Hydra II Anniversary
The Hydra II Anniversary Edition is an intelligent, bridgeable stereo power amplifier
incorporating many developments pioneered in Leema’s legacy reference-grade monoblock,
the Altair IV. The Hydra II Anniversary Edition is both highly flexible and hugely powerful. Its
dual-mono design uses two massive toroidal power transformers, one for each channel,
together with a separate transformer for the control circuitry.
The highly refined output stage benefits from very low output impedance. This, coupled
with a high current capability, ensures vice-like grip and precise control of loudspeakers,
even at very high levels. Full LIPS® implementation (Leema’s proprietary communication
system) allows for flexible integration with other Leema Acoustics products.
Anniversary Edition upgrades in detail
Internally, the amplifier features upgraded printed circuit boards with twice the amount of
copper to further reduce the resistance of PCB traces and improve power delivery. All
relevant capacitors have been upgraded to Nichicon’s high-quality audio-grade MUSE Series
and the PCB-to- speaker-terminal wiring is Leema’s Reference 2 cable which features 16
woven cores plus multi-strand high-purity copper with individual strand silver-plate.
All transistors are hand-selected and precision-matched in amplifier sets for optimal
performance and the lowest distortion. The power amplifier transformers are Noratel ‘xtra
quiet’ units, ensuring perfect power delivery without undesirable hum or excessive heat-
generation.
In a further nod to the amplifier’s Anniversary Edition status, Leema has included a number
of additional documents. Each amplifier will be supplied with a passport-style system of
documentation integrated into the manual, where three key stages of production are signed
off by the engineer responsible along with the inclusion of the unit’s measured results
- Output power non-bridged mode: 148W rms 8 Ohms/Ch
- 292W rms 4 Ohms
- 320W rms 2 Ohms/Ch
- THD: 0.004%
- Noise: < -100 dB
- Frequency response: 5Hz - 80kHz (+0/-3 dB)
- Number of balanced inputs (XLR): 1
- Number of un-balanced inputs (RCA): 3
- Pre-out outputs: 1
- Thermal protection: Yes
- LIPS® system: Master or slave
- Dimensions: 440x320x110mm
- Weight: 18Kg