Shunyata X series power cords

I am demoing Theta XC a.t.m. And I know the Furutech DPS 4.1 / NCF 50 combi very well as I have it on my powerblock and have also tried them on my active ATC’s, pre and streamer before. The Theta’s are more open and more energetic and dynamic than the Furutech. However it is because they accentuate the higher frequencies which can be quite bright and fatiguing to be honest. The lack something in the lower mids so body to instruments and voices is gone and therewith, also emotional involvement. Their spatial strength and dynamics are pretty amazing though. The sweetness and natural reverb detail on the Furutech is something they miss, and everything sounds very direct and a bit relentless. In my opinion they are quite opposite cables actually. The Furutech is sweet, silky, rich, full and emotional. The Theta is super open, very impressive highs, direct, dry and very dynamic, extremely lively and rhythmic. It will give your system some steroids in a good way. In my system that shifts the scale too much to relentless but in warmer systems in could easily be a better match than the Furutech. 

@cknd_cnnl thanks for the experience, it’s surely useful since you have the Furutech DPS4.1/FI50 NCF which I also have in my system. The only difference is your current experience with the Shunyata is with the Theta XC while I am looking at the Alpha-X XC. 

Your experience with the Furutech aligns with mine. The Furutech DPS4.1 has great tonality, warm, full, rich and silky but yet sounds dynamic with great bass. Apart from the DPS4.1/FI50(R) NCF, I also have the TCS31/FI28(R). I have swapped the cables between components and power conditioner many times and the system always sounds best when the DPS4.1 goes between the wall and power conditioner, the inferior sounding cable (TCS31) between the power conditioner and component. Music does not sound too good when it’s the other way round, sounding ’weird’ with an unnatural bass response. 

Currently I am seeking a more transparent, airy and open sound, perhaps slightly brighter at the top and better slam in the bass. I’m not sure if I’ll get there with another Furutech DPS4.1 or one of the Shunyatas. I guess I need to try to find out. 

I'm not sure which is the most VFM cable in the Shunyata range ie. the best bang for the buck, the Theta, Alpha-X or Sigma X? My comfortable budget is at the Theta's level but I could stretch to the Alpha-X if required. Sigma-X is a bit too much for me though but I might consider it it's a significant night and day improvement from the Alpha-X. 

I wish it would be either Theta XC or Alpha-X XC though. 

Yeah I haven't heard the range above the Theta so with that comparison I can't help. I heard the Sigma range is quite a bit less relentless and a bit more relaxed than the Theta so maybe the Alpha is similar. Trying it is the only way to know :-)

@Ryder  I stand by my comments from last June about the Alpha-X and Theta power cables. I don't have any experience with the Furutech cables you mentioned so I can't comment on those. I also have never listened to the Sigma-X NR cables, although I would assume that they would be at least slightly better than the Alpha-X in some ways. Regardless, the Alpha-X is a wonderful power cable!

I'm still using a pair of Theta NR for my Atma-Sphere Class D monoblocks, while using Alpha-X in my preamp (PS Audio PMG Pre), DAC (PS Audio DS Mk2), and streamer (Innuos Pulsar). The Theta cables on the amps sound clear and transparent, and they bring an outstanding 3-D soundstage, with a natural layering of instruments and voices. They are very engaging, lively, and fast-sounding. However, the Thetas can be too energetic in a bright system or with the wrong components. In my system, they provided a lively energy to my amps but too much energy to my streamer, DAC, and preamp. Fortunately, the Alpha-X cables are exceedingly capable and well-balanced, and they feed my digital gear with ease. The Alpha-X produces a "big" sound that is natural, musical, sweet, smooth, and easy to listen to. The Theta is a good cable in the right system, but the Alpha-X is significantly better. 

With regard to the issue of either NR or XC versions of the Alpha and Theta power cables, Shunyata recommends using the NR versions for both amps and sources. They recommend using the XC cables only to connect wall outlets to Shunyata power distributors that already include noise reduction tech inside.

Hope these comments are helpful.