15-Aug-2017, 09:31
Hi, I have just returned 3 Shunyata cables that were kindly loaned by Guillaume. The cables in question were a Venom HC which I ran between wall socket (dedicated spur, Supra mains cable) and Shunyata UK6, and 2 x Delta EF UKs from the UK6 into my D400s. The Shunyata cables were a BIG step up in cost compared to my previous power cables but I wanted to try once and for all to scratch the itch that I could get more out the D400.
At Guillaume’s suggestion I started with the Venom HC and could immediately hear a calmer, less strident, but with a nice increase in detail, as the UK6 feeds my TV/AV system as well there were benefits noticed across the piece.
Now to the interesting bit…
After a few days familiarisation I decided some serious listening was required, but I threw convention out of the window and did it at when we would normally call the worse time of the day, early morning. Time of day - 8.30am, so there was no ‘late night music feeling’, Mood - Ok’ish, Weather outside poor, No lotto win, No effects of alcohol to ‘distort emotions’, the system had not been running for hours and the curtains were open so lots of window glass around, Oh and the listening room is a wooden suspended floor….
I chose recordings which I am familiar with but not new ones, they were CD standard rips and a few hi-res downloads. I started with Kate Bush ‘ Running up that Hill (Make a deal with God)', standard CD rip. This track has a lot of focus on the drums used, marching type at times, and the detail, weight and the ability to hear the different types of drums used was fantastic, you could hear the double tracking/voice manipulation clearly towards the end of the song as it builds and the complexity of the arrangement. I also listened to Kate’s ‘King of the Mountain' and found similar improvements.
Next up ‘the Best of Little Feat’, I like this album but have often felt it sounded a bit bland, with the Delta EFs in place the whole album became so much more interesting, engaging, and enjoyable. Again weight, detail, space etc.
Then lastly onto Springsteen, I often find the test of a good system is the ability to deconstruct the wall of sound that Bruce likes to bombard us with (in a nice way). Various tracks listening to, (all hi-res), various tracks from the High Hopes album, 'American Skins(41 Shots)' - the details on the background vocals made everything much clearer and at the same time deeper and atmospheric, ‘Harrys Place’ - menace in the vocals, lush strings…, then finally ‘Prove it all night’ of the Live Helsinki concert from Bruce’s own download site. This track is one of the few guitar fest tracks that Springsteen does and the interplay between Bruce and Little Steven is sometime hard to follow, not this time, much easier to follow the guitars, and all other instruments as well.
Other albums listened to whilst I had the cables included U2’s Zooropa, I have often found U2’s music on CD to be less inspiring or engaging than on vinyl, but now I could hear the many effects used by Brian Eno and the real electronic side of the album.
The Delta EFs were a revelation, their construction and quality build along with the cooper conn connector fitted the D400 with lids perfectly. The increase in sound quality was marked, across the sound spectrum, particularly noticeable in the bass region which I felt had been lacking previously.
All in all, enjoyable listening experience… so I placed an order with Guillaume and my shiny new Shunyatas will be with me on Saturday, Happy Days..
At Guillaume’s suggestion I started with the Venom HC and could immediately hear a calmer, less strident, but with a nice increase in detail, as the UK6 feeds my TV/AV system as well there were benefits noticed across the piece.
Now to the interesting bit…
After a few days familiarisation I decided some serious listening was required, but I threw convention out of the window and did it at when we would normally call the worse time of the day, early morning. Time of day - 8.30am, so there was no ‘late night music feeling’, Mood - Ok’ish, Weather outside poor, No lotto win, No effects of alcohol to ‘distort emotions’, the system had not been running for hours and the curtains were open so lots of window glass around, Oh and the listening room is a wooden suspended floor….
I chose recordings which I am familiar with but not new ones, they were CD standard rips and a few hi-res downloads. I started with Kate Bush ‘ Running up that Hill (Make a deal with God)', standard CD rip. This track has a lot of focus on the drums used, marching type at times, and the detail, weight and the ability to hear the different types of drums used was fantastic, you could hear the double tracking/voice manipulation clearly towards the end of the song as it builds and the complexity of the arrangement. I also listened to Kate’s ‘King of the Mountain' and found similar improvements.
Next up ‘the Best of Little Feat’, I like this album but have often felt it sounded a bit bland, with the Delta EFs in place the whole album became so much more interesting, engaging, and enjoyable. Again weight, detail, space etc.
Then lastly onto Springsteen, I often find the test of a good system is the ability to deconstruct the wall of sound that Bruce likes to bombard us with (in a nice way). Various tracks listening to, (all hi-res), various tracks from the High Hopes album, 'American Skins(41 Shots)' - the details on the background vocals made everything much clearer and at the same time deeper and atmospheric, ‘Harrys Place’ - menace in the vocals, lush strings…, then finally ‘Prove it all night’ of the Live Helsinki concert from Bruce’s own download site. This track is one of the few guitar fest tracks that Springsteen does and the interplay between Bruce and Little Steven is sometime hard to follow, not this time, much easier to follow the guitars, and all other instruments as well.
Other albums listened to whilst I had the cables included U2’s Zooropa, I have often found U2’s music on CD to be less inspiring or engaging than on vinyl, but now I could hear the many effects used by Brian Eno and the real electronic side of the album.
The Delta EFs were a revelation, their construction and quality build along with the cooper conn connector fitted the D400 with lids perfectly. The increase in sound quality was marked, across the sound spectrum, particularly noticeable in the bass region which I felt had been lacking previously.
All in all, enjoyable listening experience… so I placed an order with Guillaume and my shiny new Shunyatas will be with me on Saturday, Happy Days..
Innuos Statement, D1000 Pro CI, Shunyata Denali, Alpha v2, Delta v2 and Venom NR12 power cords, Sigma v1 speaker cables, Omega USB, PMC IB2se, Townshend Isolation Podiums.
Marantz SR7012, OPPO BDP 105D, PMC OB1s (Rears), PMC Twenty C (Centre).
South East Wales, UK
Marantz SR7012, OPPO BDP 105D, PMC OB1s (Rears), PMC Twenty C (Centre).
South East Wales, UK
