Stageline Questions/Martin Payne

Posted by: Mark Dunn on 29 September 2002

Hi all:

The front end of my system is Armageddon/LP12/ARO/DV XV-1/102 ('S' boards)/Hi-Cap/NAPSC.

I'm vinyl only and the next upgrade step will likely be an external phono stage with the Stageline and Prefix as obvious choices. The thing is that prior to the new preamp range, which does not have internal phono capability, the Stageline was looked upon as a 'poor man's Prefix'. However, the Stageline is now the only option from Naim for a non LP12 system (excepting hack & weld modifications to other TTs), so what has changed?

Questions:

1. Is the new style stageline improved over the old? If yes, how?

2. At what level of *cap (if any) will the Stageline outperform the internal boards in my 102?

I think Martin Payne has a Stageline in his system which is far bigger than mine. What's your feeling Martin?

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 29 September 2002 by Bob Shedlock

I don't know who looked upon the stageline as a "poor man's prefix", but I and others have run them with different power supplies to great results. As stated in an earlier thread, one naim dealer feels the stageline w/outboard powersupply out performs the internal boards in the 52.

Posted on: 29 September 2002 by Mark Dunn

Hi Bob:

Thanks for the reply. Can you tell me what your system is, specifically regarding the front end and preamp?

Also, the I used the phrase "poor man's Prefix" because several people have told me that getting rid of the arm lead brings big benefits that the pre-preamp alone cannot achieve.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

Posted on: 29 September 2002 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Mark Dunn:
I think Martin Payne has a Stageline in his system which is far bigger than mine. What's your feeling Martin?

Mark,

I run the Stage directly off the 52.

My deck sounds better than directly off the 52 boards (same boards as 102, but powered from 52PS rather than HiCap).

However, it's well worth reporting that I bought the Stage specifically because putting the LP12 close to my amps made them sound noticeably worse.

With the greater distance of arm-lead + SNAIC my CDs sound better, too.

cheers, Martin

The HiCap is a big upgrade for the Stage, too!

Posted on: 30 September 2002 by Mark Dunn

Thanks Martin:

My local dealer doesn't 'do' psu's (basic 5 series only) so I'll see what I can set up on one of my voyages around the southern U.S.

Best Regards,
Mark DunnT

Posted on: 30 September 2002 by Bob Shedlock

Mark - presently running stageline/FC2 with 82/hi, and have used it with nait 5, and 112/150 and 112/hi. I've used two different clearaudios, two goldrings and a P9 and P3.
The darn thing is location sensitive too! Looking to put a hi on the stageline when I can find one.
And yes, Fiddler on the roof ---

Posted on: 01 October 2002 by Edot

Bob,

Are you using a moving coil model?
Any problems with RFI?

It's interesting that Listener Mag. was going to include the Stageline in a showdown but both testers experienced so much RFI that it was left out.

Posted on: 01 October 2002 by Bob Shedlock

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION -
Using a moving coil version, but I was refering to where I situate it v other components. I have no rfi difficulties, but if it was going to be used in a metro area, there could be problems. I live in the suburbs.

Posted on: 01 October 2002 by Rob Doorack

As I noted in the article in Listener my co-author Professor Bailey and I both live within a couple of miles of several TV and radio broadcasting towers. A local audiophile once described the area as "RFI hell". For what it's worth it should be noted that the CJ EV1 had some interference problems too. The moving magnet Stageline hasn't been affected by the RFI and I bought one.