I have had every single line of Shunyatas. As "accurate" as the current (Zitron) line is, I think the Python is about as low as I'd like to go. The Black Mamba CX and The Cobra ZiTron, while both very good cords, have a lack of "heft" to the sound (centered around the midbass/upper bass) that the Python restores. ANY Python of ANY generation.
That doesn't negate the fact that newer generations are 'cleaner' or 'more detailed', but music is, to me, not about having the 'cleanest' or 'most detailed' presentation - at least, not when I hear it live. Audio is a parallel world, where we try to get a sound commensurate with the real thing (although not ALL of us cherish that particular goal). I currently have several generations of Python, including the first and second generation (which both had softer upper midrange sounds, presumably to filter out the digital 'nasties.' They also killed some of the life of the music, not that I noticed initially, but a guitarist who played in a band heard it instantly. I poo-poohed his observation until my use of Nordost power cords (the Brahma) confirmed it. Shunyata is still tops at the tonal quality without a CJ-type sound, and is, in fact, similar to Transparent Audio's line (I know the principals from Transparent and while they themselves did not say it, it was obvious, since I had their MM1 as well as the MM2 Ultra speaker cable, that Shunyata has the same complete tonal palette - but with better transients). I heard, years ago, that a dealer who sold Transparent could not also sell Shunyata. Given Transparent's political pull, I imagine dealers fell into line. A bit Machiavellian, since Transparent was MIT's original distributor, and then suddenly started their own line - with boxes very similar to MIT's!!
Back to the Shunyata: I found the original line to deliver musical inflections of heart-wrenching proportions. In other words, they did not fail to deliver the emotional, evocative reactions many of us have to a haunting song or composition. I wouldn't throw out a King Cobra V2 (circa 2003) in favor of a King Cobra CX just because the technology got better. Sometimes technology replaces "magic," that ineffable quality that makes us cry or choke up.
Jfrech's statement reflects my feelings.
That doesn't negate the fact that newer generations are 'cleaner' or 'more detailed', but music is, to me, not about having the 'cleanest' or 'most detailed' presentation - at least, not when I hear it live. Audio is a parallel world, where we try to get a sound commensurate with the real thing (although not ALL of us cherish that particular goal). I currently have several generations of Python, including the first and second generation (which both had softer upper midrange sounds, presumably to filter out the digital 'nasties.' They also killed some of the life of the music, not that I noticed initially, but a guitarist who played in a band heard it instantly. I poo-poohed his observation until my use of Nordost power cords (the Brahma) confirmed it. Shunyata is still tops at the tonal quality without a CJ-type sound, and is, in fact, similar to Transparent Audio's line (I know the principals from Transparent and while they themselves did not say it, it was obvious, since I had their MM1 as well as the MM2 Ultra speaker cable, that Shunyata has the same complete tonal palette - but with better transients). I heard, years ago, that a dealer who sold Transparent could not also sell Shunyata. Given Transparent's political pull, I imagine dealers fell into line. A bit Machiavellian, since Transparent was MIT's original distributor, and then suddenly started their own line - with boxes very similar to MIT's!!
Back to the Shunyata: I found the original line to deliver musical inflections of heart-wrenching proportions. In other words, they did not fail to deliver the emotional, evocative reactions many of us have to a haunting song or composition. I wouldn't throw out a King Cobra V2 (circa 2003) in favor of a King Cobra CX just because the technology got better. Sometimes technology replaces "magic," that ineffable quality that makes us cry or choke up.
Jfrech's statement reflects my feelings.