Stacking order NDS 252 300 system

I had the same system a short while ago. I had only 1 Fraim (4 shelves) and a 5 shelf cheap I rack for the PS on the right. I had a few more boxes for the Superline and HC which complicated things. The Fraim had medium spacers for each shelf.

The only way I have found is brains in the left, brawn on the right. I have not found any SQ variation for order of stacking PS. On the left and probably the most important aspect, I had 300 head on the lower shelf. Next was a space, then the 252. atop I had my CDS3. The PS order was whatever was practical given the unit it powered in the left. So I had the 300 head and PS on the lowermost shelves. This meant that the burndies  were on the floor. 

That is what I did. I cannot vouch that it is optimal. I believe Dark Bear has some views in set up and tweaking. I have never gone this far but respect where it is due!

Dave

From bottom to top, brawn:

Supercap, 555ps, 300ps

Brain, 300, 252, space,  NDS

 I have the same system, but with additional LP12, 'geddon and Stageline on 2 X 5 bamboo Quadraspire SV.

I'm not sure where the brawn Space should go.

Keith

I'd be inclined to have the power supplies on the same level as their head units, to keep the critical NDS burndies off the floor and avoid the need for burndies to cross. The 300 has floppy burndies that don't seem to be affected by sitting on the floor. In an ideal world there would be a space above and below the 252. 

What HH says, though I think your 252 would benefit more than the NDS from being uppermost in the brain stack, or at least that's what I found at the time. 

Thanks for replies!

I think I follow HH and KRM's advice, NDS on top I prevent the ethernet cable to touch the floor, too.

NDS                      555PS

Space                   Space

252                       Supercap

300                       300PS

At the moment I have 4 boxes sent to Naim for recapping and DR upgrade, so I will try this stacking order when they return back!

Thanks again!

I wouldn't worry about the Ethernet, it's the interconnect between the NDS and 252 that needs to be kept off the floor. In an ideal world there would be a gap between the 252 and 300. That would require a stack of five and one of three, which would look odd, or two extra shelves, which is expensive. As Alba says, it's about compromise. 

Yes, the Supercap must be at the bottom. 

After reading the last posts I will swap 252 with NDS (252 on top) and swap Supercap with 300PS (Supercap on bottom on the right rack).

Hoping I soon will get back 252,Supercap, 300, 300PS from the factory...

Thanks again, folks!

oldneil posted:

After reading the last posts I will swap 252 with NDS (252 on top) and swap Supercap with 300PS (Supercap on bottom on the right rack).

Hoping I soon will get back 252,Supercap, 300, 300PS from the factory...

Thanks again, folks!

Hopefully, you'll find, as I did, that the 252 performs best in open space at the top of your rack.

As Alba1320 suggested, if there's no need for access to the unit, as would be the case with a CD player, I didn't find that the NDS suffered from being further down, though I was able to have an empty shelf above it.

Try it both ways, see which sounds best to you...............it's all part of the fun. 

Trust you don't have too long to wait for the return of your kit from Salisbury. 

KRM posted:

Yes, the Supercap must be at the bottom. 

Why's that then? I was always told that because it carried an audio signal it definitely shouldn't be at the bottom...

I've the same system and I've tried several combinations. In the end I settled for 300ps/555dr/scdr/300dr/252/nds from bottom to top.

With almost the same system I have stacked as follows:

Brain (left stack):

252

NDS

Uphorik

space

Unitiserve/non naim PS

Brawn (right stack)

SCDR

555

300 PS

space

300 head:

The space in each stack is created by using a medium fraim level. I wanted to have the 252 on top of the left stack instead of  the NDS because I usually handle the NDS via my iPhone, but I often use the volume knob on my 252. It's easier when it is located on top as I do not have to bend down to reach it.

Also, many forum members have recommended having the 252 on top for sonic reasons.

Love the sound, love usability!

KRM posted:

Yes, the Supercap must be at the bottom. 

I wonder why the SC must be at the bottom? I would put the 300PS at the bottom on the brawn rack.

Maybe if it's humming ;-)

dave marshall posted:

What HH says, though I think your 252 would benefit more than the NDS from being uppermost in the brain stack, or at least that's what I found at the time. 

Hi again.

seems to be a problem placing NDS below 252 as the burndies will be touching the rear of the Fraim.

Hungryhalibut posted:

KRM posted:

Yes, the Supercap must be at the bottom. 

Why's that then? I was always told that because it carried an audio signal it definitely shouldn't be at the bottom...

The Supercap throws off a lot of RFI, but is also more suspectable to RFI from other power supplies. Therefore, it's best to put at the bottom.

As far as I am concerned 252 and NDS on top.

For the rest:

252           NDS

CD5 XS     NAT05 XS

300          300PS

SCDR        555DR

HCDR on the ground, on its transformer side.

Chag -

But then both the NDS and the 252 are compromised by having a transformer below each of them, unless you have an empty shelf of course. 

Maybe but small are these transformers. Mind you that empty space below and above relates more to 552.  

Chag -

HH is right, separate the brain from the brawn.

Of course and in principle. But how do you classify NDX, ND5, CD5 XS, CDX2, 272, 172 NAT05 XS and all those hybrids that I have missed?  

Brain or brawn?

Chag -

It depends whether they are plugged into the mains. It's very easy. So a 272 is brawn, but add an XPS and it's brain. 

Chag... posted:

Maybe but small are these transformers. Mind you that empty space below and above relates more to 552.  

Chag -

Use medium or tall shelves , that will give plenty of fresh air below your NDS and 252.

 Ayap1

Quite a few of them, including nDAC for that matter, remain plugged while on an external PSU. What is equally important here are the sizes of the transformers and effects of EMR.  

Chag -