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Anyone compare a World Power PowerWing with a Shunyata Hydra 8?
Power Cords used?
I've found my CJ MV60SE sounds better into the wall (with a dedicated line) than into the Hydra 8 (also on a dedicated line). Anyone find their amp sounds just as good into the PowerWing as into the wall?
Thanks in advance.
Rob
Follow Ups:
I have recently compared the Hydra-8 (which I own) to the top of the line Sound Application (SA), Walker Velocitor Splus, and Power Wing plcs ( all of the people who made them were excellent to work with.). My thoughts are IMO/IMS/IME. I mostly compared the above plcs for my sources/preamp, and I already have four dedicated lines with upgraded outlets. My journey started because a friend let me try the SA, saying that in his system, he thought it was better. The SA sparkled up top more than the Hydra, but I felt the SA had less weight and bass, overall thinner. I preferred the Hydra to the SA, but the comparison taught me that the my Hydra does roll off treble/high frequency ( I had heard this before from others but did not understand this until now.) For fun and before returning the SA, I tried separating my digital (EMM DCC2/CDSD) from my analog (Audionote M-10/ turntable motor). I did not expect much considering that the Hydra-8 has separated digital and analog outlets. The difference was so vast ( more air, dynamics, and soundspace) that I was astounded and I was very tempted to stop here and use the Hydra for digital and the SA for the analog ( this configuration did best.) But I felt the SA was too forward for me and I wanted a more relaxed, natural sound. Thus now convinced that IMS, the Hydra8 (I still love) really does not separate digital from analog noise effectively, an upgrade to my sound would be to have separate PLCS for digital and analog (alas more $$). So reawakened from audio complacency/ignorance about plcs, I did research by talking with people and going on line to try other plcs ( the amount of people who know so much about AC power and the generosity was fun to see.).
I next tried the Velocitor. This plc was a hit the instant it got in my system. I tried it with all of the sources and preferred it to the Hydra. However, in combination with the Hydra, the sound was sublime ( even more air , dynamics, very natural). The Velocitor was staying. I then theorized, since IMS the hydra was rolling off the very top frequencies, what if I tried another plc in combination with the Walker. I chose the Power Wing ( I also wanted to try Audio Magic but it I had to send it back because of Fedex damage- I will try it later.) In short, the Power Wing (which is already burned-in and cryoe'd by design) for either digital/analog combined with the Walker ( alos on either source) sounds the best so far. I found all the I tried PLCs well made, excellent sounding, all did something different to my ears. I also found that of the plcs I tried, none of them effectively separate the digital from analog sources.
n/t
I have not done a head-to-head comparison between the Hydra 8 an Power Wing. They are not equivalent. The Hydra 8 specifies a 20-amp powercord. With the Power Wing, you can specify outlets. Mine are all Hubbell 8300s. Alan Kafton says that, should customers so desire, they can mix and match the three duplexes.I have a CJ MV60SE. It sounds horrible (flat, congested, limp, bulbous), plugged straight into my wall, even if I'm using an Oyaide XXX. Do you remember Peter Gabriel's early solo album, where he distorted his face? That's the MV60SE plugged straight into the wall. Using a Power Wing is like looking at an undistorted picture of PG, kind of like his mug shot on So.
My main complaint about the MV60SE is that, even with my bright-sounding tubes, the amp doesn't get nasty. True, that has a lot to do with the fact that it doesn't like my low-impedance speakers. In many ways, my MV60SE sounds best with the easy-to-drive Totem Forest, even though I've used "better," more expensive (but harder to drive) speakers.
As far as powercords go, the new Shunyata Anaconda Helix Alpha is significantly better at not shutting down the works, compared to my other Shunyata, MIT, API, Audio Magic, Wireworld, Kimber, and Tara Labs powercods. My associates' Nordost and Vans Evers powercords (sorry, I don't recall the models) sounded clear (very important to me). Guess I gotta track them down!
I did NOT like the MV60SE plugged into our MIT Z-Series and Tara Labs AD-10B PLCs -- too milky.
But again, the above applies only to the places and their powerline quality, here in the Bay Area and at my relatives' homes in Honolulu. Your AC provider, plus the fact you have a dedicated line, means your results will most likely be different from mine.
-Lummy The Seahorse
Thanks Lummy.I perhaps should have mentioned as well that the dedicated audio lines run off of a dedicated 100amp subpanel. The MV60SE sounds more open, transparent and uncompressed running directly but I would like the surge protection of a PLC.
I know what you mean about the MV60SE not getting nasty (although it's not much of a concern to me given that classical & folk/world take far more of my listening time). Even with my Aural Acoustics Model Bs (voiced with the MV60SE), and the Modwright SWL 9.0SE, which is very propulsive and dynamic, the amp moves and pops but doesn't growl. The Tung Sol reissues help but I can't help but wonder if any tube amp can really do hard rock justice?
I haven't heard the Anaconda but I've found the VH Audio Airsine to be more open, neutral, and transparent, with better timing, than the Taipan VX and Python Helixes. A wonderful cord you might like. Works very well with the CJ.
Regards,
Rob
Thanks Lummy.I perhaps should have mentioned as well that the dedicated audio lines run off of a dedicated 100amp subpanel. The MV60SE sounds more open, transparent and uncompressed running directly but I would like the surge protection of a PLC.
I know what you mean about the MV60SE not getting nasty (although it's not much of a concern to me given that classical & folk/world take far more of my listening time). Even with my Aural Acoustics Model Bs (voiced with the MV60SE), and the Modwright SWL 9.0SE, which is very propulsive and dynamic, the amp moves and pops but doesn't growl. The Tung Sol reissues help but I can't help but wonder if any tube amp can really do hard rock justice?
I haven't heard the Anaconda but I've found the VH Audio Airsine to be more open, neutral, and transparent, with better timing, than the Taipan VX and Python Helixes. A wonderful cord you might like. Works very well with the CJ.
Regards,
Rob
...several 'philes have had success with VH Audio's powercords, then moved up to Airsine. You can choose plugs for the Airsine, which introduces more options. I haven't even seen Airsine, but if I can find someone around here who does have them, it'd be fun to check 'em out.As an aside, I have to mention that my MV60SE (as opposed to anyone else's) did not like some EH KT-90s. The fuses blew. And when that happens, watch out; they are hard to find, and cost a few bucks each.
If you want what I call "Cadillac V8" sound, try the GE 6550A. when I think about my MV60SE, I don't have any qualms about the bass. Rather, it's the treble that doesn't assert itself. I use the Mullard box plate CV4004, EH 6SN7, and Tung-Sol gray plate 6550 -- all of which have excellent treble performance. But even with these tubes, I can't get th MV60SE to kick my speakers' butts around.
just curious, is the hydra slowing down the music? or is it rolling off the treble?
tia.
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check out my foobar playlist at http://www.last.fm/user/tiberian001/
The amp is more open and transparent run directly. Possibly more extended on top.
My Modwright Sony 999 and Modwright SWL 9.0SE sound better through the Hydra: lower noise floor (therefore more resolution) and better soundstaging, with no drawbacks I've noticed.
Interesting that you should ask that - I have found that the Hydra somehow "compresses" the sound.
thanks for the reply. i have heard mixed comments on the hydra 8 (plus some other transformer based power conditioners), so i guess i should cross the hydra 8 off my audition list.
have you tried the hydra 4 or hydra 6? AFAIK both of them don't have "stardust" inside for "noise reduction".
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check out my foobar playlist at http://www.last.fm/user/tiberian001/
you shouldn't necessarily cross the Hydra off your list - it may give differing results with different gear. I still have mine but I'm currently using an Oyaide MTB-4 (just a power board - no filtering etc, however it is wired with high grade acrolink copper instead of the standard silver wire, which I found to be too bright) instead because it seems to allow the music to flow more freely. I will go back and try the Hydra again just to make sure (just because it cost so much!)however as I mentioned above my impression is that the Hydra seems to compress or contrict the sound - initially the Hydra seems to sound better, but the more you listen the more you realise something is wrong, at least in my setup anyway.
I had a Hydra 6 before getting the 8. They're the same except for the noise reduction compound which helps tremendously with lowering the noise level of front end (CDP, linestatge) gear.
I think you just have to check whether your amp is better plugged into the Hydra, the wall or something else.
Rob
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