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...
). 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.
