Sound balancing NaitXS fc2x cd5x etc..

Need one correction on above, I mean I guess the cables and speakers are transparent enough using the NaitXS bare...without the FC2x. Will keep the system like this for now I think, sounds very nice for my ears in my room.

Per

Per, I remember trying this when I had CD5, FC2 and Nait XS. I quite liked it but in the end felt that the standard configuration was preferable for me in my room. Plus I didn't have PLs or HL.

I don't think there's any right way of configuring the three boxes, just what's right for you in your space.

Cheers, Chris

Christopher_M posted:

I don't think there's any right way of configuring the three boxes, just what's right for you in your space.

I think Chris is spot on. I had the NaitXS, CD5x, Stageline, (+ Headline) with two FCXS's. I always kept the FC on the NaitXS - a no brainer in my room. Benefits of the FC on the Stageline were marginal, but better. The CD5x was the critical one for me. I preferred the 5x bare, but suspect this was due to listening to a lot of HDCDs. The FC on the 5x was probably better with redbook CDs, but became overbearing with HDCDs. So there's no steadfast answer as to how to configure your FC in your system other than do some trials and trust your ears.

Hi Christoffer and Joerand,

Thanks a lot for your great comments. One of the things that seems to vary is also the CD mastering, some is excellent, some not so good. I tested a few made in Japan (SHM-CD Mark Knopfler) compared with normal ones and one of them is clearly better but the other not, worse. Like you said, a matter of taste, loadspeakers, all cables, room aqoustics, HDCD or redbook, mastering and of course type of music.

One example, yesterday I listened to Katie Melua and it was just a wonderful sound, smooth voice, no harsness at all, very good deep in the bass and nice intrument separation (for my ears...) That is when using the NaitXS bare but CD5x+FC2x with hiline and Power line on all.

Cheers, Per

The flatcaps work half as well when they're being shared - what you're hearing is the cd5x giving it's best - with a powerline and its own flatcap.  I have a 122/150 rather than a nait xs and ended up with the same setup as you (dedicated flatcap).  A 2nd flatcap (for your xs or stageline) is also worth considering (I now have 2).

Thank you, interesting, let´s see what happens when connect the Stageline also. If using 1 pc FC2x shared between CD5x and Stageline, maybe that is beneficial as running one  source at a time (one source kind of "stand by mode) compared with 1 pc FC2x shared between CD5x and NaitXS?

If understanding how this work it is easier to optimize the usage of the boxes...of course by hearing but also reasons behind before investments...

Per

I like the way you've taken it to the max, Per, with PLs and a HL.

Chris

Thank you Chris, it is really nice to improve even with a few "modest" black boxes. If you are interested, I did some more improvements while ago like installed 4x Furutech rodium wall sockets star earth connected, using 2,5m2 copper wire, from the house main fuse panel where I am using a german made "Klangmodul II" with a 16A gold plated fuse. The black boxes stands on 10 mm hardened glas onto steel balls, in a bench furniture. It may not as a Fraim but very less vibrations compare without glass shelves.

Underneath the wooden floor there is cork-rubber mat for dampening purpose, similar material as on the wall-mounted Thorens TD166MKII BC platter. Using Ortofon 2M blue pickup, and Furutech gold connectors to the Stageline. 

Added one 130 cm round carpet that are located about 0,5 m from the speakers to absorb some reflections, work good too. A bit more clean sound.

Now I connected the Power to the Stageline (FC2x to CD5x and Stageline) and could not feel any drop in quality yet. Using the NaitXS bare then. Probably not much extra work for the FC2x to power the Stageline when not playing vinyl and so on, one source at a time for the FC2x. 

Cheers Per

Very nice setup! Think I will try hi-line and more powerlines too at some point

FWIW - based on my experience I don't buy into the "dedicate your FC to one device versus sharing it on two" premise. Having had two FCXS's in one system I had opportunity to use it singularly and shared in various iterations. No difference in SQ I could ever hear. The notion of buying two FC's to singularly power two devices seems a waste of money and space to me. I'd sooner use the FC for dual purpose, as it was designed, and spend on a Hiline or Powerline; both are great additions to the CD5x.

Thank you Joerand. In my case, I think when disconnected the NaitXS from the FC2x it did change the sound a bit from high detailed and a bit forwarded to easier to follow instrument separation, more rounded and relaxed to listen to. As you know already I use hiline (CD5x) and powerline for all boxes so I think the FC2x on the NaitXS was a bit too much for my ears and the room. But FC2x on CD5x with hiline and Power line works very nice for myself. Soon I will get the 4-5 pin Cable for the Stageline, between FC2x and NaitXS.

Per  

Per posted:

Soon I will get the 4-5 pin Cable for the Stageline, between FC2x and NaitXS.

There is a grey and a 'lavender' 4-5 IC available for the FC/Stageline connection. Also a 4-5 Hiline. Here I'd say the lavender is the best VFM. The Hilne provides some sophistication to the vinyl sound while perhaps taking away some of its grit and punch. So many variables to contend with though; room, TT, cart, and ears. Just be advised there's options out there.

Ok, thank´s. I already ordered a black SNAIC 4-5 pin to use between FC2x and NaitXS, for the sound signal. Between the Stageline and FC2x there is already a black SNIAC 5-5 pin that brings both 24 VDC and sound signal. This is according to the manual when using FC2x to Power the Stageline. From this no plan to add a Hilines there, the Hiline I have will stay between CD5x and NaitXS.

Per

Per, just so there's no confusion, the 4-5 is an interconnect, it is lavender/grey in colour.  A black SNAIC 5-4 is very different and quite unsuitable here - it's a fairly rare version of the SNAIC for connecting a dual-rail PSU to an early single rail pre-amp.

Hi Richard, that is right, it is not actually a "SNAIC" but black in my case, ordered one as a try-out from Flashbacksales, the performance style that should be a bit better than lavender but not as Hiline I think.

Will be interesting to see the results but can compare only with Stageline connected to NaitXS as before.

Cheers, Per

I very much doubt it will be as good as the Naim interconnect. 

Don't dismiss the Naim lavender/grey i/c lightly.  It seems to work particularly well with analogue sources - indeed, for analogue I prefer to it the Hiline and a whole raft of very highly priced alternatives.

Oh, and that comparison is not really fair as the Flatcap will confer advantages that no interconnect can emulate.