Phonostage options

Hi as you already have a spare HiCap then adding a Stageline seems like a very sensible option and of course as with all Naim equipment if you buy a used unit for a sensible price you will not lose money reselling if that combination isn't for you.

Thanks for your swift reply, Bob. Yes I'm tending towards this option as well and I could get a K unit which is a closer match to my cartridge (AT33PMG).

Thanks again.

I’ve always found the Stageline underwhelming. Since you have an LP12 you could look out for a Prefix, which fits inside the plinth. 

Hmm, decisions, decisions. It's a pity Naim have discontinued the Prefix because this would be a neat solution. At the same time I will be getting a T Kable for the LP12 so fitting a Prefix could be done at the same time.

If you are seriously considering a Prefix, the Linn T- cable would no longer be needed.    You may however, need to have an experienced Naim dealer install this on your LP 12 as some customization of the Pre-fix cable which links the phono stage to the tonearm may be needed.    Same as with a Linn Urika, the normal tone arm cables are replaced by special cables inside the body of the LP 12.

Bruce

You would be miles ahead with the Superline.   Particularly with a HiCap already.

The Prefix is excellent, a nice step up from the Stageline, and still something of a bargain secondhand. AFAIK, Naim can still configure a secondhand Prefix to whatever you need (S, K, or E/R) and also should be able to fit the required SME DIN-R for use with a Linn or similar tonearm.  No more need for any expensive tonearm lead upgrades either, which is nice too.

However, as Skip states above, a Superline is another step up again, albeit at greater cost..

Many thanks for all of your replies, and I can see that a Superline/Prefix is the best option.

Unfortunately, however, budgetary constraints, together with space availability on my rack, dictate that I will be going with a Stageline.

I will be visiting Ceritech in the Forest of Dean to pick up a new one in early May.

John

Remember that a used Prefix will cost no more than a new Stageline, and takes up no space on the rack whatsoever. As you have until May, why not call a few dealers and see if they have one. Tom Tom would be a good place to start. It’s much better than a Stageline. 

Johnboy,

my 2 cents. In less than 8 replies, you have changed your mind from buying a Stageline to buying a Prefix or a Superline on the simple grounds of other members' opinions who doesn't know anything about your setup (safe that if you bought a Superline it would be overkill on the 272's preamp, but this has been – strangely enough – omitted by all), and without having heard any of the options personally.

If I say that I am with Bob the Builder someone may think it's because I have just bought a Stageline, but it's a matter of sensibility instead. I begin to have a strange feeling that some posts are formulated so as to hopefully receive a given response by given members, then follow the suggestion blindly, with no further investigation. You 'tended' towards the Stageline option 21 hours ago, but in a matter of minutes (less than 60, apparently) you were tending towards the Prefix, then the Superline. If I decided to tell you that I, or for that Stereophile reviewers, find the Superline a little clinical and very assertive, would you make something of this or your mind has been already made up? By yourself?

Best wishes

Max

Max,

I think i should respond here as I was one who recommended a Prefix.  I think the Stageline is just fine, but to be fair I think I should explain my reasoning behind preferring a Prefix in this scenario.  It's not just that I consider the Prefix superior to the Stageline, it's also a question of space here.  Johnboy says the Stageline should "just about fit in to my rack alongside the Lingo 1 and the HiCap". That seems on the face of it be fine - Stageline fits in the space, so why consider any other option?  Except..  Squeezing a Stageline in so it rubs shoulders with both a Lingo PSU and a Hicap PSU is possibly placing it in the worst possible position, with possible noise issues and/or performance suffering as a consequence.  The Prefix ticks the space box (Johnboy has an LP12 and an off board PSU, so the Prefix is ideal) and comes with a useful performance hike - the more so since it will be better positioned.

I can vouch the recommendation for a Prefix in this scenario.

As long as his TT is as good as to justify the expense ,a  qualified technician to fit it and as anticipated a major expense (serviced ones seem to fetch a lot ).

Hungryhalibut posted:

I’ve always found the Stageline underwhelming. Since you have an LP12 you could look out for a Prefix, which fits inside the plinth. 

I didn’t I thought it excellent.  And real VFM.  

Richard,

I have never heard the Prefix but I have always read excellent things on it. So I have no doubts about its quality. My 'attitude' was more addressing the ease with which the OP was ready to change his mind. In his position (you know I am a specialist in sticking my nose in others' business) I would have answered: Thanks for the suggestions, I'll do some research (which usually means nothing).

In turn, I thank you for your useful explanation. Anyway, now that I have a Stageline (of which I am happy so far), I get some fun in promoting it, just so, to enjoy 5 minutes of good mood.

Max 

Blimey I'd sell your vinyl rig and buy a ps555 for that 272.

All joking aside Richard is right squeezing that stageline in amongst those psu's is a bad idea JOHNBOY. If you want to stick with Naim and dont want to spend out on Superline then the Prefix is the way to go.

I love the Stageline because it has the green dot.

worth every penny.

i agree with HH that the Stageline is underwhelming -- and i feel at liberty to say so because i've had four of them! (a bit like Max and his Supernaits, if only quantitively... and true to form, i still have a Stageline packed up in the closet somewhere.)

the best performance i've gotten from the Stageline was in using it as a tone control for taming bright cartridges. since the Audio-Technicas are said to tend toward the bright end of the spectrum, perhaps the Stageline wouldn't be a bad choice here.

but has anyone on here used a non-Naim stage that's had some synergy with the AT 33 series? to the OP, synergy between tonearm and cartridge and phono stage is critical -- rather than getting stuck on a particular brand of phono stage, i'd suggest that you seek opinions on what's generally regarded to work best with the AT, regardless of who makes the stage. (and it'd also be helpful to know what tonearm you're using, so folks can weigh in on the tonearm/cartridge match you've got cookin'.)

No but I used an ATOC9 Mk 1 with a Trichord Dino/NCPSU and sounded great on very clean records.

Hi Johnboy,

lots of advice given above already. Just to add that I am a fan of the Stageline powered by my 252. It will be the next thing to upgrade in my system but I expect to live happily with it for some time.

There may be a glut of Urika’s on the secondhand market as Linnies move to the Urika 2. Something I might keep an eye on myself...

Stu

Richard,

perhaps this would be the right occasion to explain – at least to me, please – the relation between a Stageline and what stage of the pre or power section or an integrated feeds the 24V to it with or without an external *cap. I am interested in the thing, so who is not please skip this track. Is it the quality of the preamp section that defines the performance of the SL, or does it receive better V directly if a *cap is used? Given my modest knowledge of Naim's topologies, I believe that even if you add a HiCap to a pre or a SN, the Stageline is still powered by the single rail that the main transformer and its secondary PSU(s) feed it. Am I wrong?

Thanks,

Max 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I’ve always found the Stageline underwhelming. 

I didn’t, I thought it excellent.  And real VFM.  

Just to take sides and feed the polemic a little, I've taken the liberty to add a comma, which adds just the right amount of grit.

M

Max, a good question.  And one that's not so easy to answer - when you add a better PSU what proportion of the performance lift is down to that of the AUX2 attached phono stage? As to the question of power rails, probably best answered by someone with more technical knowledge than me (try emailing Steve Hopkins who can ask R&D), although I recall that Adam had a stab at it a few days back on another thread.

joe9407 posted:

 

but has anyone on here used a non-Naim stage that's had some synergy with the AT 33 series? to the OP, synergy between tonearm and cartridge and phono stage is critical -- rather than getting stuck on a particular brand of phono stage, i'd suggest that you seek opinions on what's generally regarded to work best with the AT, regardless of who makes the stage. (and it'd also be helpful to know what tonearm you're using, so folks can weigh in on the tonearm/cartridge match you've got cookin'.)

Oh yes...

EAR834P - it's nearly 30 years old, went back to EAR last year for a service, just one valve that had gone noisy replaced. 

Over the years it has been used with many brands and variations, AT being the most numerous. There are just two that I have not enjoyed, Dynavector as a brand seem to lack any synergy and I have always failed to understand why the OC9 is recommended, I find it bright, sharp. Too much "hey, look at me". The 33EV a totally different animal. Engaging, musical, just lets me listen.l