Is a Hydra really worth it for me?

quote:

Originally posted by slazman:
Looking at a Grahams Hydra to go with the 92R/90.3, Flatcap2, CD5I (soon CD5x).

Further upgrades are some way off.

Am I really going to see a perceivable audible benefit from the Hydra or is it just something for higher end equipment than mine? There is some logistical advantage but that on it's own doesn't really justify the cost.

Peter

Of course your setup will benefits from hydra regardless how highend the setup and its cost.

cheers

hi slazman
i've recently bought a couple of these and the diference is considerable especially for the cost. it was similar to replacing a hicap on the snaxo to a supercap.
but from what i've read only use the hydra with naim and use all of the leads so if you've got 3 bits of kit a 4-1 hydra is no good, you might need to think about this in relation to future upgrades.

lyndon

IMO no, it isn't worth it. Get a £6:50 Maplins 4 way plug and connect your mains leads (supplied by Naim) to it. It does exactly the same job.

hi,

I have a 5-way hydra into gear similar to yours, it improved the sound no end.

I made my own with fantastic results.

regards

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Tate:
I made my own with fantastic results.

Come, come - there's no need to be unduly modest .....

quote:

Originally posted by paul_g:

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Tate:
I made my own with fantastic results.

Come, come - there's no need to be unduly modest .....

well it did stun me, not what i had done but installing the hydra itself. should of done it years ago. All the niggles i had with the sound went away and it's a relief to just press play and enjoy without having the need to tweak because something is not quite right.

i now listen to the music with my eyes closed with music flowing all around.

If i didn't discover the hydra i would of ditched the system.
A couple of embarassing moments have happend when people have walked in on me only to see me air guitaring in all its glory.
That is mostly thanks to this forum.

Another big step was removing the sources/pre well away from those nasty power supplys and isolating the crossver on it's own shelf adjacent.

regards

B&Q also sell the same 4 way plug as Maplins. Works a treat. It provides the shortest connection to sharing power for up to 4 devices.
Keith

I've use the Maplins plug as outlined in the TNT article - maybe it is my lack of construction skills, but although I found the exercise made a worthwhile difference, I preferred the Grahams Hydra by some margin.

Hi Slazman,

I would definitely try the maplin plug first, for under £10 you can't go wrong.
If you are local to a B&Q they also do them as well. There are two types - one with a surge protection filter (NOT THE ONE YOU WANT) or one without a filter(THE ONE TO GO FOR).

regards

quote:

Get a £6:50 Maplins 4 way plug and connect your mains leads (supplied by Naim) to it. It does exactly the same job.

I have a spare one in the garage if you want it.

Nigel

quote:

quote:
Get a £6:50 Maplins 4 way plug and connect your mains leads (supplied by Naim) to it. It does exactly the same job.


I have a spare one in the garage if you want it.

Nigel

....I also have one in the Garage if you want it....

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:
I have a spare one in the garage if you want it.

quote:

Originally posted by PS:
....I also have one in the Garage if you want it....

Many thanks Gentlemen- I should take one of you up on it HOWEVER ... my power source is just over 2 metres from my equipment. The layout of the room cannot be changed (we have agonised over this for over a year now). Any further advice? I feel I am close to a solution!

If you talk to Grahams HiFi then they'll make up a Hydra with the right number of heads to the right length. I'm very happy with mine.

I made my own Hydra, and am very happy with it.
I used a B&Q junction box for the join, rather than soldering.

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
If you talk to Grahams HiFi then they'll make up a Hydra with the right number of heads to the right length. I'm very happy with mine.

Rotf,

Because they are mostly slimline olive - the leads are built in and not iec sockets as with the rest of naim's range, that is why i DIY my own hydra. A Grahams hydra won't work.

Unless Slazman is confident at wiring and a dab hand at soldering it seems the maplin plug is the only other option. Or a multiblock!

regards

quote:

A Grahams hydra won't work

Yes it will. You simply put an IEC female socket on the end of the captive lead and plug the hydra into it.

Someone I know tried many versions of a homemade hydra and none was as good as the Grahams one. I'd go for a real one or stick with the Maplins plug thing.

Nigel

quote:

Originally posted by slazman:
Many thanks Gentlemen- I should take one of you up on it HOWEVER ... my power source is just over 2 metres from my equipment. The layout of the room cannot be changed (we have agonised over this for over a year now). Any further advice? I feel I am close to a solution!

quote:

Originally posted by bwolke:

quote:

Originally posted by slazman:
Many thanks Gentlemen- I should take one of you up on it HOWEVER ... my power source is just over 2 metres from my equipment. The layout of the room cannot be changed (we have agonised over this for over a year now). Any further advice? I feel I am close to a solution!

Indeed. But why spend £400 when £90 will do just as well and is more discreet?

Nigel

Nigel,

My one works fine, i did the homework.

regards

Hello Prowla,

It seems that soldering mains conections is a no-no. At the moment I have a bog standard Naim
extension strip which seems to do the job.

Was it much of job to build your own?

Cheers

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by hungryhalibut:

quote:

A Grahams hydra won't work

Yes it will. You simply put an IEC female socket on the end of the captive lead and plug the hydra into it.

Nigel

This will ruin the idea of the design of the hydra (and of the powerigel)

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Tate:

quote:

Originally posted by ROTF:
If you talk to Grahams HiFi then they'll make up a Hydra with the right number of heads to the right length. I'm very happy with mine.

Rotf,

Because they are mostly slimline olive - the leads are built in and not iec sockets as with the rest of naim's range, that is why i DIY my own hydra. A Grahams hydra won't work.

Unless Slazman is confident at wiring and a dab hand at soldering it seems the maplin plug is the only other option. Or a multiblock!

regards

Thanks Stephen - my mistake. I agree the Maplin Multiplug would seem the best solution then.

Rotf,

It would be very handy though, if the manuals were to suggest the best and safest way to plug into the wall sockets. I understand the seperate circuit but plugging in after that seems to me to very sceptical amongst naim owners. This is why the subject keeps on popping up on a regular basis.

Mine seems to work fine, i would of preferred to of bought one from a respected dealer but it seems Grahams are the only ones that do them, so to me even this seems sceptical (why only Grahams?)
Anyway enough said from me on the subject, before i get shot down.

P.S. The seed is still there though.

regards

A sparky friend made mine and it made a big difference to the dynamics. Well worth it imho.

Why is the Igel so priced? Seems a bit steep to me, or am I missing something?

Bob