Powerline upgrades: which box first?

A frequently asked question, Loki, to which the usual response is to buy one PL and then experiment with your won system.

For what's it's worth, the first PL I had went on the Naspc powering the control section of the 282. But then I always ready to try unconventional things. 

And I will always say - have you got dedicated mains? It costs less than a Powerline and makes far more of a difference. Wise man builds his house on rock. 

Oh, sorry for being repetitive! Although the parameters in Asgaard are somewhat different! I have dedicated mains, HH, and yes it was a total revelation! Wise god builds his palace off world 

The flatfish is right but assuming you already have the powerline or the dedicated supply (or can't do the latter) try it on the armageddon, and either hicap, the prefix's probably the better of the two on the whole. I've only heard one on a geddon once  but it seemed worthwhile. On a source it generally benefits coherence, on a pre it tends to benefit resolution and on poweramps, body but experiment.

The Armageddon has a strange sideways socket so I doubt a Powerline, with its fat plug, will fit. 

Dear Aasgardian - source or a HiCap.

They managed it at the launch demo tour on a black one but I've never owned a geddon so can't swear to the details. 

If you run more than one source I'd put it on the HC - that way you spread the love

Hungryhalibut posted:

The Armageddon has a strange sideways socket so I doubt a Powerline, with its fat plug, will fit. 

That's the power out to the LP12! The power in is a standard cord.

The Strat (Fender) posted:

If you run more than one source I'd put it on the HC - that way you spread the love

Well, that was my point, in a way, how does one prioritise? I like the idea of giving everything a lift to begin with. 

strangely, i found powerline on Geddon lifted performance. but i may have just imagined that -- but i dont really care --i am still using it today.

enjoy..

ken

Loki posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

If you run more than one source I'd put it on the HC - that way you spread the love

Well, that was my point, in a way, how does one prioritise? I like the idea of giving everything a lift to begin with. 

PowerLines work best if used on all components. So HiCap, Nap250 + source.

Agreed, Adam, but my point was if I can't (and I can't) afford to do them all at once, which should I prioritise?

Loki posted:

Agreed, Adam, but my point was if I can't (and I can't) afford to do them all at once, which should I prioritise?

 

I would start with your HiLine, as it powers your pre-amp. This is where the sound is 'shaped and defined' to put it in simple terms.

I would also run a second test - on your Nap 250. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

The Armageddon has a strange sideways socket so I doubt a Powerline, with its fat plug, will fit. 

I have been using a Powerline with my 'Geddon no problem.

It was a long time ago that I had an Armageddon. As the Powerline will fit, there are therefore even more options to try out. 

Hi Loki, on my 202 hicap my only Powerline added a more open midrange and treble on my 200 more bass weight never tried on my source components as I have two sources to benefit both the amp is where mine needed to go. 

yeti42 posted:

On a source it generally benefits coherence, on a pre it tends to benefit resolution and on poweramps, body but experiment.

That's my experience too!

is there an argument to say NAP first as it is likely to have the greatest current draw?

Loki posted:

is there an argument to say NAP first as it is likely to have the greatest current draw?

I think we can discuss until we turn all shades of the rainbow in our face (rather than just blue ).

My suggestion Loki is that you just try all the suggested alternatives and pick a component that gave you most pleasure from listening.
It doesn't matter what the theory is - it's your ears, your room, your music that must dictate how you set the equipment up. Don't get too bogged down in technicalities - just enjoy the music.

Loki posted:

is there an argument to say NAP first as it is likely to have the greatest current draw?

No.

MDS and myself have both found the significant benefit a Powerline can bring to a Napsc, which is so lightly loaded I'm not sure it draws a current 

Paul.

Loki - are you still using the megaclamp that is mentioned in your profile? If so, it would be worth trying removing it, as these suppressors tend to suppress the music as well. It may also be worth diverting Powerline money towards new speakers. 

MDS posted:

For what's it's worth, the first PL I had went on the Naspc powering the control section of the 282. But then I always ready to try unconventional things. 

Others have tried, and suggested, this: but considering that the purpose of the NAPSC is (or so I believed) to isolate the display and logic card's power supply from the audio circuit as much as possible, a PL's influence on sound, used on the NAPSC, is still something bordering on miracle for me...

Hungryhalibut posted:

Loki - are you still using the megaclamp that is mentioned in your profile? If so, it would be worth trying removing it, as these suppressors tend to suppress the music as well. It may also be worth diverting Powerline money towards new speakers. 

Indeed I am; out of necessity to protect the system from large spikes (something to do with Thor banging around on BiFrost). However, as I have chronicled elsewhere, the effects were immediate and pleasing! But I am certainly open to a bit of experimentation. It's just good to hear how others have fared.

The Keilidhs are doing tremendously well: the 250.2 has been a real revelation, bringing control and scale so that where I thought they were a weak spot, they have now grown in my estimation. 

Loki,  please don't kid yourself that a little MegaClamp will protect against Thors storm spikes,  nothing will.  However if you think it improves the SQ,  thats something else.    Personally I found they had a negative effect on my system - which was mostly Audiolab at the time - & I returned them back to RA.   However I do still have one of the RA "Silencers" on my UPS powered SMPS powerstrip in the hope that it might help kill some switching mush.