Placing the preamp away from power supply unit?

From my own experience, I find that 6 inches is enough of a separation, as any distance beyond that the flux strength is extremely small.

Ultimately you can try it for yourself and see if you can tell a difference. If you can't, then don't worry about it. Catch you later!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

When I first had a 62, I put both HiCap and preamp next to each other, and found that the music was relatively confused and "papery" until I separated them.

HiCaps seem also to be quite sensitive to what they are put on. I had "tidied" my support arrangements for the HiCap recently, and had noticed no sonic penalties, but was cursing the power company as there seemed to be a lot of "bad power days". Bemoaning this to a friend (Bob A.) he suggested that I put everything back as it was. I did, and the "power" improved. Exactly what I did is not IMHO as important as the fact that it made a difference to how enjoyable the music was, and only the HiCap was involved.

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

So far...

Chris+

Arie

quote:

---

If they are saying that the distance should be 30 C"m, why don't simply folowing this very LOGICAL and not difficult instructions?

---

Yes, to begin with. But what is wrong with trying something different? They also say that you should use naca5(and no other cable) with at least 3.5 metres each side - does that sound logical?

If you find that doing something different does not result in poorer sound or makes a better sound then do it. Manufacturers of all kinds make recommendations about how to use their products - often to minimise the risk of litigation - that is not to say that doing something different will not lead to an increase in performance.

cheers

Nigel

I always think that you and me as customers don't have the tools to check and test situations like Naim do (or for that manner other manufacturer you are dealing with its equipment).

I see it quite strange (to be carefull with words) that even a very knowledgeable person in the area (Mike Hanson for example) actually tells someone - that I think he doesn't know exectly how is systm is sited - to act not as Naim recommends and realy in a very simple manner.
The asme about the 3.5 metters. If Naim would
recommend 20 metters of cable - I agree it stinks and must be questioned - but 3.5 metters - you want to tell me that 1 metter of cable instead will save anyone from something ?
I don't buy it.

Arie

quote:

---

They also say that you should use naca5(and no other cable) with at least 3.5 metres each side - does that sound logical?

---

They say this as the speaker cable is part of the amp design. There is no inductor in the output of the Naim amps and consequently they can go unstable if they are not used with cable that has well defined inductance/capacitance properties.

An example of one very good reason why you should listen to Naim on this one.

Andy

quote:

---

I always think that you and me as customers don't have the tools to check and test situations like Naim do (or for that manner other manufacturer you are dealing with its equipment).

---

We have our ears and that is all the test equipment we need to decide what sounds good.

and:

quote:

---

I see it quite strange (to be carefull with words) that even a very knowledgeable person in the area (Mike Hanson for example) actually tells someone - that I think he doesn't know exectly how is systm is sited - to act not as Naim recommends and realy in a very simple manner.

---

Mike has an opinion, nothing wrong with that - you don't have to agree.

Andy says:

quote:

---

They say this as the speaker cable is part of the amp design... An example of one very good reason why you should listen to Naim on this one.

---

Again, no harm in listening, but there are many people who use other cables and interconnects, without equipment damage, and who prefer the sound they make. As I said before, some manufacturers recommendations are as much to protect them as to ensure your listening pleasure.

cheers

Nigel

quote:

---

From my own experience, I find that 6 inches is enough of a separation, as any distance beyond that the flux strength is extremely small.

---

I find there is a very big gain in moving my preamp as far away from the Hicap as I can, and I have to disagree with Mike here. It took me years to realise this, I always used my preamp on the same shelf as the Hicap, just turning the volume up when the preamp was next to the Hicap produces no hum etc so I assumed it was ok.

I now have my preamp on the top shelf of the rack, then my CD (smaller PSU = less magnetic field), then the Hicap and finally the power amps. The larger the gap, the better the music, simple as that. I plan to eventually get a Reference Table for my CD which would enable a full blank shelf between the pre and PSU. Moving the CD player improves sound from vinyl, so it is too close at present. The most logical method is to use two rack, one for PSU containing things, the other for preamp / crossover CD head unit.

Tony.

Best;

Mark

(an imperfect
forum environment is
better than none)

quote:

---

does it really affect the sound when placing the preamp (in my case a 72) too close to the Hicap.

---

It makes a huge difference.

A couple of points on this.

I only use a SNAPS and when I moved it near my preamp as an experiment the music just died.
Not realising what I'd done, when my wife listened she thought there was something wrong with the system, it was so bad. So, for a long time I stacked the SNAPS on top of the 160, well away from the preamp. Recently, I moved the PS away from the 160 by putting it outside the rack on the floor, the music improved again, although by nowhere near as much this time.

1. In my setup, putting the SNAPS too close to the preamp drops the performance more than removing the power supply from the system completely.

2. I think the PS needs to be as far away from both the Pre and Power amps as the SNAIC will allow.

I'm amazed that you only find a small change so what exactly do you mean by

quote:

---

I just rearranged the Hicap/72 positions in my rack.

---

Brian

[This message was edited by Brian on MONDAY 22 January 2001 at 18:18.]

coming back to your question. I have put the preamp one shelf lower in the rack leaving the PSU where it is. Taking this I will be in trouble to find place for the other equipment. The Hicap just fits so well side by side to the Pre in the shelf.

Chris

I don't really know what to say except that maybe it's still too close to the preamp to bring about the improvement? In my system the improvement is noticeable immediately, it's absolutely not subtle.

Just for an experiment why don't you try locating the hicap outside the rack as I have done. Just put it on the floor and have a listen. I'm not suggesting this is one of those 'leave it for 2 weeks' type of thing. It should be immediate.

In my case, because I decided that even leaving the PS on top of the 160 was no good, I cut a piece of wood a bit larger all round than a half size Naim case, spiked the bottom of the wood, placed it on the floor and now have the SNAPS on that. It's pretty much out of the way and was a really worthwhile improvement as well.

Brian

Arie