Atom with stageline /SBLs

Posted by: Lotus_esprit_s1 on 09 January 2018

I currently have a 122x / 150 / flatcap2 / cd5i / LP12 ekos/lingo, stageline, playing through Naca5 and SBL mk2s.

The cd5i is redundant and I am thinking about ditching all the other naim boxes and the six shelf mana rack at the same time as well and replace with a uniti Atom. As I want to retain the LP12/lingo, how do I go about potentially powering the Stageline? I don’t fancy keeping the flatcap2 purely to power it as it kind of defeats the object of the box reduction exercise. Is the Naim isupply still available and a viable alternative?

Secondly, will my SBLs be ok powered by the atom? I’ve always been happy with them with my lowly 122 / 150.

Posted on: 09 January 2018 by Gazza

If you want a one box solution, I think you need the Nova for a demo!

Posted on: 09 January 2018 by Lotus_esprit_s1

I’ll be honest, I don’t listen very much anymore so a Nova would be wasted. I don’t think the system has been used for a couple of months now - sadly I AirPlay from a Mac mini to Yamaha mini system in the kitchen due to the convenience.

The minimalist atom design appeals to me. Ideally I’d get shot of the LP12 too but I’ve had it for 20 plus years and am rather attached to it!

Posted on: 09 January 2018 by Gazza

I am not aware of your circumstances, I did have a (at the time) a substantial system, ditched it due to family and lack of use due to work pressures. At the time I did not use enough, and did not think about the future.......and my enduring love of music.

Posted on: 09 January 2018 by Perol

On a budget I'd say Unitiqute with a Rega Fono as its selfpowered

Atom may very well be too expensive playing that little or perhaps think Muso in the kitchen, even the UQ is a dream in a kitchen

Posted on: 09 January 2018 by ChrisSU

If you go for an Atom, I suspect you will be better off with different speakers that it can drive a bit more easily. Which would be a shame, especially given that you wouldn't get a huge amount of money for your SBLs.

Posted on: 09 January 2018 by cdboy

Do get a Nova. Maybe you'll then use the SBLs more?? They are rather good. Forget vinyl at the moment but keep the LP12 for when you are ready to choose a phono stage to attach to the Nova.

Posted on: 10 January 2018 by Pev

I use a Stageline with my Nova and it is very good. iSupply is no longer made but does come up second hand from time to time. I was so pissed off with Naim ditching the powered input that I sourced a 3rd party power supply just so they wouldn't profit from the change. Cheaper and has worked fine for nearly 5 years - plenty of options if you search.

Posted on: 10 January 2018 by fordy

Keep in mind the analogue input on the Atom goes straight into an ADC and is handled in the DAC section as a 24/48 digital signal. So that lovely analogue signal you thought you had from your LP12 ends right there... I haven't tried the analogue input yet on the Atom though so I don't know if it matters or not.

Incidentally I am going to be able to compare a 112x/150x to Atom and Atom/150x fairly soon. Next week hopefully.

The Atom is a superb and very slick all-in-one though. I replaced an ancient stack of home cinema kit in the living room with one and am delighted at the simplicity, reduced box count, sound quality and flexibility of it. The main attraction for me was the Roon integration but the whole thing stacks up as a very well thought out package.

I think it would be happy enough with the SBL's. Get one on a home demo is my advice.