Uphorik or Superline

Based on my recent auditions, I would consider:

• Naim Superline (with exactly the right z foil airplug)
• Trilogy 907
• Aurorasound Vida
• Moon 310LP/320S

My experience would indicate the value of travelling to a dealer who will allow you to hear at least 2 of these with your model of cartridge before deciding.  I wouldn't buy any of them without auditioning first.

If I couldn't audition (even if this means travelling), then I'd save some money and enjoy a Rega Aria or a Dynavector P75 until I could.

This may not be precisely what you would ideally like to hear but it's the best advice that I can offer based on my experience.

Best regards, FT

Agree with Foot tapper that an audition is vital. I have just recently purchased a new Superline after a prolonged audition.If it had not been for my very good dealer I probably would not have pulled the trigger. One of the issues that I had to be over come was the placement of the Superline on my Fraim in relation to the HiCap PSU's which was only solved by two very long home visits from my dealer. Also as Foot tapper mentioned correct correct cart loading of the air plug is essential. I am now delighted with the Superline but it took time to get there.

Good luck Graham.

He lives in a Jungle in South America, far away from civilization...no dealers...he's been getting advice from the forums and diving in head first.

Him being the judge he says he can't visit dealers, and is learning LP12 on his own.  I admire his courage and bank account.

Being a recent Naim cool-aid drinker, I'd say get the Superline of course...I'm actually wondering if I'll stay in the game long enough to get to a Superline and shuddering at the thought of them making my Superline by hand...

I'm considering having my Stageline fingerprinted so I can prove it was hand made in England.

Erich,

If you went for the Superline, how would you power it?

Could it run on diesel? ATB Peter

I would do a Superline in a Naim system.   It will sound great and it can be upgraded right along with the rest of your system.   And the variable capacitance and loading is simple to change as you upgrade your location and your cartridge.   You could shop the world and might find a better phono stage, but I don't think you will find a better solution for your situation than the Superfine.   And one day you will find a Supercap DR to go with it, and you won't believe how good it sounds together.

Before Christmas (if God allows it) I'll be in Europe, where I could audition different alternatives, but I am a bit anxious to listen the LP12 through a better phono stage.

I will ask the dealer or Naim directly if they supply the correct load for the Klyde.

Anybody enjoying an Lp12+Uphorik that could comment? 

Regards.

Erich

Erich,

You will find what you are after on the "Blue" Forum. Happy reading!

ATB,

Mark

Periodically we travel to the north to see what's happening in the "civilisation" and buy some staples difficult to obtain here from the trees.

Regards.

Erich

Hi Erich

Very funny 

To re-phrase and be more specific, which Naim power supply would you intend to use to power the Superline?

This is not a trivial financial consideration, as it makes a huge difference to the total cost of the Superline package.  I tried powering one off my NAC52 but it really came into its own when I powered it with a Supercap DR.  This trebled the cost of the Superline...

Best regards, FT

Hi FT,

I was trying to say that I can afford both solutions.

I could start with the Superline powered by the pre if it is feasible, and the go for the proper PS as an upgrade.

Regards.

Erich

Hi Wat, TYVM for your comment and also for the mentioned alternatives.

I also think that Uphorik in my case is plug and play. Regarding where to put the money, I think that when you are in an upgrade path, sometimes your system is not going to look balanced. Important thing is that even with some unbalances the marriages work fine.

Regards.

Erich

Hi Erich

Oh, in that case, a Superline + Supercap DR is in a different league to a Uphorik - far, far better.

But it is also 3.5 times the price, which brings in questions about where you might best spend the available funds.  I was shortlisting phono stages in the GBP2k range here in the UK, which is the price of a bare Superline.

Personally, I jump at a Trilogy 907 (or Aurorasound Vida)+ a NAC282/Supercap over a SL/SC + NAC202.

There, that's me done.  Over now to those with more experience or wisdom to offer!

Best regards, FT

Hi FT, TYVM for comments and alternatives.

You are touching a sensible point (202/200). Not easy to solve. This morning talking to the dealer I was trying to decide on the upgrade path. I would like to have a 252/250. But if I buy the 250, it will not like the 202 according to opinions here. If I buy the 282, also from here, I understand that is an improvement if you power it with 2 HC (I have one), in such a case I'm going to "waste" money buying twice the pre and the PS's. If I buy the 252, it will ask immediately the divorce from the 200. So may be I have to get rid of the 202, HC, 200, former TT and phono stage,  start a diet, maintain the same cart and oxen and go directly to the 252 and 250.

In such a case the Uphoric/SL question is peanuts. 

Regards.

Erich

Oh, okay, you have tempted me back in again.

Well, let's sort out the priorities first.

The ox & cart have to stay, clearly.

Vinyl must continue to be bought, in volume, obviously.

Food is optional but probably preferred.

Now to the system.  It is really helpful to have an idea of your desired end point.  It may change, but I have found it very helpful to know this point.  With CD, amp & speakers, I have reached mine.  With vinyl I'm a couple of steps away.  Sure, I might be tempted one day by a 552 pre amp or a 300DR power amp, but back in the real world, I'm there.  After finding a great dealer, I had this very conversation when the system was a lowish spec LP12, a Naim 32.5/140 amp and Proac stand mount speakers.  We tried several specs of turntable, amp & speakers, after which we both had a reasonable idea of the end goal.

Knowing this helped enormously to define a couple of intermediate steps that would also be balanced & enjoyable in their own right.

I don't know what your end goal is in terms of TT, but you seem fairly clear about the amp.  I preferred a 52/135 over a 252/250 and still do, but the new 250DR is a real step up from the 250-2.

If I were in your position, I'd consider a Rega Aria/DV P75 + 282/Hicap DR as a first, excellent step.

I really wouldn't spend a penny over £2,500 on the phono stage as long as I have an Akurate level LP12.

In fact I would (and have!) keep the Aria/P75 until the tonearm is improved.  

If you have the funds, then after the Aria/P75 + 282/HicapDR, the next step might be a Radikal.

Then a tonearm + Ulrika.

Then a supercap for the 282 or a 250DR.

Does a sequence like this (or a variation on this theme) make more sense to you?

Best regards, FT

I did the demo when I bought my Uphorik. I did not think the SL was in the same league. YMMV.

Hi FT,

May be you jumped over my first post. I do have an Akurate level Lp12. Or may be you wanted to say until I have the full Klimax one?

Regards.

Erich

Well, it seems to me that you have too many options swirling about. Let's start with your source- I believe it is a newly acquired LP12? The Accurate level deck will play very nicely with your 202/200- you just need a decent phono. FT's suggestion to try a Rega Aria or Dyn P75 is a sound idea. These will give you the option on loading various cartridges and do not require additional Naim PSU's. 

Both these phono"s will better a Stageline,imo.

If your goal is 252/250 then this is where I would go next with major expenditure. The preamp is fundamental to the Naim upgrade path- just go to the 252 ! Use your 200 as a stop-gap until the 250- no problem here. After you have the 252, then the source should be addressed again. At this point you should consider the Radikal upgrade for your deck - very significant upgrade. At that time, you will have the option to install a Urika at a very nice discount when purchased as a package with the Radikal- good idea. The Superfine is a great phono when paired with a SC and Burndy but comes with substantial cost and additional boxes/shelves. I switched from SL/SC2 to Urika and was pleased with the results. Your trip to the UK could be a good opportunity to hear these two phono's ? Good luck on your journey.

ATB,

Mark

FT beat me to it- see his post as it probably makes more sense than mine.

Hi Erich,

Mark and I see it the same way.

Have fun! FT

TBH the Akito would be suited for MM, if you can replace to Adikt? the Swedish Lejonklou stage will partner excellent there even it does not fit into Linn hiearchy it will perform superb - not a fan of Klyde I'm afraid.

Talking Superline with Akito must be a joke

b_lund,

I think that's what FT and I were were trying to convey, although in a more roundabout fashion!

To be fair, you are right....

ATB,

Mark

Yeah. but either Superline or Uphorik is going to be so much better than his current phono, he can't go wrong either way.

Uphorik has a wonderful gain/ loading adjustability for MM and less susceptible to a stray RFI. ( I would bet that Adikt/Uphorik will beat Klyde/Project. )

Erich

Like you I purchased a brand new Akurate level LP12 a few weeks ago. Based on discussions with my dealer, however, I had it equipped with Radikal / Urika right from the start. I'm very happy with my decison, the Radikal / Urika combo being way bettter than the Lingo based LP12 I had home demoed.

If your dealer agrees to give you full credit for your very recent Lingo, that might be an alternative to consider (depending on funds available, of course)

Claude  

Armageddon and Superline with AV Options Z plug.