I recently upgraded to CDX2/XPS2/282/HC2/200/Allae. A s/h SCAP is available and my question is: would I be better off adding a HiLine for the CDX2 or spending the extra cash for the SCAP to power the 282 (keeping in mind I would pay 3 times more for the s/h SCAP than a brand new Hi-Line)? I'm really looking for the best bang for the buck at this time. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and unfortunately, I won't be able to audition the SCAP and would not ask a dealer if I don't intend to purchase from the dealer. Thanks in advance.

My system is similar to yours except for:
-xps (maybe my next upgrade)
-250
-kudos c30 (still waiting to get this.

I took the plunge on the scap and hi-line. The best IMHO is the scap. You will notice the improvement right away. The hi-line is not as noticeable as the scap, but still a worthwhile upgrade. You should audition the hi-line to see if it does it for you.

They both very good upgrades. The 282 really comes alive with a supercap, but the cost is much greater than a hi-line. On a VFM basis a hi-line is unbeatable.

Done em both - Hi-line for me, esp if CD is your only source but if you have multiple sources...

Super-Cap - if I were you I'd go for CDX2-555PS/282-SC/200/Fraim/NACA5/Allaes/standard naim leads and ICs and then I'd think about Hi-Lines and Power-Lines

Sometimes the 'right move' can be determined by what kit comes up and at what price. If you have a chance at a well priced s/h SC2 I'd get it now - the Hi-line can come next.

I have olive kit: CDX+XPS+HiLine/82+SC/250.
Of the two, I would do HiLine before Supercap.

What Rotf said.
You can add a Hi-line any time.

I went from 2 newly-serviced HCs with my 82 to SC2 and it nearly blew my balls off it was so good. The SC2 represents a fundamental deep organic improvement; a HiLine is the icing on the cake.

If you can get it an SC2 at a good deal, get it. They don't always come along. You can get a HiLine anytime. Very occasionally s/h at 80% of new price (wow) - so not an 'in the hand' bargain, which a newish s/h SC2 is likely to be at - I would imagine - no more than 2/3 or 66% new price.

Good wishes,
James

PS You will have to buy two SNAICs for the SC2 as n o connection cables are included - the SC doesn't presuppose what you're using it with. If you can get old black ones rather than the newer (new solder EU compliant) type, they do represent a 10% improvement.

PPS Just had to say, as I write, I'm REALLY enjoying the Dire Straits 'Best Of' CD I picked up from a well-known UK supermarket for £6.

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
PPS Just had to say, as I write, I'm REALLY enjoying the Dire Straits 'Best Of' CD I picked up from a well-known UK supermarket for £6.

Come listen to the 200gm vinyl pressings wot I have obtained

Thanks all for the great advice. I sprung for the Supercap2 based upon the following:

s/h Supercaps are rarely available
I can now use my existing HiCap2 to power my Headline since it sounds way better than using the Flatcap
The savings on the SCAP are substantial in comparison to savings on a s/h Hi-Line, which I'll probably buy new anyway down the road
I have an upgrade path to the 252 if I so desire since the 552 is way out of my price point

What a Great Forum! Thanks Again!

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
I went from 2 newly-serviced HCs with my 82 to SC2 and it nearly blew my balls off it was so good. The SC2 represents a fundamental deep organic improvement

James

Have you always held that view?

Chris

Go for a SC2 mate as I think the Hi-line is just the dusting of icing sugar.

From reading the posts on the SC2 and 282, the SC2 is my next upgrade.

Enjoy!

Jon

quote:

Originally posted by Chris Dolan:

quote:

Originally posted by JWM:
I went from 2 newly-serviced HCs with my 82 to SC2 and it nearly blew my balls off it was so good. The SC2 represents a fundamental deep organic improvement

James

Have you always held that view?

Chris

Well remembered, Chris.

My mind was changed after I had had my 13-year old 82 serviced and Pots8 upgrade. Previously trying the SC2 with the unserviced 82 when it was not working as nature intended (though we didn't know that at the time) there really wasn't so much difference vs 2HCs - and it wasn't just my ears that thought that.

Getting the pre-amp up to spec really was the key to getting the most out of the SC2.

Looking back, what I should have done was try the SC2 again after the 82 had been serviced, rather than continue in the assumption that there wasn't much difference between 2HCs and a SC! Because after the 82 came back from Salisbury, I then had my 2HCs serviced - which again was a big improvement. But even in comparison with the totally renewed rig the SC2 subsequently blew the whole thing out of the water.

A while later, as a matter of interest at my dealer's we tried my pair of 9-year old black SNAICs vs a run-in new pair. Don't know if it's the new solder type (over which there is no choice because of regs), but my old SNAICs were more open in their presentation, and quite clearly so.

James

James

I happened to be looking at the Kudos website recently that had a link back to a Forum thread that mentioned your initial reaction to the 82/Supercap.

I do however totally agree with your current thinking on the Supercap.

Chris

Done both. I say the Supercap. The Hi-Line improves the sound quality noticeably and the music a bit; the Supercap improves the music a whole lot - and the sound quality, too. It's worth the premium.


--