Mating power cords with APL 3910

As per Sean's description of the Hydra 8's architecture, a while ago I posted my opinion that the analog outlets sounded better (tighter bass, more relaxed & integrated sound field) for all components, digital ones included. The analog ones are the first in the chain, so this seems to explain it.

John, other than the use of FeSi-1002 compund on the Hydra 8, I have
not read of filtering increasing through the Hydra product line either on
the Power Snakes website or in reviews, although I have read Clement
Perry's Stereo Times review in which he expresses his subjective opinion
that the Hydra 8 sounds better in some respects than the lower models.
Then, later in the review, he writes of the wonders of using two Hydra 2
conditioners together. That's safe reviewing, wouldn't you say? I believe
the rest is marketing strategy.

Why would anyone pay a premium to buy an 8 outlet power conditioner
for digital sources, which would at most utilize only 2 outlets? Doesn't
that seem wasteful? I'm also dubious of the real world effects of current
limiting unless one is using two enormous 600 wpc power hungry amps
at the first two outlets. This Shunyata web page talks
specifically of the non current limiting aspect of Hydra conditioners. Are
the marketing folks at Shunyata blowing smoke? After all, the
recommended configuration per Shunyata is to plug the amp into the
duplex closest to the IEC, followed by the preamp and finally the source
components. The reason being that amps require the most juice, and
source equipment requires substantially less juice, hence the rationale
for plugging the least power hungry components into the duplex
farthest down the chain. Unless one were to inexplicably plug an amp
into the duplex farthest from the IEC, I cannot fathom current limiting
being an issue.

As you might expect, I'm not of the opinion that two, three, or four
power conditioners are necessary. I believe that idea is solely born of
marketing and misinformation.

To answer your question, I have not tried more than one Hydra...or more
than one of any power conditioner I've owned, and if I were to do so, I'd
certainly try two Hydra 2 or two Hydra 4 conditioners first. If you are
inclined to try multiple conditioners, I hope you do so with an objective
ear, and please report back.

Too be honest, I thought my Krell Amp sounded better straight into the wall instead of using the Hydra 8 with everything else plugged into it.
But,the cuplrit probably was that when I plugged the Krell into the Hydra 8 everything else was on one single 20 Amp circuit.

When using the Hydra 2 with my Krell and the Hydra 8 with my digital I am using 2 seperate dedicated circuits.
One for the digital and one for my Amp.

My Krell Amp is really a power sucking monster. I remember trying it with a PS Audio 600, just turning it on shut down the PS with nothing else plugged into it.

I don't know if the Hydra 8 is power limiting (it's not supposed to be) but the dedicated line that the hydra 8 is plugged into is.

The Hydra 2 with the Krell Amp improved the Krell Amp sound quality , particulary in the bass tone. I think I got the Hydra 2 for $300 bucks.
When you think of the cost of the APL and our other equipment, $300-$400 bucks more is not that much for improved sound quality and protection of the equipment. But, you gotta buy another power cord !

Once again, threads are overlapping. Rather than double post, here's a link to the other thread where Grant ( Tvad ) and i discussed alternatives to the Hydra. After reading all of this and seeing the opportunity to fill a void in the market that has now been highlighted for all to see, i'm sure that a manufacturer will start producing such a unit sometime shortly. Sean
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PS... Rgs92, thanks for pointing that out. I never saw your comments about the Hydra as most of these type of products don't interest me for the aforementioned reasons. Having said that and as i've mentioned before, one doesn't necessarily need to listen to a product to have a good idea as to what to expect out of it. That is, if they know how to dissect it electrically and can understand what those electrical characteristics may translate to sonically. Someone should point this thread and the others where i've posted similar comments based on logical deductions to Jtinn and and his group of cronies. They don't seem to think that such things are possible.

Yep, I have to go along with Sean, since his analysis has proven right to my ears. For the record, my Edge NL-12 amp is much smoother & warmer (but still conveys all the details & dynamics) through the Hydra 8. I have all my source components (EMMs) bunched up in the analog outlets. The digital ones made them sound strained.
Other power conditioners I have tried did make things sound smoother, but made amp sound compressed and the source components kind of lifeless. I have had more luck with better power cords, where I have experienced major improvements. I have always been suprised how power cords can be as influential as interconnects.