SUMMER |
2002 |
 |
Page 2 |
New Stuff
SHUNYATA:
 The
King Cobra has reigned supreme at the top of the Shunyata
line for years. As those who’ve had the pleasure of experiencing
the cable will tell you, it is a remarkable product. So
good, in fact,that one simply can’t imagine anything better.
Prepare to be rocked; the all-new Anaconda VX is
here!
Cable maestro Caelin Gabriel keeps the wheels
turning upstairs on a non-stop basis. That unceasing contemplation
brings a constant inflow of new and innovative concepts
to the art of cable design. The sum total of his knowledge
and abilities come to fruition in his latest serpentine
delight.
Utilizing a completely new wire set, the
Anaconda VX shares only external dimensions with
its predecessor, yet it is priced almost $400.00 below the
K.C. V2, coming in at $1995.00.
Still a good deal of scratch, especially for an AC
cord, so the Anaconda VX would have to be pretty
special to attract many buyers. Let’s take it for a spin.
Though eager to audition the new flagship,
I harnessed in my enthusiasm and let the cable “cook” for
a full week. My patience was handsomely rewarded; the Anaconda
VX served up a truly lovely panorama of sonic delights.
The details:
-
Integrated
-
Though clearly an overworked cliché, the Anaconda
VX almost defines the term, presenting music as an organic
whole (in fact, the entire Shunyata range has an uncanny
ability in this regard, allowing the music to ebb and flow
with an inner connection that ties each note to the next).
-
Coherent -
This character, for me, describes more of a timing issue,
rhythm and pace to some, that allows the music to make rhythmic
sense.
- Seamless -
Exceptionally smooth sound space definition that preserves
accurate spatial cues.
-
Silent
-
As we’ve come to expect from Shunyata cables, background
haze is virtually non-existent. The almost total absence
of grain and haze imparted by the Anaconda VX is
a glorious experience.
One client writes: “Galen, I had to write
you quickly to let you know that the Anaconda power cords
you sent me to try out are absolutely amazing! I thought
the Python did a great job, but the Anacondas are incredible
and they're not even broken in. They have taken my
system to a new level.
I have been listening to music all morning and am
impressed with the expanding soundstage and all the fine
detail.” Ron O.
Another Note: "In my opinion, the
Anaconda is l under priced!" Dean M.
The Anaconda VX is a worthy successor to the exalted throne
held by the fabulous King Cobra. Designer Caelin Gabriel
furthers his esteemed reputation as cable designer par-excellence.
At the opposite end of the cost spectrum is a cable
whose stunning value makes it just as exciting a release
as the Anaconda VX. The new Diamondback will amaze
you with its abilities, and surprise you with its price.
From tip to tip, the Diamondback
is a fully custom made cable, designed from scratch to establish
a new benchmark for cost-effective AC cables.
To keep the cost reasonable,
Caelin chose molded connectors. Because molded connectors
had never
been used with an
audiophile cable this size, Shunyata had custom molds
fabricated to handle the job. Proprietary, ultra-heavy gold/copper
alloy plating (up to 20 times thicker than found on other
connectors) is used on all contact surfaces. Massive 12
gauge conductors (made from cryogenically treated copper)
are hand crimped and soldered to solid (not folded) brass
contacts. A 100% foil shield (similar to that on the Taipan)
effectively rejects EMI/RFI, resulting in a particularly
quiet background.
When you examine the list of
features, and the top-drawer parts employed, it’s hard to
see how they were able to keep the cost so reasonable. I’m
not really sure how they did it, but question not. Rather,
just buy plenty before they realize they’ve under priced
these suckers and double the price! The Diamondback
retails at just $149.00! Call for our introductory
special!
Shunyata Research is the sole audiophile
power-line products manufacturer to design and oversee manufacturing
of its own conductors, alloys, dielectrics and connectors,
in addition to other patent-pending materials. They are
the only company to treat the contacts of its power cords
with an expensive, 3-step, co-plating process (with a thickness
20-50 times that of conventionally applied plating processes).
This plate provides superior contact integrity, lower junction
impedance and long-term durability, and yet it is only one
of many exclusive features that defines the extraordinary
design and construction of Shunyata PowerSnakes products.
Now, finally coming
onto the scene, are both interconnects and speaker cables
from Shunyata. Rumored for months, these new serpents are
now a reality! We’ll only tease you for now, but you can
expect a full report in the near future.
SIM
AUDIO: Sim bows the all-new I-3 integrated
amplifier. Replacing the venerable I-5080, the new design
produces a stout 100 watts per channel into 8 Ohms, and
delivers 160 into 4.
The I-3 shares a good
deal with the more expensive I-5 integrated, like the oversized
power supply with 40,000mf of capacitive storage and unique
vacuum pressure impregnated torroidal transformer (these
insure very quiet operation with little or no hum). The
unit features a very short, capacitor free signal path for
improved clarity and good low-level resolution. A bypass
is provided for connection to a home theater processor.
With a solid 10-year warranty
to boot, the I-3 looks to be a real bargain at
only $1595.00.
TACT
AUDIO: Just in, the new M2150 digital
integrated amplifier. The company tantalized us with a prototype
of this new toy well over a year ago, so it was a long wait
indeed to have our curiosity sated.
The M2150 shares a great
deal of technology as the world- acclaimed Millennium amplifier,
but at a much, much lower price
Like the phenomenal TacT Millennium, the M2150
offers true digital amplification without any analog processing.
It has ample power for just about any speaker system, and
is 24bit/96kHz compatible (384khZ/48 bit internal resolution).
The flexible design incorporates four digital inputs, and
two analog inputs (with optional A/D module). According
to TacT, the M2150 can be upgraded to future audio
formats. As a benefit of its pure digital design, the M2150
has an operating efficiency of 90%; it never runs hot, making
it particularly ideal for enclosed spaces or remote custom
installations. But the sleek, sexy appearance will have
you wanting to display the unit front and center!
The M2150 is quite a powerhouse, producing 150
watts into 8 Ohms, doubling to a full 300 watts into 4 Ohms
and is capable of peak current delivery in excess of 50
Amps per channel! All this in a slim line package weighing
in at just over 30 pounds. Price is $3450.00; add $590.00
for the optional A/D module.
Though listening has only just begun, I can tell you that
the M2150 shares much with its supremely capable
sibling, the Millennium. If you’ve read any of the reviews
on the Millennium, you know that reviewers worldwide have
acclaimed it as ones of the best amplifiers extant, and
the M2150 will certainly share that praise.
 FIRST
IMPRESSION MUSIC: Only once in a
blue moon does is audio accessory come along that is able
to establish itself as universal; one that brings improvement
to almost every system it encounters. The FIM 880
outlet is just such a rare treat.
In the last issue of
SoundBites I ranted and raved about my incredible
experiences with the FIM outlets. I would have been surprised
to find any improvement by changing the wall outlets, so
I was stunned by the magnitude of improvement they made!
Since that issue was published, over 200 people have been
flabbergasted by dramatic improvements such a simple (and
cheap) upgrade can bring about.
If you haven’t yet read my rants about the FIM outlet,
then you simply must Consider it required reading. If you
count yourself among my long time readers and have not allowed
your system the breath of fresh air they offer, then shame
on you!
Do yourself
a favor. Invest the trifling sum of $55.00 for an FIM880
and enjoy a significant (if not dramatic) improvement
in your system!
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