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.
i seem to recall that Norman @UHES mentioning that things would take a very significant notch for the better around this time?? could that be part of the explanation?
not that you really care, anyhow.
So, just
enjoy!!
ken
The Uhes improvement was noted after five months. If Gary's and my S1 follow the same path, neither of us have reached that point yet. I think Gary is at 2 months and I'm at nearly 3.5.
... then i fear we will have run out of superlatives by the time the "5-month effect" kicks in... 
did the switch have the same effect in your system Graham?
enjoy...
ken
Haven't done it yet Ken. I'll have to remove the top two Fraim shelves from my right hand rack to be able to access it. Not hugely difficult but just haven't had the time so far.
Hi Graham
No need to do so your NAC-S1 when installed was set to din out only, so the switch is already in the correct position, just the way we roll 
Warmest regards
Norman
Partner - UHES
Ah, good to know!
I had thought of asking whether Ian had done this but thought that it was such a minor detail amongst the many installs I expect you have done since May that you'd likely not recall.
So I was wrong on that one then.
i seem to recall that Norman @UHES mentioning that things would take a very significant notch for the better around this time?? could that be part of the explanation?
not that you really care, anyhow.
So, just
enjoy!!
ken
The Uhes improvement was noted after five months. If Gary's and my S1 follow the same path, neither of us have reached that point yet. I think Gary is at 2 months and I'm at nearly 3.5.
... then i fear we will have run out of superlatives by the time the "5-month effect" kicks in...
did the switch have the same effect in your system Graham?
enjoy...
ken
Haven't done it yet Ken. I'll have to remove the top two Fraim shelves from my right hand rack to be able to access it. Not hugely difficult but just haven't had the time so far.
Hi Graham
No need to do so your NAC-S1 when installed was set to din out only, so the switch is already in the correct position, just the way we roll
Warmest regards
Norman
Partner - UHES
Ah, good to know!
I had thought of asking whether Ian had done this but thought that it was such a minor detail amongst the many installs I expect you have done since May that you'd likely not recall.
So I was wrong on that one then.
interesting ... 
enjoy
ken
I kind of liked finding an upgrade switch. I was not exactly suffering with poor performance before then, so it was all good.
Since Naim themselves installed mine, it must be the intended customer experience path.
...just re-checking manual in case there are more upgrade-switches.
DB.
I kind of liked finding an upgrade switch. I was not exactly suffering with poor performance before then, so it was all good.
Since Naim themselves installed mine, it must be the intended customer experience path.
...just re-checking manual in case there are more upgrade-switches.
DB.
No more upgrade switches on the pre but there's a pair of upgrade connectors. These are the balanced XLR outputs to the NAP S1 monoblocks.. 
So you finally have a set of NAP S1 monoblocks!
So much for the 300DR upgrade!!
DB.
So you finally have a set of NAP S1 monoblocks!
DB.
Err, no....
So you finally have a set of NAP S1 monoblocks!
So much for the 300DR upgrade!!
DB.
Actually there is another SQ upgrade hack:
1) Power down the S1
2) Remove the casing
3) Unscrew the top three PCBs in the top half of the unit
4) On the remaining PCB, locate the surface mount chip in the far right corner (viewed from the front)
5) Tap the top surface smartly with the rounded end of a ball hammer (must be three times, has to be that type of hammer)
6) Assembly is the reverse of disassembly
Let us know how it sounds after you've finished. 
It has indeed opened-out much more as was predicted.
The S1 has now developed a much firmer deeper better-controlled bass, more detail retrieval top to bottom and a beautiful high frequency response. Given where it already was a few months ago it is difficult to really describe. A more confident and sure musical performance.
I now hear so much more on all well-known recordings that I'm still re-calibrating my musical memory of performances I thought I knew. What was indistinct before is now clearly 'there' - better timing on everything, and for me of vocals with respect to the instruments.
I would say I'm happy with how it is all going.
DB.
It has indeed opened-out much more as was predicted.
The S1 has now developed a much firmer deeper better-controlled bass, more detail retrieval top to bottom and a beautiful high frequency response. Given where it already was a few months ago it is difficult to really describe. A more confident and sure musical performance.
I now hear so much more on all well-known recordings that I'm still re-calibrating my musical memory of performances I thought I knew.
I would say I'm happy with how it is all going.
DB.
In case you might be disappointed at some time........, I am happy to take that burden from your shoulders.....
Thanks Dusty, for waking these guys up.
Even thought I’m not in their league there’s always some valuable informations to be had! For example wonky active systems!
Originally post by DB:
Strangely some wonky-active configurations did work well. I tried a 300, 250.2 and 200 in a 3-way active system I had then and it gave a sublime beautiful sound that reminded me of the early 'Naim sound' that works so well when you get it right.
Cdx 2
Hi Cap DR
Nac 282
250.2 - tweeters
200 - Mids
250.2 - Woofers
Briks PMS Tri-Amped
Just put the 282, Hi Cap Dr, and Cdx 2 on a Fraimlite, and wow! Never heard my Briks sing like this, Not even when I was full blown Aktiv with Linn!
Next stop SuperCap DR and Snaxo 362, Burndy!
Thanks guys, enjoy your gear, and if I was in your position I would probably wait for recap service period,before going with DR ed Amps!
Out!
Well done, Graham. I for one will be interested in what you make of the 300DRs. I'm quite tempted by one myself.
Mike
Well, it would be most unlike me if I were to not report on them here 
It has indeed opened-out much more as was predicted.
The S1 has now developed a much firmer deeper better-controlled bass, more detail retrieval top to bottom and a beautiful high frequency response. Given where it already was a few months ago it is difficult to really describe. A more confident and sure musical performance.
I now hear so much more on all well-known recordings that I'm still re-calibrating my musical memory of performances I thought I knew. What was indistinct before is now clearly 'there' - better timing on everything, and for me of vocals with respect to the instruments.
I would say I'm happy with how it is all going.
DB.
Thanks Dusty, for waking these guys up.
Even thought I’m not in their league there’s always some valuable informations to be had! For example wonky active systems!
Originally post by DB:
Strangely some wonky-active configurations did work well. I tried a 300, 250.2 and 200 in a 3-way active system I had then and it gave a sublime beautiful sound that reminded me of the early 'Naim sound' that works so well when you get it right.
Cdx 2
Hi Cap DR
Nac 282
250.2 - tweeters
200 - Mids
250.2 - Woofers
Briks PMS Tri-Amped
Just put the 282, Hi Cap Dr, and Cdx 2 on a Fraimlite, and wow! Never heard my Briks sing like this, Not even when I was full blown Aktiv with Linn!
Next stop SuperCap DR and Snaxo 362, Burndy!
Thanks guys, enjoy your gear, and if I was in your position I would probably wait for recap service period,before going with DR ed Amps!
Out!
Most welcome!
Well, I've gone for it. Have placed an order for three NAP300DRs with UHES. Due to work commitments probably won't be installing them before early November...
Wow, you all have been busy..enjoying your systems. Great to read. Congratulations to Graham. Graham any chance you could post on your thoughts on the 300's DR....wold be very out of character keep them coming whilst I love reading all threads I do enjoy these dream ones the most.
It never seizes to amaze and impress me how you communicate your audio thoughts. Well done guys.