FR, are you sure it was an XPS..? A Stageline takes a Flatcap, HICAP, or Supercap…
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You are right, it was an olive Hicap. It was 17 years ago maybe, so my memory sometimes tends to confound them.
However I will never forgot how transformative was the XPS on the CDX2.
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The Exact calls for a phono input capacitance of 100pf. The SN3 and Stageline are much higher than this. Add the arm cable capacitance the Exact is going to be a very poor match for your electronics.
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Ok, so I’ve been playing loads of different records through the ND5/RP3/Stageline combo. Really noticing the difference and enjoying the improvement.
So, been looking at other upgrades, but don’t feel I can break the bank. Streaming now through Qutest- although I’ve not yet set this up properly- and Naim Player sounds great. Sticking with PMC floorstanders, so it’s the amplification to think about.
Currently have Supernait (v1). Ideally I’d like a New Classic 222/250, but fear that even s/h and trading in various bits i can’t justify the 8K. So, is it worthwhile going for SN3? Lots of comments rave about it, and it’s available at a very reasonable price s/h or open box. Thanks in advance. John
I don’t think so, unfortunately. Now’s a great time to buy a 282/Hicap/250 and that really will deliver the goods.
I’d also see if you can borrow a Rega Fono from your dealer. I’ve had the Stageline several times and I could never get it to sound good. As @sktn77a says above, the Stageline N has a high input capacitance; the circuit was designed back in the 70s for Shure and other cartridges of the time that wanted to see 400pf from the phono stage. Your cart needs a phono with much lower capacitance.
All best,
Joe
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I have a SN3 and later added a Stageline N. I enjoy the system which includes a Planar 3 and Exact, but I wonder if a lower input capacitance would improve performance. If the current capacitance is suited for earlier cartridges, why doesn’t Naim update the Stageline to match the Nait 50? That would tip the scale and I would send the unit in for a modification.
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Totally agree. I did an experiment with Grace F9E (which prefers 100pF) into Naim phono vs My other Luxman phono, with Naim it sounds hopelessly bright and lifeless, almost no dynamics, and with Luxman it sounds perfectly normal. Naim’s 470pF loading is a legacy from the 70s which was an ideal loading to carts that time (Supex/Shure/AT etc) and it gave the early sound that many love. But with modern MM carts it’s far too high loading. Nait 50 is a successful latest sample tho by changing to 100pF.
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Besides the cart loading I would also go far to say that boxy sound is the signature of Rega’s entry level TT. My P3 was full-blown but never satisfied with neither Accuphase nor EAR 834P amps. Just lack that lovely sound of vinyl. Not until my mid-range LP12 solved this.
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I felt the same thing with the P3, maybe not muffled but it lacked definition, it worked out with the P6 and with the P8 the sound is superb!
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I moved from a P6 to a Vertere DG1. The difference was not subtle.
Vertere also make the lovely Phono1 which is configurable, which the Naim phonos are not….
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