Benefit of Supercap DR on Superline

I can't but Bodger was on here recently saying how good his SuperLine was powered off Aux2 on his NAC552. IIRC his SC was away being DR-ed.

Chris

Thanks Chris.

Gerry,

Julian H on here reckons that he prefers the sound from his Superline when it's powered from a hicap rather than the 552. 

Regards,

Lindsay 

Gerry,

happy to report on this topic. I was using my Superline with a quite tired SC for the last couple of years. Removing the SC to ship back to the UK for service and DR left me with the 552 powered option only. I think my post on this was "Naked Superline" or some such. Actually I was surprised that the SLine coped ok in this configuration. I had never used it in this mode before. It was a pleasant surprise at the time.

My SC came back Monday this week and I had time to connect it before I had to travel for a couple of days. The SCDR is still warming up but the impact it very noticeable. What I previously described as delicacy when powered by the 552 was simply hinted at detail. With the SCDR in place, this detail is fully resolved and front and forward. Having gone SC, then no SC, then SCDR, I have to report that the SCDR is a very significant improvement. Resolution is hugely improved and the frequency range is widened by quite a margin. Low volume listening is also greatly enhanced. I'm sure I will hear more improvements over the next few months. That, or I'll get used to the changes and hanker for a better cartridge.

Others have reported that powering the SLine via 552 degrades other sources. In my case this is my CDS3. I have to say that I noticed this also so the return of the SCDR also improved CD replay. As a new SCDR is more expensive than the phono stage, it could be viewed as an extravagance. My advice is get one if you can. It will get the best out of the Sliine. Luckily I had a SC left over from my 252 when I moved to 552, which I guess is quite common. This actually led me to buy the SLine in the first place. Let us know what route you choose and what your impressions are. There is a very large socket on the back of the SLine just begging to be used. It is there for a reason and it certainly works for me.

I never used the SLine with a Hicap so cannot comment on this configuration.

Dave

I went from powering my Superline with the 552 to a Supercap DR.  The difference is night and day.  The Superline goes from just OK to one of the best in the world.  You will not be disappointed.   

The Superline Supercap DR sounds great at my house.   HIFi Critic reserves its highest rating for the NDS 555PS (300!) but likes the Superline Supercap and Supercap DR as follows.  I don't know Mr. Colloms reputation here, but I have enjoyed his magazine over the years well enough to pay overseas postage to read it:

Naim Prefix mc phono 45

Naim Superline mc phono- Hi-Cap 120

Naim Superlinemc phono Supercap, Supercap DR 145, 190 -

He rates others higher but most much lower.   I have never seen such a broad review of phono stages.  To put the SL/SCDR in context:

See more at: http://www.hificritic.com/prea...sthash.5JjTZ0Fl.dpuf

Thanks everyone for your input, I can no longer resist! The main reason for my hesitation was the fact that I have 2 × 6 shelves of Naim equipment, which is not a problem, but the Supercap would have to sit on top of one shelf which I am not too keen on aesthetically as the cables would be exposed to view. I will see how it looks then possibly assess whether to sell one of the two 300's serving the bass units of the Ovator 600s if the Supecap is transformational. 

Thanks

Gerry

Thanks for the informative posts, and of course the initial question raised by Gerrymcg as this is a question I had wanted to ask also.  Currently LP12/Ittok/Dyna XX2II/Superline/SC(olive). So I extrapolate that going from SC(olive) power to SCDR would be a substantial step.  Unfortunately this upgrade is not readily available at dealers so the insight on the Forum is invaluable. Thanks to all again!

I am not a Superline user - so in some respects completely impartial  

I think that the SupercapDR was a gamechanger on the Superline - so much better than a non-DR Supercap of any description.