Shunyata, which first made its mark with a novel line of US-made power cables named after various snakes and using a ferrite-based powder filling to absorb RF, has come out with five new serpentine products. According to sales manager Richard Colburn, the company has learned how to put more metal inside its cables, thereby increasing their gauge. The copper used is CDA-101, the only copper certified for its purity. Proprietary connectors are unplated brass, which company founder/designer Caelin Gabriel considers to sound the best.
New in the CX Series helix power cable line are the King Cobra CX (starting at $3500, and pictured here), Anaconda CX (starting at $2000), Python CX (starting at $1100), Viper CX (starting at $700, and Sidewinder CX (starting at $500). In the Aeros series signal cable line, we've got the Cirrus-IC interconnect ($3000/1m pair) and Cirrus-SP speaker cable ($3000/8' pair). The geometry has been newly tweaked in this hand-woven line. Higher up, we've got the Stratos-IC interconnect ($5000/1m pair) and Stratos-SP speaker cable ($6000/8' pair). On top are the Aurora-IC interconnect ($7500/1m) and Aurora-SP speaker cable ($15,000/8'). Everything is treated with the "Alpha Cryogenic Process."
Shunyata has also made changes to its two top-of-the-line Hydra power distribution products, the Hydra Model-8 Version II and Hydra V-Ray Version II. Both have eight Shunyata SR-Z1 outlets, output 2400 Watts unregulated, contain ZrCa-2000 noise reduction compound, and offer surge protection.
Shunyata's best offerings sounded great paired with Wilson Sophias and Audio Research electronics in the Audio Research room. "Amazing detail and nuance" I wrote in my notes after hearing things I'd never heard before on a selection by the wonderful young English soprano Kate Royal. Equally impressive was the way the system fleshed out the orchestral accompaniment. Very, very special.
