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Help with Hydra Power Conditioner

I have a rather modest stereo that I am pretty happy with. Rotel RX1052 reciever, Rotel RCD1072 CDP, VPI HW19jr. TT, and Dynaudio 52SE speakers. I use Nordost Cables and interconnects. All was happy until I hooked up a Shunyata Hydra 4 to the system that was loaned by a freind. I was shocked. The improvement was very surprising, I was hearing background instruments that I did not know were there, I could hear notes and instruments in more of a three dimentional position, base extenstion was very surprising. AND, the cost of this little experiment was rather, well, costly. My question, is this a bit much of an upgrade for my system? Do I need to spend a huge amount on power cables or are the more modest after market cables a good choice. Any input would be much appreciated. thanks, Dave
davt
krell_man
827 posts
 
Yep, you're in trouble now. The most significant upgrade that I made to my system was a really good power conditioner.

Once the noise floor drops and you start hearing the subtle things you've never heard before, it's addicting. You'll be amazed with what you'll start hearing, and realize that the artists you're listening to are even better and more creative than you ever imagined.

Have fun, and remember that the next step will probably be to power cords and then on to the interconnects and speaker cables. The shielding is critical in all of them to keep extra noise out of the signal so that you can hear what the artist actually created on the record or CD.
maineiac
649 posts
 
I found a big improvement with a dedicated circuit and power conditioner. I have been experimenting having my amp on or off from the conditioner and actually find that my system sounds more open when it is plugged directly into the wall. The impact of the conditioner for my old tube TV was astonishing, friends were asking me if we had a new TV.
davt's avatar
davt OP
505 posts
 
I am now the proud owner of a little hydra 4 and three new Shunyata power cables. This is pretty excitting stuff. I hope to post a review this weekend. Thanks alot for all your input.
amperidian
67 posts
 
Good man, welcome to the club ... give the shunyata's plenty of time to break and settle in (at least 100 hours, but 200 will help even more), even the hydra needs at least 100 hours to fully break in. Some of the things you will notice with this gear is that the highs will be less strident/overemphasized without losing resolution and the whole presentation will sound more organic, and overall more pleasant with improvements in soundstage and detail and dynamics also. Have fun and congratulations.
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