It's no secret by now that Shunyata Research has released their Alpha Line of Power Cables. These have been described at the recent CES/T.H.E. Show (
http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/2014-ces-and-the-show-high-value-cables-and-power-products/)
I now have two of these in my system, an Alpha Digital that connects from my Playback Designs to my Triton, and recently I received a pair of Alpha High Current PC's which I now have running from the wall to my amps and these have been burning in nicely for the past 8-9 days and I feel comfortable making the following comments. For the past many years I have been using all Valhalla PC's which included where I am now running Alpha Digital and Alpha HC. I must admit that I was completely happy with my Valhalla cables and felt I was done until Caelin and his genius drew me back in with my recent additions of Shunyata PC's,Triton, 3 Typhons that having heard the sound and the profound changes it has made in my system that I honestly can't go back. Darn you Caelin
Initially I had a final listen to my Valhalla PC's before I switched to the Alpha HC PC's in order to give me some frame of reference. My initial thought was "OMG, what have I done?"
The sound was dull, lifeless 2 dimensional and was absent of any meaningful bass and with a shabby top end.It was as if a blanket was over my speakers. Well, I knew that I shouldn't have listened initially as I was aware that a minimum of 100 hours is necessary for anything meaningful. I have been running mine now virtually nonstop except to give the tubes a breather. I ran signal during the day and left power on during the nights so I now have about 200 hours on these cables.
I had a meaningful first listening session today and all I can say now is "wow!"
The blanket is gone and there is more life to the system to the point that I have turned down the volume on preamp to adjust for what I am used to.The bass was better than what I had before and the top end (where I didn't feel there was an issue with the Valhalla) seemed better. What I sensed was that there was a brightness or glare that I had with the Valhalla but no now. The soundstage (like any of my recent Shunyata additions) was more articulate, better defined with a sense of air around the singers and instruments. The sound seemed more life llke and for lack of a better word, cleaner. Is this a result of the filter used in this cable
What I have learned about the Alpha series of PC's is that they are based on Cobra technology which uses 10AWG Coincident Concentric Conductor (which concerned me because I have an Anaconda PC as well as 3 Anaconda umbilicals and wanted that 7 AWG that they had. Well Caelin in his genius uses 2 x 10 Coincident Concentric Conductors thus effectively making it 7 AWG. I gather this was done so that the conductors could fit in the Cobra sheath which has a diameter of 1.05 inches (26.67 mm) as compared to the Python and Anacondas which have a sheath which is 1.32 inches (33.53 mm) in diameter.
Now here is what is interesting .......the Anaconda and Python use VTX geometry and Shunyata ?tron with Anaconda at 7 AWG and Python at 9 AWG. The Cobra is 10 AWG and also has Shunyata ?tron , whereas the Alpha HC PC has Shunyata ?tron but has Noise Reduction Technology with a Hybrid Dual ?tron High Current Filter but no VTX geometry. IOW the Anaconda is 7AWG with VTX geometry and no filters whereas the Alpha HC is effectively 7 AWG but without VTX geometry but does have a high current filter.
Now even more interesting is what this cable is priced at.... A standard 6 foot length is $1K
From what I understand the intent of the Alpha Series was to build the absolute best power cables in the world at any price. And then to price them so that any audiophile could afford them. They really have accomplished that big time
Having listened now to this cable in my system I can honestly say that this Alpha HC is no slouch. It is a truly remarkable cable and at the price I would suggest everyone audition the new Alpha Series if you are searching for new power cords. It is my plan to use a pair of Alpha Analog for my preamp so stay tuned.
One thing that is evident with both the AHC and the Alpha Digital is the need for very long burn in. Anything short of at least 100 hours you won't be hearing the magic. IMHO these cables are seriously under priced as they can compete with PC's which cost many magnitudes more.
I bet the cost of burn in for these cables was as much or more than the cost of the cable