Statement has landed
Posted by: Graham Clarke on 09 May 2015
So after three long months of waiting, my Statement preamp finally arrived yesterday. I managed to do pretty well in being patient until we got down to around the last ten days… This was the starting point:
Since my Statement home demo via UHES in January I’ve changed my two main interconnects to Super Lumina ones and have swapped out NAC A5 for Super Lumina, at a somewhat excessive cost, but with brilliant results.
To answer a previous question asked on the Forum regarding how these speaker cables are tuned, it is down to the resistor used. The resistor is soldered across the positive and negative cables and then surrounded in the metal box to protect it. This provides the correct inductance that the power amps require. The tuning is the value of the resistor and the type of resistor used (e.g. RS Components, Farnell etc). Required values were determined for specific lengths via listening and then other lengths were calculated via a computer program.
Anyway, onto the day. The plan was to check the torque settings on the S-600 speakers’ drive unit screws, break down, clean, tighten and reconfigure the Fraim racks, install the six Super Lumina DIN-XLR cables and oh, just add the Statement S-1 pre-amp to the mix, replacing the 552…
To complete this task we had four people. Ian and Norman from UHES of course, plus Jason Gould and Mark Raggett directly from Naim. It’s always enjoyable spending time with Ian and Norman but also getting to spend around four hours with Jason and Mark was the icing on the cake.
Ian first checked the speaker torque settings, which turned out to be fine since their last check nearly two years ago. Given I purchased these as ex-demo speakers from UHES it’s probably no surprise that they had already bedded in and didn’t need further adjustment.
I wish I could say the same about the Fraim racks. These were new a year ago and Ian had told me that I should check the tightness of the spikes after a few months because there is a degree of compression and expansion of the wood from new which will loosen them. Having assumed that they would just be slightly loose combined with a degree of laziness and a manic work schedule I’m afraid I hadn’t bothered. Well, when we broke down the power supply Fraim rack and lifted the base off the carpet, one of the spikes remained embedded in the concrete floor, to my embarrassment! So YES, you really DO need to check these with newly built Fraim racks.
During this time break down time, Jason and Mark had man handled the S-1 flight case out of Mark’s car. At least for the UK, these are delivered direct from the factory to the customer. “Man handled” is the correct term given the 102Kg shipping weight but this was slightly easier than in January as the case now has detachable wheels. Direct delivery is done to ensure that the unit turns up in 100% perfect condition both cosmetically and functionally. This was of course not a problem with mine.
While they were busy doing this, I kept myself busy by taking a look at the long awaited DIN-XLR cables.
Anyone familiar with Powerlines or Hi-Lines will recognise the packaging.
As you can see, both ends use the Air-PLUG technology that the other Super Lumina cables use via a set of interconnecting metal rings. The XLR canons are also metal, unlike the original ones.
Jumping forward slightly, the only glitch of the day was that when installing these cables into my Snaxo BMR, the far end of the Air-PLUG connectors on the top cable touch the one beneath. When the system has bedded in I’ll have to see whether this actually makes an audible difference.
There was another box which was unexpected, this turned out to be the Statement accessory kit, the finish of which was beautiful.
There were three layers to this box with the top containing the manual and a spirit level.
The second layer in mine was empty given I had not purchased the Statement power amps. Apparently I am the first person world wide that Naim have supplied with just the pre-amp, all other purchasers have gone for the complete system.
In the bottom layer of the box were a number of tools
Including some Statement Fraim chips (different from standard ones) and the remote control which is in the bag on the right. This is constructed of metal and is similar in weight and feel to the NARCOM remote.
Given the NARCOM remote is £300, I dread to think how much a replacement one of these would be. I better not lose it down the back of the sofa.
After completing the first Fraim rack, Jason and Mark unpacked the pre-amp.
Given the size, weight and space constraints this does need to be planned! With the protective cover removed it finally appeared for the first time.
Even unpackaged this weighs 60Kg so moving into position isn’t an easy task. This is what it looks like inside to help explain (no, this isn't mine!)
That's a lot of components!
Happily (for me) I left the task of moving to Mark.
No pressure there Mark, I’m sure you loved me taking pictures of you while you were doing this!
We agree not to put it flush up to the racks so that it could be easily cleaned. Getting the position right, ensuring it was absolutely level and parallel with the left hand rack easily took 30 minutes such was the perfectionist nature of Ian and Mark.
Installing the second Fraim was relatively straightforward after this, poor Ian was left to do this while everyone else chatted and watched on. Jason commented that normally with home installs they get involved directly but knew that they could leave this to Ian given his expertise. High praise indeed for UHES.
One added bonus of moving to two racks and separating them slightly is that cable dressing is now much better, with no Burndys touching the wall and all but a few cables off the floor.
Finally, after over four hours of work, everything was set up and listening was about to begin!
By now it was about 6:30PM and we had a dinner reservation for 7:30 as we were all hungry, so we only had limited listening time. I wasn’t too worried about this because the pre-amp is brand new and stone cold, the DIN-XLRs are also new and the rest of the system would have cooled down, so my expectations weren’t too high.
From the first track there was a slight degree of harshness around the sound. This was consistent with the from cold demo in January. High frequencies were also a little tight and I’d say that the pre-amp and system in generally was probably only at around 50% of its full potential. Despite that, some of the greatness from the January demo was already apparent: the super low noise floor (if it was any lower it would be sucking noise out of the room) along with the incredible detail and separation of every instrument being played.
Unfortunately Saturday obligations mean I won’t get to listen further until later in the afternoon, but both main sources have been left active playing into the system and with further warm up I’m expecting a big jump. So you’ll have to wait a while longer for the clichés and superlatives.
More to follow and thanks for reading if you got this far.
No - I preferred the two tier support for 555 head unit. More beautiful lush sound with about twice the audible decay on struck or plucked notes and better vocals. It seemed I was throwing away a lot of what I'd just gained with the S1 Pre with the lower support.
Some compromise in deep bass to get this, but all Fraim configurations appear to be a compromise on what you want to achieve at this level of performance.
I know it is not supposed to make any sonic difference, but it does. 
DB.
No - I preferred the two tier support for 555 head unit. More beautiful lush sound with about twice the audible decay on struck or plucked notes and better vocals. It seemed I was throwing away a lot of what I'd just gained with the S1 Pre with the lower support.
Some compromise in deep bass to get this, but all Fraim configurations appear to be a compromise on what you want to achieve at this level of performance.
I know it is not supposed to make any sonic difference, but it does.
DB.
such dedication!!
could you please show a photo of the whole setup -- i would like to see how you stack your 500s and where the snaxo is. many thanks.
enjoy
ken
Today it is two weeks since the S1 Pre landed in my HiFi. It is sounding wonderful and most of the fine-tuning of my system to reflect the new configuration of boxes with the departure of the 552 has been done.
No obvious run-in negatives yet. But I also have all the SL loom running in as well, so impossible to separate these run-in effects from what may be happening with the S1.
I'm finding myself playing about three times as much music,l several hours a day, than before - some of this may well be the new presentation and exploring my collection anew.
There is a confidence, clarity and tunefulness which is very pleasing and strongly present all the time now. The 552 was good at that, but the S1 allows for greatness in these qualities.
I'm braced to see if I get the same 'three week wobble' next week that Graham experienced.
One other thing I'll say is that the NAP500 has really risen to the challenge with the S1 Pre. I noticed previous to arrival of S1 Pre that the SL interconnects transformed the performance of the NAP500 into a whole different class of amplifier. With the S1 Pre feeding the NAP500 if has not struggled at all with the added dynamics and bass weight and extra refined delicate high frequency rendition - feathering of cymbals and the like are a delight now.
So in effect the NAP500 was the better half of the 552-500 pair, in that it scales effortlessly when demanded. It will be fascinating to eventually hear what the refitted '009' NAP500 does. Although the Statement Mono-block power amps will be in a different musical league to NAP500, the more affordable NAP500 sounds amazing with S1 Pre, especially Active. 
DB.
... the more affordable NAP500 ...
DB.
There's a phrase you don't hear too often!
I know! All relative.
But they are more than five times less expensive than the equivalent Statement amps.
DB.
... the more affordable NAP500 ...
DB.
There's a phrase you don't hear too often!
I know! All relative.
But they are more than five times less expensive than the equivalent Statement amps.
DB.
DB, do you even have room for 6-pack Statement active system. Boy, tha will be something!!! Ultimate system?
enjoy
ken
... the more affordable NAP500 ...
DB.
There's a phrase you don't hear too often!
I know! All relative.
But they are more than five times less expensive than the equivalent Statement amps.
DB.
DB, do you even have room for 6-pack Statement active system. Boy, tha will be something!!! Ultimate system?
enjoy
ken
It can never happen unfortunately. I could stretch to the Statement Pre within what I already had as a system, but any more is well beyond me.
The 552 in my system was hugely enjoyable and it took a lot to displace it. It was only recently serviced and was operating at the best I had ever heard it, but I wanted to hear if the Statement Pre was as good a was being said or being over-hyped. The S1 Pre is that good - I was conviced and purchased it.
The two monoblocks needed for passive even if I traded everything else in to get them are more expensive than I can afford and take me away from Active operation, which I prefer. So the future, for me, will be to enjoy what I have and eventually get my three NAP500 upgraded to the new spec Naim are offering when they need a service. I'm in no hurry for that and it will probably be in a couple or three years.
...also, the three-week run-in dip is beginning I think. Some of the characteristics I heard when I visited Graham to hear his three week old S1 Pre are beginning to appear. It is still immensely more musical than 552, as Graham's was when I heard it, so run-in seems to mainly impact mid-band congestion and bass and HF openness.
But Graham informs me that his S1 Pre has exited that phase and is sounding better than ever, which is good to hear.
No surprise - I hated the new DR 552 when I had it done, it took at least a month before it opened-out and lost a peculiar 'plastic superficial' sound in mid and HF that I disliked. It did not help that nobody else seemed to hear that effect - but I did, and it eventually went away.
DB.
... the more affordable NAP500 ...
DB.
There's a phrase you don't hear too often!
I know! All relative.
But they are more than five times less expensive than the equivalent Statement amps.
DB.
DB, do you even have room for 6-pack Statement active system. Boy, tha will be something!!! Ultimate system?
enjoy
ken
It can never happen unfortunately. I could stretch to the Statement Pre within what I already had as a system, but any more is well beyond me.
The 552 in my system was hugely enjoyable and it took a lot to displace it. It was only recently serviced and was operating at the best I had ever heard it, but I wanted to hear if the Statement Pre was as good a was being said or being over-hyped. The S1 Pre is that good - I was conviced and purchased it.
The two monoblocks needed for passive even if I traded everything else in to get them are more expensive than I can afford and take me away from Active operation, which I prefer. So the future, for me, will be to enjoy what I have and eventually get my three NAP500 upgraded to the new spec Naim are offering when they need a service. I'm in no hurry for that and it will probably be in a couple or three years.
...also, the three-week run-in dip is beginning I think. Some of the characteristics I heard when I visited Graham to hear his three week old S1 Pre are beginning to appear. It is still immensely more musical than 552, as Graham's was when I heard it, so run-in seems to mainly impact mid-band congestion and bass and HF openness.
But Graham informs me that his S1 Pre has exited that phase and is sounding better than ever, which is good to hear.
No surprise - I hated the new DR 552 when I had it done, it took at least a month before it opened-out and lost a peculiar 'plastic superficial' sound in mid and HF that I disliked. It did not help that nobody else seemed to hear that effect - but I did, and it eventually went away.
DB.
Oooh, the run in twilight zone! Will be interesting to see if it follows the same path as mine, if so you have three weeks where it will still sound great but you wish it sounded like it did in the first two weeks! coming out the other side, it is better.
Ok - the third week of run-in is very strange. Too many things are changing to know where it will end-up, but a couple of things:
Low Bass
The Bass performance is getting scary - I mean actual fear! 
I was playing a few CDs I know well and there are beginning to appear dynamics in the low-bass that change the whole character of some songs - at moments I thought my system was about to blow-up, as the sheer dynamic range suddenly appearing where it was not there before had effect on me.
Example: Madonna 'Like a Virgin' Album, nothing particularly special about the album, but I like the enthusiastic way she sang at that stage of her career - but to the point: At the end of the title track there are several bass lines that walk across each other - now they cause a low frequency beat note that is very loud!
Another example: another Madonna Album 'True Blue' has its version of 'Live to Tell' on it. It was playing very emphatically - at the end again there are some low synth notes that were scary - I think it was meant to be there, but it never had that effect before. I don't mean intellectual 'fear' along the lines of 'there is some low bass', but straight to the fear, bypassing intellect which had to struggle to get back into its seat afterwards to make sense of it.
High Frequencies
These had been deliciously smooth and detailed and had a 'body' to them I really like - but they are varying now into ragged and harsh, which I'm hoping is the run-in process.
Normally when I hear HF sound like that it was time to get a box re-capped and serviced!
Since Graham now claims to have weathered this phase in his run-in and to be now enjoying exotic musical pleasures, I await my turn - I hope.
DB.
High Frequencies
These had been deliciously smooth and detailed and had a 'body' to them I really like - but they are varying now into ragged and harsh, which I'm hoping is the run-in process.
Normally when I hear HF sound like that it was time to get a box re-capped and serviced!
Since Graham now claims to have weathered this phase in his run-in and to be now enjoying exotic musical pleasures, I await my turn - I hope.
DB.
hallmarks of a run-in phase i would have thought... hopefully this will be over within a few days and then you will be in audio nirvana!
if you have Madonna's "Frozen", give that a spin -- its got some frightening precussion, even on my humbler system...
enjoy
ken
if you have Madonna's "Frozen", give that a spin -- its got some frightening precussion, even on my humbler system...
enjoy
ken
Yes, I'd agree with that, and on my still humbler system 
Mike
I just had an amazing and spooky session with this lady.
The run-in has moved into a lush open dynamic presentation - I'm enjoying it while it lasts!
The incredible un-fussed, not-overblown dynamic range on this album has amazed me. I'm getting an idea of what is happening and what I'm hearing. The lower bass - and everywhere else, but it is most obvious in lower ranges, has now a huge dynamic range that I'd not heard before.
As if it was compressed before and now the compression is removed and it just surges about the room creating a large acoustic environment - not really a sound stage, because it is like the musical work is just 'there' all about me.
Totally immersive and absorbing - the best it has been to date. Given my previous run-in experience it will go and return a few more times, but great to hear what is possible.
DB.
if you have Madonna's "Frozen", give that a spin -- its got some frightening precussion, even on my humbler system...
enjoy
ken
Yes, I'd agree with that, and on my still humbler system
Mike
enjoy
ken
Ok - the third week of run-in is very strange. Too many things are changing to know where it will end-up, but a couple of things:
Low Bass
The Bass performance is getting scary - I mean actual fear! I was playing a few CDs I know well and there are beginning to appear dynamics in the low-bass that change the whole character of some songs - at moments I thought my system was about to blow-up, as the sheer dynamic range suddenly appearing where it was not there before had effect on me.
Example: Madonna 'Like a Virgin' Album, nothing particularly special about the album, but I like the enthusiastic way she sang at that stage of her career - but to the point: At the end of the title track there are several bass lines that walk across each other - now they cause a low frequency beat note that is very loud!
Another example: another Madonna Album 'True Blue' has its version of 'Live to Tell' on it. It was playing very emphatically - at the end again there are some low synth notes that were scary - I think it was meant to be there, but it never had that effect before. I don't mean intellectual 'fear' along the lines of 'there is some low bass', but straight to the fear, bypassing intellect which had to struggle to get back into its seat afterwards to make sense of it.
High Frequencies
These had been deliciously smooth and detailed and had a 'body' to them I really like - but they are varying now into ragged and harsh, which I'm hoping is the run-in process.
Normally when I hear HF sound like that it was time to get a box re-capped and serviced!
Since Graham now claims to have weathered this phase in his run-in and to be now enjoying exotic musical pleasures, I await my turn - I hope.
DB.
Actually guys (Graham/DB) you haven’t heard anything yet, whilst our Statement NAP-S1 power amps burnt in very promptly (around 2 weeks), hardly surprising given the high levels of current passing through them, the Statement S1 Preamp seemed to engage “after burners” and soar into stratospheric realms at 5 months.
At 5 – 6 weeks the Statement S1 Preamp was exhibiting a very clean pair of heels to the NAC-552/NAPS-552DR, at 5 months the sudden lift in performance was utterly gob-smacking, getting still better with every passing day.
Next week I am looking forward to a home demo with the Statement S1 Preamp into a monster pair of on-board Active loudspeakers, a true test of the balanced outputs in this scenario.
Gary the “wobble period” is relatively short lived and once you are through that it just keeps getting better, but brace yourself for the 5 month lift.
Warmest regards
Norman
Partner - UHES
Good to have that information!
At present stage, at around 3 weeks, the run-in opened-out the sound but also lost some detail compared to before it opened-out. To be clear, the musical detail resolution is still way ahead of the 552, but less than a week ago - but far more open and dynamic - a huge sound.
I quite like the effect, but if more is on the way I'll be pleased!
One thing I've found is that the positioning of the source feeding the Pre is critical to performance - both with respect to the nearest transformers and the Fraim support and damping weights on any open glass shelves. I'm still experimenting here and have made some significant progress.
Essentially put the power supplies at the limit of the Burndy away from Source head unit and place small 'suitable' weights on the open glass shelf fraims.
A bigger adventure than I thought it would be. I thought there was something preventing my Active system really getting into gear, but had no idea that the Pre would make such a fundamental change.
DB.
wow!
With Graham's @ about 2mnths and DB's @ 3 weeks, this implies around October for Graham's and December fo DB's to be a full 'gobsmackers'
Hard to imagine what that means given what i heard 1st time i listened to an S1.
a lot to look foward to guys...!!
enjoy
ken