Naim Superline/ Supercap Olive VS Rega IOS Reference

Hello Khan,

A little while ago, I auditioned a Superline in my system with various combinations of power supply.  There is a thread about this from circa a year ago.

The Superline really came into its own when powered by a Supercap DR.  When so powered, it was remarkable.

When powered by my (serviced) olive supercap, or directly off my 52/olive supercap, it was somewhat less impressive.

In part, this indicated how good the SC-DR really is.  However, the SL +SC-DR are a much more expensive combination than a Rega IOS.  If you are looking at spending £5-7k on a phono stage, then it would also be worth auditioning the new Whest PS.40 stages, as well as others from Moon, Allnic etc. to hear which floats your boat.  One thing is certain: they do sound different!

Happy auditioning, FT

Guess if you're using Rega's own Apheta cart with the RP10, it should be the best match for your front end given that they're from the same company and developed with each in mind. Only one way to find out if a demo is possible. If not, i'd play it safe and  go with the Rega Ref IOS. 

I'm using the previous IOS which sold for £1500 v the Ref £4000. I've seen internal pics that didn't show a great deal of difference in components but obviously the ref IOS has the much better casing and other circuitry bits that aren't in the regular IOS (since discontinued). 

Hi,

thanks for your replies. How much of a difference was there between the olive sc and the dr with the superline. Its interesting because I do not even mind the original iOS if I am getting most of the performance of the revised version for a fraction of the cost.

Can I throw a curve ball?

Have you tried Rega's Aria? It' optimised for use with an Apheta. 

I use RP10/Apheta/Aria and LP12/Radikal/Urika and they are of course different but performance-wise match each other. 

Another benefit - a visual aspect. Rega Aria is housed in the same enclosure as RP10's power supply. That should also count for something

I would have considered the Aria, especially considering the price difference. However, My aim is to get the best possible sound that I can just about afford so I think I should be able to stretch further than the aria. No disrespect as I haven't heard any. I'm going on price alone so forgive me. 

Well - sounds like a demo coming up I have not heard the iOS so cannot advise on its performance.

Once you have heard iOS vs Aria please let me know - would be most interested to hear your finding.

Have no Superline experience.

I've heard RP8/ Apheta into Rega IOS Reference at my dealers. Sweet. A perfect demonstration of cartridge/ phonostage synergy, since the RP8 didn't sound nearly as good into other (admittedly far cheaper) stages such as DV P75 or Stageline S. Imo.

Chris

RP10/Apheta/Aria is a cracking combination and one which I felt was street ahead compared to running the RP10 into a prefix powered off a 552. There is real synergy and value in the Rega combination.

I have also preferred the Rega combo to a LP12Ekos SE/Radikal/Urika, but would stress that this was preference ...others there felt differently, happily including the Linn's owner!

Hi Khan,

Is it correct that you want (or already have) an Apheta? If so, I'd concur that the Aria is the way to go. Then take what you would have spent on a Superline or an Ios and look at getting a 52 or 252.

All best,

Joe

Yes, I have the Apheta 2 cartridge that came bundled with the RP10. So what I am gathering is the Rega synergy will most likely be the way to go. If anyone has done any comparison between the superline and other phono stages your input will be appreciated. 

I'd say the Naim synergy trumps the Rega synergy.

Generalising somewhat:

Naim source into Naim

Naim source into Rega, wonderful.

Rega source into Rega, likewise.

Rega source into Naim doesn't quite hit the spot.

All the above is mainly based on their digital sources, I've not heard and IOS into a Naim system, it's great ino an Osiris and my superline into my (recently replaced) 282's powered AUX2, into my powered 552's input and powered by a supercap were all very rewarding  with big jumps in resolution along the way. The only combination I didn't like was powering it directly from a Hicap but I didn't experiment with rack positioning in that instance.

Naim is more leading edge timing, rega slightly more relaxed. you can't regain the leading edge information once it's lost.

Have you plans for a preamp upgrade? A 52 wouldn't need a separate supercap for the superline, nor would 282, 252 or 552, though having just recycled my supercap onto the superline it is a nice improvement over straight off the 552 (only with the Burndy though, I prefered direct to using the SC via a Snaic).

I would say it's a bit strange to make such a statement not having heard a Rega turntable via NAIM...

I should get a demo if I were you.

yeti42 posted:

I should get a demo if I were you.

I do have both Linn LP12 and Rega RP10 and I know what they are both capable of, with their own phonostages and with Naim's.

Chose Rega and Linn for a reason.

I have owned Rega amplifiers in the past so I am aware of the differences in sound between Rega and Naim. Both have their merits. Now as I have always used computer as a source I'm completely new to this analogue setup. 

So far the RP10/Apheta 2 has not even come close to my computer based system. I can only put that down to the basic phono stage that I have in the NAC 82. I am under the impression that even a Rega Aria will do  very well but as I went all out on the turntable I hope to purchase a one time solution so I can spend on building a record collection without worrying about upgrading my setup. If the Aria gets close to the performance of say an iOS I will surely consider it. I need to arrange a demo. 

Khan,

Having done a quick 'net search, there doesn't really appear to be anyone who has published their comparisons between the Aria and iOS, using a Rega RP10/Apheta 2 combo. So i'd say once you've done the demo, relaying your impressions would be very helpful for the HiFi community!

Regards

Aric

Adam, I wasn't talking to you.

Adam, 

can you elaborate on what you meant by what both the Rega and Linn are capable of with their respective turntables  

Hi Khan

For what little my advice is worth, in your position I would just buy a Rega Aria to go with your RP10/Alpheta 2 and be very, very happy.  It's a wonderful, music making combination.  Really it is.  And I say that after hearing exactly this combination on several occasions.

By all means look at £2,500-£7,000 phono stages if you like.  Arranging back-to-back demos is surprisingly difficult and then the differences can be swung for or against a particular stage on the precise loading settings that have been used and how well they match with a particular cartridge.  There does appear to be some form of cartridge-phono stage matching wizardry that takes place (or not if you get it wrong).  A DV moving coil cartridge with a DV phono stage such as the humble P75 exhibits real synergy, as do Rega cartridges with the Aria, or Linn cartridges with the Ulrika.

If you intend to go down the multi-stage auditioning route, then please do share your impressions, as I would be most interested to learn how you get on.  However, I would not be surprised if you end up with a Rega phono stage!

Do keep us posted.

Best regards, FT

I completely understand what your saying 'Foot tapper'. It is proving to be difficult to arrange a demo for such high end phono stages. Also I guess the Aria will be designed to work well with tha Aria. 

Ill keep an eye out for an iOS just in hope but I think I might just start putting money together for an Aria then. 

Khan posted:

Adam, 

can you elaborate on what you meant by what both the Rega and Linn are capable of with their respective turntables  

 

Let's put it this way - I am priveledged to be able to own two great turntables.

I chose Linn for its amazing fluidity and how smooth it sounds (just don't mistake smooth for lack of rythym or beat - it has it in spades). It just sounds organic.

Rega was chosen because it's different to Linn - it's fast, detailed and also very engaging.

I decided that an own phonostage was the best synergy, so ended up with a Urika for Linn and Aria for RP10.

Of course the ulitmate quesiton is - which turntabel do I prefer. It's like asking a parent - which of the two children do you love more? Having written that, if I really, really had to choose only one - Linn would be the keeper.

Thanks for that. Would you not agree that perhaps a similar priced phono such as the Rega iOS will perhaps produce similar results in terms of fluidity. I only say that as the urika is twice the price of the aria. 

Khan posted:

Thanks for that. Would you not agree that perhaps a similar priced phono such as the Rega iOS will perhaps produce similar results in terms of fluidity. I only say that as the urika is twice the price of the aria. 

My whole LP 12 was at least twice the price of RP10. But....
One cannot simply look at the price. Performance, irrespective of the cost, is far more important.

I would say that RP10 / Apheta / Aria is on par with my LP12. They just sound a little different. And that's what I wanted. Not better, not worse, just different.

RP10 is a modern deck and it sounds it.