Moved from DV75MkIII to Superline. First impressions.

Posted by: Marksnaim on 23 January 2017

Having just returned from my dealer cutching a 453R plug I was finally able to try out the Superline that arrived last Thursday. It's been powered up waiting for the plug since then.

I started by listening to the first three tracks of Joni Mitchells Night Ride Home just to set the baseline then swapped over to the Superline which is being powered off the 282 Aux 2 socket. After a bit a faffing around with the remote to disable the Phono Aux2 and switch over to powered din, sound finally emerged.

From a HiFi perspective boxes are ticked already, deeper and yet better defined and controlled bass. Greater clarity and seperation between instruments. Musically however it really starts to get ineresting. I was only going to listen to the same three tracks then move  on to some newly purchased albums. However I'm so captivated by these tracks, that I have heard countless times before, that I'm reluctant to take the album off. THe lyrics seem much easier to follow too, or maybe I'm imagining things now. Definitey hearing things in the mix and shapes of instrument sounds that I've never been aware of before. Drums especially sound much more realistic with a really enhanced sense of how the sound develops in the body of the instrument. Timing feels more precise too with better sense of rythm. The interplay between instruments has taken on a whole new meaning but at the same time it's so much easier to follow what each instrument individually is doing.

I'd hoped the Superline would be better than the DV75pMkIII given the price difference (new prices that is, my Superline wasn't new) but it's so much better (to my ears and after only one album) that I'd not have been disappointed if I had paid full price. Stunning piece of kit. Thanks again Naim.

Now to dig out the old Hicap2 from my Dads house and try that out on it. No hurry though. Very happy at the moment.

Posted on: 23 January 2017 by The Strat (Fender)

Mark,

i think my SL is superb but just wait until you give it it's own HC. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 23 January 2017 by Zipperheadbanjo
The Strat (Fender) posted:

Mark,

i think my SL is superb but just wait until you give it it's own HC. 

Regards,

Lindsay

+1... An external ps makes will take this to another level altogether.

Posted on: 23 January 2017 by Ravenswood10

Running mine with a hicap DR. Very nice with the Z foil plugs and still wondering what it sounds like with a Supercap DR. One day perhaps!

Posted on: 04 February 2017 by Marksnaim

Plugged the HiCap2 in today having finally sourced a Snaic 4/5 pin. Forgot about that when I brought the HC home last week. Straight away it's a nother leap in performance as had been suggested. The Snaic is new so maybe a bit of run in time required? Supercap DR next year if the money fairy is kind to me.

Posted on: 04 February 2017 by Briz Vegas

Depressing isn't it.   Better sounding gear is great, but getting no improvement is better because the money stays in your pocket. :-)

 

Posted on: 04 February 2017 by Marksnaim

True. But you can't take it with you and I don't get much lasting pleasure looking at my bank statements even when they're in the black.