Switch from Rega Aria phono amp to Naim Stageline, feeding a Naim 272/250DR

Cant imagine why you would want to move. The rega stuff is excellent, and works very well together as a "set". Stageline is a bit of an old doorstop going back almost to the last century.

Aria to Stageline is definitely a step backwards imo... Agree with Mr Honeyball above.

Stick with the Aria.

ATB,

Mark

The Stageline can surprise - as I discovered recently when my Superline went down on one channel and I substituted my old Stageline K BNC as a temporary fill-in while the Superline gets some TLC at the Naim hospital.  For all that, as you're using a Rega deck and cart, you're probably best off sticking with your Aria.

Thanks all. You've saved me some money!

Robert Burgess posted:

Thanks all. You've saved me some money!

You don't get away that easy, RB, what about the Rega IOS Reference?!   ;-)

Chris

(Happy Stageline S owner)

A wallshelf perhaps ?

Richard Dane posted:

The Stageline can surprise - as I discovered recently when my Superline went down on one channel and I substituted my old Stageline K BNC as a temporary fill-in while the Superline gets some TLC at the Naim hospital.  For all that, as you're using a Rega deck and cart, you're probably best off sticking with your Aria.

what powersupply did you use with it, Richard?

If you feel something is missing then the first thing to do is to make sure the Aria is as far away from the deck and the preamp as you can get it. If you a have a low output MC then the cartridge needs to be as far away from transformers as possible. With all this positioning it's not just a matter of there being no hum but finding the best position from a sound perspective. 

Its also worth varying the weight although Rega recommend being close to 1.75 gm.

After that you can try powercords in the Aria, which do make a real difference when you get the right one. You hear the noise floor drop right down.

After that the interconnect, although I found the Rega Couple 2 hard to beat but really like the SL RCA to DIN.

You may start wondering whether you are actually listening to vinyl when it's all really working well. 

Phil

jon honeyball posted:

Richard Dane posted:

The Stageline can surprise - as I discovered recently when my Superline went down on one channel and I substituted my old Stageline K BNC as a temporary fill-in while the Superline gets some TLC at the Naim hospital.  For all that, as you're using a Rega deck and cart, you're probably best off sticking with your Aria.

what powersupply did you use with it, Richard?

AUX2 - 552PS

Filipe posted:

If you feel something is missing then the first thing to do is to make sure the Aria is as far away from the deck and the preamp as you can get it. If you a have a low output MC then the cartridge needs to be as far away from transformers as possible. With all this positioning it's not just a matter of there being no hum but finding the best position from a sound perspective. 

Its also worth varying the weight although Rega recommend being close to 1.75 gm.

After that you can try powercords in the Aria, which do make a real difference when you get the right one. You hear the noise floor drop right down.

After that the interconnect, although I found the Rega Couple 2 hard to beat but really like the SL RCA to DIN.

You may start wondering whether you are actually listening to vinyl when it's all really working well. 

Phil

 

Good advice. I have an Aria and ill second the point regarding keeping it away from other items. I once put mine next to a hicap and it totally muffled the sound, it was really bad. Moved it away as far as the interconnects allowed and it sounds superb.

Just stick to the Aria - it's a best match to Rega cartridges. I use my RP10 / Aphelion with Aria - no complaints there
Apheta needs a relatively high gain setting of around 69 dB. If I remember correctly SuperLine is somewhere in the 50's or so.

If you'd like to upgrade something - get a decent RCA > DIN interconnect. For the level of equipment you have, I can warmly recommend Chord Signature Tuned Aray.
You can also try sticking a Naim PowerLine on the Aria - it's a subtle, but audible improvement over a standard lead. Just make sure you don't plug it into the same circuit as your Naim boxes .

Adam

Christopher_M posted:

Robert Burgess posted:

Thanks all. You've saved me some money!

You don't get away that easy, RB, what about the Rega IOS Reference?!   ;-)

Chris

(Happy Stageline S owner)

iOS Reference is sadly not being manufactured anymore. I tried finding one in Europe but it seems nigh impossible. Ahh well...

Adam Zielinski posted:

Just stick to the Aria - it's a best match to Rega cartridges. I use my RP10 / Aphelion with Aria - no complaints there
Apheta needs a relatively high gain setting of around 69 dB. If I remember correctly SuperLine is somewhere in the 50's or so.

If you'd like to upgrade something - get a decent RCA > DIN interconnect. For the level of equipment you have, I can warmly recommend Chord Signature Tuned Aray.
You can also try sticking a Naim PowerLine on the Aria - it's a subtle, but audible improvement over a standard lead. Just make sure you don't plug it into the same circuit as your Naim boxes .

Adam

Adam, regarding the choice of power cords, you recommend not plugging the Aria into the same circuit as the Naim boxes. This seems strange as with a low output cartridge surely one needs the best supply possible. Also getting a consistent earth must be important, but I am uncertain whether the Aria establishes its earth through the RCA from the preamp or through its power cord. If the later, surely it would make sense to have the preamp and Aria on the same radial?

Well, mine are on the same radial. I would consider powering the TT from a separate supply.

I'm a very happy Rega owner with the same setup as you apart from using Naim SL RCA to DIN and Isotek Optimum power cord which dropped the noise floor dramatically. The Optimum is screened and uses very special conductors. 

Phil

Aria and RP10 are grounded via the R channel (if I remember correctly) to the pre-amp.
As to using a different mains circuit - what I meant is not to 'polute' the sensitive Naim electronics