What will be an significant upgrade for Supernait + CD5X + ProAc D15?

I have a SN and I'll be getting a hicap dr at some point. Lots has been written about the improvements of this upgrade. It has been suggested that the SN should be replaced with the SN2 instead of adding the HC, but I really like the sound of my SN and with the built in Dac I'll be keeping it for some time. 

To answer the question posed in the title, I think a Statement should be a significant upgrade.  

On a more practical note:
adding a flatcap would be a significant improvement to the source
adding a HiCapDR would be a significant improvement to the preamp
unless your mains quality is truly terrible, removing the Isotek and replacing it with a simple mains block (no neons) will improve both.

By far the best option with the power supplies is to try to persuade a dealer to let you try one at home.  With a HiCap, try it on both the SN and the CD5x and see which you prefer.

If the ProAc's don't match your room well or you don't like their presentation, then changing them will make more difference than changing the electronics; but if they are a good match and you like them then most other speaker will be less satisfactory.

I agree with Huge; removing the Istotek may just give you a substantial upgrade.  When I say remove, I mean remove completely.  Even having such a device plugged in but with nothing else connected it can adversely affect the performance of the Naim kit.

Some years back I was preparing a demo room at a dealer for a music evening and, having removed as much as I could from the room and ensured that what was left was unplugged from the many sockets, proceeded to set up the Naim system.  It was OK, but it just wasn't doing what I knew it capable of doing.  A real head scratcher.  And then I did another search around the room and found, behind a curtain, a stack of gear that I had assumed was unplugged.  However, what I thought was some big power amp was in fact a very swish looking (and rather expensive as I was told) power conditioner.  It had nothing connected to it but it was still plugged into the mains.  I unplugged it.  We went back to playing the setup tracks again and...  incredible.  We just sat there smiling and laughing.  The music now soared and the hairs on our arms tingled.  It was there.

PowerLines on all components. Get rid of that power- conditioning strip too. If you have only one socket available, get a Wireworld Matrix 2 and plug your components into it. For connecting to a wall socket, use one of the supplied Naim leads.

Next - a good interconnect. Perhaps one of the TelluriumQ offerings.

Of course do all of the above once your gear is sitting on a proper rack.

I'd be putting more into the source before even thinking about amp and speakers. Maybe CDX2 and XPS2. A good stand and dedicated mains, and the power conditioner thing in the bin. 

Fotogolfer,

I've a Supernait too which outperforms my cat in purring. Sometimes less, sometimes more. Think it is related to the mains quality.

So, Why did you add the powerconditioner? was this to overcome similar problems?

In my case I do think that improving mains is the key thing before doing anything else to my setup.

Also, don't you use any streaming device?

Thank you all for very insightful advices, but I am not quite sure about the getting rid of the conditioner. It was because before I upgraded from CD5i to CD5X, plugging CD5i and SN to Isotek did a overwhelming improvement to the sound clarity, and that drew my attention the the quality of mains. I am not sure if the environment we live affects the quality of electricity. I live in HK and our house has more than 50 electronic devices attached to extensions, and we live in a building having 50+ household having similar amount of electronic devices, so I think directly plugging the Naim power cord to the wall was really ruining the system from my experience. So if the conditioner is not a good idea, any better solution for clean power?

Re: I am not quite sure about the getting rid of the conditioner.

 Mains conditioners on this forum have some bad press,  some justified I have to say based on my experience,  but as with everything in the world mud sticks & rumours become myths etc..     I've tried a few makes & made a few DIY power conditioners & found that if you have good unpolluted power then they do nothing & in many cases they can degrade the sound, they seem to veil the sound & remove the dynamics.   My home system has good mains & thats where I've tried the various designs.  Whereas in areas with bad mains such as I have in an overseas property, mains conditioner/filters can make a positive improvement & I use a Tacima CS947, its simpler & a lot less expensive that your Isotek,  but it is very effective.  I also tried it at home & it did not do much if anything, but it did not degrade the SQ.    Bottom line is if your Isotek Polaris has made a significant SQ improvement in your environment with whatever quality or pollution level that yours mains power is at, who are we to say it won't.   I would stick with what you've got.

First up if possible have an electrician install a radial spur with unswitched Mk sockets.  As has been said no need for conditioners or the like.  

Then powerlines on CDP and amp. 

Next CDX2/XPS -  awesome sound 

Then think about the amp.   

Good luck,

Lindsay

PS:  All of this assumes you're content with your speakers and they work well in your room. 

My two cents to the OP indeed would be to try without Polaris, add a Hi-Line, try a HC-DR on SN and/or a FC2x on CD5x, or upgrade to a combo at or above 202/200 level, say 282 or 272/250.

Chag - 

first, i'd get a Sonos (or similar) if you don't already have a streamer and plug it into one of the SN's digital inputs. there's so much music out there to discover.

then get a Hicap!

Is Sonos really un upgrade ?

Chag -

According to Adam Z in another thread, the NDX is the fitting streamer.

I'm currently using a ChromeCast / Spotify on a SN1, which works perfect. Optical cable from ChromeCast using the Dac in the SN1 is a very nice and simple solution. More than sufficient for the most streaming services.

Regarding the SONOS - I'd say well worth it . Sure it can't equal CD, or vinyl, or HiRes - but for a small monthly outlay it's a fantastic gateway into multiple streaming services including FLAC quality like Deezer or Tidal if your internet connection is good enough. 

A ZP90 (now Sonos Connect) was the first item I added to my Supernait after my first steps into the Naim world.

I've since added a NDAC, then a HiCap, and most recently an XPS to the system, but 90% of my listening still comes via the Sonos. 

If you like what you're listening to then buy the vinyl, or HiRes or CD . . . . !

John

Richard Dane posted:

I agree with Huge; removing the Istotek may just give you a substantial upgrade.  When I say remove, I mean remove completely.  Even having such a device plugged in but with nothing else connected it can adversely affect the performance of the Naim kit.

Some years back I was preparing a demo room at a dealer for a music evening and, having removed as much as I could from the room and ensured that what was left was unplugged from the many sockets, proceeded to set up the Naim system.  It was OK, but it just wasn't doing what I knew it capable of doing.  A real head scratcher.  And then I did another search around the room and found, behind a curtain, a stack of gear that I had assumed was unplugged.  However, what I thought was some big power amp was in fact a very swish looking (and rather expensive as I was told) power conditioner.  It had nothing connected to it but it was still plugged into the mains.  I unplugged it.  We went back to playing the setup tracks again and...  incredible.  We just sat there smiling and laughing.  The music now soared and the hairs on our arms tingled.  It was there.

Well, that was interesting! Having read this I decided to remove an Isotek Minisub from the TV setup in another room on the same mains ring. I'd used it pre Naim on my Arcam system with good results, so rather than get rid started using it on the Sky/TV when my SuperNait first appeared.

Sceptical, but must say there is a definite feeling of a veil having been lifted! I'm astonished to say the least. TV still looks as good as before too . . . 

John

You guys are all thinking UK, the OP lives in Hong Kong & what the Isotek may or may not do on low/no polluted power may not be the case in his specific environments power supply in HK.    He says "the Isotek did a overwhelming improvement to the sound clarity, and that drew my attention the the quality of mains. I am not sure if the environment we live affects the quality of electricity. I live in HK and our house has more than 50 electronic devices attached to extensions, and we live in a building having 50+ household having similar amount of electronic devices".  And  like I said in my previous post,  not all mains conditioners are the same, & if this one has made an"overwhelming improvement to the sound",  who are we to say he's wrong.

Fotogolfer

Do you use the dac in your CD5x, and the DIN cable to the SN, or do you have it digitally connected to the SN and let the Dac of the SN do the work?

CD5x doesn't have a digital output.  

Chag -

Thank you for the advise on the streamer, I am a bit obsessed on the true sound of those CD I have been listening all the years with the Naim setup. All the upgrades done so far were meant to get more from the existing CDs.  It seems quite obvious that mains quality is a problem here, and I wonder if any of you have similar problem when living in a building instead of houses. I know some folks in Japan building there own utility pole outside their houses just to get clean mains, (for reference: http://gizmodo.com/obsessed-au...their-own-1785291714). But I am not that obsessed, So I am keeping my CD5x,  SN and I am happy with the ProAc D15, Isotek is not the best solution here, any suggestion for better mains without installing my private utility pole. Does the Naim power kit can solve the problem?

Ardbeg10y posted:

Fotogolfer

Do you use the dac in your CD5x, and the DIN cable to the SN, or do you have it digitally connected to the SN and let the Dac of the SN do the work?

Hi, I use DIN cable to the SN, I did not try anything else as it is recommended by the dealer.

Ok - if you really want to get the best out of your CDs you need to change your approach. At the moment your source is below your amp. You can play with cables etc, but that will not change a fact, that your CD player is the weakest link in the equation.

If you really focused on the source first approach, you'd need to look at CDX2.2, with an XPS or 555PS  and perhaps an nDAC at some point. 

Alternatively search for a pre-loved CD555 with 555PS.

Mike-B posted:

You guys are all thinking UK, the OP lives in Hong Kong & what the Isotek may or may not do on low/no polluted power may not be the case in his specific environments power supply in HK.    He says "the Isotek did a overwhelming improvement to the sound clarity, and that drew my attention the the quality of mains. I am not sure if the environment we live affects the quality of electricity. I live in HK and our house has more than 50 electronic devices attached to extensions, and we live in a building having 50+ household having similar amount of electronic devices".  And  like I said in my previous post,  not all mains conditioners are the same, & if this one has made an"overwhelming improvement to the sound",  who are we to say he's wrong.

I think you have just pointed out the problem I have. The reason I wanted an upgrade is really about the "veil" after using the Isotek, but without the Isotek, there is a "curtain". If the Tacima is a better solution to the issue, I may give it a try. Thanks.

With apologies to the OP I should have realised his location.  Is a Wireworld a possibility?

Finally, adding a pre-loved Flatcap to CD5x and a Hicap2 to SN have been an significant improvement to the system. I never know what ProAc D15 and SN were capable to. Brilliant. On top of that, thinking maybe the original naim speaker cable can also be upgraded for better sound quality. Just ordered Chord Epic Reference and see what will that bring to the system. Also ordered the Chormecast from Google. Thanks a lot for the very helpful opinion. Cheers.