REVIEW SHOP SHARE LEARN
Shunyata Research Taipan Alpha Power Cord
Shunyata Research Taipan Alpha Power Cord
MSRP: $ 650.00

More Speaker Cables from Shunyata Research >>
Search AudioReview forums for the Shunyata Research Taipan Alpha Power Cord >>
   
Other Ways to Shop
Click here for Hot Deals >>
Shop for Similar Products

Performance
Popular Speaker Cables
more...
Top Ranked Products from Shunyata Research.
Taipan Alpha Power Cord
Rated:
Anaconda VX Power Cord
Rated:
Copperhead Power Cord
Rated:
more...
 |  Sorted by Latest Review |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> | 
Rating
Reviewed by:

audiophi

(AudioPhile)

Review Date
January 15, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.86 of 5, 7.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 1

Price Paid:  $0.00 from Music Direct

Summary:
This is a review of the new Helix version of the Taipan Alpha power cord. I originally bought a Shunyata Hydra 4 AC line conditioner and was leery of spending $$$ on the Taipan Helix Alpha, because I thought it would just duplicate the blacker background and deeper soundstage provided by the the Hydra. Well, the Taipan improved on both of those items and then went way beyond the Hydra in sonic benefits. My system was afflicted with harshness in the upper midrange, which was especially annoying with female vocalists. I thought the harshness was coming from one of my components, but the Taipan proved that the AC power was the problem. The Taipan now allows my solid-state system a more liquid sound with a wonderful midrange, luscious female vocalists, less sibilance, cymbals without harshness, piano without glare, orchestral crescendos without roughness, a deep (sometimes awesomely deep) soundstage, and an overall coherent musicality that just sounds right. This is my first experience with an upgrade power cord, and I wouldn't give it up for anything. My thanks to the advisors at Music Direct for pointing me to the Taipan. Be aware that the Taipan takes around 950 hours to break in. I almost returned the product after 350 hours because it hadn't done anything for the midrange! So be prepared for a glacial break-in period before judging it. I ran an electric fan on the Hydra/Taipan combo during all non-listening hours to expedite the break-in. Of course, everybody's AC power is different, so you may not hear the same benefits. As always, try before you buy if possible.

Strengths:
Musical, musical, musical. Refined treble and upper midrange. Deep soundstage. Black background. The "firehose" appearance is misleading - it's actually very light and flexible.

Weaknesses:
none that I've discovered


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Company Pages

Audio & Video company review pages. Browse product user reviews, compare prices, top ranked products, and compare specs by manufacturer.

Bowers Wilkins Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins
NAD Reviews
NAD
Marantz Reviews Marantz
Denon Reviews
Denon
Klipsch Reviews
Klipsch
Sony Reviews
Sony
Yamaha Reviews
Yamaha
Rotel Reviews
ROTEL
McIntosh Reviews
McIntosh
Bose Reviews
Bose
Polk Reviews
Polk Audio
Paradigm Reviews
Paradigm
Onkyo Reviews
Onkyo
JBL Reviews
JBL
KEF Reviews
KEF
Pioneer Lens Reviews
Pioneer
Harman Kardon Lens Reviews
Harman-Kardon
Panasonic Reviews
Panasonic
Press and News
Submit News & Press...
Audio and Video News & Press Releases.

Latest and Greatest

Best Floorstanding Speakers Under $1000

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Floorstanding Speaker that fits you:

AudioREVIEW's Budget Audiophile Holiday Guide

Give someone the gift of hi-fi. Or make the step yourself. Let us point the way...

Moscode 402Au OLT stereo power amplifier Review

George is adamant about the fact that the Moscode 402Au is not just a tube gain stage slapped onto a solid-state power amplifier; rather, it is a tube amplifier with a MOSFET output stage.

Lowther’s DX-65 driver in the Teresonic Magus XR Review

A new driver from Lowther is real news. A new five inch driver is even rarer news, so it was with great anticipation that I waited on this pair of speakers to arrive.

Aune Mini Headphone DAC User Review

The unit arrived from China well packed and everything seem to be in place. No external abuse by the carriers. The only problem was the power supply it came with. The box came with a cheap step-down converter.

Reviews and Featured Articles
Expert hi-fi audio reviews, blogs, and audio articles.