a.palfreyman
pfm Member
Furthering Bill's Insanity...?
Naim Prefix Z-Foil upgrade
- Thread starter MrPinkEyes
- Start date
MrPinkEyes
Come on Pooh
Yes im aware there are many superior phono stages, but not many made by Naim that can get a power feed from my Nac 52 and sit inside my lp12 Plinth on my 10 phase mana stand and have an association with Doctor Who’s tardis. Money wise is my call and ill decide who i think is worth it.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
Your call of course but you are being completely ripped off.
MrPinkEyes
Come on Pooh
Yes thanks for the heads up, I never thought I wouldn’t be! plus the return postage from NZ wont be cheap either and the thieving gypsy government taxes etc. I haven’t decide what to do yet, i started the thread to fine these things out.
Living this far away (NZ) and now that Focaim audio have pulled support locally i really have few choices , i need to research an overseas service agent.
So yes taken on board cheers.
I would recommend you try the RSL phono boards for your 52. Kit makes phono boards for the 52 now. Can return if you don’t like it.
Btw, I do think the zfoils do make a difference. It’s a small difference in comparison to ditching the Naim boards for something like the RSL, however. I’ve compared Naim boards with and without zfoils.
In any case, you can’t lose…you’ve got a 52…
Given you are in NZ and have to send it overseas, and are asking about mods (which Class A will not do as I understand it, as they are an approved Naim service agent so standard is the only way) then I would recommend Witch Hat for the Prefix job. It would be worth talking to them about it. I am sure JJ has things up his sleeve for Prefix.
As @Plink points out, RSL have fairly recently taken the 12/32/42/62/72 plug in MC cards and re-made them for 82/52. This has to be worth a try. There are reviews on here and elsewhere giving them praise, mine included. For me they were a step change in a good way in every way. If you like the cohesive "flat earth" (congested) nature of the Prefix you may not go for the more expansive soundstage, detailed RSL cards, or you may just love it. I would suggest you give them a go and if you like them, don't worry about the Prefix mods, if you don't, return them and talk to Witch Hat about the Prefix!
As @Plink points out, RSL have fairly recently taken the 12/32/42/62/72 plug in MC cards and re-made them for 82/52. This has to be worth a try. There are reviews on here and elsewhere giving them praise, mine included. For me they were a step change in a good way in every way. If you like the cohesive "flat earth" (congested) nature of the Prefix you may not go for the more expansive soundstage, detailed RSL cards, or you may just love it. I would suggest you give them a go and if you like them, don't worry about the Prefix mods, if you don't, return them and talk to Witch Hat about the Prefix!
MrPinkEyes
Come on Pooh
Looks AVoptions are a Naim sanctioned service centre and the only one in the US, I guess they do extras on the side.
Craig B
Re:trophile
Y'all want grits with that?
MrPinkEyes
Come on Pooh
Come on Craig tell all, what happen between you and AVops?
Craig B
Re:trophile
Absolutely nothing. I'm just against foo in all of its evil incarnations.Come on Craig tell all, what happen between you and AVops?
To misquote Smokey Bear... "Only YOU can prevent foo fires!"
Paul Hindle
Do you mock me?
I’ve never found my Prefix underwhelming powered by my 52. Which Naim amp were you using it with?
stuwils
pfm Member
sq225917
Bit of this, bit of that
The prefix is OK, nice enough, better on four rails, better with film caps in the feedback position anything beyond this is wasted time and effort, ime.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/59684834@N08/albums/72157626166299910
https://www.flickr.com/photos/59684834@N08/albums/72157626166299910
Paul Hindle
Do you mock me?
So were you comparing the Phono stages alone or the two systems as packages? I get that you might prefer the Linn sound.
MrPinkEyes
Come on Pooh
So decided to get a standard service done over here, Ive been in contact with a person who is very familiar with it. To send overseas is just a headache for all involved. Probably get it done when i get the LP12’s bearing upgraded (got to get that part past SHSBO), so hoping all done at the same time.
Thank you for the upgrade suggestions and im sure for the most part they beat the prefix hands down, ive herd many that do! For the now Id just like to keep my Naim system original as it was there top performer from a time when people mattered including there international clients.
With the Lyra Kleos Sl, Aro, Armageddon it seems to hold up for the most part.
Thank you for the input. Most interesting
Thank you for the upgrade suggestions and im sure for the most part they beat the prefix hands down, ive herd many that do! For the now Id just like to keep my Naim system original as it was there top performer from a time when people mattered including there international clients.
With the Lyra Kleos Sl, Aro, Armageddon it seems to hold up for the most part.
Thank you for the input. Most interesting
Paul Hindle
Do you mock me?
For what it’s worth, although I am not looking to replace my Prefix right now, when funds allow I might audition the Lejonklou Entity. It’s being touted as an alternative to the Urika. The Urika would have been on my radar especially at the current used cost but it’s dependence on a Radikal to power it rules it out for me. Good look with the service, i think it will be worthwhile.
rontoolsie
pfm Member
Even though the Prefix has miniscule constant current demands, it is extraordinary sensitive to the quality of the PS...the powered input on the 552 for instance was quite uninspiring when i tried it, and even a dedicated Hicap was better. But the Prefix really only came to its own when a Supercap or better PS was used. I originally used a SC, which was replaced by an even better Epona Acoustics (by Tanais Fox),supply that was modded to have choke regulation.
MrPinkEyes
Come on Pooh
Just for the record I’m running prefix off the SC PS from the nac 52 which dates from 2000. The prefix has the RF mod and a new black snaic. Has Zero hiss???
In fact it has a very low noise floor, sure not 500 serious low but good enough. I do have a very serious power spur which helps i guess. No ring mains and tap on piggy none fused plugs (Type 1) cheers
In fact it has a very low noise floor, sure not 500 serious low but good enough. I do have a very serious power spur which helps i guess. No ring mains and tap on piggy none fused plugs (Type 1) cheers
chiily
PFM Special Builder
I'm going to show my ignorance here so please excuse me. Does the SC supply the Prefix with two 24vdc rails and the HiCap supplies just one? I'm not sure how they are wired.
I'm with SQ here, splitting the power rails of each channel of the prefix into two for the front and back of the cct, with films caps, and good local power rail caps really does make a difference.