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emmlabs into wall outlet or into shunyata hydra?

Wanted to get input on using the emmlabs dcc2 se edition preamp/dacd and cdsd se edition transport into the wall outlet directly or through a shunyata hydra power conditioner.

I am using the emmlabs with a dartzeel amp and wp7 speakers.

I previously had the lamm 2.2 and some noise issues so I got the hydra. I am using a shunyata hydra power cable with the hydra. Previously, I liked the sound better with the emmlabs equipment going through the hydra and the lamm directly into the wall. Now I am tentatively finding that directly having the emm labs into the wall as well as the dartzeel into the wall works works better. If this holds up, I might end up selling the hydra and its power cable.

I was wondering what experiences are like for other emm labs owners who have used power conditioners.
karmapolice
talon4
185 posts
 
Hi Michael, I recently borrowed a Siltech G6 Ruby Hill powercord to use on my EMM Labs player. It gave a better performance plugged directly into the wall than the Electraglide did, but the soundstage diminished noticeably compared to being plugged into the Hydra. Instruments and performers became much smaller and there was a lot less exact placement of instrumental space. I'm looking into buying a Ruby Hill. It's a pretty good match for the EMM Labs player, as is my Hydra. Stan
mikelavigne
2,204 posts
 
Michael, i have had very good performance from both the Jena Labs Fundamental one and the Evolution Acoustics power cords.

both have in-line conditioners that both quiet the circut and provide a filter than eliminates back feed of noise back into your circut.....which is significant. they both truely isolate each piece of gear.

i used the original Hydra for awhile......the Jena's were quite a bit better with a lower noise floor and blacker blacks.

another thing i have found even more significant than power cords is the Oyaide RS-1 duplex outlets and outlet covers.......which actually are more significant than the power cords......as crazy as that sounds.....

good luck.
rgs92
974 posts
 
I have my emm-se boxes plugged into the Hydra 8
(All Anaconda AC cables-Alphas & VXs). It just smooths things out. I even have my amp in the Hydra (a little less slam and bass definition but sweeter highs).
I also have my heaphone amp (old headroom max)
plugged into the hydra.
By the way--the emm through headphones is really
awesome. The emm really shines with detail, realism
and big images and lots of natural sound with phones.
Just Headphone heaven. Anyone with the emm gear should
give phones a listen if they haven't tried it.
Senns, Grados, AKGs, whatever, just try it.
(I need to post some details about this when I get some time...)
karmapolice's avatar
karmapolice OP
258 posts
 
What headphone amp do you use?
rgs92
974 posts
 
Grado GS1000s with Moon Audio Black Dragon headphone
cable. Also AKG 710s (stock cable). Also
Stax Omegas/007t. The Grados are close to perfect,
IMHO--tonality, spacing, image size, ideally balanced between detail and relaxed-sounding-ness,
and comfort (they are very light).
All sound best with Kubala-Sosna Emotion ICs.
(I prefer all of these to Senn 650s--good a few years
ago, but now surpassed by the newer phones.)
These sound on a par with VSR VR9 or
Dynaudio Evidence speakers I think.
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