Shunyata v2 speaker cables and IC’s

Dear Caelin,
i was wondering why the Sigma speaker cables had a distinctly larger price jump compared to the Sigma RCAs or Alpha speaker cables? From around 7.5k to just under 10k. In Euros this is probably over 11k which is hard to swallow.
On the other hand when one see‘s what the competition demands for their offerings it might seem reasonable. Just was hoping for a price in the range of $8.500 which is about double the Alphas and in the same ballpark as Sigmas being roughly double the Alphas price in general. If you tell us they are three times as good, that might change things... ;)

All the best!!

PS: Can‘t wait for my Everest to arrive! :)
 
I would suggest you get the new Alpha v2 speaker cable. Just pretend that it has a retail price of 8500 and the dealer just gave you an incredible discount!

The Alpha v2 has the new 6-gauge VTX-Ag (silver/copper) wire. And it inherits the HARP technology that was previously only available in the Sigma model. The Sigma v2 model is now essentially a completely new model based upon a massive 4-gauge VTX-Ag conductor which makes it a substantially more expensive product. Based on its competitive performance and build quality we could have easily slapped a $40K price tag on it and no one would have blinked. We just don’t want to operate that way.

We have managed to keep the prices of our new cables reasonable due to advancements in our production procedures and amortizing of technology costs. For instance, the new Alpha v2 XLR is essentially similar to the prior generation Sigma v1 but the price is much less than what a Sigma sold for. So, we are actually offering more performance at a lower price. Don’t get hung up on model names - look at what’s in them and their relative performance. Instead of raising prices we are effectively lowering them across the board while competitors are increasing prices.

So, get the Alpha v2 speaker cable. You won’t be disappointed. There is nothing wrong with spending less as long as the performance and quality are superior.
 
Thanks for the detailed answer. As I said in the beginning of the thread, I‘m eagerly awaiting the first impressions of experienced customers. I know e.g. that Mike has been impressed by AQ latest speaker cables as many others. However, I find that AQs cables once there is some silver in it and especially additional length comes with stratospheric price increase. 5k, 10k ... Okay, but not 30k!! An ounce of silver is $20 and these cables don‘t weight half a ton!
Back to what you said, I‘m willing to spend that extra for the Sigma, if it really is that good. Just waiting for some initial feedback whether it‘ll be Alphas and Sigmas.
I also appreciate your hints about the new series a while ago, since I was about to get some of the AQ speaker cables, but now am willing to wait for the Shunyata cables to see what‘s what. My choose for the Sigma USB was an easy one on the end.

Kudos and real appreciate your sensible and value oriented product line-up!!
 
MusicLover said:
Thanks for the detailed answer. As I said in the beginning of the thread, I‘m eagerly awaiting the first impressions of experienced customers. I know e.g. that Mike has been impressed by AQ latest speaker cables as many others. However, I find that AQs cables once there is some silver in it and especially additional length comes with stratospheric price increase. 5k, 10k ... Okay, but not 30k!! An ounce of silver is $20 and these cables don‘t weight half a ton!
Back to what you said, I‘m willing to spend that extra for the Sigma, if it really is that good. Just waiting for some initial feedback whether it‘ll be Alphas and Sigmas.
I also appreciate your hints about the new series a while ago, since I was about to get some of the AQ speaker cables, but now am willing to wait for the Shunyata cables to see what‘s what. My choose for the Sigma USB was an easy one on the end.

Kudos and real appreciate your sensible and value oriented product line-up!!
Click to expand...

Our Deutschland distributor has put in a massive order. We are getting great feedback from many of the dealers that received products. So, lots of products should be arriving in the coming weeks.
 
Great too hear! Do you know when the container leaves?! Maybe the shipment comes just in time for my early October vacation...

And now one of those „stupid“ questions: I never got why a lower gauge number means a higher diameter/more thickness or just better sonic characteristics?! 6-gauge sounds better/bigger too me than 4-gauge, but it seems to be the other way around. Maybe you can bring some light into this technical darkness.

Thanks!!
 
Just think of shot sizes (shotgun) as the size # increases the shot becomes smaller.
 
@ MusicLover

In the USA the gauge number is reduced as the diameter or thickness increases, so a 6 gauge is thinner than a 4 gauge...everywhere else it's the opposite.
Just think of it as another peculiarity of the US system, i.e. The calendar:

USA: Month/Day/Year
The rest of the world: Day/ Month/ Year
 
Neither the American AWG measuring system nor the EU measurement in mm gives a good understanding of the actual difference in size between wires.

The cross sectional area of a wire is probably the most useful to understand the difference in size between two wires. That is measured in millimeters squared and is the cross-sectional area of the wire.

The wire size in a common power cord is 18 AWG which is ~1.0 millimeters in diameter.
The next size up would be a 16 AWG wire which is ~1.5 mm. (1.63mm to be exact)

The (mm2) measurement gives a much better idea of the size difference:
18 AWG = .82 mm2
16 AWG = 1.31 mm2


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fathead said:
Anyone compare sigma speaker cables to alpha yet
Click to expand...

No. But, from what I've read the Sigma is just more refined. More resolution and clarity, more of everything.

As a result of a few key technologies that are exclusive to the Sigma line.

If you are based in the US. Perhaps you can contact the cable company to borrow both and see what is best for you system.

My prediction, if you have the budget and system resolving power, Sigma will be the winner :-)
 
mdp632 said:
No. But, from what I've read the Sigma is just more refined. More resolution and clarity, more of everything.

As a result of a few key technologies that are exclusive to the Sigma line.

If you are based in the US. Perhaps you can contact the cable company to borrow both and see what is best for you system.

My prediction, if you have the budget and system resolving power, Sigma will be the winner :-)
Click to expand...

Yes I agree , all my other cables are Sigma v2 or Omega . I just sold the Sigma v1 Speaker cables and from what I have heard the Alpha v2 bested them . Im just trying to cheap out I should know better 😂😂😂
 
Dear Mike and Caelin (and others if they've got hands on experience with this). For amps and speakers with two sets of bindings posts per channel, which would you recommend:

- 1 pair of Sigma v2 bi-wire, or
- 1 pair of Sigma v2 with Sigma v2 jumpers, or
- 2 pairs of Alpha v2

Two pairs of Alpha v2 contain more wire than one pair of Sigma v2: 2 x 6 gauge vs. 1 x 4 gauge. With two pairs, you'll also isolate the lows from the mids and highs in separate cables. Will these benefits make two pairs of Alpha v2 preferential over a single pair of Sigma v2's?

I'm eyeing Shunyata but same question can asked for other brands: 1 x $$$$ or 2 x $$.
 
I wouldn't get too worked up about bi-wiring. Sigma v2 would be an excellent choice. Use the jumpers that came with your speakers.
 
robert1976 said:
Dear Mike and Caelin (and others if they've got hands on experience with this). For amps and speakers with two sets of bindings posts per channel, which would you recommend:

- 1 pair of Sigma v2 bi-wire, or
- 1 pair of Sigma v2 with Sigma v2 jumpers, or
- 2 pairs of Alpha v2

Two pairs of Alpha v2 contain more wire than one pair of Sigma v2: 2 x 6 gauge vs. 1 x 4 gauge. With two pairs, you'll also isolate the lows from the mids and highs in separate cables. Will these benefits make two pairs of Alpha v2 preferential over a single pair of Sigma v2's?

I'm eyeing Shunyata but same question can asked for other brands: 1 x $$$$ or 2 x $$.
Click to expand...

I do the same (my integrated amp is similar with yours, dual speaker binding posts per channel). My experience: use the best speaker cable you can afford for the highs & minds ports / connectors. The lowers can do well with much cheaper lower tier of the same company (same length) as long as sufficient gauge. I hope this helps
 
Thank you, nice system you have there. From your signature I conclude you're using Sigma v2 for mids and highs. And Alpha v2 for the bass.

I was always told the bass needs the thicker wire. The bass may not need the prettier sound quality of the Sigma v2, but it may benefit from the increased wire gauge: it's 50% thicker than the Alpha v2.

Have you tried swapping them?
 
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