Tweakers' Asylum: REVIEW: Shunyata PowerSnakes Hydra 8 Power Conditioner/Surge Protector by demosasp@otenet.gr

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 demosasp@otenet.gr ( A ) on July 28, 2006 at 04:43:28
IP Address: 87.203.137.135

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for the Hydra 8

Simply a Stunning Product. The best thing between the amplifier and the outlet. Especially well mating with tube amplifiers - I think none is better.

I was always searching for the right AC conditioner without spending a fortune. I finally brought the Hydra-6. The results are fanastics. First of all , I did not like at all the conditioner to mess up with transperancy and immediancy of the system. That is a common problem with many conditioner. Also I hate the conditioners that decrease the amount of 'air' from the soundstage and you finally listen to a sterile, lifeless and not-so-natural over-relaxed presentation with huge decrease of micro-dynamics. Whats the point ? The only conditioner I auditioned with tube amplification with stunning results without any of those problems was the Hydras (model 6 and -never tried one- model 8). Detail, imeediancy, transperancy and air was all there but within a more delicate, expanded, heightened and coherent soundstage.

In short-terms, if you like the voices of humans in real height, grainfree (that is of course something that has to do with all your components synergistically), expanding more and more , with the right presence and the upper notes of a violin to sound grain-free, not at all edgy but without loosing air,extenstion or presence combine those products between your gear: Shunyata Hydra, Cardas Golden Reference AC power cords to all your equipment, Cardas or Acoustic Zen Interconnects and Cardas or Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cable. Finish. Good gear is always good gear but without those cables and Hydra you cannot admire your components .

Product Weakness: Nothing at all.
Product Strengths: The best conditioner I ever tried. Nothing less than added musicallity. Stunning. Hydra's don't mess with immediancy especially with tubes.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Many
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Many
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Many
Speakers:	Many
Cables/Interconnects:	MANY
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Many
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Nothing at all.
Product Strengths:	The best conditioner I ever tried. Nothing less than added musicallity. Stunning. Hydra's don't mess with immediancy especially with tubes.