Power Management Device or Power Plant on top of Naim System

Don't bother would be my humble opinion. Get a 10mm spur and ideally a hydra and the result will be a lot better and a lot cheaper too.

Nigel

I tried using the 552 plugged into the PS Audio Powerplant 300 just a couple of nights ago. Prior to that I used the powerplant exclusively to obtain 45 rpm out of the LP12 (and it also improves the 33.3 performance too).

Plugging just the 552 into the PP seriously took the life out of the music and gave it an airy, disembodied presentation. It lasted less than one song before I restored it directly into the wall socket and the music returned.

Didn't try the CDS3 into the PP though. I expect the results to be very similar to that obtained with the 552.

Maybe the bigger PP600 or PP1000 would make improvments, but the PP300 surely did not.

Thank you Nigle and Ron,

I guess the answer is really not to bother with it

Ekin

What about the Exactpower EP15A? It reportedly has a power capability greater than the PS Audio 1200. Anyone used this with a Naim system? I'm curious if there is something out there for those "bad power" days.

Review link: http://www.exactpower.com/soundstage1103.html

If you are in Vancouver, we might be able to arrange a demo of an Exactpower piece for you.
Check with Konnectson Canada to see if there is a stocking dealer near in town. If not, drop us a line at info@gramophone.ca and we'll see what could be arranged.
Have you worked with John Tan at Audio Centre?
I am making the assumption that the rainforest you claim to be in, is in the lower mainland of BC. I am sorry if I am incorrect.

Thanks,
Bryan

Hi Bryan:

I am in Vancouver. The Canadian Distributor emailed me that Signature Audio is the Exactpower dealer here. Unfortunately, not John at Audio Centre from whom I have purchased Naim gear in the past.

Are you a Naim dealer as well as Exactpower?

cheers,

Paul

I drive my CDS3/Armageddon/52/ATC50ASL set up from a P500. It is a great improvement over the lousy mains power that we have here. Without it the XPS and SuperCap buzz and hum in a very strange manner despite the 10mm spur!

David

I was on the phone with Joe from Exactpower the other day.
I bet we spoke for at least 45 minutes?
Well it seems as though everything I have read and heard from Joe is everything I am looking for.
Does not change voltage
Does not regulate voltage.
There are no filters.No conditioning.
Unlimited current/At will.
All of their products take the mains from the house and whatever % needs to be cleaned up gets cleaned up.
In the end there is absolute balance between the 2 sides. 60/60 everytime and all the time. The ground is done in such a way that any noise from the mains is eliminated.
I should mention how they do this current thing.
The $5800 model weighs 185 pounds. Joe said that most of the weight was from their transformer. Which by the way is made in some super double secret way.....

Regards,
Marc

3 brands we carry - Naim Audio, FM Acoustics and Wadia, discourage use of such devices.

Some users of these brands here employ PPs, with benefits.

It really depends on the quality before and after, to you, based on how you listen to music.

Whatever the PP's specs are, have an extended home demo first. Minimum 4 days x with, 4 days without, 4 days with, is what I'd do personally. I feel things settle over time, is why.

My rule of thumb is to avoid PPs unless mains are overbearingly noisy. Mains in Singapore, where I write from, is pretty good for the most part. Which accounts for my stand.

Vik

quote:

Originally posted by Audio Visionary:
If you are in Vancouver, we might be able to arrange a demo of an Exactpower piece for you.

Bryan,

The Exactpower works in a Naim system?

I see it's basically a PWM amplifier.
And I thought that this type of device puts a noise back into the signal chain.
And especially in a Naim system, I would be curious to know how it does.

It is a fascinating little amp, tho.

Joe at Exactpower said all of the products have a 30 day return policy.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Newman:
Joe at Exactpower said all of the products have a 30 day return policy.

Cool.

Marc,

If you are going to try one, let us know how it does.

Hi all,

I have a PP600 powering my LP12/Armageddon/Hi-Cap/102/NAPSC/250.

I also have a dedicated spur and earth. The PP does what it says on the tin, and I wouldn't be without it. Ron Toolsie's experience with the little PP300 is somewhat typical it seems, but the bigger units are a different kettle of fish.

Remember that the PP is a true AC regenerator (not just a glorified differential amplifier) and that you can also change the frequency, voltage, and waveform shape.

PS Audio (the mfr) has a 30 day return policy, which is needed as the units (well, mine at least) take 14 - 21 days to run-in. Also, PS Audio's customer service is very much based on the Naim model.

Best Regards,
Mark Dunn

I want to make a dramatic point as succinctly as possible. There is a new power conditioning product on the market that has transformed my already wonderful, top-end Naim system. It is from Audience and is called adeptResponse (http://www.audience-av.com/power.htm). Pricey, yes, but if you can swing it, entirely worth it. Don’t take my word for it...

Tom

Perhaps its time for Naim to design one that really works with Naim gear.
Why not? They shrugged off stands and subwoofers in the past but now do both. Its time and there is definitely a demand.

Kuma-
I'm not sure what I want to do...
Exactpower is a 6 hour drive from my home.
Might take a drive to see them?

I would like to put this piece to bed sometime soon. 6 months a year of mains malady is,as you know,not fun. A loose cannon one could say.

There is the CES this winter but that may be to long a wait.

On the other hand, I am happy with the new ground. It has made more of a difference than I thought would/could be possible.

It will never end....

Marc

Paul, knock knock. Did you read my previous post? The adeptResponse works phenomenally well with Naim. In fact, someone I know who has one in a Naim system also, said and I agree, that it makes Naim more Naim, improving everything we can discern. It allows more of Naim’s brilliant engineering to be heard. In addition to improving all the HiFi qualities, my system is addictively more musical...

Tom

Tom-
If Naim could build one that works perfectly with their kit and comes in a neat Naim box?
Would work for me........Matter of fact I wish they would design one.

Like all other kit choices yours will sound differnt than the Exactpower one.
And so on. Do diligence is in order here.

As I have had nearly zero time to spend on this.
For me this is a mine field.

Regards,
Marc

quote:

As I have had nearly zero time to spend on this.
For me this is a mine field.

I agree. There are far too many variables.
Now if we could just persuade Naim to design one, it would eliminate all those nagging doubts.

I bet most of us would buy one (unless it was the price of a 552 but then the fortunate few would anyway).

quote:

I'm not sure what I want to do...
Exactpower is a 6 hour drive from my home.
Might take a drive to see them?

marc,

*seeing* one dosen't do you any good.
Have them send you one for a home demo. That's the only way for you to know if the device even works in YOUR system and location.

So, have them send you one to try!?

Why does Naim have to build one of these? They aren’t the only folks with engineering prowess who care about music. Considering the fact that Naim builds separate power supplies for their better components, certainly suggests they understand the value of clean power. And, if someone else’s power device cleans up what Naim has already completed, then...

Tom

Kuma-
Just want to have a cup of coffee. Not ready for that first kiss.
I need to do much more reading and research on the subject.
I might like what it does and believe this is great when clearly,and without Naim in the game,will need to get 2 or 3 of these at the house at the same time.
Then by doing an a/b I will be able to make a good decision.

Tom-
Naim has the ability to optimize the build to meet the specific needs or their equipment.
Naim can design something that would/could match specific specs that only they know. Why? This could allow their power supplies to breath a bit easier therefor allowing the music to flow that extra margin.
This could lead to an ever improved power supply that incorporates (what we are trying to accomplish) already in the box.

Control is everything.

Marc

Marc, Naim does a lot exceptionally well, but can’t find every solution. Others are out there solving problems and improving performance too. I hope you won’t limit your system or your ultimate enjoyment thinking Naim has all the answers...

Tom

quote:

I might like what it does and believe this is great when clearly,and without Naim in the game,will need to get 2 or 3 of these at the house at the same time.
Then by doing an a/b I will be able to make a good decision.

marc,

That makes sense considering an efficacy of any power filtering devices would vary by locations and what a listener piercives as a *good* improvement.

It should be compared against other comparable products just like any audio kit.

If it works out for you, it will be cheaper than getting your own power generator.

I don't believe there is a universal cure-all power filtering device for all household worldwide. It seems to be a case by case basis.

Kuma-
Appreciate your thoughts.
The generator idea is still alive-however-from a cost standpoint the Exactpower can suck $5800 from the coffers. I could do a generater with the cost of setting it up for that amount.

Much of our concern will need to be addressed in the future.
The electric company will need to clean things up due to the masses demanding it.

All electronics in the future will have such wide bandwith and be far more sensitive than todays latest and greatest.
We will need to have more stable(consistant)and clean(noisefree) mains to power everything.

With that said, it appears that we will never be at the point. There will always be devices that will be ahead of their time and as such need special attention to details the masses would never consider.

Marc