Puritan 156 review

Thanks for feedback so far everyone. I’ve ordered Puritans ultimate cable yesterday as stated earlier and I need to see what that can do.

System is sounding wonderful again this morning.

When I said yesterday the sound is different there are definitely positives. The sound is clearer, more neutral. The soundstage is wider and more airy. The noise floor is lower. The bass is well controlled.

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What do you feel is the SQ difference between your two mains blocks with your amazing LP12 as the source rather than the ND555 (with latest firmware)? Perhaps that will be more telling?

I’ve just looked up the price of a Puritan PSM156.
Gosh.
Is it not easier & cheaper to have an Airlink Transformers BPS installed on a dedicated radial instead?

Best regards, BF

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There’s not a lot between them. The more I listen to the system with the Puritan 156 the more I get used to it.

I feel the Puritan 156 still has more to give.

The soundstage is wider and more airy with Puritan 156. The Musicworks is warmer, and felt very bedded in. Both are very musical. The Puritan has been getting better as each day goes by.

Note I always prefer 500DR plugged direct to mains and kept off the block.

But with transformer buzz the 500DR PS is on the block.

Once I make a decision I can sell the Musicworks block. I need a block anyhow as I have alot of boxes. I have a few powerlines to sell, and various other bits.

A dedicated radial on separate consumer unit would mean cutting discs out of the ceiling, wall chase, redecoration and so on. It’s been decorated this year. Also I am not in a mental state for all that upheaval.

I have a separate radial, but from main board.

In time I can revisit the mains with the view of having separate 10mm radials and ring mains for system and look at different ways to deal with DC. But not an option now with recovering from an operation and another op due in a few weeks.

So listening to Neil Young Harvest on LP12, an original 1971 version and it sounds very musical.

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Much appreciated. Maybe I’ll see if I can try one.

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Just give it at least 100 hours to burn in. There is a stand that allows for vertical mounting.

I have ordered that subsequently along with ultimate plug. Will obviously let you know how I get on with that.

I got mine from Audio Emotion.

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I had one and it had no impact on the loud hum I get from SCDR at all, even after several weeks of use. Given the price, I eventually moved it on…

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My 552DR PS and 500DR PS both had buzz sounds! Now they are near silent. The 2 x 555PSDRs are silent.

It seems to me that your transformer hum is not from DC.

If it doesn’t work for you then you have clearly done the right thing.

Thanks Dan, yep I tend to agree. I have tried a few DC blockers too and they also had no impact. I’ve concluded it needs a service, which I will get round to doing at some point soon.

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If the hum can be heard through the speakers it is a ground loop hum.

If the cannot be heard through the speakers it is a DC offset hum.

That is what I have read. Hope this helps.

DG…

Thanks for the response but I have been through every thread known to man on the old and new forum and have found no solution. I think sometimes Naim transformers just hum…

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Yes that is my experience too. My 552PS hums slightly although having a 156. My 555PSDR and 500PS are dead silent. Without the 156 they all have a hummmm partyyyy.

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I had hiss from speakers and an Ifi dc blocker cured that. The dc blocker is on my power amp.

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The solution is ask Naim to change the transformer for you if it is under warranty.

Yes, both my NAP250s hummed like anything, one much louder than the other that you could hear them when no music was playing.

Used two iFI DC Blockers in the end, cured most of the hum. Could only hear it if you put your ear up close to them.

Also pleased to report that they made no difference to the SQ.

DG…

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That’s fair enough Dan, each of our circumstances are different.

Whichever route you take, enjoy your music and very best wishes for your health.

Best regards, BF

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It is not but I think that is the solution, I have tried multiple different DC blockers with zero impact.

Sometimes Naim transformers just hum, regardless of DC. How old is the Supercap DR? I know you probably bought it on ebay but it should have 5 year warranty nevertheless.

It might be worth talking to Naim support and see what they suggest. If it’s as bad as you say and annoying you then the transformer, although probably okay technically may be replaced or repaired under warranty. Although that would leave the system out of use unless you bought a used Supercap 2 for temporary use while its away.

That would probably be route I would take. Also if you wanted to sell it on it might create a problem too.