Effect of power-line on Supernait 2

Posted by: hifinerdwannabe on 08 September 2016

I have a SU with a power-line which I have just put out for sale and instead I intend to buy a SN2 + a chord DAC (probably a 2qute) and I wonder if I should keep the power-line for the SN2? I have heard that the power-line will be mostly efficient with the scource and not do much for the amplification. Has anyone tried this with the SN2 and is there a significant sq-improvement?

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

Why not keep hold of it until the SN2 arrives and then try it for yourself. It doesn't matter what others think. 

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski

Keep your PowerLine. When I added one to my SN2 it helped it to 'settle down'.

What do you need this Chord thing for...?

 

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

Yes - in my experience PLs have a very positive impact on all Naim components.   

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by hifinerdwannabe
Adam Zielinski posted:

Keep your PowerLine. When I added one to my SN2 it helped it to 'settle down'.

What do you need this Chord thing for...?

 

The plan with the chord 2qute is to connect it through a computer which I use on the side of the su anyways for movies. Hope that this route will be a significant upgrade.

Maybe I should hold on to my su until I have received the other gear so that I can do a direct comparison...

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by Frenchnaim

I've never tried my SN2 without the PowerLine, so can't say whether the improvement is real or imaginary. What I can say is that my PowerLined (and Hi-lined) system sounds extremely coherent - whatever part the PowerLines play (if indeed they do play a part).

Getting a PowerLine gives you peace of mind... you stop worrying whether you ought to get one or not.

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by badlands
Adam Zielinski posted:

Keep your PowerLine. When I added one to my SN2 it helped it to 'settle down'.

 

 

Could you explain what you mean by "settle down"?  I don't want to assume your phrasing , it always gets me in trouble!

Posted on: 08 September 2016 by joerand
Hungryhalibut posted:

Why not keep hold of it until the SN2 arrives and then try it for yourself.

Exactly. Simple enough to do.

I've used my SN2 with its supplied cord (Tibia) and with PL. Definitely prefer the PL. I won't attempt to describe the details; merely a worthy improvement of the overall presentation to my ears. I'd concur with HH - hang on and try your PL on the SN2. Hear for yourself before making what could be a hasty sale of it.

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

This is an interesting thread as it seems to highlight something that is becoming more prevalent on the Forum: an apparent inability of people to have the confidence to make their own decisions. It seems completely obvious that one would hang on to the wire and try it out for oneself, but somehow that's not enough. Everyone so far has said that the Powerline is effective on the Supernait, but what would happen if someone chimes in with a view that it's a waste of time?

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hungryhalibut posted:

This is an interesting thread as it seems to highlight something that is becoming more prevalent on the Forum: an apparent inability of people to have the confidence to make their own decisions. It seems completely obvious that one would hang on to the wire and try it out for oneself, but somehow that's not enough. Everyone so far has said that the Powerline is effective on the Supernait, but what would happen if someone chimes in with a view that it's a waste of time?

HH - I think Sigmund Freud observed it well in his 'Group Psychology and the Analysis of the Ego' - the Herd Instinct

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Mike-B

+1 HH,  keep the wire & try it yourself.   Also I wonder why & where the forum rumours come from.    Typical is the line in the OP,   " ....... should keep the power-line for the SN2? I have heard that the power-line will be mostly efficient with the source and not do much for the amplification. "      Where did that one come from ?  

To stir the pot some more re "....... but what would happen if someone chimes in with a view that it's a waste of time?"    I tried a PowerLine over a 2 week period on my Supernait & NDX (direct & via the PSU),  & although it did make a difference, I could not determine if the difference was actually an improvement over my own cable assemblies.  

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Huge

OK Mr Peckish Piscean, I'll take up the challenge (well sort of, OK more like completely skirt round it)

Mr Wannabe Nerd,
It'll make no difference unless you hear a difference, if you hear a difference, then it makes a difference.  If you don't hear a difference then it's a waste of time and if that's the case or you don't like the difference than you may as well sell it.  Your choice.

In terms of herd instinct, this is a typical Nordic dilemma - a strong community spirit vs great respect for the individual and their independence!

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

I'm glad it's not just me. The Forum seems to be really dumbing down at the moment, with less intelligent debate and more bland question asking. Not just 'do I keep my powerline' but 'what order do I stack my three items in?', 'which nas should I buy?' and so forth. Then you get people asking for advice when they have no intention of following it and have clearly decided what to do in the first place. So you've got people who don't need advice asking for it, and people who would benefit from advice ignoring it. All part of life's rich pageant I suppose, but somewhat tedious. Can people not do some initial research and come to the table with at least some knowledge? You seem to get more of 'I just don't understand this, please help me as you would a five year old?'  You'd think that if people had enough money to buy Naim they'd have at least a modicum of intelligence. 

Anyway, I've got that off my chest, and I'm not applying anything to the OP, but this stuff has become rather irritating lately. Now, should I have a cup of coffee, or a cup of tea? Help!

 

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hifinerdwannabe
Mike-B posted:

+1 HH,  keep the wire & try it yourself.   Also I wonder why & where the forum rumours come from.    Typical is the line in the OP,   " ....... should keep the power-line for the SN2? I have heard that the power-line will be mostly efficient with the source and not do much for the amplification. "      Where did that one come from ?  

To stir the pot some more re "....... but what would happen if someone chimes in with a view that it's a waste of time?"    I tried a PowerLine over a 2 week period on my Supernait & NDX (direct & via the PSU),  & although it did make a difference, I could not determine if the difference was actually an improvement over my own cable assemblies.  

Thanks for your input! It was a naim dealer that I talked to who said that his impression was that the power line was not worth it for the amplification. Of course it makes more sense to try it out myself but I hate to have two, to me, expensive systems since I need the money after I sell teh SU to buy the SN2 + dac. At least I have decided to exchange my PMC 21 to the very old linn kan since I am just as happy, if not more so with the Kans which I think would raise an eyebrow or two among the herd ;-)

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hifinerdwannabe
Huge posted:

OK Mr Peckish Piscean, I'll take up the challenge (well sort of, OK more like completely skirt round it)

Mr Wannabe Nerd,
It'll make no difference unless you hear a difference, if you hear a difference, then it makes a difference.  If you don't hear a difference then it's a waste of time and if that's the case or you don't like the difference than you may as well sell it.  Your choice.

In terms of herd instinct, this is a typical Nordic dilemma - a strong community spirit vs great respect for the individual and their independence!

Thanks for your insight! Iam fully aware of this fact and it is a no brainer if I could afford to buy the SN2 + dac before I have sold off my old system so sometimes it can be good to learn from other peoples experiences, which I think forums are for :-)

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Huge
hifinerdwannabe posted:

...

At least I have decided to exchange my PMC 21 to the very old linn kan since I am just as happy, if not more so with the Kans which I think would raise an eyebrow or two among the herd ;-)

I think I hear the thunderous sound of the heard departing in the opposite direction (I wonder if they're Norwegian reindeer?).  OK, point proven!  

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by rsch

Definetely it' s keeper, like the Hi-Cap it is one of those classics that sooner or later you need again. Later last year i sold the latter and now i regret it.

Regards

Roberto

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski

HH - can you test the tea and coffee and tell us which one you prefer? 

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski
badlands posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:

Keep your PowerLine. When I added one to my SN2 it helped it to 'settle down'.

 

 

Could you explain what you mean by "settle down"?  I don't want to assume your phrasing , it always gets me in trouble!

What I meant is that the sound stage is more grounded, more lower frequencies are pronouced, music seesm to flow rather than just play out of the speakers...

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski
Huge posted:
hifinerdwannabe posted:

...

At least I have decided to exchange my PMC 21 to the very old linn kan since I am just as happy, if not more so with the Kans which I think would raise an eyebrow or two among the herd ;-)

I think I hear the thunderous sound of the heard departing in the opposite direction (I wonder if they're Norwegian reindeer?).  OK, point proven!  

Luckily Slavic sheep cannot run that fast, so I'm still here...

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

Ah, Kans. Marvellous speakers. Though if I had decided on them, I'd be looking at an 82/Hicap/250 olive setup, rather than a Supernait 2. And if the remote wasn't important, a 72 would be a cheaper option. There's a lot to be said for contemporaneous setups, so Supernait/PMCs. 

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hungryhalibut
Adam Zielinski posted:

HH - can you test the tea and coffee and tell us which one you prefer? 

I decided on coffee, as I'm feeling a little tired. I also had some toast, with Frank Coopers original orange marmalade. I hope that meets with your approval. 

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Adam Zielinski
Hungryhalibut posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:

HH - can you test the tea and coffee and tell us which one you prefer? 

I decided on coffee, as I'm feeling a little tired. I also had some toast, with Frank Coopers original orange marmalade. I hope that meets with your approval. 

Certainly! Coffee, toast and orange marmelade - fantastic combination.
I'm more of a Tiptree fan, but Frank Coopers is a close second, especially coarse cut.

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

Tiptree? No, no, no, Frank Cooper's is far nicer. Tiptree is too sweet and bit bland, the Chord Odyssey of marmalade. 

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by Cdb

The beverage question should surely be framed as: I am thinking of having a hot drink - should it be tea or coffee? 

The first reply would undoubtedly be 'hot chocolate' (unstated: 'because that's what I always have').

Clive

Posted on: 09 September 2016 by hungryhalibut

You may be right, but then there are also the cold options - maybe apple juice or elderflower cordial. It's certainly challenging. Just because someone says they want something hot does not mean they are not deluded and really need something cold.