stacking Naims

Posted by: Franz K on 16 November 2000

I know that I should keep naim pieces with transformers (i.e. poweramp and powersupplys) away from the pre and the CDP. Shelves however are limited. I have a wooden wall mounted three tier shelf ( I could add two more shelves, however the distance of the three current ones is a given) where the kit is arranged "up side down" with the CDX on the lower the PRE in the middle and the 250/Hi on the very top)
I have two options to arrange my kit once a SC and a XPS are added.

1. SC and XPS sitting stacked in the middle shelf (possibly on one soundframe).
THen I would also have to stack the 82 on the (XPS driven) CDX or vice verso (also on one soundframe). that gives from top to bottom 250/Hi- SC/XPS/SF- 82/CDX/SF). The advantage would be that CDX and 82 are in a reasonable distance to the PSUs and that the 82 is not "sandwiched" by PSUs. The downside would be that CDX and 82 would have to be stacked. (I could fit an additional shelf in so that CDX and 82 are separated however then only the CDX or the 82 could sit on a SF).

2. The second option would be CDX and 82 on separate shelves (CDX bottom 82 middle) each sitting on a soundframe with the PSUs coming in between on two new shelves. From top to bottom that would be 250Hi- SC- 82/SF- XPS- CDX/SF. The advantage would be that everything is sitting on a separate shelf and the CDX and the 82 each on a SF. The downside is that the 82 is sandwiched by a SC and a XPS and that the XPS would also come very close to the CDX. (When I make the too new shelves I could "shield" them with a tinfoil, but I have no idea if this aktually has really any beneficial effect).

My questions/guesses are:
1. Its probably ok to stack PSUs (SC and XPS)

2. Its probably better to stack a (XPS driven) CDX and 82 keeping them in a reasonable distance to the PSUs rather than having them on separate shelves sandwiched by PSUs very close bye.

So if option 1 is "better" which is preferable: CDX and 82 stacked together on a single SF or CDX and 82 separate with a SF under the CDX only?

Alternatively if option 2 is better does any body know if and what tinfoil would benefit? What minimal distance should be between the Pre/CDP and the PSUs?

Everybody confused now??
Thanks for all your ideas and comments

Cheers
Franz

Posted on: 17 November 2000 by Franz K

James
Thanks for your response. Floorspace is a major issue, and I have also little kids around. Once we move, and we probably will sooner of later, I sure will invest into a decent floorrack for my kit. As I am living in Austria and Hutter Stuff is more affordable here I will probably get some of their racks.
For the time being, however, I have to compromise.

My original post may sound a little confusing. (I will post a picture of my kit in my profile eventually so the situation becomes clearer)
I just bought a SC and I am planning to get an XPS soon. There will be no problem to fit those on separate shelves.

I am more concerned about the CDP and the Preamp.
Here I have basically two options.
1. To stack the CDX and the 82 sitting together on one soundframe.
Since the CDX will be powered externally from the XPS my guess was that the trafo inside the CDX is silenced and therefore the Pre is not affected by its magnetic fields.
2. Alternatively I could also place them on separate shelves. Then, however I could place only one soundframe underneath the CDX but not under the 82.
So my question is which of those two possibilities is preferable.
(Well, and the third option is just not worry too much and see which way sounds better).

Cheers
Fran