Shunyata Vs. Nordost power cables ?

Hi me again, I have experienced the Vx's sounding grainy on most things other than digital. I always wondered about my Anaconda Vx feeding the Hydra but given the Nema connector and the expense to change to an Alpha and the fact it seems to work well?
I found a Python (older model) to be fabulous on various phono stages (even a dc powered Camelot), really nice on digital but positively lethargic on amps.
These observations may be turned on their head when using the new model Hydras.I owned an 8 and at that time found it to be slighty 'bright' and forward sounding compared to the original.
Given the changes to my system I have a horrible feeling that the 8 (6 or 4) would introduce a sparkle that's a bit lacking at the moment.
Interestingly enough I tried using a seperate Hydra 2 for digital which did nothing to my mind. However trying a Hydra 4 for digital with the original running the analogue components made an immediate & obvious improvement.
They are strange stuff and I always tell people to juggle them around and stick with the combination that suits their ears & system the best!
Si

I spoke with Scott Hall today, and he confirmed that Electraglide cords are made without grounds intact.

Regarding Hydras, I have spoken with a handful of people who have owned various Hydras including the original Hydra 8, new Hydra 8, Hydra 4 and Hydra 2. Not one person has the same viewpoint about any of these units. One person loves the original Hydra, but dislikes the new Hydra 8 and Hydra 2. Another loves the new Hydra 8. Yet another loves the Hydra 2, but dislikes the Hydra 4. It's crazy. The same nutty audiophilia carries over to Shunyata power cords. Some folks love the Vx cords feeding Hydra conditioners, and others prefer Alpha cords feeding Hydra units. Bottom line, I don't believe anyone can draw any definitive conclusions about Shunyata Hydra conditioners or power cords by reading reviews or user comments. It really comes down to trying an assortment of these products in one's own system.

Thank you Grant. Point well taken.

Tvad & others-

I have 2 Epiphany X cords, an Anaconda Alpha and an Ultra Khan SII Rev on their way from Sanctuary of Sound this week. This silly-expensive 'kit' of cords was part of a trade-in deal for a bunch of other cables and components, so don't assume I am stinking rich (or just plain crazy!).

Anyway, the 'deployment' plan is this:

BPT 3.5 Sig line conditioner - Epiphany X
Esoteric DV-50 player - Ultra Khan SII Rev
VAC Renaissance preamp - Anaconda Alpha
Sim Audio W-5 LE amp - Epiphany X
Talon Raven C speakers - Jena Labs Valkyre spkr cables

In strategizing with Stewart @ SOS and subsequent conversations with Caelin Gabriel of Shunyata (they are next-door neighbors, and good friends), my question was this:

"What source cord and preamp cord would be good companions/contrast to the 2 Epiphany X's on the PLC and amp? Is TOO much of a good thing just too much?"

Stewart agreed, and did some experimentation for me with what he had in stock, then he consulted Caelin. Some things I already knew were confirmed - Shunyata really had no intention for the Anaconda Vx to function on anything other then digital devices. Analog is 'Alpha Land'...but, if a Vx works there in individual cases, then there is certainly no reason to change it. This has been the consistent recommendation that Grant & Caelin at Shunyata have made, especially without knowing a system's characteristics intimately or having gone thru very specific experimentation.

The surprise for me was Caelin's suggestion to use an Anaconda ALPHA on my tube preamp, rather then concentrating on the CD player with a Vx cable. Caelin indicated that in some recent trials with an assortment of cables in their labs, the Anaconda Alpha has proven itself to be unexpectedly beneficial when used on tube preamps.

In my case - I am hoping this will provide a great contrast to the 2 Epiphany X's. My only issue will be the fact that some of my PC's are deliberately very short, and one is a 20Amp'er, so moving them around to experiment on different components will be impossible.

We'll see....

Bhouser, if and when I ever get my Epiphany X cord from Scott Hall (going on two months now), I'll report too. I plan to use it to feed a Hydra 2.

I once tried the BPT 3.5 Sig and found the GFCI outlet really constricted the soundstage. When the other outlets were used, things opened up significantly. Have you any first hand experience with this?