Hi!
Which is the best upgrade : a Supercap to replace the Snaps 2 connected to a Prefix or a 250 to replace the 180?.
System now: LP12,EkosII,Lingo,prefix;Snaps2,32,5(72boards),Snaps2,180,Tukans
Regards Börje

Hi Borje,

I admire the front end first approach, but I feel your LP12 is of a high enough spec to put a Supercap on your 32.5. This would be my vote, & I think it would sound amazing.

Another approach could be to upgrade your 32.5 to an 82, though I favour the Supercap on 32.5 idea.

Bob.

Hi Borje,
I am with Bob:if you can afford a Supercap (or even better, find a second-hand one) get it immediately. I had one with my nac 72 (in the meantime upgraded to nac 82) and it has been the biggest upgrade I have made. Furthermore, the difference between the 180 and the 250 is not THAT huge (although others might have another opinion).
Regards
Uwe

I put a supercap on my 72. It was impressive. I then was able to replace the 72 with a 52. I was, and am still, stunned. My 180 coped with the 72 and still does (just).

Tom

I have owned a 32-5-hicap, 102-hicap, 102-supercap, and 82-supercap. I would go for the 82 before the supercap. Just my 2c. David.

I've run 72/180, 72/hi/180, 82/2*hi/180, 82/super/180 and now 135s.

I found the 82/hi/180 added so much more music and foot-tappin over the 72. Made the 180 seem a lot more "open" and "bigger". The supercap does this again on the 82, doubles the amount of music and really anchors it providing scale and depthth and making the bottom end come musically alive.

I tried the supercap on the 72 when I was demoing a 52 and felt that while it did bring a little bit of its qualities to the 72, it was a much smaller percentage gain. It was really only a hint at the direction. I felt that 82/hi gave me more than 72/super - but probably different things. The 82 seems like a 72 that's grown up, and when you've listened to one you become very aware of the 72's (albeit nice) limitations. I feel supercap was wasted on the 72 when you hear what it can really do on an 82.

Your system seems focused on musical bang-for-buck. If you're only going to make 1 upgrade and are budget-conscious I'd do the 82. But see ? below - this might change things. If you've got eventual plans for a 52 then the super first might make sense, skip the 82. Power supplies are REALLY important, its just that I think the 72 alone can't really capitalise on the super, sure its better, but it isn't a great ROI combination.

(?) Running both the prefix and 72 off the same supercap - While its technically possible, I don't know how this affects the star earthing. If this is musically viable, it might really give a "bang for buck" upgrade and definitely worth considering!
-- any comments anyone who's done this?

Borje,

I'm with davidf here. For new Supercap money, you could buy a used 82 and a trio of used Hicaps (2 for 82, the other for Prefix) and significantly improve your listening pleasure by upgrading both your TT and preamp at the same time.

Rico's 32.5/Super didn't do as much for me as his 82/Super could, in his estimation. The 82 will provide more musical satisfaction in the long run and help your 180 really take charge of your Tukans. You can always add new Supercap(s) to the Prefix and/or 82 later particularly since they are hard to come by used.

Jame

Thanks for all views on this,I think that it will be an Supercap upgrade.
I´ve got a second hand 52ps so it won´t be as expensive as an 82 upgrade.The upgrade cost is about 1000 pounds and that´s about the same as an 180 to 250 upgrade cost I think.
Regar ds Börje