Rack order

Maybe, can you hear one if you exchange a couple of boxes? I couldn't when I had rega amps and plug order made no difference either. When I went to a 282/hicap/250 both were noticeable, as was a power cable touching the rack.

Yours looks OK assuming your using all your shelves and the phono isn't a superline. Get used to the sound like that then swap a couple of boxes. If you have a modular rack separating the TTps and phono stage might be a good idea, more so if it's at low output MC sensitivity.

No, Phonostage is a Rega Aria. TTPS is for Rega RP10.

Your order seems sensible from a logistics perspective - obviously the TT must be on top and nice to have the CDP near top as well. If you consider rearranging boxes I'd look at what configuration gives you the best cable management (i.e., interconnects hanging free, off the floor, not touching or crossing each other as much as possible, and not against the wall or rack). Good luck!

Any power supply including those within the poweramp is bad news for a low output MC cartridge (0.3 -0.5 mV). I have my CDX2 beneath the RP10 but the rack legs mean the cartridge is nearly 11" (275mm) from the CDX2 PS on the right. I could turn the CDX2 off while playing vinyl if I felt it made a difference, but at least it is drawing minimal current if there is no CD playing. Likewise the Aria benefits from being as far away from the cartridge and other power supplies.

Try and keep the preamp as far away from the poweramp as well. The more up the Naim ladder you go the more important it is to protect sensitive electronics from power supplies and power amps. Hence two racks (one for brain and the other for brawn) as you move up the Classic range.

Phil

Thanks for your responses.  Unfortunately I don't have space for 2 racks.  My cartridge is about 340mm from the CD player so no problems there.  It is about 160mm from the TTPSU.  Aria phonostage and TTPSU sit on same shelf adjacient to each other (TTPSU directly under cartridge on right side as facing system.  Distance between Aria and TTPSU only 20mm.  Maybe I need to separate them a bit more?

Rotifer217 posted:

Thanks for your responses.  Unfortunately I don't have space for 2 racks.  My cartridge is about 340mm from the CD player so no problems there.  It is about 160mm from the TTPSU.  Aria phonostage and TTPSU sit on same shelf adjacient to each other (TTPSU directly under cartridge on right side as facing system.  Distance between Aria and TTPSU only 20mm.  Maybe I need to separate them a bit more?

I would experiment with Aria and TTPSU relative to the cartridge. The Aria still works well without being on proper racking. My two racks are diagonal in a corner (actual HiFi Racks Akorner), with a small coffee table siting on stool behind being used for the Aria. Not suggesting you do that. Try putting them on either side of the TT on your record storage units if I remember correctly. SQ is more important than aesthetics at this stage.

I found the Isotek Optimum power cord into the Aria made a big difference to SQ (possible next step). Try some power cords out on loan.

Phil

If you could add one more shelf to your rack, it would be much easier to try different options. Alternatively, use a dedicated wall shelf for the turntable if the wall behind is solid. Then you could put the power amp and PSU low, well away from the phono stage. You may also find that putting the preamp higher (above the CD player) helps, by putting it further away from the power amp and PSU. Cable dressing may also be a bit easier with the boxes spread further apart.

Weather or not there is any audible improvement from any of this, you'll only find out by trying, but I have found that careful attention to detail helps.

I also wonder about the "right" order. Currently: 

nDAC
HDX
282
250
XPS
SC

What do you suggest? 

michael1702 posted:

I also wonder about the "right" order. Currently: 

nDAC
HDX
282
250
XPS
SC

What do you suggest? 

I would suggest, again, putting the 282 on top - but mostly, I would suggest trial and error to see what sounds best in your party setup.