How many Hydra heads do I need?

You don't need a hydra.
Just the standard 3 way multiplug will do nicely
Jag

What is a multiplug? A powerbar? Isn't a Hydra better?

The average powerbar won't do good.

What you need in North America is not a Hydra, but a Wiremold powerbar.

Contact your local Naim dealer for more details.

Bye.

I do not understand why a Hydra is not suitable for North America.

Well, you have at least to install a plug that could fit in our standard wall outlets here...

Bye.

Yes, I am going for a DIY Hydra. I guess that answers why, no reply from Grahams.
So the original question remains?
Do I need 3 Hydra heads?
1 for Flatcap 2
1 for Nait 5 Power Section
1 for CD5 Digital Section

you're building your own hydra? Why would you expect any answer from Grahams?

3 heads, because the FC only runs the digital on the CD5.

Best you get a professional to do this - lethal voltages, safety etc. Don't be surprised if this thread is moved to the nutty room. Safety first.

What does your local Naim dealer recommend? This is a fine opportunity to establish a releationship with them, and buy what they recommend. It will likely outperform what you cobble together, with greater safety, built to preform for your local conditions (and to local regulations), and at a reasonable price to boot!

Grahams does not know I am doing a DIY. I was open to buying theirs, until now, I realise they only make it for the UK plugs.
This DIY is simple, like making a power bar. I have some electrical skills.

1. The UK power leads may be suitable for US, but just with a plug change. Grahams may not have got around to responding?

2. You need 3 heads as noted. Beware that making your own can lead to varying results.

3. There is a cheap multiway plug in the UK that lets you attach up to 4 wires into a single mains plug, giving a hydra straight out of the wall. I don't know if there's a similar one in the US.

Seems like a simple job of soldering the wires.
I am not interested in the Maplin. I want something thats an upgrade from the Wiremold, without going to the CablePro Noisetrapper NANA

Why not just put all three wires into the one plug. It's perfectly safe and much easier. The way you solder hydras together affects the sound in an unpredictable way.

Nigel

Or one of these. Cost around £5.00

Allows 4 appliances to be wired into ~1 plug.
Fused to 13A.
Easy to wire terminals.

Sean

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Woods:
Or one of these. Cost around £5.00

Allows 4 appliances to be wired into ~1 plug.
Fused to 13A.
Easy to wire terminals.

Sean

And he'll only need a 4,000 mile lead from the UK to Canada to plug it in!

cheers, Martin

Hello avhead
what I meant was similar to what Seah Woods Posted.
It's the mostest elegant and cost effective solution

Jag

quote:

Originally posted by Martin Payne:

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Woods:
Or one of these. Cost around £5.00

Allows 4 appliances to be wired into ~1 plug.
Fused to 13A.
Easy to wire terminals.

Sean

And he'll only need a 4,000 mile lead from the UK to Canada to plug it in!

cheers, Martin

From London to Victoria Canada its 4768 miles (7674 km) so his lead will need to be a bit longer.
Sorry I forgot to look at AVHed details.

I am sure there will be a Canadian equivalent.

Sean

quote:

Originally posted by Martin Payne:

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Woods:
Or one of these. Cost around £5.00

Allows 4 appliances to be wired into ~1 plug.
Fused to 13A.
Easy to wire terminals.

Sean

And he'll only need a 4,000 mile lead from the UK to Canada to plug it in!

cheers, Martin

That was funny!

(Actually, I think some of the high-end mains plugs, like Wattgate, will allow several wires to be attached.)

I want to make a Hydra that detaches from the power cords. That way I can keep the cords intact.
I do not expect 3 cords to fit in 1 plug. At least I have never seen, a plug big enough.

I have already written in this thread, I am not interested in the Maplin pictured. It is not highly regarded on this forum.

In that case it's not a hydra.
Sorry.
A hydra is a single mains plug at one end and several IECs at the other, with no plugs in between.
As I see it it has the following benefits:
i. There is a common earth.
ii. There is only one fuse in the cable (ie. at the mains plug).
iii. All components get identical mains access (ie. not the nth along a plugboard).
iv. There are less mechanical connections between wall socket and equipment.

prowla, I did not think the extra mechanical joints are that significant, because look at the ones in the power bars like CablePro.

Why is a fuse necessary in the Hydra?

Tarquin, the Maplin is good VFM. It is pretty cheap.

quote:

This DIY is simple, like making a power bar. I have some electrical skills.

I've heard the same argument applied to the HiCap, the NAP250, and the NAC52. Funnily enough, they don't work out to be as good as (even) the sum of the parts + some skills.

The more you post to this thread, the more important I think it is you trust your dealer on this one.

quote:

Originally posted by avhed:
prowla, I did not think the extra mechanical joints are that significant, because look at the ones in the power bars like CablePro.

Why is a fuse necessary in the Hydra?

Tarquin, the Maplin is good VFM. It is pretty cheap.

Hi avhed,
A hydra supplying 2/4/6/8 boxes makes no sense to me, the plus side is you get star earthing, the minus side is that all boxes are drawing power through 1 fuse - surely a bottle neck?
Maybe the answer is to use a round pin 15amp plug and socket, which is unfused and electricaly legal in the UK as far as i know.
Just my two penneth,
All the best,
Chris N

quote:

Originally posted by Analogue:
Maybe the answer is to use a round pin 15amp plug and socket, which is unfused and electricaly legal in the UK as far as i know.
Just my two penneth,
All the best,
Chris N

Which is exactly why you should consult an electrician - rather than put yourself at the mercy of "amateur opinions".

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:

quote:

Originally posted by Analogue:
Maybe the answer is to use a round pin 15amp plug and socket, which is unfused and electricaly legal in the UK as far as i know.
Just my two penneth,
All the best,
Chris N

Which is exactly why you should consult an electrician - rather than put yourself at the mercy of "amateur opinions".

Adam,
you are right of course.
But avhed did ask a valid question, i was offering an opinion only, as there is often debate as to whether to run all one's equipment through a single fuse or seperate fuse for each piece of equipment.
I don't know what the electrical requirements are in Canada, but i am offering avhed a possible solution that may be an option to him after consulting an electrician.
I have got "amateur opinions", this is why i wouldn't tamper with mains supply without getting advice.
Regards,
Chris N