Years ago I tried 552 vs. SC2 for the prefix and I preferred the preamp. This time it's different. I don't have another SC to make the test, but I feel that SuperLine is sucking too much power from 552, which results in affecting all sources. The music is slightly artificial. I went back to the prefix and for my surprise I preferred it. It does not have the CD-like control of the SuperLine but it gives me more pleasure. CDP and tuner are responding also better. Maybe the SuperLine needs more time to run in.

Does somebody have similar observations or it's only me? I'll arrange a HC and a Hiline for a test tonight.

Regards,

Emil

Emil,

Sadly, I can't use the superline in my current configuration using a WB Full Circle (HO Cartridge) with a stageline N, 552/500 and WB A.C.T. As an experiment I plugged in a very inexpensive, but highly regarded Graham Slee Era Gold Reflex and pulled the staegline out of the 552 Aux socket. The vinyl source improved dramatically (!) But the interesting thing was that my Naim 01 (God bless it!) improved by a large margin, about 50% the improvement with the GRaham Slee on my TT. So I have concluded that I will never run a phono stage from my 552 anymore and so if I ever get a LO cartridge and enough space I'll have to use the Superline with a Hicap or supercap. But right now the JLTi phonostage is also an option as it has variable inputs and can handle LO and HO cartridges, but is much cheaper.

Has anyone heard the new Ortofon Windfeld?

Dave

Hi Emil,

What TT/arm/cartridge do you have?
Bear in mind that one effect of inserting superline is revealing upstream faults, and there are potentially a lot of them - power leads, supports, cables as well as TT, TT PS, arm, cartridge as well as setup of all these. The prefix potentially masks all of these and gives a more pleasant result until the problems are fixed.
That said it is obvious to me that unplugging the 552 powered superline when not in use is mandatory so you will need a power supply of some sort to keep the Superline warm per Frank F.

quote:

Originally posted by JeremyB:
That said it is obvious to me that unplugging the 552 powered superline when not in use is mandatory so you will need a power supply of some sort to keep the Superline warm per Frank F.

Yes, Frank uses a Hi-Cap. However, if you want to keep your Superline warm while listening to other sources through your preamp, please consider this low cost option I was discussing with Steve Hopkins yesterday : An isupply "S" version will happily keep a SuperLine warm. The SuperLine takes 85mA while the Isupply maximum is 500mA. So until you can keep your Superline warm with a Supercap This is a solution worthy of serious consideration!

Kind regards,

Peter

Interesting threat. What would you recommend then - a SC for my prefix or a Superline with the 552? I don't want to get a HC because I won't have use for it in the future.

Thanks.

quote:

What would you recommend then - a SC for my prefix or a Superline with the 552?

I think it depends on your TT/arm/cartridge. Since you have LP12/ARO/Archiv (do you have Armageddon too?) without hesitation I would go for Superline and unplug from the 552 when not in use. You could keep it warm at night although I am not sure that is necessary.

Hi Jeremy,

TT setup is LP12(2007)/Geddon/Aro/vdH Condor. This is the best cart I've tried with the Aro so far. Powerigel is the 'mains star'.


Now the results. Last night my dealer brought a HC2. We made different tests. Whit the Superline directly connected to 552 the sound of all sources degrades in an unacceptable way. I believe the Superline is a power hungry beast. In fact, with 552 only, I prefer the Prefix to Superline.

When powered from the HC2 (snaic + standard interconnect) the Superline shows its potential. It sounds very good, although I feel SC2/burndy/Hiline will give me the full picture, so I placed my order. Sadly, the naim reference phono is not a bargain with 552 anymore.

Regards,

Emil

So, if that is the situation, you'd go for a SC on the prefix first, before getting a Superline.

quote:

Originally posted by bbb111:
So, if that is the situation, you'd go for a SC on the prefix first, before getting a Superline.

Why is that? Please, read the first sentence of this topic.

quote:

Originally posted by JeremyB:
Since you have LP12/ARO/Archiv (do you have Armageddon too?) without hesitation I would go for Superline and unplug from the 552 when not in use. You could keep it warm at night although I am not sure that is necessary.

It is necessary. I installed a Superline last night which had been run on soak for about a week at the shop. The difference over the first hour from power up was huge - Please keep the Superline warm, hence my iSupply suggestion above.

Kind regards,

Peter

Hi Emil,
Thanks for the replies.
VdH - that's a great idea, I will look into it.

I agree with you about the prefix being the equal of a new Superline powered by the 552, I noticed it too. Also prefix plus 552 is better than Superline with HC (at least my old recapped CB). Sadly I believe that I am also headed the way of the SC2. I would like to sort my cartridge first though.

I find this thread a bit worrying - I am in the market for a Superlne, but I was planning on running it from the 552, as I was under the impression that this was a very cost-effective way to go, avoiding another full-size box.
But now I understand that this arrangement cocks up the CD replay side unless the Superline is unplugged?
I'm afraid I don't think I can be bothered to keep plugging and unplugging things just to switch between CD & vinyl. Unless I've misunderstood?
Cheers
John

I have the same problem with my 52 and can only have one source connected at one time otherwise the overall sound is effected. In my system it's the vinyl that suffers when the CDP and TT are connected. If the 552 has the same issue it must be the unavoidable down side of the Naim earthing design?

John

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:
Unless I've misunderstood?

You've just allowed someone(s) else's view to prejudice you.

Take a listen, as you originally planned, to the combinations in your system and make your judgement.

As always.

As always.
I haven't managed to have a listen to this Superline gadget yet, so I'll do that anyway. I notice James is doing a bash in St Albans on 4th June, so that will probably be my first exposure.
But when I get one home, I'll certainly bear in mind the effect of powering options (on my wallet probably)

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:
Unless I've misunderstood?

You've just allowed someone(s) else's view to prejudice you.

Take a listen, as you originally planned, to the combinations in your system and make your judgement.

As always.

What Adam said is the way to go.Use your own ears.

I wasn't clear enough. I can usually do only one upgrade per year, at most (still recover from the 552). So I can either get a Supercap (hopefully, a demo unit) or a Superline. But based on what I've read (and heard, in a comparison between the Superline and the Stageline, on HC), the Superline really shows its abilities with a Supercap). I think I'll wait a year or two and get the SC2 with the Superline at the same time.

...we might be able to help you sort out that demo unit–contact your dealer.

quote:

Originally posted by bbb111:
I wasn't clear enough. I can usually do only one upgrade per year, at most (still recover from the 552). So I can either get a Supercap (hopefully, a demo unit) or a Superline. But based on what I've read (and heard, in a comparison between the Superline and the Stageline, on HC), the Superline really shows its abilities with a Supercap). I think I'll wait a year or two and get the SC2 with the Superline at the same time.

If i was you and had the money i would get a Superline ASAP.
This is only IMO but i think the price of this thing is going to go up before the normal 1 year price rise because of whats in it.
Its too cheap for a Naim Black box that does so much.

bbb111,

A Superline headunit alone is a good piece for the money even powering off your preamp.

I wasn't too enthused about the Prefix/HC thing partially due to a high RFI pick up.
This was the main reason I moved away from all past Naim stages.

If you are powering your Prefix off your 552, you'll hear a noticeable difference. Certainly a SC2 would be nice but I am surprised it's doing ok even powered off a 52.