Shunyata Hydra Users....Your Opinion please...

I use my Hydra 8 (on a dedicated line) with a Virtual Dynamics Master power cord. The new version uses 8 gauge wire. I have many items plugged into it.
Before that I was using a Electraglide Ultrakhan Statement2.

On my Hydra 2 to my Amp I am using a Shunyata Anaconnda Alpha.

All of these power cords have their own sonic signature.
I dont believe the Hydras only improvement is brought on by the power cord.

The Hydra is a huge improvement with whatever.

Your best power cord should be plugged into the Hydra since other items may also be plugged into the Hydra and benefit.

Because the Hydra requires a 20 Amp cable I bought a 20A to 15A adapter from Voodoo cable and experimented with various cables that I already owned.

Remember, it will only sound as good as the weakest link.

I also use the Voodoo adapter that Ozzy mentioned above on my Hydra 8 with excellent results. I was planning to have my 15-amp Shunyata Anaconda Alpha cable reterminated, but I was so impressed with the Voodoo adapter that I decided not to mess with success. It's about 50 bucks.

I have not tried a Hydra with other than Shunyata cords but I will share my experience. I was generally dissatisfied with CD's and digital playback. In the past year I purchased about 400 LP's to about 10 CD's because the sound of the CD's was so, flat and lacking in musical depth. I did listen to a $6000 BAT CD player with about $30,000 worth of other equipment and it sounded so good I thought maybe one day. Well a freind brought over a demo Hydra 4, some python, tiapan, copperhead and diamondback cables to play with. I was not planning on buying anything but what the heck, I was going to give it a try. The results were amazing. I tried every combination I could think of and came to the following conclusions. The Hydra was the biggest difference and it affected the sound quality, depth, base extension and soundstage of the CD player more than anything else. I was not able to tell much difference between the Python pc and the copperhead pc, but ended up with the Python at a demo discount. I used diamondback to connect the hydra to components. I was and still am amazed at the improvement in my system with the Hydra and upgraded powercords. I think that it tripled my CD players value, (it would have cost me at least 3X the cost of my CD player to make similar gains) and at least doubled my amplifier value. If you can demo a hydra I would recommend it, just balance your check book first.

I am running all Elrod Statement power cords. Not cheap, but provides incredible speed, detail, and lower-end control. It literally energized my system to a much higher level. I have everything in the Hydra, including 600 watt monoblocks. They clearly sound better with the Hydra compared to dedicated high-end lines. I believe the powercord to the Hydra is important, and needs to be designed for high-power situations. I would advise you to get the Hydra, use it on a dedicated line with the best cord you can afford. I have each component plugged into it's own outlet, so the Hydra-8 is perfect for my 4 components. Also, try Walker SST Contact Enhancer. The cord does not have to be a Shunyata cord.

Rob