Audio T Verdict
The Naim Power-Line Lite is the company's lighter UK mains cable for compatible equipment. Its most distinctive feature is the custom UK plug, which combines a thermoset resin case, floating pins, a high-gloss floating cable retainer and mechanical decoupling ideas derived from the full Power-Line.
It is a sensible replacement when an original Power-Line Lite has been lost or damaged, and it can be considered in place of an older standard lead where the connected product is compatible. Many Naim products already include one, so check the box contents before buying another.
Power-Line Lite is not the full Power-Line and does not share all of its published cable and equipment-end connector construction. It is also not a mains filter, conditioner, surge protector or voltage converter.
Naim Power-Line Lite UK Mains Cable
Power-Line Lite was developed alongside Naim's Uniti range. It combines a mains cable type used in Naim listening tests for more than 15 years with a custom plug based on principles developed for the original Power-Line.
The product is available only with a UK wall plug. It can be purchased separately as an accessory and has also been supplied with a wide range of UK-market Naim components.
Designed For
- Compatible Naim equipment with the matching appliance inlet
- UK systems using a standard BS 1363 mains socket
- Replacing a missing or damaged Power-Line Lite
- Replacing an older standard lead where compatibility is confirmed
- Uniti, integrated-separate and Classic products specified for this lead
- One mains-powered component or power supply per cable
Important Limitations
- It is available only with a UK wall plug
- It is not the full Naim Power-Line
- It does not provide mains filtering or conditioning
- It does not provide stated surge protection
- It cannot change a product's operating voltage
- It must not be modified, extended or reterminated
- Third-party compatibility must be confirmed before use
Custom UK Mains Plug
The most important engineering work in Power-Line Lite is concentrated in its UK wall plug. The plug uses a thermoset resin case rather than a conventional moulded housing and carries its pins within a mechanically considered assembly.
Naim specifies a high-gloss floating cable retainer and floating pins within the case. The pins can align with the contacts in the wall socket, while the cable retainer helps reduce the rigid mechanical path between the cable and plug body.
The concept is intended to combine reliable electrical contact with mechanical decoupling. It is not an electrical filter circuit and should not be described as one.
Floating Cable Retainer and Pins
The cable retainer supports the cable where it enters the plug while allowing the decoupling arrangement to work. The floating pins are intended to settle naturally against the socket contacts rather than being held completely rigid within the case.
Some designed movement within a floating assembly is not automatically a fault. The plug must nevertheless remain intact, insert fully and make a secure connection. Do not dismantle the plug, adjust the pins or attempt to tighten internal parts.
UK Plug Version Only
Naim states that Power-Line Lite is available only in a UK plug denomination. A standard cable supplied for another country is not necessarily a Power-Line Lite, even if it was packaged with the same Naim component.
Do not use a travel adaptor to convert this lead for another socket system. Use the correct manufacturer-approved lead for the country and local mains supply.
Power-Line-Derived Decoupling
Naim describes the plug as using the same decoupling techniques developed for Power-Line. The principle is to reduce mechanical energy travelling between the mains socket, cable and connected equipment through a completely rigid plug assembly.
This may be relevant in a hi-fi system where transformers, loudspeakers and the listening room can all introduce vibration. The Lite design applies the concept in a more affordable and lighter cable than the full Power-Line.
Power-Line Lite and the Full Power-Line
The two Naim products should not be treated as interchangeable names for the same cable. Power-Line Lite places its published emphasis on the custom UK plug and a trusted conventional cable construction.
The full Power-Line adds Naim's published 4mm² copper conductors, individual dielectric insulation, mechanically damped rubber outer sheath and an elaborate equipment-end connector with floating double-wiper contacts, clamping and decoupling.
Those full Power-Line specifications should not be copied into this Lite listing. Naim does not publish the Lite model's conductor cross-section, dielectric construction or equivalent equipment-end contact arrangement on its current product page.
Check the Supplied Accessories First
Naim describes Power-Line Lite as having replaced its previous standard UK mains cable across Uniti, integrated-separate and Classic products. The full Power-Line continues to be associated with selected reference products.
Actual box contents depend on the product, generation, production period and market. Check the individual product specification rather than assuming that a separate Power-Line Lite is required.
Compatibility with Naim Equipment
Power-Line Lite is suitable only when the Naim product has the matching appliance inlet and is intended to receive mains power directly. Follow the manual supplied with the component and check that the voltage shown on its rear panel matches the local supply.
Some Naim components are powered by a separate power supply and have no direct mains connection. In that situation the mains cable connects to the power-supply enclosure, not to the audio component, and it does not replace the Burndy or other low-voltage connection between the two boxes.
The NVC TT phono stage is one example: it has no conventional IEC mains inlet. When used with an NPX TT, the mains cable connects to the NPX TT. Other multi-box systems must follow their own connection diagrams.
Compatibility with Other Equipment
Do not rely only on an appliance inlet looking familiar. Before using Power-Line Lite with third-party equipment, confirm the connector type, supply voltage, frequency, protective-earth arrangement, current requirement, fuse requirement and the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
If any of these points is uncertain, use the cable supplied by the equipment manufacturer or ask Audio T to check. Power-Line Lite cannot make an imported product suitable for UK voltage and should never be forced into an incompatible inlet.
What Power-Line Lite Does Not Do
Power-Line Lite is a detachable mains cable with a mechanically engineered UK plug. Naim does not describe it as containing a mains filter, isolation transformer, regenerator, surge-suppression network, DC blocker or voltage-conversion circuit.
It cannot correct unsafe wiring, a missing protective earth, persistent hum, an overloaded socket or an equipment fault. Mains-installation concerns should be investigated by a suitably qualified electrician, while equipment faults should be referred to an authorised retailer or service agent.
Installation and Cable Dressing
Switch the component off and disconnect it from the wall before replacing the mains cable. Fit the appliance connector fully and squarely into the matching inlet, then connect the UK plug to the wall socket. Stop if either connector does not fit correctly.
Route the cable in a relaxed curve without tight coils, sharp bends or tension at either connector. Do not crush it behind furniture, trap it beneath a rack, place it under a carpet or allow it to touch hot surfaces.
Do not use the cable outdoors or in damp conditions. Disconnect it immediately if the sheath, plug, appliance connector or pins are damaged, if a connection becomes intermittent, or if there is any sign of overheating.
Fuse and Electrical Safety
The UK plug is fused. Naim manuals commonly specify a 13A fuse where fused plugs are used with the relevant Naim product, but the connected product's own instructions and the markings on the cable take precedence.
Do not fit a higher-rated fuse to overcome repeated operation, and do not assume the same fuse is correct for unrelated third-party equipment. A fuse that operates repeatedly indicates a fault requiring investigation.
Never open, shorten, extend or reterminate Power-Line Lite. Any repair or safety inspection should be undertaken by an authorised retailer or suitably qualified technician.
Listening and Evaluation
Naim developed Power-Line Lite using established engineering ideas and listening tests, but the current Audio T claim that every replacement will reveal more music is too absolute. Any audible change depends on the product, system, socket condition and installation.
Compare the Lite cable with the approved original lead at matched volume using familiar music. Make sure both cables are fully inserted and repeat the comparison before deciding whether the difference is useful in that particular system.
Key Features
- Official Naim Power-Line Lite mains cable
- Available only with a UK wall plug
- Thermoset resin plug case
- High-gloss floating cable retainer
- Floating mains pins for contact alignment
- Mechanical decoupling derived from Power-Line
- Cable type used by Naim in listening tests for more than 15 years
- Lighter and more affordable than the full Power-Line
- Available separately as an accessory
- Supplied with many compatible UK-market Naim products
Technical Specifications
- Product type: Detachable mains cable
- Model: Power-Line Lite
- Wall-plug version: UK only
- Wall-plug case: Thermoset resin
- Cable retainer: High-gloss floating design
- Mains pins: Floating within the plug case
- Mechanical design: Decoupling techniques derived from Power-Line
- Cable: Naim-selected cable type used in listening tests for more than 15 years
- Equipment connector: Appliance connector for compatible equipment
- Length: Not stated on Naim's current product page
- Conductor size: Not stated on Naim's current product page
- Current and fuse: Follow the cable marking and connected product instructions
- Finish: Black cable with black plug housing
- Quantity: One mains cable
Naim does not publish the Lite cable's length, conductor cross-section or detailed equipment-end connector specification on its current product page. Confirm stock details with Audio T if these affect the installation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the full Naim Power-Line?
No. This is Power-Line Lite. The full Power-Line is a separate product with published 4mm² copper conductors, a damped rubber outer sheath and a more elaborate equipment-end connector.
Is Power-Line Lite available with a European or US plug?
No. Naim states that Power-Line Lite is available only in a UK plug denomination. Use the correct approved mains lead for other countries rather than a travel adaptor.
Will there already be one in my Naim product box?
Possibly. Power-Line Lite is supplied with many UK-market Uniti, integrated-separate and Classic products. Check the exact model's current supplied-accessory list before buying another.
Will it fit every Naim product?
No. The product must have the matching appliance inlet and be intended to receive mains power directly. Some Naim components are powered only by a separate power supply.
Where does it connect when an external power supply is used?
Connect it to the enclosure that receives mains power, following the system manual. It does not replace the Burndy or other low-voltage cable between the power supply and audio component.
Can it be used with third-party equipment?
Only when the equipment manufacturer permits this type of detachable lead and all connector, voltage, earth, current, fuse and clearance requirements match. Ask Audio T if any point is uncertain.
Is it a mains filter or conditioner?
No. The published features concern the plug case, floating cable retainer, floating pins and mechanical decoupling. No filtering or conditioning circuit is specified.
Does it provide surge protection?
No surge-protection function is stated. Use appropriate building and equipment protection where required.
Does it change the operating voltage?
No. It passes the local mains supply to the connected component. The equipment must already be correctly configured and labelled for UK mains.
What fuse should be fitted?
Follow the connected product manual and cable marking. Naim commonly specifies a 13A fuse for relevant UK products, but this must not be assumed for unrelated equipment.
Are the floating pins supposed to move?
Some movement is inherent in the floating design. The plug must still be intact and connect securely. Do not use it if movement appears excessive or there is damage, intermittent contact or overheating.
Can the cable be shortened or fitted with another plug?
No. Modification would defeat the designed plug construction and could make the cable unsafe. Do not cut, extend, open or reterminate it.
Is an audible improvement guaranteed?
No. Results depend on the connected equipment, system and installation. A properly controlled comparison is the best way to assess it.
Does it need a special running-in procedure?
No special user procedure is required. Install it safely and evaluate it during normal listening rather than leaving unfamiliar equipment operating unattended.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Compatibility checks for current and legacy Naim equipment
- Advice on Power-Line Lite and the full Power-Line
- Checks against the accessories already supplied with a product
- Confirmation of which enclosure receives mains power
- System demonstrations using familiar music
- Installation, rack-clearance and cable-dressing advice
- Help with fuse and electrical-safety questions
- Ongoing Naim system and servicing support
Contact your local Audio T store
to confirm the cable length, equipment connector, compatibility and supplied accessories before ordering.
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