I think the Hydra 8 easily betters the original. I upgraded to the Python on my original Hydra and found that to be a great improvement. Recently, I replaced the original with a Hydra 8 with a Taipan cord. The new Hydra is quieter, faster and smoother. It lifts a slight fog that I didn't know existed with the old Hydra. The older Hydra is a great product, and a steal on the used market. I remember how impressed I was with the Python upgrade, and it is still a wonderful piece.
The new Hydra 8 takes things to another level. Also, you get lightning protection and 2 more outlets. It sounded faster and quieter out of the box, but it became much more analog sounding after several hundred hours of break in. I haven't used the Sidewinder on the Hydra 8, and there are differences between the Python and Taipan, so this post may be more confusing than enlightening, but I think the Hydra 8 is a big improvement.
The new Hydra 8 takes things to another level. Also, you get lightning protection and 2 more outlets. It sounded faster and quieter out of the box, but it became much more analog sounding after several hundred hours of break in. I haven't used the Sidewinder on the Hydra 8, and there are differences between the Python and Taipan, so this post may be more confusing than enlightening, but I think the Hydra 8 is a big improvement.