Shunyata Triton/ Typhon

[RogerD]

I now have ~200 hours on the Triton/Typhon and I am trying to get my thoughts wrapped around these 2 units and cables. I have been in this hobby for close to 50 years and can recall only a handful of what I would call "game changers" in my system. I can say without reservation this is one of those few times and can't wait to plug those Typhons into the AC duplex of each corresponding amp

I can't resist......"Noise is the enemy. Noise is the unnecessary baggage that most systems carry around like backpackers scaling a crest loaded up with stones - it kills the experience. In audiophile terms, it kills clarity, speed and dynamics." ---Walter Fields

For all practical purposes a noiseless system has a far greater effect then distortion in high end systems.

Looking back on a old thread I started on the subject and for the most part I found it revealing...sans the non-subject matter.

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...-effect-on-sound-reproduction&highlight=noise

 

[mep]

I don't trust anyone's hype.

Maybe next month another cable/PLC manufacturer will join and it will become the new flavor of the month.

PS- Why is Shunyata the only cable company with a What's Best In Manufacturers forum?

What about:

Audience
Audioquest
Cardas
JPS Labs
Kimber Kable
MIT
Nordost
Synergistic Research
Transparent

Just to name a few audiophile cable companies that have been in business for a long time.

Aren't all cable manufacturers welcome to join WBF? I think they are. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[treitz3]

Hello mep. You are correct. All cable manufacturers are welcome to join the WBF.

Tom

 

[Steve Williams]

Aren't all cable manufacturers welcome to join WBF? I think they are. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.

Definitely

FWIW I have approached many of these manufacturers listed above and they all graciously declined. Caelin and Grant were receptive and I feel they have been excellent here fielding questions about their products

 

[LL21]

Great news fellow lunatic

I've been told that my pair of Typhons/Anaconda umbilical ships next week

I now have ~200 hours on the Triton/Typhon and I am trying to get my thoughts wrapped around these 2 units and cables. I have been in this hobby for close to 50 years and can recall only a handful of what I would call "game changers" in my system. I can say without reservation this is one of those few times and can't wait to plug those Typhons into the AC duplex of each corresponding amp

You better not be BS'ing me. I am about to write a hefty check for 2 x Typhon + 1 x Triton with corresponding umbilicals, and three digital alpha's thrown in for good measure, strictly based on the hype on this forum....

Good luck Edorr...be most interested in reading your impressions. I cannot imagine, depending on what you are using now, that they wont be extremely good and really impress you. First, you're betting on some very very experienced ears with Steve and Frank750. A good bet imho. Furthermore, these folks have been designing well-regarded top-notch power equipment (which I think a number of studios use) for way too long to make a big mistake on flagship equipment...it can happen, of course, but I seriously doubt it. When do they arrive?

 

[edorr]

Good luck Edorr...be most interested in reading your impressions. I cannot imagine, depending on what you are using now, that they wont be extremely good and really impress you. First, you're betting on some very very experienced ears with Steve and Frank750. A good bet imho. Furthermore, these folks have been designing well-regarded top-notch power equipment (which I think a number of studios use) for way too long to make a big mistake on flagship equipment...it can happen, of course, but I seriously doubt it. When do they arrive?

Of course, I will be comparing the Shunyata Conditioners with PS Audio P5s (even trying to mix and match), so conclusions may be different from Steve / Frank, but I'm hopeful, especially about the Typhon + Mono's on a single circuit with quadplex setup.

I listed $6k worth of gear that will be swapped out - I'll pay for my order when I have sold at least half of it. The there is 5 days to turn around the order, ship the stuff to me burn in, so it will be a few weeks before I can do some listening and comparing.

 

[LL21]

Of course, I will be comparing the Shunyata Conditioners with PS Audio P5s (even trying to mix and match), so conclusions may be different from Steve / Frank, but I'm hopeful, especially about the Typhon + Mono's on a single circuit with quadplex setup.

I listed $6k worth of gear that will be swapped out - I'll pay for my order when I have sold at least half of it. The there is 5 days to turn around the order, ship the stuff to me burn in, so it will be a few weeks before I can do some listening and comparing.

You're certainly committed, that's for sure! Good luck. and look forward to hearing about the result.

 

[edorr]

You're certainly committed, that's for sure! Good luck. and look forward to hearing about the result.

For this project, the commitment shows itself in terms of logistics, buying / selling stuff, burn-in, moving heavy gear around, trips to FedEx and so on. Financially, this may end up being an almost cash flow neutral move, depending on what gear I end up keeping....

 

[LL21]

For this project, the commitment shows itself in terms of logistics, buying / selling stuff, burn-in, moving heavy gear around, trips to FedEx and so on. Financially, this may end up being an almost cash flow neutral move, depending on what gear I end up keeping....

Yes, I suspected as much. I was indeed referring to the effort you were putting into this...no doubt, well worth it in the end!

 

[jap]

welcome back jap. Do you have a problem again or are things just slow at Audioaficionado

Thanks for the welcome.

No problem, just enjoying reading all the Shunyata posts.

FYI, I don't post on AA.

BTW, I keep reading posts which say that you need to use a "full loom," of a manufacturer's cables/PLCs to appreciate all their benefits.

In addition to Shunyata's PCs & PLCs, do you use their ICs, SCs, Digital cables, etc....?

 

[Steve Williams]

In addition to Shunyata's PCs & PLCs, do you use their ICs, SCs, Digital cables, etc....?

not yet but ask me again in 3-4 months

 

[Frank750]

BTW, I keep reading posts which say that you need to use a "full loom," of a manufacturer's cables/PLCs to appreciate all their benefits.

In addition to Shunyata's PCs & PLCs, do you use their ICs, SCs, Digital cables, etc....?

I have been using Shunyata PCs for about 8 years, currently I'm using all Anaconda Zitrons. When I first started experimenting with their PCs, I added one at a time until all PCs in my system were from Shunyata. Until 5 months ago, I never used any of their conditioners, I now use a Triton and 3 Typhons. My speaker cables and all interconnect are MIT MA-X SHD.

Clearly, you can gather from my posts that I feel I'm getting many benefits from using Shunyata products, in spite of the fact that I don't use them across the board in my system.

 

[edorr]

BTW, I keep reading posts which say that you need to use a "full loom," of a manufacturer's cables/PLCs to appreciate all their benefits.

In addition to Shunyata's PCs & PLCs, do you use their ICs, SCs, Digital cables, etc....?

Urban myth in my opinion. I tried anaconda Zitron IC and SC end to end, and did not work in my system. Lightning fast, lots of detail and top end extension, but somehow less "musical" than my transparent reference. So sold them all. Powercords are without match in their own right. Will report on Typhon / Trinon conditioning shortly.

 

[Steve Williams]

Urban myth in my opinion. I tried anaconda Zitron IC and SC end to end, and did not work in my system. Lightning fast, lots of detail and top end extension, but somehow less "musical" than my transparent reference. So sold them all. Powercords are without match in their own right. Will report on Typhon / Trinon conditioning shortly.

Edorr

I know from some of your previous reviews that you make up your mind before an adequate break-in

I say this only to caution you that the Triton Typhon need many, many hours of break in. The instructions say at least 200 hours. In fact for the first week I had mine I only listened in my system on day one and from the o I had all my front end gear that is plugged into the Triton turned on. Apparently it is not necessary to run signal through these components but rather to just have them turned on in order for break-in. I now have well over 200 hours on mine and it continues to change and open up

 

[BlueFox]

I have a complete Zitron setup in my two channel system. It consists of

1. ZR-71 outlet on dedicated 20 amp line
2. Two Anacondas on the outlet.
3. Triton connected to Anaconda for source gear
4. Cyclops connected to Anaconda for amps
5. Two Pythons, one for each amp
6. Three Cobras for SACD, DAC, pre-amp
7. One Alpha Digital for file player
8. One Python digital to connect file player to DAC.
9. One pair of Anaconda speaker cables
10. Three pair of Anaconda XLR interconnects

Together everything sounds fantastic. Even while adding each piece one at a time, it sounded great.

Gear:

Sony XA-5400ES SACD
Bryston BDP-1 digital file player.
Bryston BDA-2 DAC.
Pass Labs XP-20 pre-amp
Pass Labs X600.5 amps
Aerial Acoustics 7T speakers

 

[edorr]

Edorr

I know from some of your previous reviews that you make up your mind before an adequate break-in

I say this only to caution you that the Triton Typhon need many, many hours of break in. The instructions say at least 200 hours. In fact for the first week I had mine I only listened in my system on day one and from the o I had all my front end gear that is plugged into the Triton turned on. Apparently it is not necessary to run signal through these components but rather to just have them turned on in order for break-in. I now have well over 200 hours on mine and it continues to change and open up

May be. I rendered a verdict on the IC's and SC's with may be 150 hours on them. Fast, detailed but less musical than my transparents. I don't think the basic character would change dramatically with more burn in so I sold them.

I had great experience with swapping out Shunyata PCs one at a time, but was somewhat disappointed with putting 6 anacondas in my system all at one time with less than 100 hours on them. Possibly not enough burn in. I believe they opened up with more hours on them since then. I still think the Shunyata power products are best in class. I will give the Typhon / Triton plenty time to burn in.

 

[jfrech]

May be. I rendered a verdict on the IC's and SC's with may be 150 hours on them. Fast, detailed but less musical than my transparents. I don't think the basic character would change dramatically with more burn in so I sold them.

I had great experience with swapping out Shunyata PCs one at a time, but was somewhat disappointed with putting 6 anacondas in my system all at one time with less than 100 hours on them. Possibly not enough burn in. I believe they opened up with more hours on them since then. I still think the Shunyata power products are best in class. I will give the Typhon / Triton plenty time to burn in.

The Transparent cables (especially Reference and up) are very hard to beat. I have read this a few times on Transparent vs Shunyata signal cables...including from my dealer who owns/sells both. The Transparents are more expensive but seem to yield nice result...of course cables are system dependent and your milage may vary...

I to, like others here, are VERY sold and VERY happy with my Shunyata Anaconda zitrons and my Triton/Typhon...they seem a nice match with Transparent in my system

 

[Vhiner]

May be. I rendered a verdict on the IC's and SC's with may be 150 hours on them. Fast, detailed but less musical than my transparents. I don't think the basic character would change dramatically with more burn in so I sold them.

in.

If there is one thing I know after years of listening to Shunyata's Zitron signal cables it is this: their character changes significantly throughout the extensive burn in process. 150 hours isn't anywhere near the time that is required. Anything under 500 hours yields the very results you describe....transparency at the expense of musicality. I am not alone in this assessment. I will concede that the differences are more noticeable in highly resolving systems. Caelin Gabriel himself recommends weeks, not mere days before peak performance is reached. If one truly wants to determine how Anaconda Zitron speaker cables and interconnects stack up against the best of the best, then they need to be properly broken in. The Python and Anaconda Zitron SC's are every bit as good as Shunyata's PC's but require longer break-in time. I base this conclusion after extensive listening to all of them in my system. I would have sold them long ago if they sacrificed musicality at the alter of speed and transparency.

 

[GuidoCorona]

I should like to echo Vhiner's cautionary note on premature assessments... Shunyata are remarkable products to say the least... They reward long term patience in spades... Conversely, they do not cater to the user prone to audiophilic anxieties.

A couple of years ago, I have had the opportunity of breaking in two separate complete looms of Shunyata wires... Invariably, The wires undergo significant behavior oscillations for the first 300 hours. I would estimate final stabilization to occurr somtimes after the 500 hours mark... Perhaps 700 hours(?).

After 150 hours, a user would be in the middle of major performance flux... It is improbable that a major portion of the signature of the wires would show. At 300 hours or so, wires start to show their character, but refinements continue to evolve for a considerable amount of time after that.

G.

 

[Vhiner]

I should like to echo Vhiner's cautionary note on premature assessments... Shunyata are remarkable products to say the least... They reward long term patience in spades... Conversely, they do not cater to the user prone to audiophilic anxieties.

A couple of years ago, I have had the opportunity of breaking in two separate complete looms of Shunyata wires... Invariably, The wires undergo significant behavior oscillations for the first 300 hours. I would estimate final stabilization to occurr somtimes after the 500 hours mark... Perhaps 700 hours(?).

After 150 hours, a user would be in the middle of major performance flux... It is improbable that a major portion of the signature of the wires would show. At 300 hours or so, wires start to show their character, but refinements continue to evolve for a considerable amount of time after that.

G.

+1 I believe you have described the common thread among experienced users perfectly!