Which Resistance & Capacitance Plugs to use with my Superline?

Posted by: NikkiK on 24 November 2015

The short question.  I am using a Lyra Helicon MC Cartridge with my all Naim system.  Which Naim Resistance and Capacitance plugs do I use?

 

The terms "Resistance" and "Capacitance" are not listed as a spec with the Helicon Info provided by Lyra.  (See the Lyra info below).  Do these terms have more than one definition/name/titles?  Whats a girl to do?  Oh, ask the Naim user's forum!

 

Specifications for LYRA HELIKON

  • Frequency range : 10Hz - 50 kHz
  • Cantilever system : Boron rod cantilever, Ogura-manufactured,
  • LYRA original line-contact stylus (3 x 70 micrometers profile)
  • Channel separation : 35 dB or better at 1kHz
  • Internal impedance : 5.5 ohms
  • Output voltage : 0.5 mV (5.0cm/sec., zero to peak, 45 degrees)
  • Cartridge weight (without stylus cover) : 8.3 g
  • Compliance : Approx. 12 x 10-6 cm/dyne at 100Hz
  • Centerline through mounting holes to stylus tip : 7.8 mm
  • Recommended tracking force : 1.6 - 1.75 g
  • Recommended impedance : 100 ohms to 47 kohms
Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Foot tapper

Hi NikkiK

If you have a search for a thread called "Superline Loading Thread", all will be revealed.

There were a substantial number of posts on this very subject about 4 years ago.

 

Hope this helps, FT

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Richard Dane

Here's the old thread;

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...rline-loading-thread

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by DavidDever

Looks as if you have the standard-output Helikon, as opposed to the low-output version - correct?

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by NikkiK
Originally Posted by DavidDever:

Looks as if you have the standard-output Helikon, as opposed to the low-output version - correct?

Yes Dave, the standard output, correct.

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by NikkiK
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

Here's the old thread;

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...rline-loading-thread

Richard, Thank you "Foot tapper too".  I Read through many of the posts on the thread, helpful. I guess I have to start somewhere. Lyra suggests 10-500 ohms for resistance loading.  So, do I start at 100 ohms and work up, or 500 ohms and work down.  Or just leave it at 100 or 500 ohms?  Is Capacitance not a factor with MC cartridges?  If so, I leave that DIN open on my SL?

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Frank Abela

Start with 100 and work up. Given the recommended impedance is 100 - 47k ohms, I'd try all the options including not having a resistance load int here at all (which is equivalent to 10k ohms). Of course if 1000 is obviously worse than 500, then there's little point continuing.

 

Capacitance certainly does have an effect on sound! Adding more capacitance tends to lower treble response. However, if you find you are picking up radio frequency interference (RFI) you may need to add some capacitance which reduces this substantially - if so, start with the lowest value you have and try to stay there.

 

Finally, if your Superline is new, then it needs to run in, so revisit the loading after a few weeks of substantial usage.

 

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Steve J

Nikki,

 

Worth buying the Z-AirPlug (resistor) when you find which plug you need. They are a good vfm upgrade over the standard plugs that used to come with the Superline. I'm not sure if Naim supply the Z version with newer Superlines.

 

Steve

 

PS Welcome to the forum. It's good to have a new female member.

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by NikkiK
Steve,
 
Thanks, it's all about the music, right?
 
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Nikki,

 

Worth buying the Z-AirPlug (resistor) when you find which plug you need. They are a good vfm upgrade over the standard plugs that used to come with the Superline. I'm not sure if Naim supply the Z version with newer Superlines.

 

Steve

 

PS Welcome to the forum. It's good to have a new female member.

 

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by kuma

For a Lyra carts ( all low outputs ) I have listened to 400R and no cap seems to be the good spot. 

 

Get the 400R Airplug ( or Z plug from AV Options ) made up from the factory as this value can't be duplicated with stock plugs. 

 

But the final loading value varies by personal taste and there is no right or wrong.

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Steve J
Originally Posted by NikkiK:
Steve,
 
Thanks, it's all about the music, right?
 
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Nikki,

 

Worth buying the Z-AirPlug (resistor) when you find which plug you need. They are a good vfm upgrade over the standard plugs that used to come with the Superline. I'm not sure if Naim supply the Z version with newer Superlines.

 

Steve

 

PS Welcome to the forum. It's good to have a new female member.

 

That's right Nikki. The Music Room is a hive of information. Enjoy.

 

I'm with Kuma on the Z plug. It's worth buying the AV Options version. If you're in the UK Cymbiosis in Leicester can help you. The new AV Options plugs are cryo treated.

 

Steve

Posted on: 24 November 2015 by Foot tapper
Hi NikkiK,
Having tried a super line in my own system (there is a long thread about it from a year or so ago), a couple of recommendations:
A 25 ohm change in resistance is noticeable, so plan on having a bespoke z foil air plug made to your spec, as both Kuma and Steve J recommend. I found none of the standard resistors to be even close to right for my DV cartridge. It will probably cost around £150-200 but is a wise move.

Check with a knowledgeable dealer, or Naim themselves, to find the optimum for a Lyra cartridge. They are always pleased to help.

Finally, get the best power supply you can afford for your Superline. It makes a substantial difference, at least to these cloth ears.

Happy listening! FT
Posted on: 27 November 2015 by Cymbiosis

The best results I obtained back then with the Lyras were around the K load values i.e. 560R.

 

 

576R I felt worked best with Linn cartridges and I know that several people also used this load successfully with Lyra cartridges too.

 

I also found that the use of the Airplug body made a huge improvement, as did the Z-Foil resistor which came a bit later courtesy of Chris West originally.

 

KR

Peter

Posted on: 27 November 2015 by Skip
I run my Helikon at 500 R and 0 C.  A touch of capacitance might help with RFI but I have avoided it with separate dedicated earth grounds.  I have run the Helikon with 1000 R and it makes dull and dark recordings like The Band shine like never before but it is often a little bright.