Gebreselassie
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- Μηνύματα
- 30.917
- Reaction score
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Το παραθέτω ως έχει γιατί σπανίως βρίσκουμε reviews για τέτοια μηχανήματα. Το πλήρες κείμενο είναι στους STEREOTIMES.
Shunyata Hydra Model-8, Model-6, Model-2
A Comprehensive Study
Setup
The very first thing I did, of course, was to replace my original Hydra with the new Hydra-8. Two Hydras were used in my setup; one dedicated to my digital front-end consisting of the Gryphon Mikado CD player, the Tact 2.2X digital preamp, and the Apogee Big Ben external word clock. The other Hydra was used exclusively for the two Tact 2150 amplifiers and a pair of Acoustic Reality eAR One Plus monoblocks driving a pair of the latest subwoofers from Talon Audio. Physical limitations did not allow me to place feed the amplifiers and front-end components from a single Hydra-8, though it provides enough outlets to do so. My front-end is simply too far away from the amplifiers, which sit adjacent to the loudspeakers.
By way of illustration: when the desire to hear the real bite of an instrument hits me, nothing sounds warmer and grittier than a Yamaha trombone. And I dont have to look any further than jazz trombonist Steve Turre, a disciple of the late avant-garde jazz legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Turres CD entitled The Spirits Up Above (HighNote HCD7130) is a monumental thank-you to the legendary Kirk, thus the title. With an ensemble that features the likes of James Carter, Mulgrew Miller, Vincent Herring and Buster Williams ―individual dynamos in their own right ― you can imagine the energy and excitement thats on each of the nine tracks. The pace, rhythm and timing on this disc are as good and up-tempo as it gets. But as good as it sounds, it also had the Hydra-8 to thank, because the Hydra allowed the energy of this foot-stompin disc to take flight. This was some surprise I have to admit, to hear this disc via the new Hydra-8. It simply sounded less editorialized and processed.
Next up, the Hydra-8 on the amplifiers
The Hydra-8 worked some magic on my digital front-end but things got even more interesting when I placed the Hydra-8 on my digitally based amplifiers. Overall the results were pretty on par with my initial impressions. But in its new location, the Hydra-8 also imbued a new sense of life to the music; it enhanced dynamics, on both ends of the spectrum, the kind that lends itself to lifes ebb and flow, and that distinguishes systems sounding merely good from those that approach the real-thing.
Ultimately, I preferred the improvements of the Hydra-8 on the front-end. It simply had a bigger impact on the Gryphon/Tact/Big Ben combo by producing a sweeter sound without cutting off the leading edges, which is all-too-typical. Driving the Tact/eAR combo, the Hydra-8 did outperform the original Hydra in terms of letting in more air and zest while also providing a sound that was smoother overall. Placing the original Hydra back on the front-end proved almost disappointing. It simply could not restore that richer, more life-like sound, higher jump-factor and better dynamics the Hydra-8 enabled. In the end, that was the sound I most craved and wanted again.
Next up, the Hydra-6 on the front-end
I liked the Hydra-6 on the front-end over the original Hydra for the same reasons I liked the Hydra-8. Theres a clarity that comes naturally from this smaller unit. The Hydra-6 does offer a very musical and natural top-end, imitating its bigger brother in this regard, though it doesnt demonstrate the same overall robustness in the bass with very dynamic material. But I have to say that unless youve got both units side by side in a direct shootout, you probably wont notice the difference. For sure, the Hydra-6 also possesses better dynamics than its predecessor. One thing I particularly like about the Hydra-6 is that it does very little editorializing of musical passages compared to the original. This allows the music to come through uninhibited and thus, more authentically. I dont know exactly what Gabriel has done technically, but in my opinion he has found something unique that he hadnt three years ago in his first design. The Hydra-6, on my front-end, is superior in almost every way compared with the original. Its obvious that Gabriel has been busy improving on this technology.
Next up, the Hydra-6 on the amplifiers
Both my amplifiers seem to enjoy the luxuries of this new-found level of noise cancellation via the Hydra-6. I cant quite put my finger on it, but the sonic imprint is the same as the Hydra-8, except with respect to my earlier findings regarding bass and dynamics. The Hydra-6 created a wonderful landscape of sound but there was a noticeable difference in the weight and scale of the musical flow. I was surprised that I would even notice this when both sounded generally so musical. Believe me, this was a very hard and grueling exercise. But in the end I would be willing to take a polygraph on the differences I heard, however finely differentiated they are.
The Hydra-2 times three
Heres where I have to take my hat off to team Shunyata, for theyve created something quite special in the Hydra-2. I placed a single Hydra-2 on the front-end and two Hydra-2s on the amplifiers. Guess what? I was not nearly as disappointed as I thought I was going to be. The trio of Hydra- 2s, though diminutive in size and considerably less expensive, appear to be the darlings of the group. What I found most impressive is how dynamic they demonstrated themselves to be. On the amplifiers (one for each mono) the music did not possess the overall richness in tonality as it did with the larger Hydras, but there is no call to apologize for these shortcomings, because dynamically they seemed to go neck and neck with the bigger units. Go figure.
I began wondering if I had been listening too long or forgot to remove a larger Hydra. I double checked: I had not. Then, suspecting listeners fatigue, I went to sleep and came back days later. Now Im certain. The twin Hydra 2s, strapped with Alpha AC cords, are, again, not as rich or as detailed as their larger brothers, or possess as black a background (but theyre not shabby in this regard either)but as far as dynamic expressiveness, they match the Hydra-8s strapped with Anacondas. Now go ahead and shoot the messenger if you wish, but believe me, I was just as surprised as you might be reading this.
If your stereo is as simple as an integrated amplifier and CD player, like I have in my office, then you need look no further, especially if youve not already provided AC line conditioning. With very good AC filtering, excellent pace, rhythm and timing to go with its amazing dynamic capability, the Hydra-2 comes the sleeper of the bunch. In fact, the very best setup I found was when I paired the new Hydra-8 on my reference front-end with Hydra-2s at the amplifiers.
Shunyata Research has shown me again what AC line conditioning can accomplish when it is effectively done right. When all is said and done, I like the companies that have done more than is said. Shunyata Research is just that company. In this world where value is often measured by sticker-price, the Hydra-2 comes as a breath of fresh air and should be placed on your short list of desirable accessories. If youre looking to throw down a grand, then consider the Hydra-6 as a logical choice. The obvious choice, for those who desire to, and can afford to, go all out is Hydra-8. It does a terrific job of allowing the music to come through. These exciting and affordable new breed of Hydras join my Publishers Choice, 2005 Most Wanted Components short list!
_____________
Hydra-8
Trident Defense System
2400 watts @ 20 amps continuous
Surge protection (40,000A)
Four individual, isolated circuits
16 element Venom Noise Filter
Massive CDA-101 buss bars
FeSi-1000 noise-reduction compound
Detachable 20A inlet
Aluminum chassis
Dimensions:
Height: 6
Width: 13
Depth: 9.5
Weight: 15.5lbs
Ship Weight: 20lbs
Hydra-6
6 Shunyata Venom Silver outlets
Trident Defense System
2400 watts @ 20 amps continuous
Surge protection (30,000A)
Individually filtered outlets
10 element Venom Noise Filter
Solid silver buss bars
Detachable 20A inlet
All metal chassis
Professional rack mount
14 gauge all metal chassis
Professional rack mount faceplate
Threaded footers for after-market cones
All inlets and outlets mounted on back
Width: 19 Height: 3.5 Depth: 5.5
Weight: 8.0lbs
Hydra-2
2 Shunyata Venom Silver outlets
2400 watts @ 20amps continuous
Surge protection (10,000A)
4 element Venom Noise Filter
Silver/Teflon wiring
Detachable 20A inlet
All metal chassis
Contact:
Shunyata Research Inc.
5594 N.E. Minder Rd. Suite 101
Poulsbo, WA 98370 USA
www.shunyata.com
Customer & Dealer Information
Matt Reilly: Email: [email protected]
Shunyata Hydra Model-8, Model-6, Model-2
A Comprehensive Study
Setup
The very first thing I did, of course, was to replace my original Hydra with the new Hydra-8. Two Hydras were used in my setup; one dedicated to my digital front-end consisting of the Gryphon Mikado CD player, the Tact 2.2X digital preamp, and the Apogee Big Ben external word clock. The other Hydra was used exclusively for the two Tact 2150 amplifiers and a pair of Acoustic Reality eAR One Plus monoblocks driving a pair of the latest subwoofers from Talon Audio. Physical limitations did not allow me to place feed the amplifiers and front-end components from a single Hydra-8, though it provides enough outlets to do so. My front-end is simply too far away from the amplifiers, which sit adjacent to the loudspeakers.
By way of illustration: when the desire to hear the real bite of an instrument hits me, nothing sounds warmer and grittier than a Yamaha trombone. And I dont have to look any further than jazz trombonist Steve Turre, a disciple of the late avant-garde jazz legend Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Turres CD entitled The Spirits Up Above (HighNote HCD7130) is a monumental thank-you to the legendary Kirk, thus the title. With an ensemble that features the likes of James Carter, Mulgrew Miller, Vincent Herring and Buster Williams ―individual dynamos in their own right ― you can imagine the energy and excitement thats on each of the nine tracks. The pace, rhythm and timing on this disc are as good and up-tempo as it gets. But as good as it sounds, it also had the Hydra-8 to thank, because the Hydra allowed the energy of this foot-stompin disc to take flight. This was some surprise I have to admit, to hear this disc via the new Hydra-8. It simply sounded less editorialized and processed.
Next up, the Hydra-8 on the amplifiers
The Hydra-8 worked some magic on my digital front-end but things got even more interesting when I placed the Hydra-8 on my digitally based amplifiers. Overall the results were pretty on par with my initial impressions. But in its new location, the Hydra-8 also imbued a new sense of life to the music; it enhanced dynamics, on both ends of the spectrum, the kind that lends itself to lifes ebb and flow, and that distinguishes systems sounding merely good from those that approach the real-thing.
Ultimately, I preferred the improvements of the Hydra-8 on the front-end. It simply had a bigger impact on the Gryphon/Tact/Big Ben combo by producing a sweeter sound without cutting off the leading edges, which is all-too-typical. Driving the Tact/eAR combo, the Hydra-8 did outperform the original Hydra in terms of letting in more air and zest while also providing a sound that was smoother overall. Placing the original Hydra back on the front-end proved almost disappointing. It simply could not restore that richer, more life-like sound, higher jump-factor and better dynamics the Hydra-8 enabled. In the end, that was the sound I most craved and wanted again.
Next up, the Hydra-6 on the front-end
I liked the Hydra-6 on the front-end over the original Hydra for the same reasons I liked the Hydra-8. Theres a clarity that comes naturally from this smaller unit. The Hydra-6 does offer a very musical and natural top-end, imitating its bigger brother in this regard, though it doesnt demonstrate the same overall robustness in the bass with very dynamic material. But I have to say that unless youve got both units side by side in a direct shootout, you probably wont notice the difference. For sure, the Hydra-6 also possesses better dynamics than its predecessor. One thing I particularly like about the Hydra-6 is that it does very little editorializing of musical passages compared to the original. This allows the music to come through uninhibited and thus, more authentically. I dont know exactly what Gabriel has done technically, but in my opinion he has found something unique that he hadnt three years ago in his first design. The Hydra-6, on my front-end, is superior in almost every way compared with the original. Its obvious that Gabriel has been busy improving on this technology.
Next up, the Hydra-6 on the amplifiers
Both my amplifiers seem to enjoy the luxuries of this new-found level of noise cancellation via the Hydra-6. I cant quite put my finger on it, but the sonic imprint is the same as the Hydra-8, except with respect to my earlier findings regarding bass and dynamics. The Hydra-6 created a wonderful landscape of sound but there was a noticeable difference in the weight and scale of the musical flow. I was surprised that I would even notice this when both sounded generally so musical. Believe me, this was a very hard and grueling exercise. But in the end I would be willing to take a polygraph on the differences I heard, however finely differentiated they are.
The Hydra-2 times three
Heres where I have to take my hat off to team Shunyata, for theyve created something quite special in the Hydra-2. I placed a single Hydra-2 on the front-end and two Hydra-2s on the amplifiers. Guess what? I was not nearly as disappointed as I thought I was going to be. The trio of Hydra- 2s, though diminutive in size and considerably less expensive, appear to be the darlings of the group. What I found most impressive is how dynamic they demonstrated themselves to be. On the amplifiers (one for each mono) the music did not possess the overall richness in tonality as it did with the larger Hydras, but there is no call to apologize for these shortcomings, because dynamically they seemed to go neck and neck with the bigger units. Go figure.
I began wondering if I had been listening too long or forgot to remove a larger Hydra. I double checked: I had not. Then, suspecting listeners fatigue, I went to sleep and came back days later. Now Im certain. The twin Hydra 2s, strapped with Alpha AC cords, are, again, not as rich or as detailed as their larger brothers, or possess as black a background (but theyre not shabby in this regard either)but as far as dynamic expressiveness, they match the Hydra-8s strapped with Anacondas. Now go ahead and shoot the messenger if you wish, but believe me, I was just as surprised as you might be reading this.
If your stereo is as simple as an integrated amplifier and CD player, like I have in my office, then you need look no further, especially if youve not already provided AC line conditioning. With very good AC filtering, excellent pace, rhythm and timing to go with its amazing dynamic capability, the Hydra-2 comes the sleeper of the bunch. In fact, the very best setup I found was when I paired the new Hydra-8 on my reference front-end with Hydra-2s at the amplifiers.
Shunyata Research has shown me again what AC line conditioning can accomplish when it is effectively done right. When all is said and done, I like the companies that have done more than is said. Shunyata Research is just that company. In this world where value is often measured by sticker-price, the Hydra-2 comes as a breath of fresh air and should be placed on your short list of desirable accessories. If youre looking to throw down a grand, then consider the Hydra-6 as a logical choice. The obvious choice, for those who desire to, and can afford to, go all out is Hydra-8. It does a terrific job of allowing the music to come through. These exciting and affordable new breed of Hydras join my Publishers Choice, 2005 Most Wanted Components short list!
_____________
Hydra-8
Trident Defense System
2400 watts @ 20 amps continuous
Surge protection (40,000A)
Four individual, isolated circuits
16 element Venom Noise Filter
Massive CDA-101 buss bars
FeSi-1000 noise-reduction compound
Detachable 20A inlet
Aluminum chassis
Dimensions:
Height: 6
Width: 13
Depth: 9.5
Weight: 15.5lbs
Ship Weight: 20lbs
Hydra-6
6 Shunyata Venom Silver outlets
Trident Defense System
2400 watts @ 20 amps continuous
Surge protection (30,000A)
Individually filtered outlets
10 element Venom Noise Filter
Solid silver buss bars
Detachable 20A inlet
All metal chassis
Professional rack mount
14 gauge all metal chassis
Professional rack mount faceplate
Threaded footers for after-market cones
All inlets and outlets mounted on back
Width: 19 Height: 3.5 Depth: 5.5
Weight: 8.0lbs
Hydra-2
2 Shunyata Venom Silver outlets
2400 watts @ 20amps continuous
Surge protection (10,000A)
4 element Venom Noise Filter
Silver/Teflon wiring
Detachable 20A inlet
All metal chassis
Contact:
Shunyata Research Inc.
5594 N.E. Minder Rd. Suite 101
Poulsbo, WA 98370 USA
www.shunyata.com
Customer & Dealer Information
Matt Reilly: Email: [email protected]
