I’ve got two of them - one in the second system, the other sat in a cupboard (came with the CD555). Switched to Superlumina years ago.
Just the one return to base for repair for my original Hi-Line, years ago.
I’ve got two of them - one in the second system, the other sat in a cupboard (came with the CD555). Switched to Superlumina years ago.
Just the one return to base for repair for my original Hi-Line, years ago.
Simon
I agree that in your specific case a 12 year connector life may be acceptable. The more fundamental problem from mine and several other long term Naim owners’ perspectives, is that the failure demons have visited after a much shorter and unacceptable frequency. I suspect that the unacceptable aspect applies to both customers and the bean counters at Naim.
Peter
They are still happy to sell the things for £899, which presumably more than adequately covers the time needed to put them back together.
When the HiLine was first released i think it retailed for around £499 way back in 2004. Maybe they have the repair costs already covered? Naim obviously think it’s worth it for its sonic abilities alone, after all this time in production, they could’ve pulled it or changed it a very long time ago. Crikey, has it been that long? How the time flies…
Indeed, but it would be interesting to see the stats… you tend to only hear of the issues peeking above the surface on forums like this.
Time has flown, and IIRC Richard was at pains to point out not to try and effect DIY repairs on Hi-Lines as the cable to pin solder joint is quite difficult* - and, by the looks, prone to fragility.
One of my early learnings of rack building was to ensure all cabling is done as you go, as reaching around/over a Fraim stack with something like a Hi-Line increases risk factors, and that’s before one gets to the nervy point of trying to marry-up floating pins to a DIN socket.
I’ve said as much many times in relation to other issues like humming transformers, misery loves company.
I’ve had terrible luck with products at times where others had none and vice versa. In the case of Naim, I’ve been on the fortunate side. My HiLine just turned 10 and despite having the system moved around four times in that period, it looks factory fresh (touch wood).
About five years back a ring separated when a Hello Kitty colouring book slid off the rack and hit the cable square on but that was a DIY easy repair.
I certainly don’t blame anyone for swearing off HiLines if they have had chronic issues. I’m probably worse. I have bad experiences and never touch the offending brand again. I’ve got zero patience for technical fails.
Wow, £899. You all must be getting a fire sale over there. Here’s in the U.S. the HiLine cables have gone up to $1830. Maybe Naim is trying to make them so expensive that we’ll cave in and get Super Lumina cables instead, so they don’t have to keep repairing their own crap. Well, maybe not. The Super Lumina DIN5-5 is an eye-watering $4600 now.
Jeez - and 20% of that £899 is VAT. Is there any additional US sales tax on those prices?
Mine broke under its own weight, like many others. There was absolutely no strain on the cable.
I’d always been extremely careful not to touch the thing, and no one else uses the hifi here.
Naim repaired it free of charge - still, I was without the HiLine for over four months: my dealer claimed that it had been lost in the post, it turned out that he’d never sent it.
Needless to say, should it break again, I won’t get another one, I still have the lavender.
Naim have the stats…
That’s distribution out of control!
No, add about 10% for sales tax, varying depending on location (sales taxes are levied by state + county + city). Basically a HiLine is $2000 and a Super Lumina is $5000. I will never own the latter, even at used prices.
I think this whole broken HiLine fiasco has driven me to the decision of getting a third party phono-stage with dual inputs, rather than getting a second Superline. The expense and hassle of the cables is just too overboard for me.
If I get the Boulder phono I might even get my tonearm cables rewired for balanced connectors.
Worse yet, Focal-Naim IS the U.S. distributor. I guess it doesn’t matter to me now since I don’t expect to buy any more Naim gear.
Totally understandable, given those numbers.
This really is off topic, but have you tried the Goldnote PH10? You really should if you get the opportunity. Don’t let the low price fool you.
Are you really trying to claim that a $1500 phono-stage won’t be a downgrade from a $17k Naim phono-stage? Sorry, I’m unconvinced. Have you personally compared it to a Naim Superline, even one without a SCDR?
I recently had a Simaudio Moon 310LP ($1800) phono-stage in my system (for unrelated reasons). The Moon phono is no slouch, but it was so badly clobbered by the Naim it sounded like someone threw a rug ovr my speakers. My Naim/Simaudio dealer was unsurprised.
I am looking for something that will be comparable to what I have (Pass Labs and Boulder are in the range). I don’t want to downgrade to get the convenience of dual phono inputs.
I haven’t compared but have heard that it outclassed the Avid Pulsare II in one system. It might not hold candle against Naim Superline or Boulder. What do I know? However given it’s comparison to the Avid I thought it might be worth a try if you could.
Is the superline 17000 USD? Here it’s 10000USD with the Supercap. The Avid is 9000.
Most recent retail U.S. prices (before SCDR was discontinued)
Superline: $4599
Supercap DR: $8199
Burndy: $995
HiLine: $1829
Powerline: $1139
Z-Plug (AVOptions/Cymbiosis): $500
Total: $17,261 + ~10% sales tax
One can save some money omitting the Powerline and Z-plug, and using a Lavender 4-5 instead of a Hiline, but that’s still: $14,082 + ~10% sales tax.
So if you count sales tax levied I have a $19k (retail cost) Naim phono-stage.
have heard that it outclassed the Avid Pulsare II in one system
You have heard, but you didn’t hear for yourself? What cartridge? What arm? What TT? That all has bearing on it too. For example I can imagine that there is less difference to hear with – say – a $1000 LOMC cartridge (Hana, DV, etc) on a Rega P3, but I have a Lyra Atlas (w/ Clearaudio Innovation/Universal), and it’s mostly pointless (waste of money) to use such a cartridge without a world class phono-stage. TBH: your recommendation for the Goldnote PH10 seems somewhat baseless at this point, or at least the comparison you mention. And I don’t know the Avid anyway. Word of mouth doesn’t carry any weight for me. Sorry.
Yes you are right it’s word of mouth and it’s up to you if you are interested in exploring it. It seems you are not, which is fine. It was just a friendly tip. The system the Avid phono stage is used in I don’t know the details about but it is high end. No Rega P3 to be seen in those quarters . I assume the owner has balanced his kit accordingly. I know the power amplifier is around the same price as a 500 which of course doesn’t say much.
OK, thanks. I appreciate the consideration, but I doubt I have any opportunity to evaluate the Goldnote personally anyway. My dealer is getting in a Boulder 1108 for me to evaluate, although I’m not so sure I’m prepared to spend that kind of money on it. Even after selling my Naim phono I would have to come up with a substantial difference.
I originally thought about keeping en eye on used Superline and HiCapDR as a 2nd phono.