The Absolute Sound Review: Sigma V2 Cables

Review by Kirk Midtskog, Published Sep 30th, 2022 in The Absolute Sound

Shunyata Research is known mostly for its power cords and power conditioners (or “power distributors,” as the company prefers to call them). The firm started out as a power-products manufacturer in the late 90s, so it is entirely understandable that “power gear” is the primary subject most audio folk have filed under “Shunyata” in their mental catalog entry. I hope this review helps to expand those entries to include the company’s signal cables as more than mere “also makes.” In my opinion, to pass over Shunyata’s signal cables is to miss out on some excellent products.

Background

I reviewed the original Sigma cables in 2018 and have been using them as my references ever since. The current Sigma v2 represents a significant performance advancement over the originals, much more of an advancement than the simple “v2” designation might lead you to assume. The subject of this review is the Sigma v2 interconnects ($4000/one-meter RCA) and Sigma v2 speaker cables ($9950/two-meters).

Listening

If I were to distill my overall impression of Sigma v2 into a word, it would be immediate. By this, I mean the cables help my system deliver a listening experience of directness and responsiveness. The music has a straightforward liveliness and sounds less electronically processed. Indeed, my stereo’s sound quality has reached a level that I thought would only be possible in a much more expensive system, with the sort of top-of-the line gear one hears at trade shows or in dedicated rooms in a well-heeled audiophile’s home. While my setup is not exactly a starter kit, it certainly would not be characterized as “upper level” by most audiophiles. (Please see the Associated Equipment section.) And yet, I hear the kind of continuousness, dynamics, low-level detail, and tonal complexity that I normally expect from super-systems. Some of the sonic smearing that very good electronics ameliorate can also be cleared up by cables, and the Sigma v2 offerings are a case in point. If you already have a Goldilocks set of electronics and speakers but want to explore ways to wring more performance from them, consider some new cables before you buy new equipment and include Sigma v2 on your short list, even if you can spring for more expensive wires…