Power conditioning for Naim

Posted by: Eric Barry on 06 December 2001

OK, most filters/surge suppressors seem to have a negative effect on Naim. I'm curious about this:
http://www.psaudio.com/products/standardultimateoutlet.asp

which is the Ultimate Outlet from PS Audio. It is a "balun" transformer which is claimed to a)lower source impedance b)provide 40 db of quieting and c)not limit current in any way.

Is this what is usually meant by an "isolation transformer"?

It also claims to have surge supression which is non-detrimental via a "transzorber" which is "a unique device which closely resembles a zener diode clamp". Anyone know if this is BS or could be true?

So--has anyone used this product? Has anyone used an isolation transformer with Naim? Can anyone evaluate their claims scientifically?

Interesting also, they have their own version of the Wiremold power strip (star earthed, no filtering) for $200!

--Eri

Posted on: 06 December 2001 by David Dever

quote:
Interesting also, they have their own version of the Wiremold power strip (star earthed, no filtering) for $200!

The topology of the Wiremold strip, FYI, is buss-type for all three conductors (live, neutral, earth).

Dave Dever, NANA

Posted on: 08 December 2001 by JosephR

I'm using the PS Audio Juice Bar ... Is that what you're referring to as their version of Wiremold Strip ? It does work well for me, wouldn't even think of trying their power conditioners (unless someone here sanctions it) ...

I also experimented with power cables from the wall to the Juice Bar recently. Tried Naim power cord, Beldens, Synergistic Research, Aural Symphonics, computer power cords of different brands ... The PS Audio Mini Lab power cable was clearly the best, IMHO. In my system, it gained more power, and a fuller and richer sound in the midrange, upper and midbass. Strings are a delight as well. The improvements were so obvious and worth the price, there's no turning back - will definitely check out their bigger Lab II. And that's with an adaptor between the wall UK plug and the Minilab ! Now going to replace the wall plug with a Power Port plug (US), and hope to get a dedicated line in the process ...

BTW, I tried a Chang Lightspeed once, supposedly transformless so it won't inhibit power, and the NAP 135's wouldn't play any music, just noise !
Also tried the Power Pack IIP on the preamp, it's quiet, but a bit colored and dull. From then on, no more conditioners, it's just that old habits before getting into Naim were hard to ignore ...

Posted on: 08 December 2001 by Eric Barry

"wouldn't even think of trying their power conditioners (unless someone here sanctions it"

Won't happen unless someone here tries it.

If someone with a technical background could at least evaluate their claims, that would be a start.

--Eric

Posted on: 08 December 2001 by Mark Dunn

Eric wrote:

>"wouldn't even think of trying their power
>conditioners (unless someone here sanctions it"

>Won't happen unless someone here tries it.

GRRRrrrr....

Please search for my recent posts.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 10 December 2001 by JosephR

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dunn:

GRRRrrrr....
Please search for my recent posts.
Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Thanks, Mark, good discussion with differing views on the PS Audio 600. I think I will skip it, though.

First of all, it's expensive, I could buy another Supercap with that money for future active speakers.

Second, I tend to agree with Dave Denver. It may not have enough power (even if I know someone using 1000 watts of McIntosh gear into it) especially for us who play up to 3 to 4 o'clock on the volume knob with heavy metal (vinyl, 0.22 to 0.25 mv carts). And if not enough power, sound's gonna get screwed up for sure. Even with the higher model ...

It may work with your system maybe because your city just has inherently bad mains ? BTW, heard one guy mention that the McIntosh setup was so bright - so it may not be a good thing after all here in this city ...

Posted on: 10 December 2001 by Mark Dunn

Hi JosephR:

Re:

>Second, I tend to agree with Dave Denver. It may >not have enough power (even if I know someone
>using 1000 watts of McIntosh gear into it)
>especially for us who play up to 3 to 4 o'clock
>on the volume knob with heavy metal (vinyl, 0.22 >to 0.25 mv carts). And if not enough power,
>sound's gonna get screwed up for sure.

Dynavector XV-1, 0.3mV into 'S' boards, Warren Zevon, The Knack, The Vapors and The Rezillos at 3:30. No problems ;-)

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 10 December 2001 by Eric Barry

What if you just hooked everything BUT the amp to the Power Plant. Then you are well below the rating of the unit. Does that still screw things up, David? What else is going on besides the the power rating?

And about the balun, does anyone have any answers? I noticed one person on the PS Audio forum said it softened the sound, and Paul M. the designer/owner said don't daisy-chain them because it will soften the sound too much. Does that mean it will hurt dynamics even used as intended?

--Eric

Posted on: 10 December 2001 by JosephR

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dunn:
Dynavector XV-1, 0.3mV into 'S' boards, Warren Zevon, The Knack, The Vapors and The Rezillos at 3:30. No problems ;-)

Hi, Mark, ok, so you find it fine ... we'll see ... thanks for your feedback anyway ...

An on playing loud, it is the mark of a great system to do so with finesse and without pain, Naim being one of the best at it - unless screwed up. With other non-Naim systems or messed up Naims (especially on the wrong popular platform), the music crumbles or induces pain as the volume is raised ...

[This message was edited by JosephR on TUESDAY 11 December 2001 at 13:30.]

Posted on: 18 April 2002 by kentonious

I know this is an older post, but I've only had my CD5 for about 3 months...when I was breaking it in, I had it with the Ultimate Outlet and thought the sound was worsened with it. However, now that the CD5 is broken in and I have
added a flatcap2, the sound generally is better
with the Ultimate Outlet, mainly in helping
to remove some of that upper midrange glare on
some not so well recorded pieces; you might
wonder if some of the detail is missing, but
it is very so slight if at all.