Shunyata Cyclops v2 - First impressions

BlueFox

I started acquiring my current system around this time two years ago. I had the preamp for a month or so, and ordered the amps over the July 4th weekend. For about 6-7 months I had everything plugged into the Triton, and while it sounded great, I tripped the Triton breaker one night, so I had a second 20 amp line installed for the amps. At the same time I ordered a Cyclops and Zitron Anaconda for it. The circuit was wall, Z Anaconda, Cyclops, two Zitron Pythons, amps, and it sounded quite good. However, I found that I was now tripping the circuit breaker used by the Cyclops. So, once again, I had another 20 amp line installed for the other amp, and each amp now has its own line, and the source has its own line. At that point I didn't feel as if I could spare $5k for another Cyclops and Z Anaconda, but after a few months I did order the second set.

By then I was used to the sound of the amps plugged directly into the wall, so I was slightly suspect of what type of improvement, or degradation, I might get from the pair of Cyclops. After all, conventional wisdom says plug the amps direct to the wall. Well, I was very happy to immediately notice that with the Cyclops the background noise dropped, and music seemed fuller and clearer. The noise part I find interesting since you are not aware it is there until it is gone, and I have noticed this is a common trait with Shunyata gear. Each upgrade seems to make the system even quieter, and sound better. At least to my non-measuring, subjective ears.

So, for the last year or so, this has been the status quo with power cord upgrades to Sigma, Triton to v2, and the Lumin file player. All in all, I have been very happy with the end result, and wasn't interested in any more upgrades, or gear changes for the future, but felt, just for completeness, I needed the Cyclops to also be at v2.

Two weeks ago I sent the Cyclops in for the upgrade, and received them back this past Wednesday. Last weekend I was 'forced' to listen the system with the amps directly into the wall. There is no comparison. Plugged directly into the wall, I could barely stand the sound. The sound was harsh, edgy, and not as quiet. While I am sure I would have eventually adapted to the new sound, I am glad I knew it could be much better. When I received the Cyclops back on Wednesday I immediately installed them. Right away I knew this was better than direct, but I held off on really listening, and let them burn in that night, and Thursday night. Friday morning I powered everything on for a critical Friday night evaluation, and that night had an interesting experience.

I started at 6 PM and was just mesmerized by the sound. As the night wore on, and it quieted down outside, I could not get enough. It was as if the music was giving me the energy, or motivation, to stay awake and listen. In fact, I didn't stop until 7 PM Saturday, since it was that good. That is a new record for me, and one I will never try to break, since even on Sunday afternoon I am still a little out of sorts.

With the v2 Cyclops, as before, background noise is lower/gone. However, now the music is perfect. There is no edge or harshness that I can detect. Friday night was rock, and it excelled. Now I am listening to string quartets, and the violins are so smooth against the black background that it is scary good.

From my perspective, the combination of wall, Zitron Anaconda, Cyclops v2, Sigma HC, amps is much, much better than wall, Sigma HC, amps.

I refer to the Cyclops combination as my 3.5 meter $8,600 power cord. Even with 4 additional DTCD drop points, this chain out performs the single cable. Amazing.

polkfarmboy

I read your post and find myself thinking just how far behind Iam in this hobby. There is miles of ground Ihave to cover before Ican even enlighten myself with such findings and Ihave great respect as your words carry alot of weight.

BlueFox

Don't worry Skip. Between the room shape, carpet, and furniture positioning the room is in pretty good shape.

PFB, where have you been? You have gone through much more gear than me, and I am pretty much done now with the stereo. Time to enjoy it for a few years.

mrbiron

Don't say you're done yet! You still have some new Magico's to order in the coming weeks. The least Shunyata could do is send you a 5% off coupon for covering the company's overhead for the coming year.

Does your electric panel glow when you turn on your system?

Now i see your sig....*Jealous* --> This guy

polkfarmboy

I have not been posting as much Blue as Ihave been kinda chilling alot more with my current setup and binge watching alot of tv lol.

doctor r

Blue, congrats on the success of the past two years endeavors. Beautiful system. I think one of the most telling aspects of your post was the sound degradation you noticed when you had to remove the unit to send for its upgrade. When we make our investments on each piece we depend on them to do the job we chose them to do and we never actually forget, but maybe the realization of how well they are doing their job is not "in our face", until we are forced to remove it from the system for a period of time. Suddenly there is a reminder how important it was to be there in the first place, and in your case it might have increased the anticipation of the return in its upgraded form to do its job at an even higher level. Enjoy!

BlueFox

I found the interesting part to be that plugging amps directly into the wall is not best, at least in my house, even though conventional wisdom states that is the way to go. Two times I experienced this, the first time when I installed the Cyclops, and then the degradation when I removed them, and then the improvement after reinstalling. That part was obvious. Whether the v2 is better than the v1, well I feel it is, but cannot honestly say as I was in between versions for a little over a week.

DarqueKnight

Thanks for the review. This is more encouragement to improve the power quality going to my Pass monoblocks.

Have you looked into a dedicated transformer for your house? My utility company quoted me a price of $5,635 (parts and labor) back in 2009.

Did you replace the wall receptacles with audio grade receptacles?

BlueFox

No, I haven't looked at a transformer. The pole is in my backyard, and a few years back PG&E replaced the transformer with a bigger, new transformer. Right around the same time I upgraded my panel to a 200 amp panel, so I suspect my input power is relatively clean.

I have Shunyata ZR-71 outlets, but will replace them with their new CopperConn outlets once they become available. Those outlets are part of the upgrade.

tonyb

Nice review Fox.

Funny isn't it....your ears adjust to a new sound then your brain focuses on something else to pay attention to and you forget about all those improvements a piece brings.....until you remove it. Also a good way to evaluate gear/cables.

BlueFox

Tony, I found the backward, or at least different, sound result to be interesting. While in the back of my mind I remembered the original Cyclops/cable install was a positive, I had become used to it. When I removed them for the upgrade, I was immediately struck by the difference, a difference I found negative versus positive. Essentially, while sounding pretty much the same on one hand, there was an apparent harshness to the music. There were moments when I felt as if I could not listen to a song, but I perservered.

Granted, I most likely would have adapted, but I did find it not as satisfying as before. It was a first time for me that a change made what I felt was an obvious reduction in quality. There have been times when I added a cable/component and wasn't quite sure of any improvement, but never had a 'this is worse' event. When I reinstalled the upgraded Cyclops then the sound obviously smoothed over, and was not harsh, which coupled with the quieter background, made the system, to me, more appealing.

Granted, others might have preferred the more in your face sound resulting from the amps plugged directly into the wall, but I prefer the more analog (for lack of a better word) sound resulting from more filtration.

tonyb

Whatever works for you pal, there is no right and wrong way with audio....well maybe a little. lol

I do find it fascinating though, taking pieces out of your system after you've become adjusted to the sound. To me, makes more of a difference than when you first put them in and where ecstatic over the improvements.

DarqueKnight

BlueFox wrote: »

At that point I didn't feel as if I could spare $5k for another Cyclops and Z Anaconda, but after a few months I did order the second set.

When I was interested in the Cyclops, I asked Shunyata about developing a Cyclops configuration that could plug into a receptacle and hang parallel to the wall, but they didn't reply. This would negate the need for an additional power cord.

BlueFox

DarqueKnight wrote: »

BlueFox wrote: »

At that point I didn't feel as if I could spare $5k for another Cyclops and Z Anaconda, but after a few months I did order the second set.

When I was interested in the Cyclops, I asked Shunyata about developing a Cyclops configuration that could plug into a receptacle and hang parallel to the wall, but they didn't reply. This would negate the need for an additional power cord.

I can see the benefit, but also see how it is probably impractical. However, it occurred to me that it could be built into a cable while posting on another site.

http://www.audioaficionado.org/shunyata-research/32185-cyclops-v2-first-impressions.html

So, I sent that idea to Shunyata.