Hi, Is anyone using a superline with a 52 pre amp?
Does it sound different through a 252 or 552?
I’m using mine with a Rega Apheta 3 moving coil.
Does anyone use this combination? And if so what loading do you use.
I power my SL from my 52. That means it uses the dedicated supply to the Aux2 from the Supercap, which is what counts.
We compared that to powering SL from its own Hicap, after getting the right Airfoil Z-plug for the SL and my Lyra Kleos. Like others before us, we found using the 52 was better.
I am told that the SL is even better if it has another Supercap powering it, instead of using part of the SC that is also powering the 52, but that is a step too far for most of us.
I will be happy to be told I am wrong, but I can’t see any reason why a 252 would power the SL any better or worse than a 52 does.
A 552 may be a a different story, because in that case the SL would be powered by (part of) an even better PS. However, it may not do the job any better than the dedicated Supercap option (for those with enough space).
There are lots of good reasons to consider a s/h 552 right now, but the question of how to power a SL probably isn’t the swing factor.
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I had tried superline in an all Olive setup (52/135) and did not like it - preferred the prefix.
But prefix and sl are both better fed by 52 - better than hicap. Fed by supercap both are another step better
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A dedicated Supercap to a Superline and or a Prefix is much better than supplied from a 552.
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We compared that to powering SL from its own Hicap, after getting the right Airfoil Z-plug for the SL and my Lyra Kleos.
What loading are you using for your Lyra Kleos?
I was thinking more about the sound signature of the different pre amps
rather than the powering options.
As all the evaluating of the superline was done with the classic Naim gear.
Hi, I power my Superline from my 552, compelling!
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With the Apheta 2 and also now the 3 I use 100R Z foil airplug with 1nf capacitance .
Are you powering your superline from your pre amp or a supercap?
Powering from the NAC552 + 552PS
Was the superline ever tested with the 52 when it was first released?
Hi @Richard.Dane and @52user ,
I’m trying to remember… I do not think SL was specifically tested with NAC52.
As you say; the SuperCap PSU feeds the powered DIN socket in the same way on both 52 and 252. I agree the differences would be the overall tonal character of the two pre-amps.
Adding a separate SuperCap to the SL adds a separately regulated PSU for each stage of the SL. Such as the left hand channel (LHC) first stage inputs, first stage output stage, second stage input, second stage output, then same for the RHC.
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The NAC52 to NAC252 transition was in 2002.
The NAC 552 was also introduced that year.
The Superline was introduced in 2008.
So… the SL was probably tested with the 552… perhaps… maybe… possibly…
Thanks, that is good to know. I’m using the same configuration with my Kleos SL.
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On my Lyra Altas with SL/SCDR and 252 I originally used a 470R Z-Plug. I tried a 576R on Peter’s suggestion but I thought it was far too lively and bright, especially with classical music.
However, I have come to now prefer more loading. I have a 2nd 453R Z-Plug for my DV XV-1s, so I combine them on the SL for a loading of about 220R. 470R sounds fine for jazz and rock but I still think its a bit too lively and edgy for classical. Ditto for the XV-1s when I use it.
When I had a Boulder 1108 on home audition I tried 100, 225 and 450. I ended up preferring 225 for the stereo Atlas and 100 for the mono version (the Boulder has two phono-inputs).
The difference may come down to tonearm cables, at least in part. Cable capacitance has an effect on loading. Personal preference plays a role too.
So I now prefer 220R or so for both my Lyra Atlas’ and DV XV-1s.
This is good info. My Kleos SL sounds sublime. In line with your experience with the Atlas though, sometimes it can be a bit too lively and light. I’ve put this down to the recording.
I have a 453R Z-Plug, perhaps I should try it.
You can try both Z-Plugs at the same time too, using the Capacitance socket for the second plug.
The math for it is: 1/((1/R1) + (1/R2)) = Combined R
For example: 1/((1/453) + (1/470)) = 230R
So if you have a 576R and 453R: 1/((1/576) + (1/453)) = 253R
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Thanks, I have just checked and I have the following:
2 x 453Rs (would love to swap one for a 470R)
1 x 576R
1 x 590R
1 x 1nF
Currently using the 576R and 1nF. I’ve also heard of someone with a Delos who is running their Superline completely open ie. 10kΩ | 100pF.
P.S. Apologies to the OP for taking this thread off subject.