What power distribution block for new kit?

Graham,

I use an Audioworks power block,

Regards

PB

Graham,

Check out a Grahams Hydra, available from Graham's Grahams. Very good and reasonably priced - I think mine was about £60 for a 3 way one. You can phone them, tell them what your system is and they'll post it.

Seriosly, get yourself of to Maplin and purchase one of these. Sounds better than any power block I've ever tried (sorry Russ)..

When making homebrew hydras what power cable do you use from plug to equipment? I assume you also need 3rd party plugs on the end that plug into the equipment.

I've seen postings suggesting the power cables Naim supply are better than any 3rd party ones.

So, I assume the power cable used when making up the hydra is important.

Mike

As the Grahams website doesn't quote prices, would you mind saying how much your 5-way Hydra cost ?

I've been considering a Hydra to compare with/possibly replace my Musicworks Megablock (with hindsight, I should have tried the Hydra first).

It does seem a tidier and more elegant solution, eliminating multiple mains plugs & fuses - oops,sorry Adam, better stop there.

Polarbear - I see that you are using the Musicworks block too. Given that you seem to have tried just about everything , have you compared it to the Hydra ?

Paul

I would say it is impossible to match the improvement per pound from the hydra by buying black boxes - it's that significant compared to a £5 4-way.

That and the £70 Bedini Clarifier are both complete no-brainers IMVHO. Both superb at helping your system resolve musical strands and reduce shoutiness.

I've got a home-brew hydra from salvaged computer cable, an MK mains plug and Wattgate IECs at the equipment end.
It probably cost more than a Grahams one, as the Wattgates are £20 each (the cable was free and the MK was a couple of quid and the junction box was a fiver or so).
It's about to be re-housed in a Naim shoebox...

Graham

Get a Grahams hydra. They are made up from Naim leads - Naim sell them to Grahams and they work really well. Order tomorrow and it should be with you next week. You probably want to allow a spare lead for a future hicap, though some say the spare lead can act as an aerial, though I have not noticed this. You can always muddle through with a £5 B&Q block in the meantime, but this shouldn't be a long term solution. Another thing to think about sooner rather than later is a fused spur - it makes a very significant difference for the £200 or so it will cost.

Nigel

What's the length of the Grahams hydra? My rack is approx 5ft from the socket on the wall.

Another vote for a Graham's hydra. Mine is marked 'For use with Naim equipment only' and cost £60 for a 3 lead version.



John.

OK, you've convinced me.

Hydra ordered, now anxiously awaited!

Guy

All my boxes are plugged into a Maplin-like multiway plug which had been assembled so long ago I forgot it was there. When I recently borrowed a CDX2 to audition it sounded pretty poor compared to my old CD2. After a lot of head scratching I realised the CD2 was plugged into a cheap "4-way block". Once I'd plugged it into the multiway plug in place of the tuner, the CDX2 was then clearly ahead of the CD2. The sound difference caused by the mains plugs was huge - to my ears anyway.

Thanks to all that replied. I took a trip to Maplin today and now I'm the proud owner of a homemade Maplin hydra. I'm using 2 cables (3 x 1.5 mm) to IEC connectors for CD and amp and a 3rd to a 4 way power block (with no switches or neons). Leaves one empty outlet for future upgrades

It's made my current kit (Micromega Stage 3, Exposure XV) sound better so I can't wait to hook it up to the new CDX2, 202, 200 when they arrive.

Cheers,
Graham.

quote:

Originally posted by J.N.:
Another vote for a Graham's hydra. Mine is marked 'For use with Naim equipment only' and cost £60 for a 3 lead version.

John,

The piccie you've got there looks to me like a FIVE-lead Hydra! In which case, it might as well be mine, because I also have a Graham's Hydra! Works a treat in my system

Cheers,

Jon