quote:

Originally posted by StephenK:
Or is this a general observation, an effect of the 5 series. olive and chrome always performed better with better power supplies. If so, can anyone comment on a HiCap for a NAC 112, as I currently consider adding one on following system: CD5i, 112, 150, SBL.

Hello Stephen

I think each range of equipment can be potentially improved by power supplies, but not always the biggest is best, because the balance of the system can be upset and the room (particularly the size) needs to be taken into consideration. Scale is important to me; where it is understated or overstated the overall effect can be destroyed, e.g. more hi-fi, less music.

I doubt if you'll need a SUPERCAP, but I wouldn't like to guess whether a HICAP or FLATCAP type of PS would be best in your system. It would be nice if an old FLATCAP did the job because of the low cost.

Regards, Ears

quote:

Originally posted by StephenK:
If so, can anyone comment on a HiCap for a NAC 112...!

Try it and let your ears tell you. While you are at it try a Nac202.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Adam Meredith,

Thanks for the replies. You are right, as always, one needs to listen. I thought listening is not necessary when adding a power supply, as I thought this is a no brainer, but in the case of a Hicap in combination with series 5 boxes it appears to me as beeing really tricky.

My background was: I know Sbls quite well, and I like what they do partnered with higher front end like cds, 72, hicap 250... The system is as mentioned is cd5i, 112, 150 sbls.

I took a hicap from a CD2, 32-5 Hicap, 135s system, and placed it between the 112 and the 150. And the result was...

Extreme, more than I have imagined, but unfortunately only 50% positive. What it did was to bring the speed, bass, timing, separation known from the larger boxes like 72, 52, 250... However, the balance was completely lost. The word turbocharged was mentioned, and this describes it quite well. The sound was like a 500 hp turbo car that you could not handle and keep on the road anymore.

And now I am confused and a little sad, because I thought a Hicap would bring the benefits without the described downsides. The room is definetly not the issue, nor is the setup.

So what does this mean? Is it actually the power supply that determines the sound? Can you mix series 5 boxes with the larger (for me the original naim boxes) only if you start with the beginning, e.g. CDX2? Does a Hicap show the potential but is much more required, e.g. CDX2 and 202 to get the benefit without the downsides? Is it much more complex (and expensive) to reach the desired effect?

Is a CD2 so much better than a CD5i and a 32.5 than a 112, or is it a different design so that the Hicap does not work in this case?

To summarize, I thougt of an upgrade not to pricy but have no idea now.

Stephen