Powerline(s) with Arcam A39 & DAC V1

Posted by: DanT87 on 23 January 2017

Hello,

I am new to the HiFi scene, please be gentle!

I am seeking advice on using Naim Powerlines with my current DAC V1 and Arcam A39.

My understanding is that they are a worthwhile upgrade although I wouldn't mind auditioning them first. I have a few questions.

In my system I am currently using:

Tidal HiFi >
Chord Silverline USB >
Naim DAC V1 >
Chord Cobra DIN4 to RCA >
Arcam A39 >
Chord Odyssey 2 + factory bananas >
Chord Odyssey 2 jumper cables spade to banana >
B&W 683 S2

Question 1 - is it worth using 2 powerlines with the DAC V1 AND Arcam A39 in my system or just on one of the above? 

Question 2 - specifically with the Arcam A39 am I likely to notice a worthwhile difference? Currently it is plugged straight into the wall as it would be using a powerline.

Question 3 - previously I have had my DAC V1 plugged into a tacima mains conditioner strip and I have to say, since being advised to plug it directly into the wall I am pleased with the difference, much better than I thought it would be. How do I know the powerline won't replicate this issue I had previously with the mains filter?

Question 4 -  Powerlines are expensive, does anyone have any advice on a suitable alternative or are they really as good as the price would suggest? 

Thanks in advance for your help, tah.

Posted on: 11 February 2017 by hungryhalibut

CDs that you rip yourself sound quite a lot better than stuff from Tidal. 

As for the speakers - no idea, though Frank's earlier comments are worth considering.  

Posted on: 11 February 2017 by DanT87

Thanks for the reply, which comment in particular do you mean? 

Also I was unaware that ripping a CD would be better than "Cd quality" from Tidal.

Either way, it's considerably better than Apple Music I was using previously...

Posted on: 11 February 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

DANT87 - a CD rip you do your self isn't necessarily better than the same master obtained from Tidal - however from a  Naim streamer perspective there are some considerations - Tidal uses FLAC and some prefer the sound of  WAV rendering with their Naim and also the network transport from Tidal over the internet  is more involved than with a local stream from your own rip - and this extra TCP transport  related traffic can slightly negatively affect the sound on a Naim streamer. This might change however with future Naim products such as the new Uniti series.

S

Posted on: 11 February 2017 by DanT87

Hi Simon thanks for your reply, as far as network transport from Tidal over the internet goes, there shouldn't be any? As it is played from a downloaded offline playlist from a device that is not connected to the internet. 

How does this sound? 

Posted on: 11 February 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

DANT87 - ok sorry I thought you were playing via a  Naim streamer. If you are playing from an downloaded playlist you are obviously using another device for the streaming