Hmmm which cable to upgrade?

I know it's not an answer to the question you asked, but if you have the price of a Lumina cable waiting to be spent, I'd seriously consider a box upgrade.

I guess that the SL IC and din to XLR are the options really. But if you are willing to take a punt, Witch Hat do a din to XLR replacement; the wonderfully named Hatpin 4x. I've just got one for my 272/250DR but have not had a chance to try it yet. It's shielded, like the SL lead, but only costs £120. 

Every time I have added a Powerline, I have heard it immediately and it is not a subtle change.     It gives a more focused, full,  and fleshed out sound vs a stock or other cable.  If I could, I would try it on my coffeepot.  

I can't say the same thing for a HiLine, which is pretty darn subtle by comparison, and I have not heard the new SL cable.    

Try it and see.  You might prefer a more airy sound.    You just have to try it at your house.

Since I live in the land where proper hi-fi went to die and there is no such thing as Naim here, trying something is not an option. I basically have to buy it and pray. Hence the rationale that I won't try a non Naim cable since at least I know with the Naim, the worst that can happen is I get poor VFM but am fairly sure it won't break the delicate balance of how the system sounds.

Am curious about the Power Line. Is this giving a significant benefit even where the hi-fi has a dedicated and isolated spur on the mains? Am convinced of the positive effects of decent terminations at each end that isolate the equipment from vibration and RFI carried over the cable, but not convinced why a new lead is required when the power tap and the cabling behind the wall and everything to the power substation is basic industrial standard. Would have thought a small decoupling adapter on the end of a normal lead would have been just as good.

I have a dedicated mains spur, made from 10mm cable and with its own consumer unit. Adding Powerlines makes a significant difference, so yes, they are definitely worthwhile in my opinion. 

A Powerline is a low-risk buy since you have five boxes and can try it on each one to see which gives maximum benefit.  I started with one and put on the Naspc for the 282 and that's where I'd advise you to start.  I found it boosted the 282's performance to a significant and surprising degree. 

Mike

I have dedicated circuits and earth-based ground grids for my system.    You can definitely hear the Powerlines.    No doubt your hypotheses about why it should not work are solid, and you may be right.   But you can readily hear the Powerlines in an all Naim system.   They make it sound even more Naim, so if you like the sound before Powerlines, you should like it better with Powerlines added.   I even have one on my turntable.

Powerlines is an option, but I would consider starting with a Lumina Din5-5, then the din-xlr. Source first is still the rule.

I don't think that's true. Indeed, I think the idea of trying a PL on the Napsc came from one of the good folk of Salisbury.

M

I also have a 282/250.2 based system using Hiline and Powerlines. After a chat with Doug Graham a few months ago he advised to try SL Din-XLR for a start before changing other cables. However, I can vouch Powerline is also a very good option for the price.

Zen, for what it's worth - the Hatpin is on a 30 day money back guarantee. Not sure where you are in the world, but all you've got to lose is the price of postage (included in price within UK). 

I'm going to give one a go between my 272/250DR.

The stock Naim Din/XLR isn't as crap as it looks but the Hatpin is simply better.

Powerline is a good option - I would put it on the NAP250.2 where I would expect it to be most cohesive, but it's worth experimenting 

Bruce Richardson, the owner of Voodoo Cable in the US told me the power is the foundation of the house, I'd suggest you start there. I did and it was worth it's weight in gold.

Forgot to mention, after that it should go sources - pre - power - speaker interconnects. Cheers.

I've not tried any Witch Hat cables - but I've heard good reports on the Hatpin.

I think I'd be inclined to let the system settle down for a while and contemplate a DR upgrade. 

Seeing as the PLs are now in place on the source, pre, and power amp since a couple days ago; a HiLine on the source and dual SNAICs on the 282 to SCDR have been in place for 18 months and the speaker cable was sorted from day one, I think I'll give the Hatpin a whirl. Compared to everything else, it is hardly a bank-breaking expense.

Should have one arriving in the next week or two. That should take the system in it's current incarnation to it's final resting place cable-wise - unless I think it sounds naff in which case I will remove it.

As for the SL discussion, It would make more sense in my mind to change the electronics. I'm on the list for a DR upgrade to the 250.2 next year and my dealer is starting to whisper sweet nothings about a 252 (which I have stated I have no intention of upgrading to but we'll see). Planning on building a second home in a few years and with that would come the opportunity to start again with a new system - maybe based around 500 series (or whatever the equivalent is at that time). SL could well come into that discussion.

Let us know how you get on with the Hatpin. I'm glad a got mine, and for £120 they are great value, and beautifully made as well. 

Will do. It was mainly your recommendation that tempted me to give it a try.