Leema Acoustics Hydra 2 Power Amplifier
Available in black or silver
Borrowing heavily from developments pioneered in the Leema Reference Series Altair IV mono power amplifiers, the Hydra II is not only a notably more accomplished amplifier than its predecessor, this technological chameleon is uniquely able to act in a multitude of roles, always creating a life-like sound stage and maintaining the colour, texture and timbre of the original performance.
Exceptional dynamic range, resolution of exquisitely fine detail and remarkable clarity allow the Hydra II to deliver music with life-like verve, even when driving the most demanding of audiophile speakers. This exceptional design uses two massive torodial power transformers: one for each channel, together with a third transformer for the control circuitry. The highly refined output stage features a very low output impedance. This, coupled with a high current capability ensures vice-like grip and precise control of the loudspeakers, even at very high levels.
Leema's Intelligent Protocol System, LIPS® allows the Hydra II to act alongside the multiple award-winning Tucana II. For example: Hydra II could drive the surround channels in an extremely high-performance multi-channel system. LIPS® also allows the Hydra II to perform as a slave to the Tucana II in a bi-amp or even tri-amp set-up, providing a substantial upgrade in performance over that of the Tucana II on its own. By far the most outstanding role that the Hydra II can perform is in a pre / power combination with the Reference Series Pyxis pre-amplifier. The Pyxis sends a full level audio signal to the Hydra II at all times; the volume and balance are adjusted within the Hydra II using the LIPS® control signals from the Pyxis. This Leema-developed system gives superior performance by minimising the effect of induced signals within the interconnect cables, further enhancing the already outstanding abilities of the amplifier. Of course the Hydra II can also be configured as a standard fixed gain power amplifier for use with conventional pre-amplifiers from other manufacturers. When used with the Leema Antila CD player, the Hydra II can even perform as a single source amplifier; the volume setting being controlled within the Hydra II via LIPS® and adjusted using the Antila's remote control.
In addition, rear panel switches on the Hydra II select use as either a stereo amplifier, a left or right channel mono amplifier, or even as a two channel amplifier designated as left or right. In this mode the system is acting as a bi-amped set-up in which the amplifiers can be placed behind the speakers allowing short speaker cable runs. In every one of these roles, the Hydra II can be bridged to become a mono amplifier providing even more power, agility and the ability to drive virtually and loudspeaker on the market to realistic volume levels.
- Variable gain LIPS® stereo power amplifier for use with the Leema Reference Series Pyxis pre-amplifier
- Variable gain LIPS® handed mono power amplifier for use with the Leema Reference Series Pyxis pre-amplifier
- Fixed gain stereo / mono power amplifier for use in conventional pre / power systems
- Fixed gain LIPS® power amplifier for use with the Tucana II in bi / tri-amplification systems
- Variable gain LIPS® slave power amplifier for use with the Tucana II in multi-channel systems
- Single source LIPS® amplifier for use with the Leema Antila CD player
Borrowing heavily from developments pioneered in the Leema Reference Series Altair IV mono power amplifiers, the Hydra II is not only a notably more accomplished amplifier than its predecessor, this technological chameleon is uniquely able to act in a multitude of roles, always creating a life-like sound stage and maintaining the colour, texture and timbre of the original performance.
Exceptional dynamic range, resolution of exquisitely fine detail and remarkable clarity allow the Hydra II to deliver music with life-like verve, even when driving the most demanding of audiophile speakers. This exceptional design uses two massive torodial power transformers: one for each channel, together with a third transformer for the control circuitry. The highly refined output stage features a very low output impedance. This, coupled with a high current capability ensures vice-like grip and precise control of the loudspeakers, even at very high levels.
Leema's Intelligent Protocol System, LIPS® allows the Hydra II to act alongside the multiple award-winning Tucana II. For example: Hydra II could drive the surround channels in an extremely high-performance multi-channel system. LIPS® also allows the Hydra II to perform as a slave to the Tucana II in a bi-amp or even tri-amp set-up, providing a substantial upgrade in performance over that of the Tucana II on its own. By far the most outstanding role that the Hydra II can perform is in a pre / power combination with the Reference Series Pyxis pre-amplifier. The Pyxis sends a full level audio signal to the Hydra II at all times; the volume and balance are adjusted within the Hydra II using the LIPS® control signals from the Pyxis. This Leema-developed system gives superior performance by minimising the effect of induced signals within the interconnect cables, further enhancing the already outstanding abilities of the amplifier. Of course the Hydra II can also be configured as a standard fixed gain power amplifier for use with conventional pre-amplifiers from other manufacturers. When used with the Leema Antila CD player, the Hydra II can even perform as a single source amplifier; the volume setting being controlled within the Hydra II via LIPS® and adjusted using the Antila's remote control.
In addition, rear panel switches on the Hydra II select use as either a stereo amplifier, a left or right channel mono amplifier, or even as a two channel amplifier designated as left or right. In this mode the system is acting as a bi-amped set-up in which the amplifiers can be placed behind the speakers allowing short speaker cable runs. In every one of these roles, the Hydra II can be bridged to become a mono amplifier providing even more power, agility and the ability to drive virtually and loudspeaker on the market to realistic volume levels.
- Variable gain LIPS® stereo power amplifier for use with the Leema Reference Series Pyxis pre-amplifier
- Variable gain LIPS® handed mono power amplifier for use with the Leema Reference Series Pyxis pre-amplifier
- Fixed gain stereo / mono power amplifier for use in conventional pre / power systems
- Fixed gain LIPS® power amplifier for use with the Tucana II in bi / tri-amplification systems
- Variable gain LIPS® slave power amplifier for use with the Tucana II in multi-channel systems
- Single source LIPS® amplifier for use with the Leema Antila CD player
| Frequency Response +/- 3 dB @ 1 W |
5 Hz - 80 kHz |
| Output Power into 8 ohms (stereo) |
160 W RMS per channel |
| Output Power into 4 ohms (stereo) |
270 W RMS per channel |
| Output Power into 2 ohms (stereo) |
390 W RMS per channel |
| Output Power into 8 ohms (mono) |
540 W RMS |
| Output Power into 4 ohms (mono) |
785 W RMS |
| Minimum load impedance (stereo) |
2 ohms |
| Minimum load impedance (mono) |
4 ohms |
| Noise (A weighted, minimum volume) |
-100 dB |
| Signal to noise ratio (A weighted, ref: 270 W RMS, 4 ohms, stereo) |
-104 dB |
| T.H.D. (10 W RMS, 4 ohms, 1 kHz) |
0.004% |
| T.H.D. (Max output before clipping, 4 ohms, 1 kHz) |
0.004% |
| Maximum DC offset |
+/- 15 mV |
| Sensitivity for maximum output |
311 mV RMS |
| Output impedance |
0.04 ohms |
| Damping factor (8 ohms) |
200 |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) |
440 mm x 110 mm x 320 mm |
| Weight |
18 kg |
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