I had a Shunyata Hydra 6 with 20amp Python power cord and recently changed to the Audience Adept with audience cords. They sound different and I can see where on initial impression the Audience may be more impressive. After several weeks of listening however I can only say that they are different. The Audience my have a little edge on detail and dynamics, the hydra an advantage on air, sound stage and natural timber. Both sound good and I would be happy with both. It is my understanding that many recording studios use the Shunyata hydra products and in my experience it makes sense as for me it was the most neutral of the two.
In my sound system I tested a lot of similar equipments and mostly of them sounded with less dynamics. The only ones that truly gave sound benefits in all parameters (including the dynamics) were the Shunyata Hydra 8 and the Burmester 948. I personally prefer the Burmester 948 because It has a perfect synergy with my system and sound a little more natural.
easily the most difficult issue for me to address in my system has been both power conditioner and cords. i was about ready to give up completely on conditioners until i listened to the acoustic revive rtp ultimate. unlike anything i have ever heard and the only one i have experienced that does not cause problems. i love this device so much i am ordering some other products from acoustic revive to try and it's stuff i would have never considered before. their designs and philosophies are quite different from what you typically see in this industry but i have a feeling we are going to hear much more about them in the near future.
And the only way to know for sure if you are getting benefit is to put the conditioner in, do some critical listening and then remove the unit and listen again. If your immediate response is that the overall presentation is improved by its presence, then you have your answer. If not, keep looking.
The only units that have ever made a difference I could clearly hear and that I enjoyed are PS Audio's regenerators, the Premier being the most enjoyable of these.
I am very happy and content with my Monster Power HTS 2500 - I have both int amp, TT and CDP connected and everything sounds better connected to that than directly to the wall (PS Audio outlet) - better soundstage, bass defintion, space around instr etc. The new Isotek conditioner Aquarius is something I'd really like to audiotion, though...
I just replaced my HTS 2500 with the Ps Audio quintet and my jaw hit the the floor as i first turned on the tv to finish the clean up from installing the Quintet ,Power Port Premier and Soloist Premier for the amp. its much better isolation than the monster and quiter, if you do try one get a good after market cable as this will affect the entire chain after it!
I can only compare Monster,Shunyata and Torus, Why do I even mention monster. Torus are a superb PIU and shunyata does not even come close. Their pricey,rare on audiogon or any other site. the ones that were for sale,the owners went to a bigger Torus. I picked up a 10a Torus here,just for one of my subs. I have seen 4 here and my friend picked up two,I picked up a 20a balanced and of course the 10a Torus. They are transformer based,so for the dynamics of music, they give your amps more amperage when the amps call for it, 50-400a on short term. these babies take your audio to another level altogether, MUSICALLY speaking, and you really hear it and that's why I would never part with these,there that good as I'm sure there are other's.If you can audition one,I bet she won't leave the house.
I've had, at any one time in my system,either purchased or borowed for a listen, ones from Monster Cable (what a waste of money!).. Audience AR12t(very,very,good!)...Shunyata Hydra...Running Springs Diemetri, Walker Audio and a few others.
The one that did the best job with the least negative effects and made the music more enjoyable was the last one I'll ever purchase,or need...the Bybee Power Purifier V2.0.
Absolutely,without question, put them all to shame.
davvie, i read that at the last ces there were several electronics manufacturers very interested in what bybee was doing that made such a difference. can you explain how it works so well? the price difference over my furman is significant so i would like to know before buying one. thanks
I haven't seen any mention of Panamax. Mine, in addition to a pair of hi-current outlets has a 400va isolation transformer into which I plug ALL my low current gear. Since I don't run all my low current stuff at once, I never get close to transformer capacity.
I do not use the hi-current outlets for an amp, preferring a separate circuit for that.
When first installed, the effect was startling and positive.
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