Help please re Naim + pwr conditioner ?

[Mike Thornewill]

Hi there,

I am running the following system:

Krell KPS 20i CD player
Naim NAC 52.
Naim Supercap.
NAP 180 per amp.
Totem model One speakers - with R4 stands.
NAC A5 wire - and mid range Chord interconnects.
(It's a great set up - and would cost £20K if it were a brand new system!)

It has been suggested I try an ISOL 8 Integra power conditioner to take everything to a higher level.
I value pace + timing + dynamics in my music.
Does anyone have a view if this is route worth exploring, before I spend any hard earned cash ?

Thank you,
Mike,

 

[Gaius]

I can promise you, doing that will kill the sound in a Naim system!

Naim amps really do NOT like mains conditioners, I actually tried an Isol 8 in my system and hated it!!

 

[nbaptista]

Why not a Naim or Rega CD player, if you want PRAT?

 

[Yomanze]

Krell KPS 20i, wow, a serious CD player!

Pace and dynamics are the opposite of what you get with mains conditioners, and your gear indeed doesn't feel right with conditioning or current-limiting at the sockets.

Sometimes switched sockets can be a bit loose and limit current delivery, a much cheaper way to eliminate a variable is to use an un-switched socket for your gear, am not sure I had this problem though.

Additionally you might want to try some new interconnects, because looking at your system there doesn't seem too much to change. Perhaps try changing the NACA-5 for some Van Damme HiFi (similar cable in characteristics that I use with an ancient Exposure amp) for a low cost comparison.

 

[Yomanze]

Why not a Naim or Rega CD palyer, if you want PRAT?

Ha ha the Krell makes them sound weedy that's why. A huge sound and exceptional lightning fast dynamics with Krell gear.

 

[joeribt]

I have used Isol 8 together with Naim/Rega and Teddy Pardo and if you have "polluted" mains this only does good. None of the PRAT suffered from it.

 

[Yomanze]

Sounds like a very different system to the OP's...

 

[uncl_nigel]

In my city centre location with measured polluted mains Isotek sigmas and Syncro work well and that has included Naim and Avondale power amps.


The best bet is to find a competent dealer who is prepared to lend you the conditioner to try out at home over a weekend.

 

[YNWOAN]

I did attend a demo of a very large PS Audio mains regeneration rig fed into a large Linn system. Gavin & Stacy's, Brian & Trevor's (something like that) did the demo and even A/B compared the two. Myself and a colleague preferred the sound without and precisely because the dynamics were compressed with the power conditioner. Later I heard the dem again with more laid back music and was more ambivalent. I didn't feel tempted to buy a Krell sized power regenerator though (or any mains smoothing etc).

 

[Cereal Killer]

These things are pointless. Spend you money on Ethernet cables instead

 

[AKG]

I can promise you, doing that will kill the sound in a Naim system!

Naim amps really do NOT like mains conditioners, I actually tried an Isol 8 in my system and hated it!!

+1 (emphasis added)

My local dealer echoed the same opinion. ".....Don't do it!....."

 

[jy3]

I'll second uncl nigel's suggestion, try one at home. If you do this, also try plugging the power amp directly into a mains socket.

 

[Whatsisnaim]

I'm with the NO campaign on this. Better still, get one on home demo and listen for yourself, but I wouldn't touch it if you don't have the option to return it for a full refund.

 

[joe9407]

hi Mike -- to take things up a notch, perhaps a serviced 250?

 

[adamk]

I'm in the Yes camp.
Naim amps not liking mains conditioners is not my experience at all.
Have run an Isotek Sigmas with 52/252, 135/300 with great success.
I know naim purists and dealers curl their lip- try and hear one and decide for yourself.

 

[Lee T]

I can promise you, doing that will kill the sound in a Naim system!

Naim amps really do NOT like mains conditioners, I actually tried an Isol 8 in my system and hated it!!

This ^^

If you enjoy the Naim sound, leave well alone.

This particular conditioner will sap the life out of your system.

Just a word of caution, switch your Nac a5 for Van Damme at your peril, attempted this, oh dear, not to be recommended unless you enjoy a softer edged, compressed & restrained sound from your system.

Use the grey interconnect din thingy too, it may look like a cheap piece of crap but Naim stuff sounds best with this in place.

 

[Mike Thornewill]

Thanks for these views - all helpful to hear.

 

[vrazji]

What about the NVA (or any other manufacturer for that matter) BMU - Balanced mains unit? Anyone here gave it a try?

 

[PerF]

Hi there,

I am running the following system:

Krell KPS 20i CD player
Naim NAC 52.
Naim Supercap.
NAP 180 per amp.
Totem model One speakers - with R4 stands.
NAC A5 wire - and mid range Chord interconnects.
(It's a great set up - and would cost £20K if it were a brand new system!)

It has been suggested I try an ISOL 8 Integra power conditioner to take everything to a higher level.
I value pace + timing + dynamics in my music.
Does anyone have a view if this is route worth exploring, before I spend any hard earned cash ?

Thank you,
Mike,

Mike
To get things to a higher level you need to work on separate mains/earth, maybe a 250 or 135 serviced
(not sure how difficult the One's are ?)

I expect your pre/psu do not need any service.

I'd much prefer a two box Naim player for any Krell stuff but you could look out for the Rega Isis amo too.

 

[zipperheadbanjo]

Audience power conditioners work well with Naim gear. Recommended actually by AV Options, a Naim distributer in the States.

Worthy investment in my opinion... if for no other reason than to protect the gear from surges / outages... both common in Southern Ontario where I live.