Who it comes up against
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Anchored brief, the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
dying into an inky black backgroundGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
14 lost · Anchored, Artisan, BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Intimate brief, the Naim NVC TT MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the NVA P50SA MKII, the pairing gains most on tonal body.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
seemingly infinite bass responseEnjoy the Music (Lyle), 2024 (system)
8 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Musical Fidelity M8x Vinyl keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Frog, the pairing gives up most on bass weight.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
dying into an inky black backgroundGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
7 lost · BBC Sound, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the Rega Aura Reference MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Crimson, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
prefers resolution to texture and timbreGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII keeps the slot decisively.
With the Etsuro Urushi Gold MC, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
prefers resolution to texture and timbreGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
3 lost · Artisan, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the EAR Yoshino 88PB MM/MC keeps the slot decisively.
With the van den Hul The Colibri, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
dying into an inky black backgroundGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
dying into an inky black backgroundGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
2 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio 60Se Pro keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
2 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Cyrus Classic PHONO keeps the slot decisively.
With the Etsuro Urushi Cobalt Blue MC, the pairing gives up most on midrange truth.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
prefers resolution to texture and timbreGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Whest Audio TITAN Pro II keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the phono stage position.
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Michell Apollo + Muse PSU keeps the slot decisively.
With the Goldring Eroica HX MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Audiolab 9000Q, the pairing gives up most on quietness at rest.
On its own merits the Naim StageLine S (MC) is the weaker phono stage for that brief.
dying into an inky black backgroundGramophone (Fraser), 2001 (StageLine N, MM)