New Shunyata Gamma cable line

Just a note that I'm writing a review of Shunyata Research's new "entry line" of cables. the new Gamma line of cables for Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity. I've got a complete loom of the Gamma cables for the review and have been installing them sequentially to be able to systematically and accurately assess the qualities of each cable type as I install it into the system.

So far, I've installed a Gamma PC to power my Consellation Inspiration integrated and subsequently, installed a pair of Gamma XLR ICs between my Lumin P1 and the Constellation, and a Gamma clock cable between my AfterDark master clock and EtherREGEN.

All I can say is: Wow!

For Shunyata Research's new "entry line" of cables, these bad boys punch way above their price point. Like...WAY above. And they absolutely smoke the legacy Venom line of cables they replace, in fact, I think they also surpass the legacy cable line one higher than Venom, the Delta line.

I'll more detailed notes and impressions of these as I rack up some hours on this set of cables, and add the remaining cables to the system.

I'll be adding the Gamma Ethernet cable and speaker cables subsequently. I"m adding only one cable at a time, in a very systematic way, so I can write the review in the most controlled and accurate manner.

If you're interested in cables in this price range, or need second set of cables for a second system or a home theatre set-up, I recommend you check out the new Shunyata Gamma cables, they are very impressive, indeed.

Cheers guys, and let me know if you have any questions.

 

Price?

 

Shunyata Research Gamma cable prices, MSRP:
C15 NR (noise reduction) power cable, 15A, 1.75M: $498.
RCA interconnects, 1M: $398
Speaker cables, 2.5M $998
Clock cable, 1M: $380
Ethernet cable, 1M: $350

 

Any impressions against the venom x?

 

Ah, you have a good memory, Gazny. I'd say the Gamma cables have as much transparency, clarity, detail, and resolution as Venom-X, but there's more body, vocal and instrumental weight and more natural-sounding and organic tonal quaities. On the whole, Gamma is warmer-sounding than Venom-X, but in a very nice way. A good analogy is how a Guarneri violin sounds warmer in tone than a Stradivarius violin. Which is why I, personally, prefer listening a Guarneri compared to a Stradivarius.

Also, Gamma's ability to convey musical dynamics e,g. scaling from piano to fortissimo is excellent, as well. I've been using Venom-X as my personal reference for about two years now, but if I had pick between the two, I'd go with the Gamma cables. Depending on the system components, while it has excellent transparency and resolution, Venom-X can be a bit lean-sounding. The Gamma are more natural and full-bodied sounding.

Cheers, mate.

 

Do Shunyata discuss or let you describe any of their "secret sauce" when it comes to these cables?

I'm agnostic on cables (going for quality construction and aesthetics, generally) but would love your scientific take on why these Gamma had the effect they had.

 

Here is some information from Shunyata Research on the various technologies they utilize for their specific cable design and the functionality and quality attributes these technologies brings to cable performance for each specific application. Not all of these technologies are used on every cable; some of the technologies are dependent on the specific application for the cable type. DTCD (dynamic transient current delivery) is not a key feature for signal cables as it is for their power cables, because signal cables are not carrying power (where Power is the product of Voltage*Current, i.e., P = VI), and therefore, where maximal current delivery is a key attribute.

Some examples are their HARP technology which is only used for speaker cables. HARP was discovered through Shunyata' research into "current drift" and audio frequency current resonances that occur in speaker cables. Theoretically, a speaker cable may develop current resonances in the audio band, being roughly analogous to standing waves (modals) in room acoustics. The ‌‌HARP module acts as a current mode diffraction device that breaks up these resonances, improving the perceived resolution and coherency of the system.

Another unique technology is Shunyata's TAP (Trans-Axial Polarizer) technology, which is used for interconnects and digital signal cables.

‌Shunyata's TAP (‌‌Transverse Axial Polarizer) is a device that interacts with the electromagnetic field generated by the signal traveling along the signal cable. ‌‌

It's important to understand that the signal does not flow through a signal cable's conductors like water in a hose; that is NOT what happens. The signal is a three-dimensional, transverse electromagnetic wave that propagates along the conductor. Galen Gareis of Iconoclast Cables will tell you exactly the same thing.

TAP improves the sonic performance of the cable by modifying the behavior of the three-dimensional electromagnetic wave that surrounds the signal cable when carrying signal. Specifically, the ‌‌TAP device blocks longitudinal-oriented EM waves, which carry noise, while passing transverse-oriented waves, which actually carry the signal. The effect in sonic terms is like using polarized sunglasses to reduce reflected sunlight. Correcting polarization micro-distortion reduces what some call sonic glare.

Here's a photo of my Shunyata Alpha v2 IC with a TAP device.


KPIPv2 (Kinetic Phase Inversion Process, version 2) is used on all Shunyata cables to perform "burn-in" at the factory, and thus not require burn-in of cables by the end-user. KPIPv2™ (‌‌Kinetic Phase Inversion Process) was developed by Shunyata Research after years of research into the underlying causes of various effects such as burn-in, wire directionality and the effects of cryogentic treatment. Shunyata discovered that there was an underlying core principle that burn-in and cryogenics only partially addressed. Once the governing principle was understood it became possible to create a processing technique and machine that could virtually eliminate the need for burn-in and cryogenic treatment.

Links to their proprietary technologies here: https://shunyata.com/audio-cable-tech/

 

I have not heard the Venom-X, but I just put both a Gamma AES cable and NR Power Cord into my Yggdrasil A1 and the findings completely agree with the above. The PC replaced a copper cord (the MagicPower from Signal Cable), so it kind of kept the warmth from that cable, but it had the added effect of opening everything up. The DAC is now MUCH faster in all aspects -it handles fast metal tracks and generally aggressive music much better-, female vocals aren't so obnoxiously out-front anymore (my lone complaint I've had with the A1) and subtle cues are much easier to make out. Listening fatigue is effectively reduced to zero, so that "one more track" mindset kicks in.

I was tempted to go up to a Theta NR, but decided to allocate funds to upgrade the AES and the Power Cord (as opposed to just the power cord). I think it did kick the Yggdrasil's performance up a notch and played to its dynamic/incisive nature very well. Also of note, I had added a PS10/Defender combo as well (I prefer the Defender in the wall outlet...It sounded bright/harsh/even noisy in the PS10, was not a fan).

I'm at a stage where I generally like my current components and I'm trying to get more out of them. Next up is probably interconnects (and I'll probably stay in the Shunyata camp for those...Might be time to dial up The Cable Company)

 

Very nice write-up, thanks for posting. I haven't tried the Theta PCs yet, but I recently bought a Theta XLR IC and it was a notable step up over the Venom-X XLR IC I had been using to connect my Lumin P1 to my Constellation Inspiration integrated amp. Need to sell that Venom-X XLR IC now, as well as a couple of pair of Alpha V2 RCA ICs I have on-hand. I'm still using the Gamma NR PC to power my Constellation Inspiration for the review I"m writing of the Gamma cable line, and I'm very impressed with it, as you were.

Cheers.

 

Any issues with the weight of the TAPs? They look heavy in the pictures. My cables tend to hang down (from the desk down to the floor area) and I'm wondering if that would become an issue over time (pulling out of the components...the Signal cables tended to do that just on their own). Possibly a flexibility issue on a 1 meter.

The first time I saw them, I thought they made a cable with a vacuum tube in it!