is there a new and improved StageLine?

I feel your pain AV ....  A Statement level phono pre would be awesome !

I agree with your characterization of the Stageline... outdated and uninspired imo.

ATB,

Mark

You could always add a Hi Cap to the StageLine.

I doubt, sadly, that we will see anymore analogue developments from Naim.  On the one level a shame as so many users are clearly vinyl users but the Company have understandably chosen their path of development.   And in any event there are a myriad of alternative analogue brands out there.   Worth remembering that if Linn are chosen as an alternative their method is now to convert the analogue signal to digital at the pre stage.  

As to the Stageline S running straight off my 282 I thought it excellent for the relatively minimum outlay.   The Superlinee of course is a paradigm shift.

Regards,

Lindsay

hi fi fo fum posted:

You could always add a Hi Cap to the StageLine.

The HC'd Stageline is probably the bridge between a Aux2-powered Stageline and a move to a Superline, but it's big money to HC a Stageline. I think the Stageline via Aux2 is good value for MM cart decks and you "retain" the Naim sound. Pay to HC a Stageline? Really not cost effective in my experience. There are cheaper phono stage options from other makers that will provide more air and soundstage for far less cost than adding a HC. Then again, if you're all about maintaining an all-Naim system with MM cart and have no budget constraints for adding a HC or even SC to a Stageline, you probably won't be disappointed.

av in bc posted:

if not why not?
something to bridge the gap between the SuperLine and StageLine for magnet carts.

the SL has to be close to 15 years without any updates and is a bit of a weak link in any mid-level systems
and there's nothing to upgrade to. a SuperLine and MC cart is much too far a jump for a lot vinyl listeners out there.

there seems to be a new Naim streaming/digital box every few months but nothing for vinyl like nothing at all, ever.

The RIAA standard is now 64 years old. 

Streaming technology changes every 5 minutes or so 

I've used a Stageline in my system for over 10 years and it has improved regularly during that time.

When I moved from 1042 magnetic cartridge to a DV20XL Moving Coil the improvement was significant for relatively low cost. (My dealer exchanged my Stageline for no cost.)

When I went from 202 to 282 my vinyl replay improved again.

When I added a Hicap to the 282 it improved again.

When I replaced the Hicap with a Hicap DR, another big change.

Then adding the Hicap as a dedicated power supply was a massive step up.

I'm now running a Rega Ania through my Stageline into a 252 and Vinyl has never sounded so fine to me.

I am now considering a Superline as my next option.

I don't have a streamer, but Naim have supported my vinyl replay superbly for the last 10 years and I see many opportunities for me to improve on what I have, exclusively with Naim, for the next 10.

Thanks Vauxhall,

having just bought a Stageline N and being rather satisfied with it, I consider your reply the lid on the grave of the discussion.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust and restlessness to Upgrade Disease Affected.

M.

I actually felt powering the stageline, when i had one, from a flatcap2 (which was also powering a CD5) was better than powering direct from the 282.

Was never really enamoured with stageline tho, and eventually moved to Linn Radikal/Urika for my LP12

I think the Stageline is still very good and very competitive - particularly the N, and when you consider that for many buyers they already have the powered AUX2 input on their pre-amp, it's actually good value too.  For all that, it's not "airy" like some others, and can sometimes come across as a bit dark and dry, but it just means you need to match up with a suitable cartridge. 

Of course, adding a Hicap ups the performance but turns the value equation on its head somewhat. however, don't dismiss the Flatcap - I seem to recall the last time a Stagline N was in a group test in one of the mags (Hifi World?) it was paired with a Flatcap2x and romped home as the overall winner against some otherwise very strong competition. So probably well worth an audition.

Although all your improvements didn't come directly from the Stageline but from preamps and PSUs... The lid has some leakage. But who cares?

(This was still addressed to Vauxhall MkII).

Richard Dane posted:

I think the Stageline is still very good and very competitive - particularly the N, and when you consider that for many buyers they already have the powered AUX2 input on their pre-amp, it's actually good value too.  For all that, it's not "airy" like some others, and can sometimes come across as a bit dark and dry, but it just means you need to match up with a suitable cartridge. 

Of course, adding a Hicap turns the value equation on its head somewhat. however, don't dismiss the Flatcap - I seem to recall the last time a Stagline N was in a group test in one of the mags (Hifi World?) it was paired with a Flatcap2x and romped home as the overall winner against some otherwise very strong competition. So probably well worth an audition.

In my case, I'd be glad to try a FC2x and there's a number of them around on the 2nd hand market, but I wouldn't know where to place it. It may seem a minor issue since some build their home and arrange furniture around the system (and following wives' instructions, let's not call them orders), but I care about aesthetics and don't really have a place for a full width box now. But I'll have listen borrowing one somewhere.

I actually started using the FC2 to power my stageline following a trip to Salisbury, in 2006, to get my CD5 repaired (it had started skipping). Back then you could   take your kit direct to Naim.

Anyway I was talking to one of tge engineers about the very subject of powering the Stageline and it was he who suggested using the FC2 instead of 282. He even gave me a cable to use. He was quite right. Unfortunately I cant remember the gentleman’s name, but he was a very helpful chap for sure.

Profile check reveals OP has HC-DR on Stageline. 

Another very happy Stageline user here - not sure why so many slag it off.

Other phono stages are available... 

As mentioned by others above, the AUX powered solution is very tempting. It implies only one small extra box, and it ensures correct grounding by a single cable - the snaic. No extra mains connection involved.

This is only surpassed by a Nac 32/62/72 having internal cards - or a Devialet having an internal phono stage :-)

naim need to grow sales to new customers so there will not go analogue again ,it will be interesting when the new idea of a linn digital phono stage is here  , very brand new interesting design though.  

I was always disappointed with the stage line...hicap powered or otherwise

I noticed an immediate and large improvement when changing to something as simple and cheap as a certain German black cube shaped box ( that I will not of course name!!)

The superline ..on the other hand...well no one could be disappointed with that !!

Ardbeg10y posted:

As mentioned by others above, the AUX powered solution is very tempting. It implies only one small extra box, and it ensures correct grounding by a single cable - the snaic. No extra mains connection involved.

Yes that's a good point and makes sense. You need to balance that against the amps lower down the range only providing a single 24v rail (split into two at the socket) out to the Stageline. IIRC, only the 252, 52 and 552 pass two dedicated 24v rails from the Supercap through to the Aux 2 socket.

Christopher_M posted:

Profile check reveals OP has HC-DR on Stageline. 

Thanks, now please report to MI-6, Priority.

Japtimscarlet posted:

I was always disappointed with the stage line...hicap powered or otherwise

I noticed an immediate and large improvement when changing to something as simple and cheap as a certain German black cube shaped box ( that I will not of course name!!)

Funnily enough, IIRC, that "German black cubed box" was one of the other phono stages beaten by the Stageline in the group test.  I guess it comes down to personal preference and cartridge match...

Max_B posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Profile check reveals OP has HC-DR on Stageline. 

Thanks, now please report to MI-6, Priority.

Haha! You try and help a guy with his query and all you get is piss-takes! Welcome to the Naim Forum ????

Chris

audio1946 posted:

naim need to grow sales to new customers so there will not go analogue again ,it will be interesting when the new idea of a linn digital phono stage is here  , very brand new interesting design though.  

Funnily enough when talking to my Naim dealer (Signals) about the aging profile of people who buy their ware, I was told that most new  younger customers come in for vinyl. 

My son got a Rega P1 to attach to his KEF LS500 wireless and has a list of vinyl wish list ready for his birthday. Frankly I was surprised the KEF didn’t have a digital phono stage.

the muso is certainly one way in for new customers but I think vinyl is the other.

.sjb

Christopher_M posted:

Max_B posted:

Christopher_M posted:

Profile check reveals OP has HC-DR on Stageline. 

Thanks, now please report to MI-6, Priority.

Haha! You try and help a guy with his query and all you get is piss-takes! Welcome to the Naim Forum ????

Chris

Ok, there is the smiley, but also the remark... It was a joke, no piss-take. Even I would have laughed at it.

M 

Who needs a stageline anyway ...

Not my precious - I cant reach that far yet -, just a random (excusez le mot) Nait + LP12 found on the web.

Richard Dane posted:

Japtimscarlet posted:

I was always disappointed with the stage line...hicap powered or otherwise

I noticed an immediate and large improvement when changing to something as simple and cheap as a certain German black cube shaped box ( that I will not of course name!!)

Funnily enough, IIRC, that "German black cubed box" was one of the other phono stages beaten by the Stageline in the group test.  I guess it comes down to personal preference and cartridge match...

Couldn't agree more Richard!

It is entirely personal and I'm not saying that the naim offering is technically outclassed or anything...it just didn't suit me ...and that may not be surprising when I add that my last two phono stages have been valve based