Please email us your comments at: feedback@shunyata.com today!

TO ALL AUDIOPHILES -- Shunyata Research Power Cables ROCK. If like me you are a little skeptical of the benefits of AC power cords [as I was] these products from Shunyata WILL take your listening pleasures to a whole new level. You have t try them to believe them. Thanks Shunyata for such a outstanding product.

A proud Python owner,

Mark

First you should know I am not prone to hype nor do I embellish. With that in mind, I would like to say nothing in my thirty years of high end listening improved my enjoyment of recorded music as your Alpha vX --- NOTHING.

I could tell you that bass notes are deeper, tighter and do not interfere with the lightening fast mid-range I now hear. Cymbals sparkle and music's majesty fills my room. Why would a power cord to my amp do what cables and interconnects of equivalent price could not? Makes me wonder what your cables and HYDRA would do for me. This PowerSnake is dangerous to the wallet, but as they say "once bitten" -- I bought the demo piece.
My friend had a Black Mamba for sale. I just have a $1200 CD player so I found it difficult to justify an expensive power cord. But I was able to afford it at a used price so I decided to audition it. Needless to say, it never left my CD player. I no longer heard all the digital hash I always assumed was just something I would always have to live with on CDs. Another surprise came the next day after the cord settled down from being transported here. The sound stopped me dead in my tracks before I could even reach my couch. WOW!!! Joni Mitchell was breathing across my neck. This Black Mamba made CDs sound like music instead of "hi-fi".

Thank you.

Larry Benjamin

My name is Michael Bladt and I write to you from Denmark. I am the lucky owner of 2 Taipan cables and one Black Mamba. I have nearly tried everything, but no power cables in the world can beat the Shunyata's. I tried Transparent Ref, MIT, NBS, XLO and lot more. People ask me if they can use them in every audio/high-end system?

Thanks for making such a good product.

Best Regards,

Michael Bladt

Am enjoying the improvement considerably that the 3 Diamondback's have instilled in my system -- great stuff -- thanks again for your valued product.

Tristan

With the combination of the Black Mamba v2, SideWinder Gold and Taipan, I have truthful improvements in my system. These cables lowered the noise level to a degree i had never experienced in my system, the instruments are natural, the separation between instruments and voices has improved very much. The experience is more like live music instead of recorded music. The sound is rich and with very good extension. Overall I'm very happy with the improvements I had with these cables, they are now part of my system.

Thanks for your help on the process of choosing, without your help, probably, i wouldn't come this far.

Jorge C.

Sensational products as well as incredible customer support. You don't realize how much musical info is missing until you try Shunyata products.

Highly recommended!!

Tim W.

I recently purchased and installed King Cobra V2 and an Anaconda Vx power cables in my system. Right out of the box and without the proper break-in they sounded vastly superior to the cables I was using (CPCC Top Gun HCFi). Also, the craftsmanship is unmatched in my experience for a power cord. Kudos, and keep up the good work. Many thanks,

Mike.

The Shunyata Hydra is a work of art. The looks alone are amazing, and craftsmanship is superb. Sonically, Hydra is out of this world. After the first Hydra was set up in my system, WOW, what a improvement, so much so that I am about to order my second Hydra. The power cords such as the Python will soon be throughout my entire system. Thanks SHUNYATA for making such a GREAT PRODUCT."

Al W.

Python is a super power cord of the highest quality overwhelming all the cables I've ever tested (Synergistic Research, PAD, S/A LAB. Camelot Technology, etc.) at every point, such as the width of the sound stage, accuracy of the sound focus, or the energetic and expressive sound it brings out.

Now I use it connecting to AD/DA converter at the recording utilizing Pro Tools, and am planning to install some more PowerSnakes at Macintosh or Mic preamp and others. I usually work at my own studio, but when I happen to do some recordings at other studios, I always bring my Python there. The so-called "Professional Engineers" here have little knowledge about cables, and they use the cable that came with the products for their system and equipment. Well, you can imagine how astonished they were to hear the PowerSnake's sound!"

Ken Takashi,
Recording artist, The Japanese group Spanova.

I recently picked up 2 Viper V2's and a Python. The difference they have made in my system cannot be described as anything less than amazing, you guys are really on to something here"

Dan K.

Black Mamba Comments:

The Black Mamba cord supplies power to my SCD-1, which is on Symposium Rollerblocks. I like Black Mamba for this application because it is very light weight and easily bent/flexed, allowing the rollerblocks to do their job. The SideWnder with the Hydra would not have worked at all for the above SCD-1 scenario, as it is heavy, and very stiff. I had a Synergistic Research "Master Coupler" on the SCD-1 (also stiff) until the Black Mamba arrived. The Master Coupler made a sonic improvement, but the Black Mamba took it further, and was much more flexible and up to the task of being formed into a 90 degree bend in a space of 7-8 inches. The Master Coupler was moved to my pre amp which is what I purchased it for originally. I may replace it with a Black Mamba, since the stiffness is still is a small problem.

Thanks for considering the fuse request, and for designing quality products such as the Black Mamba and the visually appealing Hydra. I did buy both products from the dealer you recommended some time back. Stewart was great to deal with, one who returns calls promptly and whose advice I value greatly after just two phone transactions.

Regards,

Bruce Lackey

Dear Caelin,

I am a happy owner of one Black Mamba. It is connected to my old Ariston CD Player. First I thought that this wouldn`t get me an enormous sound improvement and I would never spend so much money again on cables. But you guessed it, the improvement is absolutely phenomenal. As you mentioned it, even older or cheaper components now can really show how fine they can sound. Upgrading your components will never get you such an sound improvement! It is really strange, when you connect a PowerSnake to your equipment, be sure that you can afford it, you will never listen to your old power cords again! You must have it!

Thank you very much for these fabulous products.

Joerg Stanislawski,
Dortmund/Germany

Steve McCormack recommended the Shunyata power cords, specifically for use with his amplifiers. I have long been a skeptic of "magic wire", having had several well regarded interconnects and speaker cables in my system without noticing any remarkable differences. Power cords make no sense to me. As long as they are of sufficient current-carrying capacity I don't understand how they could possibly affect the system sound. So you can imagine my reaction when I put the SideWinder's on the amps and immediately heard a profound improvement -- orders of magnitude more than what I'd experienced with the XXX power regenerator -- which I wasn't absolutely certain made a difference until I removed it from the system.

Putting the SideWinder on the amps was 10 times more significant than adding the power conditioner to the system (which used to be the most amazing tweak I've heard -- but this magic wire blows it away!). Dead people came to my door at all hours of the night, saying, "What did you do to your system?! It sounds great!"

My dealer talked me into getting the Black Mamba for the Sony SCD-1. When I opened the box, what I saw stopped me cold. I hesitated, and said "holy shit!" out loud. It took me a few minutes to get the composure to even touch the thing. It looks like a dangerous snake. It feels like a dangerous snake. You can imagine my surprise when the thing started "hissing" at me! I'd like to get another one just to fondle while I'm listening to the music -- and leave another coiled in the corner so I can ask visitors to "go over and get that snake for me, would you?" We get so serious about this hobby. For me, Shunyata has put a lot of fun back in high-end audio. I still can't get over what a difference these power cords have made in my system.

Stunned and amazed!"

Petew

Dear Caelin,

The SideWinder cable that you sent me is the most amazing thing I've ever plugged into a wall socket. The bass response on my system has improved dramatically!! The sound is simply BETTER...

I NEED to buy one for each of my components...

You have developed an incredible product!!

Kindest regards,

Hans Haedelt,
Snr. Director of A&R
MCA Records

Caelin,

Over the past 5 months I have had the Black Mamba and King Cobra in my system for listening comparisons. The PowerSnakes in combination with two dedicated lines of stranded wire with wattagate outlets produced a dramatic and immediate improvement that combined with the right equipment created something special, bringing us one step closer to the absolute sound. The first impression I had was much more liveliness and a greater since of presence of the music I played. The notes sounded pure and clean with much less grain and noise. The music seemed to come more alive with a clarity that I have previously not yet experience with recorded music. Vocals, particularly female vocals, became crystal clear and gave me more emotional impact. Instruments had a new clarity and played with greater ease. The bass had a new snap and underlying power that before I had not heard. Overall I woud say clean power going to your outlets with the PowerSnakes at the most critical points will provide one with the the most important upgrades you can make to your system. Change your amp, preamp, speakers exact but it will not do what cleaner power and cords will do. Unfortunately one must experience this to understand.

Good luck Caelin and keep on the edge.

John in Huntington Beach, Calif.

After hearing the quantum leap the Black Mamba facilitated from my Synergistic Research cables, I had no choice but to order a King Cobra from Galen. The King Cobra provides another magnificent jump in performance.

You could not hope for a better dealer than Galen. Galen answered all my e-mails promptly, honestly, thoroughly and courteously.

You will also enjoy distinctly more natural, expressive, smoother, open and dynamic sound if you order the PowerSnakes, doubly so if you get the King Cobra. The Black Mamba is also superb good value for money. I hear the SIDEWINDER is almost as good for poweramps.

K. Tang

After all the positive posts here regarding the Shunyata PowerSnakes power cords, I took the plunge and ordered up a pair. Wow, what a difference! And this is coming from one who does not pride himself on having golden ears.

Specifically, what I got was one of the new SideWinder's with WATTaGATE plugs at both ends (for a Pathos Twin Towers integrated amp) and a Black Mamba with WattaGATE plug at the outlet end (for an Esoteric X10-WD cd player). This was essentially what Shunyata recommended as the best bang for the buck combination for my system and the amount of money I was willing to spend. Plugged these straight into a 20 amp dedicated line with a rhodium-plated audiophile grade outlet.

What I replaced was a Vansevers Model 83 Reference plc and a standard Vansever and two LAT International power cords.

The new cables are still breaking in but I find they certainly live up to expectations and have allowed my system to finally realize its potential. For example, my Spendor SP 9/1 speakers have never delivered the bass I have felt their 12-inch woofers should be capable of, but boy do they deliver now with strong, tight, punchy bass. All the way up the frequency range I now have more clarity, definition, and depth with a far more musical and enjoyable presentation of whatever I am playing. The music has real drive now which was, in retrospect, missing before.

Other than the LATs (which I believe are probably a good cord for the price), I haven't any other experience with aftermarket power cords. So I am no expert in terms of comparisons with other cords, but these are certainly a major upgrade from what I had before. Of all the auxiliary upgrades I have experienced.

While I will no doubt eventually get the upgrade bug again, for now my system feels fully complete and is doing everything I can expect of it. I can rest easy and, as we like to say, enjoy the music.

TimeOut

Thanks so much for your reply to my note. My system sounds so good with the Mamba's and Black Mamba's that I consider them absolutely essential for my amps, pre-amps and source components. I admit I was a skeptic before my dealer, Joe Webber of Corner Audio, had me audition them. My plan now is to replace the Mamba's with Black Mamba's and add King Cobra's to my system.

Thanks again and regards,

Jess

I received the two AC cords last Friday. I can only say, the Cobra exceeds my expectations, it's a miracle, and I look forward to "more." Many thanks,

Dave

Hi Caelin-

MAN O' MAN, I can't get over the dramatic change in my system after dropping the Shunyata SIDEWINDER on my API Power Wedge 116 series II line conditioner. I'm not sure if the change is due to the location of the SIDEWINDER (PLC) or the fact it's feeding the other PowerSnakes on the PLC, allowing the Cobra & King Cobra to realize their potential? By far the greatest cable upgrade I've ever experienced!

After a complete Shunyata pc upgrade, I tried one (1) on the PLC and can say it had the most dramatic effect on my system. I've heard the advice before & I'm sorry I didn't try it sooner. Highly recommended! There is gobs more detail, emotion & yet it is so easy to listen to, I just drift-off.

I'm still not sure what the cords are doing. Especially the Cobra & King Cobra but I've never enjoyed my stereo/music collection so much.

... Snake bit & still bewildered,

Mike

OK, like everyone else in the free world, I never would have believed that a power cord could make such a dramatic difference in my system, but you have proven me wrong.

I was looking for a power cord upgrade and Paul at "xxxxx xxxxxxx" said if you are going to do it, and can swing the bucks, the Black Mamba is really the only way to go. I thought '$700 for a power cord, that's insane!'. But I decided to try it anyway. Well, needless to say, about 2 minutes after I installed the demo cord I called and ordered one for myself. I have it running directly from the wall into my Pathos Twin Towers, and it sounds MUCH better than any other cord I tried running through my Bybee PLC. I have a friend who thought I was nuts to pay $700 for a power cord. Then I did an A/B for him on my system. He's now trying to buy a King Cobra.

Thanks for making an AMAZING component which actually is worth every penny you ask for it!

Matt Pass

Hi Caelin,

Bob Benn from Nashville reporting! I have only had limited time listening to my system with the King Cobra power cord, but it has made a profound changed in my audio system. With only 15-20 hours of break-in time, I can report that I hear the genius of Ben Webster, the artistry of Ella, the passion of Bob Dylan and the excitement of the Beatles! My foot taps, I smile a lot and I am involved, not in the audio system, but the music. And I still need to put a chord on the VAC 30/30 power amp, and I wait patiently for your interconnects and speaker wires! Bottom line: I have a $20K plus system and I had no idea how good it was until the past weekend.

Thank you for enabling me to hear what the great artist have to offer,

Bob Benn

I replaced expensive Synergistic Research PCs with a King Cobra on my CDP and a Black Mamba on my Amp. What dozens of users have said is really true. The system's performance was boosted by several notches. The effect is radical. As background noise is lowered, the music literally emerges in a more holographic way as:

1. Each instrument becomes STARKLY more solidly defined and separated in space.

2. Musicians play with more nuance and liveliness.

3. Overall presentation becomes naturally smooth and analog, lots of digital grunge is removed. But much more detail is resolved. Dynamics are naturally quick.

I can understand how some people find the PowerSnakes too relaxed. Some people mistake the congestion of digital harshness for detail and energy. When this harshness is removed, music naturally sounds more simple and relaxed.

These improvements sounded a bit "uneasy" or "wild" at first (don't know how better to explain) but after 6 weeks, everything becomes much more settled and refined.

They are expensive, especially King Cobra. But for what they do, they are a bargain.

Try them!

Dave

I've not heard any component or cable or tweak for $500 or less that comes close to offering as much as the Shunyata Research SideWinder. Imo, a rare but real audiophile value. To my ears it offers a lower noise floor and improved dynamics which in turn yield greater detail, a blacker background, and tighter bass. I too am new to the world of power line devices. I expected them to make a difference -- but I am surprised at the extent of genuine improvement this power cable makes in my system.

I've got three (3) Black Mamba's in my system & just received a Cobra & King Cobra for demo. Whoooooo! -- right out of the bag the King Cobra is everything they say -- GREAT! My system is listed in inmate systems & it is not shabby, but man everything just came alive! I'll post my demo, which is primarily between the Cobra vs King Cobra.

snake bite,

Mike

I did not have a chance to audition any Shunyata power cords as you do not yet have a dealer in Singapore. Therefore, it was with a bit of trepidation that I ordered a Black Mamba from Galen Carol in the USA about five weeks ago.

Hearing the Black Mamba turned any doubt into wild enthusiasm. I immediately ordered a King Cobra. In spite of the high cost of air freight, they have proved to be extremely cost-effective upgrades. n fact, I found the performance of the Sony SCD-1 with a King Cobra playing the CD layer of a hybrid disc to be clearly better than the SCD-1 playing the SACD layer of that same disc. The cables are truly magnificent. They sound even more refined after 5 weeks.

Could you offer some advice about pairing the King Cobra with a PS Audio PP300?

I find the King Cobra to provide a higher level of breathing/living expressiveness, transparency and instrumental separation compared to the PS Audio PP300. However, the PP 300 also proves very impressive in removing a LOT of congestion and unleashing the life of the music. I am very interested to purchase one. However, I have not had the chance to try them both in the same location... Thanks for these marvelous power cords, and for your reply.

Kelly Tang, Ph.D (4/16/2000)
Prof. of Composition & Music Theory
NTU, Singapore

Caelin,

I just installed SIDEWINDERS on my ESSENCE amp and WADIA 850. My wife and I simply could not believe the overall improvements in sound quality. I won't bore you with details, but if I would have paid Dale $5000 for an amp upgrade, for the same improvement, I would have been elated.

Thanks for a GREAT product... I will spread the word!

Joe Bridge,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Audiogon -- RE: What AC Powercord sounds best?

OK, now you [will] think this is crazy, but know something, it is absolutely true. The Shunyata King Cobra is best by a mile. No I don't work for them, they don't even know me. Not only did the King create better dynamics, a more "solid and definitive" soundstage, even the TV reception got much improved. The colors got brighter, less fuzz, and the images got sharper. Now remember the TV does NOT use the King Cobra, the TV has it's own outlet across the room. It has nothing to do with the stereo. The KC is a little expensive, but if you purchase it, I doubt that you would return it.

Et

Audiogon -- RE: What AC Powercord sounds best?

BEST IN THE WORLD? King Cobra by Shunyata! Bar none. You will be simply awestruck like I was. If your budget will allow put them everywhere in your system.

Tony007

Audiogon -- RE: What AC Powercord sounds best?

Wow... You PowerSnake-a-haulics aren't kidding. I have tried 4 different brands of power cords since I initially started this topic. There truly isn't any point in mentioning the manufacturers or product names either. Be absolutely assured that NOTHING can even come close to the magic of the PowerSnakes! High end audio has been my passion for many years. I have hooked up numerous different amps, preamps, CD players, digital separates, etc into my system and many times noticed differences in sound staging, bass definition, focus... (you know all the lingo). There has never been a component that has made such a dramatic improvement in every aspect of music reproduction as these power cords have. I am almost awestruck by the sound my speakers are now producing. Ladies and gentlemen, this product is an absolute MUST for you to try! You can hear everything that vinyl and cd's possess on them. You can hear not just a group singing soprano, alto, tenor, and bass but also the individual voices comprising each section. You can hear the fullness and richness of vocals, the most powerful slam of a bass drum becomes an explosion from your speakers. Don't think of upgrading your equipment until you have tried these power cords. You may be astonished how good your current gear really is. I've got Black Mamba's hooked up to my CD player, preamp and amplifier. Going to add a King Cobra to the line conditioner. PowerSnakes... just listen!

Jaguar

The right angle Black Mamba that you made for my Levinson 360s came yesterday, after two weeks of living with a Mamba for my Plinius and a Black Mamba for my BAT Vk5i.

After three years of experimenting with various highly touted, and sonically good, cables, I am writing to tell you that the system has NEVER sounded like this before. Every claim that you make in your literature is true. I now have much deeper and cleaner bass, absolutely no noise or electronic haze, and the soundstage is much wider and deeper than at any time in the past. I believe that I am hearing the fullest use of my speakers as I ever have.

Thank you for creating something that does what it says it does. I will certainly pass the word along to audio listeners whenever I get the chance.

Thomas Portney

Caelin,

I'm Mike from Florida. I purchased a Black Mamba from Stewart about ten days ago and you requested that I let you know how I like it. I am surprised if nothing else how much inner detail I was missing before the Black Mamba.

I am extremely happy I purchased the cord and look forward to your interconnects and speaker cables that Stewart says you're working on. How long will it be before they will be ready? If they are anything like your PC's, I'll re-cable my system with them. Thanks for making such a GREAT product!

Thanks again,

Mike

... And I must mention that the Black Mamba is an astonishing power cord!! (Not only the design and material build but the ability to allow the component to operate to its full potential and offer even more and amazing unheard detail). I also like the sound it makes when you shake it, should have been called the rattler. My Threshold T-200 and BOW Wizard love them -- very complimentary. The system is all practically new and just being broken in but the sound is dynamic. Absolutely dead, silent background, sharp focus and a superb, articulate bass reproduction.

Darryl Redish

I am almost reluctant to praise the changes too much, as my credibility may suffer. Adding the 3 Black Mamba's to the system and allowing for proper and sufficient burn in (5 days on power amp for each PC) resulted in a very noticeable improvement. However, removing the line conditioner (Rotel) and running all 3 PC's into WATTaGATE outlets took everything "over the top"!

You were absolutely correct in the amazing difference that it makes and this is without a dedicated line. The dedicated line will be installed in a couple of weeks, so it will be interesting to evaluate this enhancement. My system sounds more like live music than it ever did before. I won't bore you with the audiospeak details, but suffice to say that this is the biggest improvement to my system since I changed to Cardas Golden Cross interconnects and cables from mid priced MIT stuff -- even bigger. I have mentioned this to some of my audiophile associates and they can't believe that this level of performance is possible from power cords and wall outlets! Most of us have experimented with different PC's, usually with minimally audible performance differences. Not too many people can spring for the big buck Synergistic, Electraglide, etc., especially since the performance improvements are varied (and questionable in my mind often times).

You have introduced a line of products that make high performance power cords not only financially accessible to any serious audiophile, but with significant performance improvements that should be a major upgrade to most systems. Congratulations on your accomplishments. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with! Your recommendation of Brian Kelly of HelloHiFi was also a great one. He made it very easy to upgrade and gave me a terrific trade in on my power cords (Kimber PowerKords with WATTaGATE plugs) towards the purchase of the Black Mamba's and 2 WATTaGATE outlets.

Best wishes,

John Thayer,
Santa Barbara, CA

Well, I'm ruined. After listening the last three nights, I pulled the King Cobra out late last night just to see what the flip-side difference was. It took all the magic with it. :( And it wasn't very subtle either. This leaves 2 problems:

1) It defies logic, and I tend to be a logical person. It is really offensive to my unflappable knowledge of what is true and right, and offensive as well to my well-known and highly regarded expertise in electrical engineering and physics.

2) I can't listen to my system without it.

3) Oops... just thought of another problem -- what happens if ALL components have one-a these things on them?

Now what do I do? My brain says "this can't possibly be happening", and my wife says "Oh good, another hole in the checkbook". :)

Bill Cowen

Just received your Black Mamba cord today. I'd like to thank you for making such a wonderful product! My CEC-TLO transport sounds better than ever. You were right on the money when you said that best place to put it was the transport, because I tried it on the DAC and preamp first. I have several exotic hi-dollar cords here, and your Black Mamba beats them all right out of the bag! I can't wait to hear the King Cobra.

Brian Ackerman

I just received a Mamba from Stewart and tried it in my backup system with a Bryston B-60 integrated. I was using a Monarchy power cord and the Mamba made the Bryston sound like a whole different unit. It had life and dynamics and resolution. A friend was visiting and with the Mamba we both got up to dance with the music. I swapped the Monarchy back in and there was no way we could dance to that same music. It was quite a demonstration of just how much difference your cords can make. And this was right out of the box.

I bought a Cobra when you first brought them out and it took about 24 hours burning on 180 watts of light bulbs to really start to cook and then it made my Electra Glide Reference MKII sound thin and flat by comparison. Of course I thought it was pretty good before that. Needless to say I'm selling my Electra Glides. There is no way I want to listen to them after using the Cobra and now the Mamba. I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your efforts in bringing your products to music listeners like myself. I also have a lot of respect for the way you are conducting your business and trying to sell the cords at a price. These are great products that can bring so much more musical pleasure to people that I hope many, many people will have the opportunity to use them.

I'll be recommending your cords to my friends and I hope to be buying more of them myself before long.

Jon Creek