Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Posts
- 7,401
- Likes
- 11,137
My Hydra 18AWG has arrived! I'll give a more in depth listen later but first impressions on my LCD3 is that it sounds absolutely lovely. Smooth and with nary a hint of harshness. Crystal clear without any glare. Very realistic rendition of vocals at this point in time. Happy camper here! Thanks Frank!
PS: Frank, I dropped you a PM as well. Please have a look when you have time. Thanks!
Shini44
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2012
- Posts
- 2,501
- Likes
- 593
time to burn in the new SW22 cable
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Posts
- 7,401
- Likes
- 11,137
Enjoy, Shini44! I'm still glued to my LCD 3 with the Hydra...
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Posts
- 7,401
- Likes
- 11,137
Just a brief update on the Hydra during the first 10 hours of listening on the LCD3. For this, I've been listening to Shirley Kwan's EX All time favourites DSD, Sandy Lam's latest album, albums from 周虹 and Alan Dawa Dolma. The albums by these Singers have treble exension, nuanced vocals and good bass line.
Impressive layering at this early stage and micro details. Good depth and instrument separation within the layers. You can hear the different things going on at the same time at the various layers and yet is cohesive. My love and hate relatiinshio with the LCD 3 is well ventilated with my circle of friends. However, I think with the Hydra Frank has struck the jackpot.
At the risk of oversimplification, whilst the SW22 gave the LCD3 luscious mids, the Hydra has given it extension at the top, nuanced vocals and nice deep tight bass.
Early days yet. And I expect the sonic signature to fill out and get denser as it burns in. Back to the enjoyment...
Impressive layering at this early stage and micro details. Good depth and instrument separation within the layers. You can hear the different things going on at the same time at the various layers and yet is cohesive. My love and hate relatiinshio with the LCD 3 is well ventilated with my circle of friends. However, I think with the Hydra Frank has struck the jackpot.
At the risk of oversimplification, whilst the SW22 gave the LCD3 luscious mids, the Hydra has given it extension at the top, nuanced vocals and nice deep tight bass.
Early days yet. And I expect the sonic signature to fill out and get denser as it burns in. Back to the enjoyment...

Shini44
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2012
- Posts
- 2,501
- Likes
- 593
At the risk of oversimplification, whilst the SW22 gave the LCD3 luscious mids, the Hydra has given it extension at the top, nuanced vocals and nice deep tight bass.
regarding the mids lushness, trust me it take many hours on these cables before they are out :' ) like 100 hours at least -.-''
still i would like to hear which one deliver lusher mids by the end of the day (after both are burned in ofc)
keep me updated on this point please <3
although on paper Hydra 18 should deliver lusher mids as its the ultra silver cable. so lets wait for 100 hours and see
Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Posts
- 7,401
- Likes
- 11,137
Absolutely, Shini! I fully expect the sonics of the Hydra to fill out. 

The hydra is settling in nicely, super transparent, well rounded and oh so smooth. Just speaking for the HD800S the combination fits very well so far I have not experienced any down side. Maybe a slight one, I have purchased more hires files in a single month than what I have done previously in a year...
Currently listening to HADOUK Quartet // Hadoukly Yours.
The instruments are nicely layered and well presented, well in tune and the rhythm and timing is exceptional. A nice journey in exotic instruments and a mixture of orient and fusion.
Was planning on taking a Hydra 18 IEM for my K10s with my to CanJam this weekend but sadly it hasn't arrived in time despite the fact it was supposed to be dispatched on Monday!

fattycheesebeef
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
- Posts
- 433
- Likes
- 121
Can't find Hydra on the website.
How much is it roughly?
How much is it roughly?
RPB65
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2015
- Posts
- 542
- Likes
- 88
Price UpdateBelow prices are for 6ft headphone cablesHydra 18awg £625 (Flagship Litz cable)Hydra 22awg £360Below prices are for 4ft IEM cablesHydra 22awg £305Hydra 18awg (2 wire version, equivalent to 4 x 21AWG) £285
Can't find Hydra on the website.
How much is it roughly?
Please see above post from Frank @ Toxic Cables.
fattycheesebeef
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2014
- Posts
- 433
- Likes
- 121
Thankssssss
Toxic Cables
Member of the Trade: Toxic Cables
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2011
- Posts
- 2,292
- Likes
- 142
Was planning on taking a Hydra 18 IEM for my K10s with my to CanJam this weekend but sadly it hasn't arrived in time despite the fact it was supposed to be dispatched on Monday!![]()
Sorry i have had a lot going on this week, your order was complete and left with Max to post, i just spoke to him and don't think i made it clear to him and he did not post it as he saw some payment pending on the order and the cable it's replacing has not been returned, but he was told to send them regardless, but seems he did not realise i was speaking of your order. As he was not at the workshop now, it will have to go out this coming Monday, sorry.
I have had to go away since early this week and will be back this evening and will reply to all PM's and emails from everyone, will also let you know amount pending. Sorry for the delay and mix up.
I believe everyone else who was expecting cables to ship on Monday, have had their cables shipped.
Sorry i have had a lot going on this week, your order was complete and left with Max to post, i just spoke to him and don't think i made it clear to him and he did not post it as he saw some payment pending on the order and the cable it's replacing has not been returned, but he was told to send them regardless, but seems he did not realise i was speaking of your order. As he was not at the workshop now, it will have to go out this coming Monday, sorry.
I have had to go away since early this week and will be back this evening and will reply to all PM's and emails from everyone, will also let you know amount pending. Sorry for the delay and mix up.
I believe everyone else who was expecting cables to ship on Monday, have had their cables shipped.
Thanks for clarifying what happened. Not really a problem in the grand scheme of things just a bit sad I didn't get it in time for CanJam.
Toxic Cables
Member of the Trade: Toxic Cables
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2011
- Posts
- 2,292
- Likes
- 142
Thanks for clarifying what happened. Not really a problem in the grand scheme of things just a bit sad I didn't get it in time for CanJam.
I am sorry mate, i have spoken to Max and will make sure he gets this out on Monday.
Hopefully you can still take the SW22 with you.
maguire
1000+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2007
- Posts
- 1,386
- Likes
- 62
Sorry.......Been on the moon for the past month or so.....Only just found out Frank has released the HYDRA! Now there's a beast if I ever saw one....Comes in 18 for IEM? Whoa! that's some whopping cable indeed...
Can not wait for the reviews with full burn in complete.....Those new connectors are also something to behold... Errm.... Frank's been busy.... When he does a cable ... Maaaan it looks sooo sweet...
Can not wait for the reviews with full burn in complete.....Those new connectors are also something to behold... Errm.... Frank's been busy.... When he does a cable ... Maaaan it looks sooo sweet...

Users who are viewing this thread
Total: 3 (members: 0, guests: 3)