Shunyata Hydra

06-02-13: Jfrech
Bryon, I'd add a #5 to your list... noise the components generate and send back into the line...sometimes this can be substantial...especially with some digital gear or switch mode power supplies...

I completely agree, and I should have put that on my list.

And to be completely clear about my view, I do in fact believe that addressing power issues can make a substantial, even major, improvement in SQ. It's just that I didn't experience a major improvement from my Hydra 8. In fact, I experienced a bigger improvement in SQ from various DIY power tweaks, which are discussed in this thread. The beneficial effects of clean power are also discussed in this thread.

Having said that, I believe that the effects of power products, beneficial or otherwise, is variable and system dependent.

Bryon

My comments, that essentially second some of those in Bryon's characteristically excellent and perceptive posts: Although I don't assert that all of the sonic effects of power cords and conditioners are technically explainable, every technical explanation I have ever seen offered for those effects (including explanations at the Shunyata site, which btw I consider to be credible), figures to be dependent on the design of the specific components and their interconnecting cables, on the physical placement of those components and cables, and on the characteristics of the incoming AC.

So I don't see why it should be surprising that in some systems there would be little or no difference.

I'll add that I am pleased to see that most of the responses so far have been sincere and have not questioned the OP's hearing or the quality of his system, which as has been said is indeed very nice.

Finally, I'll reiterate a point I have made a number of times in the past. The ability of a system to resolve musical detail, and its ability to resolve hardware differences, are two different things, that don't necessarily correlate. An ideal component design, were there such a thing, would have zero sensitivity to differences in the AC it receives.

Regards,
-- Al

The attacks on the op suck. It may certainly be possible the op's setup and AC does not need the service of Shunyata products to make the sound better.

The crap comments denigrating the op? those folks should rethink what they are writing.
Since they are so defensive about particular products... i would question thier ability to discuss audio rationally.

I haven't tried the Hydra but I did try their power cords after I was told they would make a huge difference. Well I tried them for a week on my amplifier, pre-amp and CD player.
I could not hear a difference between the Shunyata power cords and my cheap upgraded cords I got from a electronic supply house. I returned the Shunyata power cords.

"06-02-10: Jamiek
I must say, that I am very happy with my current set up. However, I have been happy with past setups only to find a whole new world of musicality was one upgrade away. Nonetheless, I think I'm at a decent stopping point."

"04-24-10: Jamiek
Shunyata hydra units work reasonably well on my system. I found it very helpful to replace my wall socket with a ps audio socket. That made a very big improvement."

"11-21-09: Jamiek
Try a foundation research lc-10 or possibly an lc-100. I currently have a shunyata v-Ray model 2 and have also had a hydra 8. Both have been connected with anacondas to and from the hydras. These set ups provided me a distinct sonic improvement.

Most interesting. After using Shunyata for three years or more, why such a the long wait for your Shunyata bashing?