Current system
LP12/ittok/ortofon MC30supreme /lingo2/stageline
202/200/hicap/celestion a compacts

I would like to get headline/ headphone combination.

questions are regarding

1. hicap2 vs flatcap
as far as I can tell if I go for the flatcap I can power the stageline as well, is this so? and what difference is this likely to make to vinyl replay?

2. Recommendations for headphones up to £300

3. headline 2 vs headline, worth the extra?

4. go for hicap now and forget separate power supply for stageline until funds allow.


your thoughts would be much appreciated.

I will audition first.

One Flatcap can supply two mains requirements. If you need one for a Stageline, get it now and use it to power up a Headline in addition until you get a better power supply for the Headline (see below).

I don't know how to work a Private Topic but, if you do, set one up for a suggestion (which doesn't involve me trying to sell you anything).

Headline2 is supposed to be much better: improved power supply and will drive wider range of 'phones. I bought one new on Saturday, but can't use it yet, as am waiting for arrival of (olive) HiCap. The frustration!

Your Headline will sound at its best with a HiCap (or even better with a Supercap, but that's getting silly, in my view). So use it with a Flatcap (as above) and start saving up for a HiCap. I imagine that the "new" styles will start appearing on eBay w/in the next few months, if you want to match to your system.

Hope this helps.

G

Thank you Graham.

It seems you can open up a private topic for discussion by clicking on the user name and using them options. You do need to add the user as a contact first.

David

Well I've tried. Let me know if it got through.

G

quote:

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Originally posted by graham55:
.... until you get a better power supply for the Headline (see below)..... am waiting for arrival of (olive) HiCap ....
Your Headline will sound at its best with a HiCap (or even better with a Supercap, but that's getting silly, in my view).
G

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Dear Graham55,

I (and presumably Kuma) should take issue here! Running my "naim-sake" with a dedicated HiCap will be much better than with a dedicated, so esp. better than with a dual-powering, Flatcap BUT rest assured, running with a Supercap 'aint silly, just muuuuuuuuuuusically and eeeeeeeeeeeemotionally commanding!

Thanks and cheers.
Kein' Musik ist ja nicht auf Erden, die uns'rer vergleichen kann werden.
(There is no music on earth/To be compared with ours)

[This message was edited by headline on Wed 03 November 2004 at 6:43.]

quote:

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BUT rest assured, running with a Supercap 'aint silly, just muuuuuuuuuuusically and eeeeeeeeeeeemotionally commanding!

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Yes! It is a bit like killing an ant with a giant sledgehammer, but the SC2 works with a Headline!

David,

quote:

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1. hicap2 vs flatcap

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No question. HC2. Or even an older HC would do. Esp, if you end up with Grado, you need that extra open-ness and control on both frequencies.

quote:

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2. Recommendations for headphones up to £300

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My reco would be Grado RS2. But many prefer Senn. with a Naim kit.
Beyer DT 931 is also excellent with the Headline. They sound like a cross between the Grado and Senn and are priced reasonable.

quote:

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3. headline 2 vs headline, worth the extra?

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Haven't heard the original Headline, but Headline2 seems to be a complete 're-do' from the looks of it. Tidier looking than the original Headline.


Soundwise, Headline2 reflects 'newer' Naim sound. Lot more natural sounding and has lovely decays. Depending on which power supply you use, the noise floor gets really low, too.

quote:

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4. go for hicap now and forget separate power supply for stageline until funds allow.

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How often do you listen to 'fones ?
I love headfone listening just as much as speaker listneing, so, it was worth it for me.

[This message was edited by kuma on Wed 03 November 2004 at 7:34.]

Some information I previously posted on the headphone subject.

am listening to a cd5x direct din to Headline connected to Senn Hd650's, I listened to other combinations like the Stax syatem and Grado's with Ref amp and with the Creek.

subjective I know but I am happy with the sound I have now.


on a technical note relating to the CD5X, I too am planning to use both outputs on the CD5X. I currently use the RCA for interconnecting to my ION Obelisk amp and after ordering the Headline last week I rang up and spoke to Adam Meridith at Naim. He was most informative and patient !
After a discussion about getting hold of a Headline DIN connector to convert to RCA (pretty difficult to get hold of) we agreed that my best way of connecting the Headline would be to use the CD5X din and connect direct. The CD5X RCA connectors can stay in use as is today. I can use the CD5X remote to switch between outputs.
Please note that Adam said they will be updating the notes given out but DO NOT USE THE "BOTH" SETTING ON THE CD5X.
Make sure you switch between outputs,and use one or the other, the constant switching between ouputs will not harm the player but it is of noticable degredation if you use the "BOTH" setting.

Just for your information, for the Naim Headline DIN connector to the CD5X is Naim cable number 03-003-0043 and if you are connecting this via a FC2 then a SLIC cable will be needed for the power.

Another point that came out of our conversation was that, of the two power supplies on the FC2 outlet number 1 is of better quality than outlet number 5(marked CD5). I have rewired mine and now use the outlet 1 for the CD5X and will plug the Headline into outlet 5.

Its a shame that Naim didnt allow dual powering of this unit. A casual look at the board shows two near identical stages for left and right so i'm sure it would be possible to use the dual rails from a Flat / Hi or Super to power it with a few mods rather than the single rail it uses as standard ?

James.

David,

I'm sorry to hijack your thread but..... I have a Supercap running a NAC82, so the 'digital' DIN which normally powers up part of a NAC52 is currently unused.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me what voltage this socket provides - could this be used to power a Headline?

Regards

quote:

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Originally posted by coupe-sport:
Its a shame that Naim didnt allow dual powering of this unit.

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James,

Interesting thought!

Noone, including Naim, takes 'fone listening really seriously.

quote:

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Originally posted by KevinB:
Is there anyone out there who can tell me what voltage this socket provides - could this be used to power a Headline?

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Kevin,

A Headline needs a 24V. I doubt a digital socket would work.

FYI, I've been using a 5-pin #1 socket of the SC2 to power the Headline.

quote:

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I'm sorry to hijack your thread but..... I have a Supercap running a NAC82, so the 'digital' DIN which normally powers up part of a NAC52 is currently unused.

Is there anyone out there who can tell me what voltage this socket provides - could this be used to power a Headline?

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I think this socket provides something like 17v ?, so most likely wont work with the Headline, Also it shouldn't be used from the 82's digital suply (although it may work, well it does on mine!) but the regulators on the 82 are designed for 24v so this reduced voltage does not allow them to wok properly.

Just ordered a Headline2 - my Flat cap powered Rega Ear is moving to work iPod duties

rgds

James.

james,

you'll be in for a treat.

Rega EAR is good,too.

Which headphones do you use?

HD600's. Used to run an Olive Headline a few years back but that went during a home cinema moment , so will be interesting to see how it compares.

James.

quote:

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Originally posted by coupe-sport:
HD600's. Used to run an Olive Headline a few years back but that went during a home cinema moment , so will be interesting to see how it compares.

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James,

i am intereted to find out what you think of a headline 2 compared to the Olive one.

I wish Naim would come up with a '5' range head amp perhaps with adjustible impedance switch.

Had the Headline over a week now and it's burning in nicely. I rewired the Din Plug so its running straight out of my CD5i.

Thoughts - Suprisingly better than the Ear which is a great little musical amp. Cleaner and the Bass is typical Naim. As for comparisons to my old Olive unit i used that with a 3.5 / Flatcap so comparisons are difficult.

rgds

James.