Hi Cornfed,
I'm sorry your experience with the Hydra has been unsuccessful. Although I noted that Albert P. echos your impressions regarding pace, rhythym and timing, I have not heard of, or been given that feedback from the many customers, dealers, or manufacturers I've had contact with in the past year. In fact, the majority of the feedback we've received from within, and outside the industry has pointed to PRAT as a strength of the unit. Of course, that doesn't discount yours, or anyone's impressions that finds differently, or to the contrary.
If your impressions remain, I too would suggest that you investigate the Audio Magic Stealth. I have listened with that unit--thanks to Jerry, and can attest that it is a fine performer. It is extremely immediate, transparent and dynamic.
Interestingly, high current amp manufacturers such as Edge, BAT, Halcro(distributor), McCormack, and low-current amp manufacturers like ART, not only used the Hydra to power their amps at the Show, they also own and use Hydra in their own systems, as does Audio Research. If you know how sensitive amp/electronics manufacturers can be to tethering "power distribution" products to their amps, you'll understand this to be an achievement of sorts. Rowland Design has also eval'd Hydra and found that it did not interfere in any way with the performance and operation of their amps. We supplied 5 Hydras to power an even dozen Rowland amps at the Million $ Wisdom exhibit at the Show.
Bob Crump did have a mixed reaction to the Hydra we sent him, but that unit was a pre-production model that has virtually nothing in common with the Hydras that are being produced today. Bob mistakenly intimated that we use Ferrites inside of Hydra, which is incorrect. Ferrites would definitely compress dynamics and interfere with the critical pace and timing elements within music, which is why we avoid them.
If you'd like, I'd be happy to make a couple of suggestions regarding operation and set up that may, or may not, alter your experience. I don't believe this is a break-in issue, but there are many details and interactions within music systems that can tip performance in one, or another direction. Given the investment of your time in evaluation, it may be worth a little tinkering before throwing in the wet-blanket :). Feel free to e-mail or call anytime.
Regards,
Grant Samuelsen
Shunyata Research
I'm sorry your experience with the Hydra has been unsuccessful. Although I noted that Albert P. echos your impressions regarding pace, rhythym and timing, I have not heard of, or been given that feedback from the many customers, dealers, or manufacturers I've had contact with in the past year. In fact, the majority of the feedback we've received from within, and outside the industry has pointed to PRAT as a strength of the unit. Of course, that doesn't discount yours, or anyone's impressions that finds differently, or to the contrary.
If your impressions remain, I too would suggest that you investigate the Audio Magic Stealth. I have listened with that unit--thanks to Jerry, and can attest that it is a fine performer. It is extremely immediate, transparent and dynamic.
Interestingly, high current amp manufacturers such as Edge, BAT, Halcro(distributor), McCormack, and low-current amp manufacturers like ART, not only used the Hydra to power their amps at the Show, they also own and use Hydra in their own systems, as does Audio Research. If you know how sensitive amp/electronics manufacturers can be to tethering "power distribution" products to their amps, you'll understand this to be an achievement of sorts. Rowland Design has also eval'd Hydra and found that it did not interfere in any way with the performance and operation of their amps. We supplied 5 Hydras to power an even dozen Rowland amps at the Million $ Wisdom exhibit at the Show.
Bob Crump did have a mixed reaction to the Hydra we sent him, but that unit was a pre-production model that has virtually nothing in common with the Hydras that are being produced today. Bob mistakenly intimated that we use Ferrites inside of Hydra, which is incorrect. Ferrites would definitely compress dynamics and interfere with the critical pace and timing elements within music, which is why we avoid them.
If you'd like, I'd be happy to make a couple of suggestions regarding operation and set up that may, or may not, alter your experience. I don't believe this is a break-in issue, but there are many details and interactions within music systems that can tip performance in one, or another direction. Given the investment of your time in evaluation, it may be worth a little tinkering before throwing in the wet-blanket :). Feel free to e-mail or call anytime.
Regards,
Grant Samuelsen
Shunyata Research