I don't know, I'm very very happy with my system. I like the (relatively) low box count and high efficiency - prefix, 552, 250, allae. Can I do better? Definitely. But I think I'm ok for now. One day, I'll take it up a notch and get the SC2 + Superline, but for the time being, I think that I'm set.

The 552-SuperLine works for me excellent - much better than 552-Prefix. (mains and grounds = 10qmm)

quote:

Originally posted by Ulrich Hohn:
The 552-SuperLine works for me excellent - much better than 552-Prefix. (mains and grounds = 10qmm)

Good news, Ulrich! Do you feel any influence on the other sources?

At this point can we definitely say that the hierarchy for powering a Superline is as follows

HiCap
HiCap/HiLine 4/5
552
SuperCap

???

Gregg

Gregg,

For my big surprise, in my system, the Hicap was better than 552. I'm interested to read the findings of other 552/SuperLine owners.

Tomorrow I'll get a HC2 and HiLine 4/5 to do additional tests.

Emil

Emil

Interesting. I am still waiting for my SuperLine - I was told it will be in next week. I can only comment on what I am reading in the forums as the demo which I participated in only compared a SuperLine powered by a HiCap and then a SuperCap.

Previous postings by Peter (Cymbiosis) seemed to indicate a hierarchy as I posted above. One caveat now might be that the addition of the new HiLine 4/5 might just change things. The HiLine cannot be used when the 552 is powering the SuperLine - as such it can only be used with the HiCap and that might be enough to push the performance over that of a 552/standard 4/5 cable.

I will be interested to read your results. One thing for sure - if the HiCap/HiLine turns out to provide better performance it will eliminate the aggravation of continuously having to unplug the SuperLine from the 552 when one wants to listen to CD's - as for me it is a fact that the preamps performance is compromised when it has the extra burden of powering a phono stage. Other comments seem to imply that the SuperLine has an even greater power demand from the preamp supply than the Stageline or Prefix did - as such implying that CD performance will suffer even more if the phono stage is left continually plugged in.

Regards
Gregg

quote:

For my big surprise, in my system, the Hicap was better than 552.

Hi Emil,

If this is the case, it may be possible to improve your 552 setup even further. Where is your 552PS sitting in your system?

Jeremy

quote:

Good news, Ulrich! Do you feel any influence on the other sources?

Emil, No. But the only other source is the NAT01.
I think the better mains the lower influence on any other source.

Ulrich,

This could be a reason. I also have a 10mm2 dedicated spur, but I found the sound a bit muscular. Unfortunately it shares N and E with the rest of the mains installation in my home. BTW adding a Furutech rhodium plated socket a month ago was a real improvement.


Jeremy,

I don't have many options. 552PS is sitting under Geddon and SC2. I think the problem has more to do with the SuperLine power consumption. Imagine connecting a Snaxo 362 to 552 AUX.

Regards,

Emil

Out of interest I compared Prefix and Superline SNAIC current consumption.

Prefix:
Supply #1: 32.6mA
Supply #2: 31.8mA
Total: 64.4mA

Superline:
Supply #1: 59.9mA
Supply #2: 38.6mA
Total: 99.5mA

Jeremy

Gregg,

Please let us know your conclusions when you get the Superline.

B

Ben

Its like waiting for Godot - although Alma did say that it should be in next week. They received their first one this past Wednesday and it went right out.

Gregg

Gregg,

I guess there was a queue before you!

Gregg,

Your input is most important. It'll determine whether I can rest for now or start climbing another mountain. If the difference is not night and day I'll stick with what I got. But I barely listen to CDs anyway so maybe we'll get that superline after all...

Kuma

It is not that there was a long queue in front of me (I was number 2) - it is that they are too slow being made

Ben

I am in a different situation from you. My point of reference is my Stageline - as such the SuperLine will be a HUGE step up for me. You are running a Prefix - the jump might not be as great as mine will be.

My feedback will be anti climatic - I was at the demo performed by Chris Koster when he compared a Stageline to the SuperLine. The effect was quite dramatic

Regards
Gregg

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
Emil

Interesting. I am still waiting for my SuperLine - I was told it will be in next week. I can only comment on what I am reading in the forums as the demo which I participated in only compared a SuperLine powered by a HiCap and then a SuperCap.

Previous postings by Peter (Cymbiosis) seemed to indicate a hierarchy as I posted above. One caveat now might be that the addition of the new HiLine 4/5 might just change things. The HiLine cannot be used when the 552 is powering the SuperLine - as such it can only be used with the HiCap and that might be enough to push the performance over that of a 552/standard 4/5 cable.

I will be interested to read your results. One thing for sure - if the HiCap/HiLine turns out to provide better performance it will eliminate the aggravation of continuously having to unplug the SuperLine from the 552 when one wants to listen to CD's - as for me it is a fact that the preamps performance is compromised when it has the extra burden of powering a phono stage. Other comments seem to imply that the SuperLine has an even greater power demand from the preamp supply than the Stageline or Prefix did - as such implying that CD performance will suffer even more if the phono stage is left continually plugged in.

Regards
Gregg

Hi,

FYI, I'm of the opinion now that the Hi-Cap is much closer to the 552 output when powering a Superline than I thought back in the early days in March when I was doing listening tests pre my Superline open day. The results gained the other night round at Jon Honeyball's place powering his Superline with a Hi-Cap were shall we say; very eye (ear) opening! I also think that with the 4>5 Hi-Line now available and the fact that the 552 is being relieved of powering the slightly more thirsty Superline (relative to Prefix and Stageline) may well prove to be the tipping point in favour of the Hi-Cap?

I need to do some more listening tests when I am able to do so, but certainly this if it proves to be the case, would make life easier for those owning a 552 and wishing to ensure they get the very best from their systems. As I posted previously, the i-Supply S is a way of keeping the Superline warm, but it would be a whole lot easier if we didn't have to plug in and un-plug each time we wanted to play through our Superlines.

Yes, the Supercap is undoubtedly the best way to power and use a Superline, but a Hi-Cap is proving to be rather better than I'd previously thought overall and certainly more cost-effective initially! So, anyone making the comparison - please post us your findings and I'll do the same when able.

Kind regards,

Peter

Peter

Thanks for the followup. For me this is actually good news. I own a HiCap2 - do not like the idea of continually plugging and unplugging - and do hope that the addition of the 4/5 HiLine levels the playing field a bit. It will also give me some time to recover (Akiva-NAPSA-SuperLine) and savor a bit as I begin saving up for a SuperCap.

Gregg

quote:

Originally posted by glevethan:
Peter

Thanks for the followup. For me this is actually good news. I own a HiCap2 - do not like the idea of continually plugging and unplugging

Gregg

I'm sure this is good news for lots of people and I'm sure there are quite a few unused Hi-Caps about awaiting a new role!

I may not get chance to set up a comparison during next week, however I am taking a short break the following week 27th and 28th and this should give me chance to evaluate and report back with my findings..................

Kind regards,

Peter

In my system 552/Superline vs HC/Superline is no contest. Not sure about HC2 but how many of them come up SH?

552/Prefix is cost effective and equal to/better than HC/Superline in existing analog setups as others have pointed out.

quote:

Originally posted by JeremyB:
In my system 552/Superline vs HC/Superline is no contest. Not sure about HC2 but how many of them come up SH?

Jeremy
I take it to mean you feel that your 552/Superline outperforms the HiCap/SuperLine?

In all fairness I think that an evaluation needs to be done with a HiCap2 as that is the current version of this ps. I also think a further comparison needs to be done by slotting in the new HiLine. Once that is done I am (hoping) that Peters comment will turn out to be true

"I also think that with the 4>5 Hi-Line now available and the fact that the 552 is being relieved of powering the slightly more thirsty Superline (relative to Prefix and Stageline) may well prove to be the tipping point in favour of the Hi-Cap?"

For someone like me, who has available both options, it might be possible to get away with the addition of a HiLine (to my already existing HiCap2) - until the time comes for a SuperCap.

Gregg