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Synergy between shunyata and Richard Gray

This is a question about combining different power products for synergy. I have both shunyata power conditioning (Hydra 8; guardian 2) and Richar Gray products (Pole Pig, 120V substation, 1200s, 600s). Although my HT set-up and distributed audio system is quite large, the system I'm trying to optimize power to is mainly the 2 channel system (MBL 1531 CD, First sound MKII Preamp with paramount upgrade, Cary MB500 monoblocks, and Dali MS4 speakers), and the projector (Runco DLP)/DVD player (Theta digital Carmen II) and scaler (Dragonfly). My understanding is that the Richard gray 1200s/600s products fill in lags in power supply to any component plugged into the same circuit, although the limited rate of current delivery makes it better suited for front end components than power hungly amplifiers.The Pole pig and substation are transformers that regenerate 120V power, thus eliminating ground loops external to the circuit--but still allow for internal ground loops to occur. The Shunyata is a well regarded filterring device with little restriction of current, plus some mysterious ferrous compound that absorbes digital glare, making sound more analogue like. With that lengthy introduction, here is my question:

On the front end components, would it make sense to plug the components into the Hydra 8, plug the Richard gray 600s into the Hydra 8, and plug the hydra 8 into the wall? Will the Richard gray provide additional step up in power if there is some current limitation through the Hydra 8? Alternatively, does it make sense to plug the hydra 8 into the substation for ground loop isolation, with the substation plugged into the wall? Or would this cause current limitation for the front end components (note that the First Sound preamp has 2 external amplifiers)? I assume that the Pole Pig would be poorly suited here because of power limitation.

On the amplifier end, would it make sense to have the amps plugged into the guardian power filter, which is then plugged into the wall, but to have a richard gray unit plugged into the adjacent outlet for additional current support? Would the Richard gray 600S likely have much current support for large power amps?

I've heard that it's best to isolate video and audio circuitry...in that vein, is it a better use for the substation to plug the projector and 600S units into?

Essentially, I'm somewhat confused about how the units can be combined to maximize performance, since they all work differently. Given the infinite different combinations, it would be nice to have a theoretical understanding of what's likely to work before moving everything around. Thanks for your help!
tcheathertree
5 responses Add your response
slv
87 posts
 
I do not have experience with Shunyata power conditioners, but I have owned Richard Gray products for several years now, so hopefully I can shed some light on these - as I understand them (someone please correct me if I have this wrong).

The 1200S/600S (and the 400S) contain large 6H inductors (the 1200S has two) that are tied from the hot to the neutral lines of your incoming power. As such, they hold the power line voltage at a constant level, and will shunt noise to ground before it enters your equipment. Because they are not in series with your equipment, they do not restrict power.

The Pole Pig and SubStation do not regenerate power. They are isolation transformers which break the ground connection and create balanced power to your equipment which greatly reduces noise.

I use the 240V SubStation on a dedicated 240V line with an isolated ground, followed by a 1200S and a 400S RGPC (each connected to the SubStation) on my 2 channel system, with the power amp and preamp plugged into separate sides of the 1200S and the source equipment plugged in to the 400S. This has produced outstanding results for me. If I was to add another type of power conditioner, such as the Shunyata products, I would put it between the RGPC's and my equipment. Of course, this is based on speculation because it really requires some trial and error to see which sounds best, which is how I arrived at the configuration I currently use with the RGPC's.

I hope this helps. :o)
athipaul
40 posts
 
I have a Hydra 4 and a RGPC 400 Pro. All componenents are connected to the Hydra and the Hydra and RGPC share a wall plug.

If you have a Hydra you don't need a Guardian.

Don't plug in the RGPC into the Hydra, its best pluged into the wall. There is a difference if you plugged the Hydra into the RGPC or have it like I have sharing the wall plug. You need to decide which you prefer.

Do you really need the pole pig since you have a substation?

Slv's configuration makes a lot of sense as he does not have a Hydra i.e he is isolating the analog and digital sections which is something built into the Hydra 8.

Do let us know what works best for you.
mike1000
71 posts
 
I think that this is a great question as I was wondering it myself. I have a RGPC 400Pro and a hydra 6 and 2. My amps are plugged into the Hydra 2 and then into a 20 Amp dedicated line and my front end components are plugged into the Hydra 6 and then that is plugged into a dedicates 20 Amp circuit.

I have my HDTV and HD Tivo plugged into the 400 Pro which is then plugged into the other outlet that the Hydra 600 (and my front end components) is plugged into.

I was wondering if I should plug my Hydra directly into the 400 Pro, or leave it as is in the adjacent outlet. And I was also wondering if I would get any benefits of getting another RGPC 400 or 600 and then plug it into the other outlet that my Hydra 2 (that has my amps plugged into it) is in.

With my current set up I have been able to remove ground loops and make my system very quiet and revealing (at least to me).

Hopefully that was not to confusing...

Thanks,

Michael
tcheathertree OP
5 posts
 
Since my original post I've done some experimenting. While I jhave by no meant tried every combination of connections, I have had best results thus far with the Cary monoblock amps plugged into the guardian 2, which is plugged into the 120V substation, whcih is plugged into the wall. The Front end components are all plugged into the hydra 8, which is plugged into the richard gray 1200s, which is plugged into a second wall circuit. I noticed an improvement when plugging the hydra 8 into the 1200s vs directly into the wall; no real improvement when plugging the richard gray into the hydra if the hydra was plugged into the wall. On the amp side, I noticed improvement plugging the guardian into the substation vs plugging the amps directly into the substation. Any further comments from people would be appreciated. Thanks
1graber2's avatar
1graber2
303 posts
 
3.5 years later......
I've never heard anyone recommend plugging a RGPC product into a Shunyata Hydra product, vice-versa is the norm.

I have my CDP plugged into my Hydra 2, which is plugged into my 400 Pro, which is plugged into my Pole Pig. The Pig is plugged into the wall.
My BAT integrated amp is plugged directly into the Pole Pig. In theory, the benefits from the 400 Pro should extend to anything plugged into the Pig, as written by RGPC and the above posts. I have tried the above set up with the amp plugged into the 400 Pro, but did not notice much difference.

Of note, I called BAT and spoke to Victor Khomenko, I wanted to know the wattage draw from the BAT amp, since the Pole Pig can only handle a 700 watt draw. Victor said 700W was OK for the BAT VK 300x-SE, but ideally would handle up to 2000W!!!!! he said the extra wattage was needed for dynamics and big transients, adding that the Pole Pig, as an isolation device handling only 700W would lower the dynamic range of the top and bottom end (eg visualize the tops and bottoms of sine waves being cut off, this is what is happening to the audio top and bottom ends).

He also echoed what Dick (founder) of RGPC has said, try many combinations of this plugged into that and so on and so forth, and then just live with the one which sounds the best.
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