New Shunyata Sigma X series with QR technology

[audioquest4life]

Just saw on Shunyata’s website they have a new Sigma X series. One of the cables in the new series has the QR technology of the Omega series. This seemed to just happen within the last few days. Did not read of any formal media updates regarding the new Sigma X series, but I am sure this new series which incorporates the technology from the Omega series is going to be a winner.

New Shunyata Sigma X series

 

[kimmusic]

I have two QR on order and they are now saying they are "out of parts" so I have to wait another two weeks.

Not impressed at all with this situation. $12,000 is a ton of money for two power cables, and I am really wondering why they did not have QR parts or more inventory before they started selling these. Starting to have serious doubts about my order, the pricing, and if they are really that much better than my Alpha or Sigma NR.

 

[audioquest4life]

I have two QR on order and they are now saying they are "out of parts" so I have to wait another two weeks.

Not impressed at all with this situation. $12,000 is a ton of money for two power cables, and I am really wondering why they did not have QR parts or more inventory before they started selling these. Starting to have serious doubts about my order, the pricing, and if they are really that much better than my Alpha or Sigma NR.

That’s not good. Which dealer did you order from? It seems as though the Sigma X series just arrived without much fanfare. No worthy social media postings and no short term previews prior to official release. I only discovered the new Sigma QR series when looking for Omega QRs.

 

[kimmusic]

Dealer I use does a great job and is not the problem, it is just the factory is trying to catchup and they seem to have focused efforts only on the NR and XC cables, not the QR. Yet, they claim the QR cable is the best choice for amps even into an Everest like I have. I have not seen any other reviews.

I do know the dealers have already received their initial orders of Sigma X XC and NR versions, so I expect people to say they are good (like they always do), but until the QR are built and shipped, I am reserving judgement. I do not plan on updating my other Sigma cables to X versions.

 

[GrantS]

Dealer I use does a great job and is not the problem, it is just the factory is trying to catchup and they seem to have focused efforts only on the NR and XC cables, not the QR. Yet, they claim the QR cable is the best choice for amps even into an Everest like I have. I have not seen any other reviews.

I do know the dealers have already received their initial orders of Sigma X XC and NR versions, so I expect people to say they are good (like they always do), but until the QR are built and shipped, I am reserving judgement. I do not plan on updating my other Sigma cables to X versions.

Dear Kimmusic,

I appreciate and empathize with your comment.

My apologies for the delay regarding your order. There was an unanticipated delay in receiving one critical part needed to build the initial sets of the Sigma X QR model power cords. The missing part arrived yesterday, so they will be working to get caught up. Please e-mail me at grant@shunyata.com. I will pass your information along to the factory and we'll do all we can to prioritize your order. We always do whatever's possible when a delay occurs and people take the time to reach out to us.

Regarding the X Series. In the 25 years I've worked with Caelin there has never been a more consequential advance in power cord performance or applied tech as there has been with the X power cords. I haven't personally tested the Sigma X QR yet so I can't speak from experience to that. I have thoroughly tested the X power cords in my systems and traveled to both coasts with them the past two weeks; opinions from our retailers thus far are unequivocal. Anyone who tests the X models is very likely to be surprised, regardless of context.

As with most new product ranges, the first few weeks can be bumpy, as we found with delivery of a critical part of the QR model. Those are in house now so we should be on a normal time line once those orders are caught up.

Thanks for your patience, and feel free to reach out to me with any questions or comments.

Best regards,

Grant Samuelsen
Shunyata Research

 

[kimmusic]

Thank you, Grant, for your additional information.

My dealer also has indicated the Sigma X NR (and XC) are excellent based on his system after replacing the Sigma V2's he was using. Because of this I bought one of his and will be receiving it tomorrow. I will try it on my DAC, Aurender, and pre-amp and try to decide which one may benefit the most. If the results are good, I may do additional X replacements.

I will be looking forward to the QR models which are for my main mono power amps with C19 ends.

 

[Tyburn]

Thank you, Grant, for your additional information.

My dealer also has indicated the Sigma X NR (and XC) are excellent based on his system after replacing the Sigma V2's he was using. Because of this I bought one of his and will be receiving it tomorrow. I will try it on my DAC, Aurender, and pre-amp and try to decide which one may benefit the most. If the results are good, I may do additional X replacements.

I will be looking forward to the QR models which are for my main mono power amps with C19 ends.

Just wondering if you can share any thoughts on the new Sigma X now that you’ve had one for a few days?

 

[kimmusic]

I replaced an Alpha V2 NR on my DAC with a Sigma X NR, and felt there was a very good improvement. I think these Sigma X NR are worth considering for analog components like DAC's and pre-amps. The QR should be better for amps, but I still have not received those to try.

The Sigma X larger gauge wire might be more than is needed on low current, digital components, so possibly a Theta X NR or Alpha X NR might be more cost effective and get close to the same quality on them.

There is more detail with the X, possibly a little bright to me which may change over time as they settle in. It all really depends on the recording. Some poorly recorded music sounded worse to me with the X, but high-resolution files or better cd level recordings sound better. It reveals the music as recorded, and the soundstage can open up and the music dynamics can get real quick, as well as crystal clear, IF the recording is good.

The lower bass is simply amazing with Sigma X on my system and gets down to lower frequency levels you can feel, just below hearing that I did not get with the Alpha V2 on the same songs. Duets are much easier to hear both singers, and this is a very positive improvement.

 

[Tyburn]

Thank you for such a detailed response.

 

[KidTurbo]

Anyone know if an Omega X series is in the works?

 

[kimmusic]

I believe there will be new Omega X digital cables coming fairly soon. The Omega speaker cables are not being changed at this time.

 

[Zeotrope]

Just saw on Shunyata’s website they have a new Sigma X series. One of the cables in the new series has the QR technology of the Omega series. This seemed to just happen within the last few days. Did not read of any formal media updates regarding the new Sigma X series, but I am sure this new series which incorporates the technology from the Omega series is going to be a winner.

New Shunyata Sigma X series

Just ordered two of these for new amps. Not sure I’ll benefit from the QR tech as my speakers draw 1-2W and the amps can produce well over 200W, but I like to think of cables and cords as lifetime purchases.

 

[Ian B]

I believe there will be new Omega X digital cables coming fairly soon. The Omega speaker cables are not being changed at this time.

OMEGA-X Power Cables - Shunyata Research

The OMEGA-X power cords are the ultimate examples of more than a quarter-century of dedicated research and product refinement. Literally hundreds of tests, man hours, alternative materials and innovative construction techniques have combined to deliver products proven to posses incomparable...

shunyata.com

 

[Ian B]

OMEGA-X Power Cables - Shunyata Research

The OMEGA-X power cords are the ultimate examples of more than a quarter-century of dedicated research and product refinement. Literally hundreds of tests, man hours, alternative materials and innovative construction techniques have combined to deliver products proven to posses incomparable...

shunyata.com

It's hard to keep up. I'm almost about to complete my regular Omega setup...

I'd like to know if the Sigma X is on par with, or eclipses the previous Omega QR. Aside from just performance, there was a qualitative change/improvement when I went from Sigma v2 to Omega, which was a much more relaxed and organic feel. Would also like to know if these are more in line with the punchy intensity of the Sigma v2, or the more relaxed sound of the Omega.

 

[Scottras]

I replaced an Alpha V2 NR on my DAC with a Sigma X NR, and felt there was a very good improvement. I think these Sigma X NR are worth considering for analog components like DAC's and pre-amps. The QR should be better for amps, but I still have not received those to try.

The Sigma X larger gauge wire might be more than is needed on low current, digital components, so possibly a Theta X NR or Alpha X NR might be more cost effective and get close to the same quality on them.

There is more detail with the X, possibly a little bright to me which may change over time as they settle in. It all really depends on the recording. Some poorly recorded music sounded worse to me with the X, but high-resolution files or better cd level recordings sound better. It reveals the music as recorded, and the soundstage can open up and the music dynamics can get real quick, as well as crystal clear, IF the recording is good.

The lower bass is simply amazing with Sigma X on my system and gets down to lower frequency levels you can feel, just below hearing that I did not get with the Alpha V2 on the same songs. Duets are much easier to hear both singers, and this is a very positive improvement.

Hello. I'm just seeing this post for the first time and wanted to follow up with you about one of your initial observations about the Sigma-X NR sounding possibly a little bright. I'm curious to know whether that brightness lessened at all as your Sigma-X NR settled in. I'm also interested to know how else you would assess the cable's performance as it has settled.

 

[kimmusic]

They settled in once I had a loom of them. All sounds clear but not over bright. Source material matters, so don't blame cables, if it is the recording. Compare several recordings of different genre to evaluate. Good luck.

As far as the Omega X vs Omega, I have not evaluated as I have the Omega XC to my Everest and don't see a need to spend more on cables at this point.

 

[Zeotrope]

I have the new Sigma X QR powering the Nagra REF Amps. How long would you say it takes the Sigma X to break in?

 

[Scottras]

They settled in once I had a loom of them. All sounds clear but not over bright. Source material matters, so don't blame cables, if it is the recording. Compare several recordings of different genre to evaluate. Good luck.

As far as the Omega X vs Omega, I have not evaluated as I have the Omega XC to my Everest and don't see a need to spend more on cables at this point.

Thanks very much. I really appreciate your input.

I've had Sigma V2 NRs on all my source gear (connected to an Everest with Omega XC to the wall). I've replaced them with Sigma-X NRs on all the source gear and I'm blown away by the increase in noise reduction, detail, clarity, soundstaging in all dimensions, and overall presence of the sound (and the Sigma V2s are no slouches in those regards) – it's pretty remarkable.

However, I'm also noticing that the overall sonic presentation of the Sigma-X NRs seems fairly aggressive with significant energy in the higher frequencies, which on many tracks is a bit fatiguing. I have about 60 hours on the cables thus far, hence my question about any changes you've heard when your Xs settled in completely. And also, how many hours would you guesstimate that it took for the settling in?

 

[kimmusic]

Thanks very much. I really appreciate your input.

I've had Sigma V2 NRs on all my source gear (connected to an Everest with Omega XC to the wall). I've replaced them with Sigma-X NRs on all the source gear and I'm blown away by the increase in noise reduction, detail, clarity, soundstaging in all dimensions, and overall presence of the sound (and the Sigma V2s are no slouches in those regards) – it's pretty remarkable.

However, I'm also noticing that the overall sonic presentation of the Sigma-X NRs seems fairly aggressive with significant energy in the higher frequencies, which on many tracks is a bit fatiguing. I have about 60 hours on the cables thus far, hence my question about any changes you've heard when your Xs settled in completely. And also, how many hours would you guesstimate that it took for the settling in?

I went with Alpha X NR for digital source components Berkeley Alpha USB 2 and Aurender N20 (they don't need the larger gauge copper $), Sigma X NR for analog source components Berkeley DAC and pre-amp, but where things balanced out and sounded less aggressive was when I went with Sigma QR on my 2 mono amps. Other factors are Omega speaker cables $$$ vs Sigma.

 

[Scottras]

I went with Alpha X NR for digital source components Berkeley Alpha USB 2 and Aurender N20 (they don't need the larger gauge copper $), Sigma X NR for analog source components Berkeley DAC and pre-amp, but where things balanced out and sounded less aggressive was when I went with Sigma QR on my 2 mono amps. Other factors are Omega speaker cables $$$ vs Sigma.

Wow, you have Omega speaker cables?! I haven't heard them, but I've read reviews and reports that they are truly next-level! Caelin and Grant from Shunyata strongly advised me to go with Omega XC cables for my Pass XA200.8 monoblocks, which I've done and they sounded pretty awesome and without aggression when I was using the Sigma V2 NRs for my front end gear. So the brighter, higher energy sound I'm hearing is now definitely from those four new Sigma-Xs. I'm hoping they'll relax a bit more with more time.