Mating power cords with APL 3910

I can't comment on the Hydra 4 vs. Hydra 8 since I've never heard the Hydra 8, although I have to say I've never read anywhere that any Hydra product is current limiting. Can you provide a link or reference to something you read?

I have all my components plugged into the Hydra 4: VAC Phi 110/110, First Sound Presence Deluxe II, APL Denon 3910. The Hydra mitigates some edge in the upper mids and highs. Something on the order of 2-3%, if I had to quantify it. The effect is really one of ease and relaxation. I find with the APL going straight to the wall I want to get up sooner. I get fidgety. Frankly, this applies to any component that I run straight to the wall. Is the music more palpable? Is the soundstage wider or deeper? Is the bass tighter? I can't honestly say yes to any of these questions. The differences are much more subtle to my ears. I guess it just sounds more "live" through the Hydra. I certainly don't have any issue with limited dynamics using the Hydra, which is something one might expect with a conditioner that limits current.

John,
As a musician who has listened to many hours of studio playback, I would say that our home system goal is to hear that replicated as closely as possible. Ironically, I think that the closer you get to that, you actually begin to hear the limitations and flaws in the recording process. Mid-fi systems are much better I believe at compressing those gaps, if that makes sense. Sorry if I'm not directly answering your question, but I'm trying to offer some background into what I want to hear from the recording, which will hopefully help to understand how I listen and choose components/cables/etc. that match my (and my wife's) preferences.

In the order of those I listed above, each successive cord opened up the sound somewhat more, each time getting us closer to the rawness of the recording. The Signal Cable was a marginal improvement over the stock cord. The VDH slightly was slightly more open. The Wolff gave life and depth to the music, and the EG opened that midrange air and space somewhat more, an improvement akin to what I've heard when going from some current production to NOS tubes. The music feels slower, more open, with the energy of the players, and either it or I am more relaxed because I feel like I've been let in to the music. As far as coherence, I think that in some way I can actually hear the flaws in the process even more than before, but that's what I want to hear: the humanity of the players.

I understand that the Ultra Khan Plus is another step beyond the Mini Khan Plus, in the same direction. People have told me that they found an improvement with the UK Plus, and others have told me they went back to the MK Plus.

Obviously, there are many excellent PC's out there. I just went with recommendations from people who seemed to have similar goals as those I enumerated above.
Best of luck,
Howard

Howard,
Your elucidation was helpful. In particular, I think your statement "The music feels slower, more open, with the energy of the players, and either it or I am more relaxed because I feel like I've been let in to the music." conveys the spirit of what I am aiming for. For example, a component that produces "smooth" high frequencies by compression could sound pleasant, but it doesn't let me into the music because the harmonic texture and bloom have been reduced. While enjoying that sound, I remain an outsider. I need to feel the nuances in the harmonic texture, the delicacy of the harmonic bloom, and the fluidity of the natural flow of music to be "let in to the music". Similarly, at the lower end of the spectrum, a boomy bass does not connect me with the vibrancy of the music. Based on your elucidation, the Mini Khan Plus is definitely on my short list.

Thanks Again,
John

Yikes. All this from a power cord? Apparantly, I've been concentrating on the wrong parts of my sysem. :)

John,
I always figure why not try something out, especially when you can resell it for around the same price if not satisfied? If you are looking for natural and accurate, then I would say you have chosen an excellent player in the APL. And in my experience, the EG just seems to get out of the way and let the music come through.
Enjoy!
Howard