Stageline and supercap

Surely the answer is to try it? I've always found the Stageline to be distinctly underwhelming, and would have thought that a Superline is far more appropriate in a 500 series system. 

I agree but to date I've always managed to miss them on the rare occasions that they crop up.

The Stageline is surprisingly good powered from a NAC552 but a Supercap is arguably even better - very earthy. meaty, powerful.  I don't know what changes a Supercap DR would bring but why not try it out.  Note that you will need a 4-5 interconnect.  I would stick with the standard grey one - I preferred it to the Hi-line 4-5 with vinyl replay.

p.s. Note that in your position I would be looking for either a s/h Prefix or maybe a Superline.  Both outperform the Stageline.

When I had a Stageline it was mainly powered by a Hicap but I did have a Supercap on my 282. Swapping the power suppies over made a significant difference - Supercap on the Stageline was far better.

I was losing the benefit of the Supercap on the preamp, but you won't; you are powering already the Stageline from the 552, so arguably the difference should be smaller, but changing from a Supercap to a Supercap DR was a game changer on the Superline.

Try it. I think that you will much prefer the Supercap DR 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Surely the answer is to try it? I've always found the Stageline to be distinctly underwhelming, and would have thought that a Superline is far more appropriate in a 500 series system. 

I have to agree with HH. If you have a spare Supercap DR ditch the Stageline and invest in a Superline. I'm running mine with a HiCap DR and plan to move to a Supercap DR. Love the Superline with my LP12 but am minful that the Supercap DR will take things to the next level and some

Stageline with SC vs Superline with HC - anyone done the test?

Thanks guys. Will report back when I manage to locate my 4 to 5 pin interconnect!

What's the spec on the LP12 beyond Ekos and Dynavector?

I had the Superline + Supercap  (non-DR) on my old LP12 but then I demo'd (at home) a new Klimax LP12 with Urika phono & Radical power along side the old one.  I preferred the new LP12 Klimax edition to the old LP12 / Superline / Supercap and that's what I kept, selling my Naim phono & power supply & old LP12.  To this day I still think back and wonder lf if the improvement in SQ was down to a new, up to date LP12 vs a 1998 LP12 without Keel and with a different cartridge, or if it was the Scottish company vs Naim phono stage.

In hindsight I should have done some more extensive comparison, but at the time this bright shiny new Klimax (top of the range) LP12 was beckoning to me...

So my advice would be, Paul, take the time to listen to the effect the Supercap has with your Stageline, compared to the 552 power output, but, having owned a Superline (and still have a Stageline on my second deck - a Dual721), I'd strongly recomend the Superline in your line-up.... and if you do ever find yourself with a higher spec LP12 in your hands, do what I didn't do, take the time for a full evaluation.

Having said all that, am I still pleased with the SQ of the Klimax?... you bet I am   

Roger

I prefer a non-DR supercap on my prefix to the AUX2 of my also non-DR 552 - much better to these ears.

Personally, I don't rate the stageline at all - worst bit of Naim kit I've ever owned - and would suggest you get a prefix. Huge improvement with a prefix when using the AUX2 - I did not have the supercap then. 

Second hand values for both are pretty well the same, at least in the context of kit like yours. Almost a free upgrade!

When I first had my Xerxes with Dyn Xx I thought the Stageline excellent    At the price of course etc.  

Regards,

Lindsay

The Strat (Fender) posted:

When I first had my Xerxes with Dyn Xx I thought the Stageline excellent

This is exactly why I asked for the Sondek spec, Lindsay. It's not as if the listed spec, "LP12 Ecos Dynavector" nails it.

Maybe money from the sale of the spare SC could fund Sondek upgrades allowing Paul to stick with Stageline on Aux2.....

Chris

If you do manage to see a Superline at reasonable cost I'd recommend going for it. With the Supercap DR it's a huge step up from the Stageline. I much preferred the Dynavector P75 MC stage to the Stageline with my DV XX2. But the Superline was much better than that even.

I now have a Superline with its own HC. A Powerline on the HC makes a very significant difference. 

Regards,

Lindsay

Hi all. Many thanks for your input.

After taking the opportunity to disassemble, dust, retighten the fraim and reassemble, I am now in a position to sit back and do some listening. Currently have the s/cap hooked up the stageline. First impressions are positive, more weight and better control of the bass. However early days and wish bias may be playing its part here. I shall post again after a proper period of comparison.

Strat - the LP12 has a full cirkus upgrade and is fitted with Tiger Paw Khan upgrade. Cartridge is a Dynevector DV-20X2. Still Valhalla'd but a Lingo is lurking in the wings. I appreciate there are better phono stages than the stageline but vinyl is not my only source and I just want to try and wring the best out of it with the equipment I currently have.

ATB

Paul