Mains cable

It's worth doing. I've always found the hydra arrangement to work well (even on non naim kit). 

Thruster04 posted:

I have seen comments about improving sound quality by using a Hydra mains cable rather than a simple 4 way extension cable. Are such improvements to be heard in entry level systems or is it only higher level equipment that would benefit? Could I expect an audible improvement in my system: CD5Si, NAC92 with TX1 PS, NAP140 & Piega TS5?

A 1 into 3 Hydra is inexpensive @ £160 but would it be worth it?

Thing is (and this is just a personal opinion), upgrades like this are relatively minor - changing mains cables and interconnects usually yields positive results but they're quite subtle compared to a change in the source kit, etc.

So, in other words you might want to ask yourself if £180 is better spent on the system itself, for example upgrading any older kit to current spec, or added to a trade-in value on one of your units for something the next league up. Next in line for me would be any interconnects. I swapped out the Naim supplied cable with my CDX2 for a Chord model and noticed an immediate improvement, far bigger than when I moved from my Russ Andrews XBlock to a CHC Hydra at £300.

I heard a grahams hydra compared to 4 naim mains leads plugged into 2 mk logic unswitched double sockets. I thought the seperate naim mains leads sounded considerably better. So, another option to consider may be to convert your existing socket to an mk logic unswitched type and also add a second one so you have enough sockets.

See my full reply to 'is it just me' for a zero cost first things to do. Extract ; Before buying a new mains filter or what ever make sure all plugs and sockets, mains and signal, are clean and stay away from switched sockets. Rich. 

I recall when i went Hydra with an Active olive setup, was a nice tidy up (cables and sound), moving to a round 15A plug and socket added more, but as as mentioned always make sure you periodically plug unplug, as that cleans and can improve matters.

Stick with Naim cables and no filters (although i prefer Chord, but that kinda was Naim) 

A little bit of free TLC, in terms of support (level, stable), positioning, cable dressing, goes a long way.

I recall someone i knew with a very high end Naim system, but like me likes a Zen space, DIY some MDF with screws into a wall cavity, most boxes stacked on top of each other (pre/power.source), cables all tangled but high end Chord and Naim, i actually nearly flaked out when i saw it 

Hmmm. All my sockets are twin and switched - simple enough to change the one used by my system. MK brand has been mentioned....

Yes, mk logic range. Unswitched of course.