPIP technology -- however, I'm wondering from those in the know, can I still expect the sound to change as I use the cables more and more? Perhaps it won't take hundreds of hours like other products, but I'm still curious if can expect to hear a change ... ?

Thanks!

Yes. Definitely. It will just get better as the cable settles...

 

[Puma Cat]

First reaction: holy F!

- big soundstage
- detail, detail and oh yeah, more detail.
- bass!!!!!
- depth!!!!
- as big of an improvement the V1 to V2 power cords are, the IC’s and speaker cables are an even bigger improvement. By a lot.

Breaking in on:

Magico A5’s
Pass X260.8
Pass XP22
MSB DAC
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Fantastic. Thanks for posting, Mike.

If you would be so kind please post updated impressions as the cables settle over the next week or so, my guess is there's more goodness to come.

 

[Devg]

is the Alpha V2 comparable to Sigma V1 ?

 

[Mike]

is the Alpha V2 comparable to Sigma V1 ?

In terms of size, yes. In terms of sound? No. Alpha v2 is FAR better. Still scratching my head on this one. The IC’s and SPC’s are a quantum leap forward.


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[Devg]

In terms of size, yes. In terms of sound? No. Alpha v2 is FAR better. Still scratching my head on this one. The IC’s and SPC’s are a quantum leap forward.


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Thanks a bunch Mike. I have been meaning to try Shunyata in my system for sometime now and was looking for a starting point. Your answer gives a fair insight.

 

[brodricj]

I don't drool often. But now I am.

 

[SCAudiophile]

In terms of size, yes. In terms of sound? No. Alpha v2 is FAR better. Still scratching my head on this one. The IC’s and SPC’s are a quantum leap forward.


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Agreed....Alpha V2 power cords that I have and tested easily beat Sigma V1 in every single category. Sigma V2 are even more impressive...

 

[MusicLover]

Hi SCAudiophile,
can you give some rough estimates regarding the additional benefits of the Sigma v2 vs the Alpha v2s?
Like if the Alpha v2 are say 50% better than the Sigma v1, then the Sigma v2 add another xx%.
Well, any details are appreciated, since I‘m considering either Alpha or Sigma v2. Is the Sigma so that you couldn’t go back to Alphas after hearing them or „just“ a couple of notches up?! Thanks a lot!!

 

[Puma Cat]

Hi SCAudiophile,
can you give some rough estimates regarding the additional benefits of the Sigma v2 vs the Alpha v2s?
Like if the Alpha v2 are say 50% better than the Sigma v1, then the Sigma v2 add another xx%.
Well, any details are appreciated, since I‘m considering either Alpha or Sigma v2. Is the Sigma so that you couldn’t go back to Alphas after hearing them or „just“ a couple of notches up?! Thanks a lot!!

I can't speak regarding the the new Alpha and Sigma IC's or SPs because I haven't heard them, but I have heard the new Alpha and Sigma PC and Ethernet cables extensively, and I'm personally of the view that one can't "quantify", or more importantly, distinguish with respect to percentages that Alpha V2 is "50% better" than Sigma V1 or Sigma V2 "XX%" better than Alpha V2. This is because, with these "2nd generation" cables, at least with respect to the new PCs, we've moved away from traditional audiophile lexicon we've used for years to what I personally find requires a lexicon describing fine musical instruments or musical performances. So, for me at least, blanket generalizations like, "50% more transparent!" or "30% more bass!" don't apply. This is because we have to move away traditional terms that audiophiles have used for decades describing "like" to a new language describing "kind". Using language like, "sounds 50% more like a Guadanigni cello!"...doesn't really work. Rather, one has an experience that lets one become more fully engaged and musically involved with Cecil Aronowitz of The Academy playing his Guadanigni very beautifully. You stop listening to "gear" and become engaged with the musical experience.

Moreover, with respect to the lovely musical qualities these cables provide, their performance is so good across the board, from Delta to Alpha to Sigma, that I am personally of the view that rather than going "all in" with say, Sigma throughout the system, one should arrange to audition some of the different levels and listen to what works best for your system and for your room. For example, I had a full loom of Sigma NR PCs in for evaluation when I wrote my review of the Sigma NR v2 PC for TAS, but for my system, personally, I've found that Sigma XC on Everest, Sigma NRv2 on the power amp, and...Alpha NRv2 for the preamp gave me a presentation, that for my room and the space I have in the room, gave me the most engaging musical experience. The Alpha V2 PCs have a beautiful, layered, and ariculated qualities in my system that I really love. I also had the Omega XC in for photography and listened to it, while it is amazing and staggering in its performance level, it was just...too much for my room. It was like driving a Porsche 919 Evo Hybrid racing car on my local twisty back roads. It's amazing and recording beating at the Nurburgring....but I don't live at the Nurburgring. If you've got a big, tall room with big speakers and big amps, you should definitely consider the Omega XC, But, my room is more like a small, nice twisty road on the backside of the Napa Valley, where a Porsche GT3 provides a more enjoyable experience.

Also, I'm confident that, as a Shunyata dealer, Mike could have gone with "all-Sigma" for his rooom and the system in this thread, but after conferring with Caelin, it was recommended that the Alpha level was the best match for the room, system, and components. And I really think that's how one should think about this new range of products.

So my personal guidance is to work with your dealer to audition the new cables at the different levels, ideally in your home, and decide based on actual listening. You may well find that, for example, the new Alpha SPs or ICs are so good, that you can save thousands over the cost of Sigma by going with them, and put the remaing funds towards a nice vacation with your family, etc.

Would welcome Mike and Mark thoughts here...

 

[MusicLover]

Hi Puma,
thank you very much indeed for that in depth answer and your thoughts on the topic.
Your are very right that you can‘t put on percentage numbers. What I was trying to find out is whether there is a clear distinct difference in any system (if that even exists) that one wouldn’t wanna try eg Sigma speaker cables because than there would be no going back. I remember back when Mike talked about audition the AQ Dragon Power and speaker cables where he said they are clearly better than the lower range products.
What you describe is indeed very welcome news and I will definitely try myself and my own system. When I auditioned the Alpha USB and then ordering the Sigma USB (admittedly there where several month before my Sigma arrived) and although the Sigma is stunning it didn’t make me think the Alpha was an inferior product. The Sigma was maybe a bit more detailed and refined, whereas the Alpha had that gravitas and organic feel that made for a stunning cable itself.

Really looking forward to some nice upgrades. I could imaging getting a Sigma XC for my Everest and move the AQ Hurricane to my REL sub and then add a set of Alpha ICs and speaker cables to make a really lovely upgrade throughout the whole system and save some decent money... and who knows what Caelin has up his sleeves in 2-3 three years time.

Again, thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts!!

 

[Puma Cat]

Hi Puma,
thank you very much indeed for that in depth answer and your thoughts on the topic.
Your are very right that you can‘t put on percentage numbers. What I was trying to find out is whether there is a clear distinct difference in any system (if that even exists) that one wouldn’t wanna try eg Sigma speaker cables because than there would be no going back. I remember back when Mike talked about audition the AQ Dragon Power and speaker cables where he said they are clearly better than the lower range products.
What you describe is indeed very welcome news and I will definitely try myself and my own system. When I auditioned the Alpha USB and then ordering the Sigma USB (admittedly there where several month before my Sigma arrived) and although the Sigma is stunning it didn’t make me think the Alpha was an inferior product. The Sigma was maybe a bit more detailed and refined, whereas the Alpha had that gravitas and organic feel that made for a stunning cable itself.

You know, I think that is a really good way to think about it. It's important to remember that the cables and PCs, components, speakers and...the room are all part of a system, and these various factors in the system interact with one another. I like your terms "gravitas and organic feel" for your Alpha USB; I feel that way about the Alpha PCs, too. They work beautifully with my stereo and room as part of the system.

Really looking forward to some nice upgrades. I could imaging getting a Sigma XC for my Everest and move the AQ Hurricane to my REL sub and then add a set of Alpha ICs and speaker cables to make a really lovely upgrade throughout the whole system and save some decent money... and who knows what Caelin has up his sleeves in 2-3 three years time.

Again, thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts!!

Exactly. Saving some money by getting the Alpha v2 SPs and putting those funds towards a Sigma XC for use with your Everest would be the way I would prioritize using those funds. The most important PC in your system is the one powering the power distributor.

Speaking of Everest, how are you getting on with yours?

 

[MusicLover]

Yeah, so not sure if that’s the case but if the Alphas in general are a bit more earthy and the Sigmas a tad more refined a good balance between these two classes of cables seems the way to go.
Also I still have my Rega Osiris Integrated which is a lovely amp for driving my B&W 802 Diamond (prior series - the more beautiful one ). But I found that already with my AQ Hurricanes the system started to get on the bright side when adding the AQ Diamond (which the Sigma USB tamed quite a bit). My dealer said that Rega tends to sound there amps more on the speedy, fast, „in your face“ way. So it‘s maybe not the wisest to go totally nuts on cables before I haven‘t upgraded to a decent set of monos like the Bryston 28b3 or Moon 860v2 (maybe Mike has a good recommendation). With the Everest (+Sigma XC) and Alpha v2 down the line I feel in a good position to select the proper amp without tilting the system in one particular way.

Regarding Everest: We old-school Europeans always have to wait a little longer, but Caelin and my dealer said the shipment will arrive in the next weeks. I‘m also proud to have „only“ gone for the Everest upgrade for now and saving the Sigma XC for maybe Christmas so to have my presents spread over a longer time and more of those lovely upgrade moments.

Can you tease me a bit about the upcoming Everest experience (up from Denali v2) - you are a seasoned Everest user as far as I can tell?

 

[brodricj]

...So my personal guidance is to work with your dealer to audition the new cables at the different levels, ideally in your home, and decide based on actual listening...

A sensible suggestion. But it just doesn't work like that in some markets. Meaning. You can't get to audition a cable unless you buy it first. And then the dealer orders it. And a few weeks later you take delivery of it. No returns unless faulty.