Does power line improve Nova?

Thank you, I will.

A case of suck it and see for yourself.  

What you don't want I really believe is a result that makes you notice something stronger in a particular aspect . Bass more defined, treble less splashy or mid band more refined. 

Most expect some difference. Those who haven't might just be listening to a particular aspect.

What you want is something that doesn't disjoint these aspects to impress, but to neutrally raise the level of everything going on together as a whole, and this might be a very marginal thing.  But ultimately more pleasing over the long run

Very well put TobyJug. I am just looking to see if I can improve on my musical investment. I’ll know if I hear what I think I am looking for. The funny thing is that I went to my dealer earlier tonight and picked-up a Powerline on borrowed time. Just connected it up to the Nova. And even with the cable having not been used for 6 months it seems like there was a little present, the soundtage is a little more divided and upfront, the bass is rubbery not as good, the treble sounds fine, definitely more detail all across the soundstage. The most predoment feature of the cable right now is a certain loudness that is unsettled, the  system sounds louder and the bass a little unsettled. My guess is that with some healthy listening sessions the Powerline should reburn-in over the next couple of weeks. The cable should settle. We will just have to wait and see how my ears adjust. Will keep everyone posted.

I’d suggest that dedicated mains should come before a Powerline. It’s probably cheaper and will very likely provide more of an improvement. 

Thank you Hungry Halibut, If you have time could you elaborate on that. I am only using a Nova ?

Got it.

Well, after 2 days of light play of the Nova w/ in-burned Powerline and no upgraded of dedicated main yet, the Powerline is starting to come to life. Larger soundstage, clearer instrumental detail. Starting to hear musical information I did not hear previous & in a way not heard on the Nova before. Will see what new sonic breakthroughs are to come. Even at this early stage it’s beginning to seem that there may be no turning back. Will run this demo for a week or two before I decide. And within that time install a high quality dedicated main & hope for more improvement.

The before and after difference (even at this early burn-in phase of the PL) kinda feels like going from a great Hi/Fi system to an almost Brilliant musical Instrument. ????????????????

Are there options for this outside the UK?

All I can say is after just 3 days with with a Powerline on my Nova I am going to have to agree with Pev’s earler conclusion statement : “Full fat Powerline on my Nova and it’s staying there” even with the Powerline still burning-in the difference is like night and day across-the-board. There’s can be no going back. The differences would be too vast. Lol. Will still demo for a week, but it looks like I’m all in. Will change my power receptacle next. Thanks ????

Japtimscarlet posted:

My powerline lite lays unloved under the sideboard...am I the only one who thinks they look cheap and Nasty and don't do much?

Cashed mine in for £75 via eBay!

Japtimscarlet posted:

My powerline lite lays unloved under the sideboard...am I the only one who thinks they look cheap and Nasty and don't do much?

No you’re not.

Isn't the cable in the life and full fat identical, the full fat has the plug and IEC tweaks. So £100 to £550 ????

As said before for me the Chord is way ahead of the Powerline.

Obsydian posted:

Isn't the cable in the life and full fat identical, the full fat has the plug and IEC tweaks. So £100 to £550 ????

The Lite uses the same cable and IEC plug as the old standard mains lead, with Naim’s UK mains plug. The full fat Powerline uses a thicker, shielded cable. 

ChrisSU posted:

Obsydian posted:

Isn't the cable in the life and full fat identical, the full fat has the plug and IEC tweaks. So £100 to £550 ????

The Lite uses the same cable and IEC plug as the old standard mains lead, with Naim’s UK mains plug. The full fat Powerline uses a thicker, shielded cable. 

Thanks I stand corrected.

Obsydian, Thanks I am looking forward to trying the Chord. And will be on the lookout for one on your recommendation alone.  The Powerline in the first real cable  upgrade I have had on the nova and to me it has made a big difference in the sound presentation. If you think I can improve on the nova’s  sound a little more then it would be worth a try. Thanks 

ChrisSU posted:

Obsydian posted:

Isn't the cable in the life and full fat identical, the full fat has the plug and IEC tweaks. So £100 to £550 ????

The Lite uses the same cable and IEC plug as the old standard mains lead, with Naim’s UK mains plug. The full fat Powerline uses a thicker, shielded cable. 

I thought it was thicker (3 x 4mm² conductors) but not shielded ?

james n posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Obsydian posted:

Isn't the cable in the life and full fat identical, the full fat has the plug and IEC tweaks. So £100 to £550 ????

The Lite uses the same cable and IEC plug as the old standard mains lead, with Naim’s UK mains plug. The full fat Powerline uses a thicker, shielded cable. 

I thought it was thicker (3 x 4mm² conductors) but not shielded ?

Actually, you are right James, it is unshielded I think, just a thick rubber outer and 4mm wires. 

I heard that the guy’s wife who started Chord actually use to work for Naim in some capacity, design maybe ? Does someone know ???  

If so, would that make Chord cable synergy with Naim equipment more synergetic and a little closer to home ???

IIRC it was Sally Gibb who started it all with the simple RCA > DIN interconnects. She was married to someone high up in Naim at that time.

Step forward a few years when they found a well thumbed copy of the Times Microwave catalogue and things went a bit daft, especially the prices ... 

Sally used to be married to Paul Stephenson. The Chord Company originally began by offering RCA-DIN interconnects so Naim owners could connect Non-Naim kit to their amps with decent quality cabling that sounded good. However, the Chord Company is completely independent of Naim.

Thank you James & Richard. This is good information to know with me being a newbie to Naim & the Naim sound. 

Freedomsounds posted:

Obsydian, Thanks I am looking forward to trying the Chord. And will be on the lookout for one on your recommendation alone.  The Powerline in the first real cable  upgrade I have had on the nova and to me it has made a big difference in the sound presentation. If you think I can improve on the nova’s  sound a little more then it would be worth a try. Thanks 

I have absolutely no experience of using a Nova, with or without a Powerline, but I used to use Powerlines on my - at the time - Supercap, 250.2 and Linn Radikal, all to good effect. It didn't work at all well on my Ndac, however.  Generally though, they were significantly better than the standard Naim cables and a useful upgrade.

Despite my better judgement I then agreed to have a home dem of a Chord Sarum on the Radikal... 

If reading well-thumbed copy of the Times Microwave catalogue can produce these sorts of results, I'd recommend Naim's development team get hold of one .