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Re: Hydra - Huge Price Increase?

Wow, where to begin? A week away with family was well spent, considering I'm coming back to this link sent to me.

I've already responded re: the 10 Audio review here and don't feel the need to belabor it, however I'll repeat some of what I'd written previously.

After receiving the 10audio link in an e-mail and reading such an interesting article, I'd like to add a few points to consider.

We post pictures in our technology sections showing exactly what the fellow at 10 went to some great length to show (albeit a very early model), as if it were a secret. There's no mystery, no coverup, no conspiracy. We go into great detail in our descriptions of what parts we use, how they came to be and why we made the choices we did. I even travel with a clear-bottom Hydra because we are proud of the internal costs and customization in justifying our products value. Our products hold extraordinary second-market value, and there are real good reasons for that, none of which has to do with smoke & mirrors.

We do not believe in using "traditional" conditioner items such as transformers, chokes or coils that slow down instantaneous current to electronics and add reactance. They are counterproductive from our POV. That's why you don't see them inside.

Ok, per his word, his "DIY" project cost him $100 to make-- sans time or labor cost (which in most any electronics project is the most prevelant cost factor--esp in the US).

His project did not include silver/rhodium plated buss straps, a Carling electromagnetic breaker (our cost on this one part is $25). He used off the shelf filters, while ours are custom designed and manufactured to spec., and simple outlets, while ours are designed in house and custom manfactured. Adding just these few specialized parts(and don't forget the chassis metalwork) would add at least another $100 (I'm giving a great benefit of the doubt) to his "DIY Hydra 4". I also didn't see where he mentioned on-site cryogenic treatment or any other specialized process, customer support, warrantee service etc.

So, now, you have a mythical $200 "DIY" Hydra 4 with none of the elements that _we feel_ are critical to the performance of Hydras. Do you know how much you would have to charge to offer that $200 DIY commercially and stay in business more than a few weeks?

Typical mark up for ALL high end products assumes a x5 price structure--minimum--, meaning if a part costs you 5 cents, you must charge at least 25 cents to stay in business, much less make a profit. Using that bare-minimum scale, his $200 DIY kit would _have to_ retail for $1000. Forget the safety, warranty and inferior build quality issues (Home Depot strip?)

A number of Mr 10's comments were pure, ill informed supposition, and in several cases, such as his description of the filter networks and their elements, he was flat out wrong, but hey, why let what may or not be true stop you when your driven to call a legitimate company's product descriptions "BS"? His photo's were of an original (circa 2003)Hydra. We made substantial updates to the model and network in 04, which is our right to do.

FYI: Mr. 10 asked for us to loan him products almost two years ago and when I politely declined, he stated he would get the products anyway, and write his articles without any input from the manufacturer. It was clear to me at the time that he was not happy that I wouldn't loan him current spec product. It appears he's true to his word. In reading his descriptions, does it seem there was a slight chip on a shoulder, or is he simply being a great consumer advocate and bearer of informed opinion?

FYI, the recent price increases reflect running updates we have made with no model or price changes in past years, and the skyrocketing price of metals in the US. We have been absorbing these escalating costs for several years, as have other manufacturers. The Hydra pricing had remained constant since their introduction in '02, however, with no mk2's and no price increases.

It's too easy to be an arm-chair missle launcher on the internet, and manufacturers that take precious time to respond are always at a disadvantage. There never are adequate answers to those looking to find fault, are there? Anyone with _legitimate_ questions they need answers to can contact us directly, we're easy to reach and will take the time to answer any reasonable question. Why don't more people do that, instead of posting on forums? The answer is obvious from the tone of this thread.

Conspiracy theory does drive internet fun & games, which is why this will be my only contribution.

Regards,

Grant
Shunyata Research


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