Naim NAC-N 272 with 555 PS DR

Hi HH - yes, I have my 272 sitting on top of the 250DR.  No other place to put it.  Due to space constraints I can't fit in a Fraim.  However, I have placed 4 Silent Feet (made in Germany by a company called Thixar) between the two boxes in an effort to isolate them.  If I get a PSU I will get 4 more of the feet.

Have you thought about some shelves to put on the wall? I’d suggest that the negative impact of having the boxes really close together won’t be overcome by fancy feet. You’d be much better getting the best from what you have, rather than spending even more. Wise man builds his house on rock and all that. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Have you thought about some shelves to put on the wall? I’d suggest that the negative impact of having the boxes really close together won’t be overcome by fancy feet. You’d be much better getting the best from what you have, rather than spending even more. Wise man builds his house on rock and all that. 

Quite - sticking a 555PS into that pile (with its honking great transformer) certainly won't get the best from the kit.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Have you thought about some shelves to put on the wall? I’d suggest that the negative impact of having the boxes really close together won’t be overcome by fancy feet. You’d be much better getting the best from what you have, rather than spending even more. Wise man builds his house on rock and all that. 

Sticks of rock as piles for the foundations, gingerbread walls... etc.?  

Unfortunately there is a window behind my setup - can’t do shelves.  So, it’s stack them or nothing.  The only thing that I can do is isolate all of them from each other.  At least I’m going to try.

docmark posted:

Unfortunately there is a window behind my setup - can’t do shelves.  So, it’s stack them or nothing.  The only thing that I can do is isolate all of them from each other.  At least I’m going to try.

My perception of this issue (which could be entirely incorrect!!) is that there are two issues to consider:

1) Physical decoupling of each component from any source of (microphonic?) vibration from speakers, other black boxes, etc. A good rack should help, but if you can't accommodate one, Fraim style glass on ball bearings/cups might still help.

2) Distance between sensitive source components and powerful electrical currents, such as AC supply cables and large transformers. The latter become bigger, and potentially more problematic, as on progresses up the Naim ladder, so a preamp might suffer more from being close to a 555 than an XPS, and more from being close to a NAP300 than a NAP200, for example. 

Can anybody think of a shelf or component stand/device that would provide isolation from the transformer in the 555?  Or is this something that can be achieved only through physical distance between the two, e.g., the 555 and a 250DR, or the 555 and 272?

Naim Fraim....Really though,how small is your room that you can’t possibly fit a stack of Fraim in it?They are not that big.

My Naim equipment is on a computer desk in my kitchen.  My main system is in my living room and consists of an audio rack on which sit a Burmester 082 integrated amp, an EMM Labs CD/SACD player, and soon to be an NDX.  I have Proac Response D80 speakers. Lately I spend a lot of my time at the computer.  I wanted a high-end system in the room, hence the Naim Gear.  I have Burmester B10 speakers.  I want to have even better sound than I'm getting, so I'm looking at a power supply upgrade.  I simply cannot fit in a stack of Fraim, as much as I'd like to.  Unless I completely move everything, which I don't want to do, I'm stuck with this limited space.  If I can't stack them, then perhaps I should just get rid of everything and try another manufacturer.  However, I'd much rather stick with Naim...  .  ,. .

Have you considered a headphone rig?That might be a much better option,or a nice pair of active Dynaudio speakers...I own XD 600s,fantastic.How about all the gear in another room,and just the speakers on your desk?

I don't want a headphone rig, and wouldn't consider it unless I did a lot of computer audiophile stuff.  I don't.  I have over 2500 CDs & downloads on my Core, which I play back through the 272.  My Burmester speakers sound wonderful and as far as I know are better than a set of active speakers, no offence.  I want my system to stay as it is, i.e., a Naim system, but want to improve on it.  My dealer doesn't think stacking Naim boxes is quite as horrible a thing to do as others - then again, he IS trying to sell me a 555PS.  I will do my best to physically isolate the components.  The Silent Feet (Thixar) should help to mechanically decouple them and prevent vibration.  The 272 will sit at least 7-8 inches away from the massive transformer in the 555.  We'll see how things will sound.

Did you give up the idea of the Dave’s?...I wouldn’t.

Hi No Quarter - no, I haven't given it up entirely yet.  I'm still trying to sort through what my next move should be.  I can't do both at once. It sounds like the power supply could be a problem, especially given the size of the 555 transformer & the proximity of the 272.  Maybe I should go for the Dave. I can always get a PSU when I have more room to work with.

Core/Dave/Supernait 2?

Supernait 2?  Then I can't stream to my NDX, or listen to Tidal, Spotify or internet radio.

docmark posted:

Can anybody think of a shelf or component stand/device that would provide isolation from the transformer in the 555?  Or is this something that can be achieved only through physical distance between the two, e.g., the 555 and a 250DR, or the 555 and 272?

Plese - don’t stack them. At this level of equipment proper support and separation is vital. If you cannot find a proper rack for your equipment I would advise you not to purchase a PSU for the N272. Benefits will be lost.

docmark posted:

Maybe I should go for the Dave. I can always get a PSU when I have more room to work with.

If you go for a Dave, you could eliminate the need for a big PSU entirely by using it directly into the power amp. If you want Tidal etc. you can connect it to your computer as well as the Core. Save the Naim preamp + PSU idea until you ‘have more room to work with’.

Adam - the 250DR and the 272 shall remain in my system, stacked and separated by about 3 inches including special feet to decouple the two.  The combination sounds absolutely fine.  They are not as delicate as they have been made out to be.  When I bought the 272, I thought that it sounded pretty good on its own.  Adding the 250DR was a step up, as was adding the SL DIN to XLR cable to connect the two.  My speakers sing.  I will likely not add a PSU at this time, but may try a demo out of curiosity.  I will likely buy the Chord DAC, the Dave, as well as its stand.  I have numerous high quality cables to connect everything.  So far, I'd honestly have to say that the benefits of using my system have not been lost.  Who knows, a PSU may have pushed things too far.

I’m confused as to how a 272 ‘sounded pretty good on its own’, as without a power amp it is totally silent. As a 272 owner I can assure you that placing it only three inches above a 250 does not get the best from it, and the performance will be compromised. As for the SL din to XLR lead, unless it hangs free and touches nothing its performance will also be compromised. Maybe that doesn’t matter to you, as we are all different and it may or may not matter to you whether the system works as well as it can or not. 

Anyway, here is a thought. Get the 555PS. Sell the cable collection and the 250 and get a 300 and a good rack. Move all this into the living room with the ProAcs. Put the Burmeister in the kitchen with a Naim streamer and reunite it with the Burmeister speakers. Sorted. 

Sorry HH you're right.  It was late here and I was thinking of the Nova I had for a brief period.  Of course the 272 is silent!!  I'm not going to completely switch my systems around, though, and I'm not about to sell my 'cable collection.'  The Burmester 082 works beautifully with my Proac speakers and will stay  where it is.  I will live with the 'compromised' Naim system as it is & try my best to get some enjoyment out of it, even though you say that's not possible.  I will let the SL cable dangle where it may and not obsess about it.  What I won't do is share any more thoughts with or seek any advice  from this forum, at least not very often.  What's the point?  I'll stumble along with my exploration of Naim products and seek advice from my dealer.

All I said what that you won’t get the best from it, not that you will get no enjoyment from it. It’s entirely up to you whether you follow advice or not. 

True, but I had been seeking advice on living with my system as it is at the moment.  There must be more than one way to enjoy this system.  I will look at ways to try and isolate the components.  I will also not get a PSU until I can physically remove it from the rest of my gear.  I am going to try the Dave DAC - I want to hear for myself what it sounds like.