General Asylum: REVIEW: Shunyata PowerSnakes Hydra 8 Power Conditioner/Surge Protector by rob3rt5

Model:	Hydra 8
Category:	Power Conditioner/Surge Protector
Suggested Retail Price:	$1995
Description:	Power Distribution Center
Manufacturer URL:	Shunyata PowerSnakes
Model Picture:	View

Review by rob3rt5 ( A ) on October 01, 2005 at 07:43:10
IP Address: 67.51.165.18

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for the Hydra 8

It should be noted that breaking in any piece of audio equipment is nothing short of a crashing bore. In the case of the Shunyata Hydra 8 it is impairative. Out of the box it sounds (in an already balanced system) very bright. Cymbals crash with astonishing claritity and way too much authority while bass notes are indeed a bit soft and mid-range tends to receed into a tunnle. This is, I find, the case of break-in sound for all sources with rather large transformers. I'm not an audio engineer but it seems that this is due to the fact that energy tends to travel along the path of least resistance (I would quess along the outter edges of the copper wires) buffering the course or misalligned molecules with the force of it's movement. As the resistance decreases, the current than passes deeper within the wire and it's sonic signature changes.

That said, I found after three days that the bass tightens and is presented with authority while the highs gain a certain level of crispness and cleanliness. Sound is delivered quickly and with a certain balance that seems right. The exception to this would be the mids that tend to come from a tunnle. (I always seem to be waiting for the mids!!!) With highs and bass so fully realised, the absence of mids is pronounced. (The aforementioned tunnel effect).

FEAR NOT...The end is indeed in sight. Days four five and six will give you increased presentation in the mids with each successive day presenting a more balanced sound throughout until, finally, you will hear things (good and bad) within the music you've never heard before.

It is really important to note that electronic hum, white noise, or audio hash (whatever you choose to call it) gives us, as audiophiles, a sence that we are hearing something with much more heft than might be truely there. These audio artifact tend to bridge the gaps within music and gives us the impression that we have more bass or that highs are filled with hiss or that vocals are more full than they really are. When these sounds (or artifacts) are removed you will, as I have, discover what your music really sounds like. Everything sounds a bit more live and you become aware of the apparent space of the recording environment. Instead of less information I found that I could hear, for the first time, information (claps, people talking softly, fret changes, breaths) that I thought was a distorted part of the song.

If you truly love audio and you want to hear "everything" as your system presents it please don't hesitate to purchase this wonderful conditioned. It has given my system a sence of realism I've only until now dreamed of. Not hockus pockus- just good clear dilineation of notes, vocals and sound in general.

Product Weakness: I wish for it's sake it came already burned in. Please add about $200.00 to the asking price for the power needed to work this piece in.
Product Strengths: It's simplicity, it's clarity and with the proper power cord (please use the Anaconda Alpha!!!) it's transparent nature. You hear your system- nothing more.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	BAT VK-300x SE
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Denon 3910 modded by Parts Connnection running balanced through super tubes
Speakers:	Vandersteen 2Ce Sig.
Cables/Interconnects:	ESP
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	rock, classical,live, vocal,dance, country..you name it
Room Size (LxWxH):	15 x 10 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	carpet, drapes
Time Period/Length of Audition:	three weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Symposium Rollerblock Jr's and Svelt shelves under all including Shunyata Hydra 8
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	I wish for it's sake it came already burned in. Please add about $200.00 to the asking price for the power needed to work this piece in.
Product Strengths:	It's simplicity, it's clarity and with the proper power cord (please use the Anaconda Alpha!!!) it's transparent nature. You hear your system- nothing more.