Plugging two components into my Hydra 2 conditioner sounds no different that plugging only one component into the conditioner. This applies to both amplifier/preamplifier and digital sources. I use one Hydra 2 for analog and another Hydra 2 for digital.
Does Shunyata Hydra sound best with just one unit
I'm curious if the Shunyata Hydra power conditioners sound better with just one component plugged into them? When I plug more than one component into my PS Audio Ultimate Outlets and PS Audio UPC 200's the sound becomes more congested, there's less resolution and the fatigue factor increases. Sadly, I suspect it's universal that power cords function better when they're not being hogged by two or more components. Here I am with all this PS Audio conditioning equipment and I'm only using one outlet in each of them. Is it possible there's a conditioner on the market which will allow me to use several of my components without compromising sound?
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Tvad - Hello I currently own one Hydra 6. Have my preamp,dac, transport, tuner,turntable all plugged into a Hydra. I also have a Macintosh MC-602 power amp. This power amp is 175lbs of sheer 600W power and has tremendous ampage output. Tvad, I am thinking about getting another Hydra. Will a Hydra support my MAC602 power amp?? Am I better off splitting up what I have in my first Hydra . Or leave everything plugged into the first Hydra and plug just my MAC amp into the second Hydra?? |
One should try to use separate dedicated 20 amp AC lines for analog components and digital components. Your MC601 amp is rated 110volts, 50/60Hz at 16.5 amps, according to the McIntosh manual. The manual does not specify if this is peak current our continuous current. I suspect it's peak current. All the Hydra units are rated 2400 watts @ 20 amps continuous. That leaves 3.5 amps for your front end gear. I'd first suggest a second dedicated AC line for your amplifer (and preamplifier). After that, one Hydra 2 for the amplifier and preamplifier should do the job. |
In regards to the Hydra could it support a Threshold SA/4e power amplifier? The ratings on the Threshold is 30amps continuous and 130 amps peak?I think you need to check your specs. At 30 amps continuous, it could not be run on any common domestic AC circuit as far as I'm aware, and at 130 amps on one circuit, it'd burn your house down. IMO. The answer to your question is that the Hydras are rated for 20 amps continuous. Anything more is too much current. Anything less can be handled by the Hydra (any Hydra 2, 4 or 8). Do some more homework and report back. |
I have a dedicated 20 amp circuit for my Mc-402. I am using a dedicated Hydra 2 for my amp. I also have another dedicated 20 amp circuit for my front end components that are plugged into a Hydra 6. I then have another dedicated circuit for my HDTV and Tivo that are plugged into a Richard Gray 400 Pro. I am very happy with this set up. I used to have a little AC line noice, but now everything is super quiet..... |
I think the 30A/130A current of the SA4e is probably the output current capacity of the amp, not the input from the wall. If you can plug the Threshold into a regular wall outlet, it should work fine on the Hydra. I plugged two Krell monoblocks into a Hydra 8 without any problems but I didn't like the sound. |
Tvad - Threshold SA/4e specs are clearly stated in print in both in the owners operation manual and service manual. Also even states in my original Threshold brochures. "30 amps continuous and 130 amps peak". The Threshold SA/4e power amplifier is Pure Class A and will drive any speaker out there. I've owned some pretty ineficient speakers like Apogee Divas, Sonus Faber Extremas, etc. in the past and the Threshold SA/4e easily drives them. In fact there is a Threshold SA/4e for sale. But personally does not look authentic. The SA/4e has gold accents with an oval cut out face plate for the model number. The person on Audiogon may have what you can call a chop-shop Threshold SA/4e. I emailed the seller and they are trying to contact the original owner. |
01-06-07: JoefamaI believe this is a spec for current output of the amp, not current draw. To calculate current draw, Watts=Volts/Amps. So, divide the maximum power consumption of your amp (wattage) by 120 volts, and you will have the current draw of the amplifier. As an example, the Pass Labs X150 has max power consumption of 600 watts. 600 watts/120 volts = 5 amps. Try this for your amp. I found the formula in this article. ...and this paragraph: In the U.S., computers get plugged into 120-volt circuits. So we'd divide our 5,000W by 120 volts for a total power consumption of 41.6 amps. |
I have the following experience with the Original Hydra. When I plug the power amplifier into the Hydra there is a very black and silent background. Music seems to emanate from this dead silent background, which gives a weird experience. I don't like it, it's weird. So I plug the power amplifier directly into the AC wall outlet. Then I get a more "natural" sound with some of the noise, some of the grunge you also can hear in real life. Chris |