Been cogitating and reading reviews on the Tom Evans The Groove + SRX power supply,which is what I have.
So there are pros and cons.
My phonostage majors on micro dynamics and transparency. I bought it blind and I am very happy with it. In twrms of depth of bass and mids other phonostages will have more. You need to go up to Master Groove to get that too.
The Superline will sound more Naim I would imagine and earthy. I am sure it is superb. I would imagine mids and bass will be improved.
The Urika reduces box count, makes full use of Radikal 2 and gives full Klimax. With this option I would leave phonostage permanently. It was designed for LP12 and their carts. So system synergy. It has sounded very good whenever I have heard it at the dealers.
So they are all quite different. In someways the easiest thing is to go with Urika 1 as then it is done. I wouldnāt change it.
Keeping what I have leaves the door open for future changes, but if it sounds good as it is, why change it.
The Superline represents more investment. But could rewards be greater?
Only way to know is hear the SL vs Groove, when youāre up to it.
Thereās always another rainbow pot of gold to chase ā¦another hill to look over. Iād be tempted to just hear the difference, but staying put is very, very attractive, especially as youāre very happy with what you have & the 552 is going to be a rocket I suspect. Plus, Ā£3500 is a lot of additional cashā¦
Iād love to reduce box count myself now for obvious reasons. If the Stiletto plinth/ top plate is great I wonāt tell . It can all get very expensive even if we follow the āwe only live onceā philosophy.
Iām restricted to one of the FRAIMs. Peter S has recommended the Tramp 2 for high mass supports. Top of the middle stack is the best option in my opinion Dan. Away from the speaker and wall corners. I have bought two more standard height levels for install
And your sub floor is rock solid. Hopefully this will help alot with LP12 installation.
My LP12 set up is okayish on Fraim. But far from perfect with suspended timber floor. I have mused before about changing it. Am finding LP12 is quite good on end right Fraim. Having more weight on Fraim shelves helps and having 500DR weight on shelf to the side all helps.
From all I read (never heard one), youāre going to love what 552 doesā¦me, Iād stick for awhile after. Thereāll be options galore laterā¦enjoy the 552 for a good while, then think about phonostages if thereās still the need. You may well be at a place youāre absolutely enchanted with, by then.
For me, my āstickā place was slightly lower down the trail, but Iām so still spellbound by it that I feel little-to-no need to pick up that backpack again
LP12, Radikal,Urika,EkosSE, Akiva v. LP12, Radikal,Urika,Aro,Akiva,Superline,Supercap,Hiline.
Both through 552, Linn Solos (yes, a weird combo, but thatās what the dealer had connected), Allaes.
The Urika sounded amazing on its own. Then the Superline came along and was more musical, engaging. The notes were more precise and in tune. The Urika was great, donāt get me wrong. But it wasnāt close. And weāve tried many types of music ā Led Zeppelin, Bach, Sinatra, the Bandā¦
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion though. Nothing wrong with that.
I canāt speak to the availability of a Kontrol but there isnāt a 500 at the shop right now. Both LP12s had the Keel and Radikal so basically it was a tricked out Linned LP12 and Naimed LP12. They were on identical stands.There is also a stack of about 15 Aro Keels waiting to be installed and the Urika just arrived so I doubt this is the final demo setup.
In my opinion they are both excellent. To my ears the āLinnifiedā LP 12 shone on smaller ensembles such as small jazz combos. The Naim version seemed to me to sort out more complex music better to me. Overall I would opt for the Superline but then again I do not have unlimited funds and just received my Superline a couple of months ago and prefer the Naim house sound more than the Linn to begin with.