Naim Hydra

Hi,

maybe this is an alternative ?

Looks like a hydra, made by the German Naim distributor using Naim chords. The best unfiltered mains distributor I ever heard.

brgds..TC

Yeti,What have you compared the Musicline to?

Avhed

I don't believe Naim ever produced a hydra. The nearest you will get is the Grahams. Naim supply then with the leads and they solder then all together. It's a great product, really cheap and works brilliantly. I'm sure they could ship you one, and you'd simply need to but a Canadian style plug on the end.

It avoids all the fannying around deciding what oder to plug things in to a block - life's too short!!

Nigel

At one stage Naim put all their mains leads in an olive 250 style case for use at shows (and, no, the logo didn't light up). It was never sold commercially, as far as I'm aware. What's more, safety regulations around the world require Naim to sell each mains powered piece of equipment with its own mains lead.

The Grahams Hydra is identical electrically to what Naim rigged up. It just doesn't come in a Naim box.

As Nigel says above, it works very well and is inexpensive. Naim users shouldn't need to consider anything else.

Note, however, that it should only be used to power Naim equipment (something to do with star earthing, I believe). I have an eight-headed one powering my main system, but have to run my Stax headphone amp off a separate lead.

Graham

Graham is indeed correct. On showed up on either PFM or ebay a little while back.

Does make you wonder why naim don't do their own though....


regards,

Tam

Tam

I seem to recall being told by someone at Naim that, although they actively encouraged the use of the Hydra, as an electronics company, they couldn't sell it because of safety concerns, whereas a dealer could. Don't make much sense to me!! Perhaps they're worried that users would plug non-Naim gear into them, then sparks might literally fly.

Adam, if you're reading this, might you consider adding something about the Hydra to your FAQ? The question does seem to crop up a lot, and you could save customers buying mains blocks and things that they don't need. Or might that upset other retailers?

Graham

Graham,

Indeed it does make no sense, but neither does it surprise me that there might be some regulations that make it the case!


regards,

Tam

I am told that Naim are looking at mains distribution devices again.

There might be something new at the Heathrow show perhaps?

My dealer had an electrician doing some work for him at home and was discussing the Graham's type hydras which use one 13amp mains plug to feed several items.

He was apparently amazed that that this sort of device does not contravene safety regulations, and could be sold on the open market.

I get the impression that Naim are looking at 'Power-block' type items that use a separate 13amp socket to individually feed each piece of equipment.

I use a Graham's hydra by the way, and think it's great.

Don't tell Electricite de France!

John.

quote:

It avoids all the fannying around

....though that was what hi end hifi was all about

quote:

Originally posted by J.N.:

My dealer had an electrician doing some work for him at home and was discussing the Graham's type hydras which use one 13amp mains plug to feed several items.

John,

I think every mains distributor uses one plug only... otherwise it wouldn't be a distributor...

brgds...TC

quote:

He was apparently amazed that that this sort of device does not contravene safety regulations, and could be sold on the open market.

Well - there are certainly 2-way mains leads for PCs available (one mains plug splitting out to two IECs).

I noticed all the replies came from Europe, where not much attention is paid to Audiogon.
The seller of the Naim Hydra even had a picture, and did not say Hydra for Naim.It even looked like a product Naim would put out,not the diy looking product Grahams put out.It was light in colour,had 3 heads,and different connectors, rated to a higher amperage than we usually see.
Any North American members see this?

avhed

I really don't think that what you're describing is a Naim product.

The Grahams product may be a "diy looking product" but it costs very little and, best of all, it works!

Of course, there will always be people who won't buy things because they aren't expensive enough.

But we are talking about mains leads after all.

G

I use a Graham's Hydra on the advice of J.N. It made a considerable difference. At £60 it was very worthwhile and they were happy for me to return it if i was not impressed.
Gary

I still do not believe what I seen on Audiogon was fake. It was on there so long, someone would of said something.
Adam, can you answer this. Please.

avhed

I believe that you'll find the answer in my first post above. I don't think that it's disputed the fact that Naim made their own Hydra, it's just that it was never sold commercially. Who knows whether or not what you saw on Audiogon was real or fake?

I saw what purported to be a real one on Pink Fish a few months ago (maybe the same as Tam saw), but I imagine that Naim have better things to do with their time than scan web auction sites to see if people are selling the few Hydras that were ever made at Salisbury.

Graham

Do you have to buy one with exactly the right amount of connections?. I'm thinking of an upgrade, if I go ahead it will mean an extra power supply needed.

If not all the connections are used, does this effect the quality?

Cheers

Justyn

Justyn

Grahams advise against having unused plugs - something to do with RF interference, I believe. That said, if you're on the verge of upgrading, you might as well go for the number you'll need after the upgrade. (I did this a few months back and could hear no difference.) Even if the sound may be minutely affected, you won't be causing any actual harm to the equipment.

Ring Grahams and see what they say.

G

Graham,

Thanks for the advice, Hopefully the un-used plug won't have to wait long.

I'll give them a bell in the morning.

Justyn.

Does anyone know if Grahams has a hydra with 3 heads and a 15 amp 3-pin plug?

Silklee,

As far as I'm aware, Grahams make up the units to suit each individual case. You can have as many power connections as you wan't. They come as standard with a 13 amp 3 pin plug.(UK).

Justyn.

If you go to buying accessories on Grahams Hifi's web site you can see the Hydra. I have the 3 way with a 13 amp plug. It is excellent value for money. I can't see why it is in any way dangerous to use - if it was then Maplin would not be able to sell the Multiplug which is also very good for £6 (or am I missing something).

Rotf

I emailed Grahams a few days back asking about the hydra, but no replies so far....