I just don’t understanding how will room acoustic play a role in the dynamics of the music/volume?
Well you mentioned you found sitting in front of the speakers tiring at times ?
Well he doesn’t have to take it home with him. I’m trying to understand the significance. Do you feel the system has a problem?
If you do, the problem your friend describes seems more like they aren’t used to a system that can swing proper dynamics the way your system can and have judged it wrong. Managing dynamics from quiet to loud is generally seen as a good thing since most systems struggle.
If you have a problem with the tonal balance, that’s another story. And one I don’t think will have a significantly different ending by changing any cables. If the overall signature of a system is not to your liking, you basically have two bold options:
- Change the electronics (i.e. a different brand) for a big change.
- Change the speakers for the biggest change.
mkng, I have experienced the same thing.
My system is: NDX2+XPS DR > NAC282+NAPSC+2xHiCap DR > NAP250 DR with Graham Audio LS5/9 BBC Monitors.
I live in a condo. My room is 25 feet by 12 feet with 11 foot ceilings. I have windows to my right and an open space to my left.
I have tried Power-Line leads, but I always go back to the stock cables. I find the Power-Line over-excites my system and pushes the sound presentation forward. I prefer a relaxed presentation.
I have always followed Naim’s recommended upgrade path and I’ve always been pleased with the results - except with the Power-Line. With my system in my room I prefer Naim’s stock power cord.
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razzzor1963, glad that I am not alone.
I do find the stock cable more relaxing if I can let go of the powerline’s other benefits like quieter background/better bass. To me the stock cable is a bit flat in presentation while the poweline can provide more separation/3D spacing.
But I also know that the ls5/9 has a lot of PRAT in it and adding too many powerline will be too much “thick” in sound.
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mkng, I live in a condo, and I recently added an Audioquest Niagara 5000 power conditioner to my system. It has perfect synergy with my system and my room. Here’s my review:
feeling_zen, the total balance is fine, just the dynamic/energy of the music is too strong.
I didn’t know how to describe it before my friend came along put it into a phrase that make sense to what I feel as well.
My experiment also proves that changing back to stock cable can resolve the “too strong energy” feeling and the ambient/quieter music can be heard without turning on the volume as much and is more relaxed. Just at the same time the sound seems more flat/more noise in the background / less bass vs the Powerline.
It is the worst if I change the stock cable on the 300, it is almost like the amp loss 50% power.
Putting the stock cable in the 252/SC seems have similar result then putting in the 252/SC. But just in my head, the source should have the best noise isolation as possible, so it seem better put the stock cable in the 252/SC.
Just looking for if someone have the same experience.
I do believe if I have a larger room and able to turn the music lounder , I can still hear the quieter transition while the power/energy will have more space to dissapate around the room.
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thanks for the advise, will do more research on the AQ with Naim.
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I think the OP is on to something here.
I’ve never heard of powerlines making a system too bright or active or fatiguing or whatever. If anything the lack of powerlines would cause these characteristics in my experience. You likely have some other issue contributing to your less than ideal listening experience.
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The cheap cables are simply reducing dynamics and detail. In other words they are hiding the issue rather than resolving it. My guess is treating first reflection points would help
I dumped Naim 5 years ago due to strident high frequency. Once my roo was treated I tried nam again and all of the issues were gone
Very interesting. You are the first to use the Nds/555 dr with an Ndx2 transport. Did you found a worthwhile improvement vs the Nds/555 ps? Even on local streaming ?
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Yes that is interesting.
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Taking into consideration that you have always had this issue (even with your previous setup), it leads me to believe that it is not necessarily due to the influence of the Powerlines. I presume that your previous setup was devoid of any Powerlines but you are still succumbing to the same fate? Think about it carefully, you’ve always had this issue and as others have mentioned it could be down to your room. Have you tried analysing your room with Room Acoustic Software (REW)? It may shed some light as to why you’re still experiencing this discontent. You have a wonderful system and I really hope that you’re able to resolve this issue without the need to selectively choose where the Powerlines or even other brands of mains cable are positioned 
I think these type of effects can be very hard to isolate. I could not, for the life of me, get a Powerline to work on my CDX2. They worked great on everything else but on the CDX2 a Powerline just sounded a bit harsh and unnatural against a stock Naim lead. And yes, I did swap the Powerlines around just to make sure it wasn’t faulty.
It’s been suggested that they may be highlighting a problem else where and this could be a distinct possibility, so I’d hang on to them for a while. You have a great system and it doesn’t take much to throw it out of kilter, be it room acoustics, mains related, cable dressing, equipment location or supports etc?
The best test I’ve found for tuning the system is the louder I can play music, before it starts feeling uncomfortable, the better. This usually shows how well the system can cope with dynamics and general noise. I regularly listen with the volume between 10-11 o’clock on a 500 system (fully Powerlined), so that’s pretty loud but what I get is a terrific representation of true live dynamics. When a drum is hit you feel it in your chest but can still hear the delicate shimmer of a cymbal at the same time. Non of this sounds at all uncomfortable just very life-like, which makes me think what you are experiencing is solvable. You just need to find the source of the problem but I’m not sure it’s a Powerline issue?
Funny how we hear things differently, the exact opposite of what I found when I had a CDX2.
I’ve come to realise that good audio systems can be very quirky and what works for one doesn’t necessarily work on another. I think the great Ethernet debate has helped prove this. One man’s revelation is another man’s damnation! The balance of a system can be so fine that the slightest thing can upset it. I was recently reminded of this with a Naim High-line interconnect. I’ve had a spare for ages but always preferred the standard Naim Lavender from my DAC to Pre. Then the other day I tried it reversed with the grey end to the Pre and black end to source and loved it. Now I’m not sure if Naim had got its direction wrong as it’s been back to the factory several times for broken rings but using it the wrong way round has definitely transformed the sound. Go figure!
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I would not presume to tell you that you are in any way wrong. You know your system and you know the sort of sound you prefer. It’s interesting though that you mention a friend had noticed something was ‘wrong’ rather than yourself…
Powerlines sound very different to the stock cables. To my ears, amongst other things, the most noticeable effects are enhanced dynamics, bass weight and ‘slam’. This however is achieved in a natural way, without any sense of there being a false emphasis or anything being overblown. It all just seems integral to the music, and the music flows so much better.
In short - it sounds more real, more like real instruments playing in front of you.
It may seem a strange thing to say about a hi-fi system, but perhaps you don’t want it to be more real? Real instruments are not always comfortable to listen to. Try standing in front of someone blowing into a trumpet at full force, or someone knocking seven-bells out of a drum kit. Impressive yes. Comfortable - definitely not!
I would suggest, as some others have, that the stock power cords are supressing this dynamism, immediacy and impact. But that is how you prefer it. And why not? It’s your system.
No problem. Sell the Powerlines and keep the stock cables.
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I experienced problems with PowerLines in my early days. Since then I added Naim style glass on Fraim Cups and Balls. My unDRed 552/500 is brilliant with all PowerLines.
Just a thought.
Phil
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Hi all,
an update on the issue.
As my 252 had some crackling noise with the bal. knob, I sent to repair and now it seems the issue has improved quite a bit after 2 days run-in.
Or it may be the cable dress issues as I am using a Fraim Lite (with custom glass/ball bearings) to mimic the Fraim. But there was very little space at the back so all the cables just got tangled up.
Because of the repair I had to re-address the cables so it may be an contributing factor.
I used to find Naim, (this setup or my old set-up with 52/135) , the performance did change from time to time and one day you mess around the cable a bit and it jump back up to a much better performance (imaging/separation…etc)
Just a thought but not sure how sensitive it is for my setup.
Anyone welcome to share.
Rgds,
Ken