Extremely unbalanced system!

Posted by: Mike Hanson on 16 January 2001

The Super-Cap arrived at my office today! Of course I couldn't wait to take it home, so I hooked it up into my office system just to get a taste of the action. The resulting configuration was a Cambridge CD6, 32.5, Super-Cap, 110, and Royd Merlin speakers. This was probably the most unbalanced system that I've heard (the pre-amp's power supply is worth more than the rest of the system put together). Regardless, it was still remarkably capable.

BTW, there's normally a dual rail SNAPS2 instead of the Super-Cap. Compared to its big brother, the SNAPS2 sounds stuffed-up, occluded, muffy, confused, with a wishy-washy bass. In contrast, the Super-Cap is warm, full-bodied, lyrical, tight, open and palpable.

Comparing it to other pre-amp/PS combos that I've had, I would put the 32.5/Super a little ahead of my old 102/NAPSC/Hi (bigger and groovier, but not as open and detailed). However, it's nowhere near my 82/2*Hi. I can't wait to get it home to stick it between the 82 and 250. Catch you later!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

[This message was edited by Mike Hanson on WEDNESDAY 17 January 2001 at 00:28.]

Posted on: 26 April 2001 by Thomas K

Hi guys (specifically Mike or Ken?),

Sorry for dragging this thread out of oblivion, but I have an option to buy a two-year old Supercap at roughly 60% of the new price. Current system is CDX/82/Hi/IXO/2*140/Credo. I had wanted to go for either an XPS or SBLs next, but a s/h Super is obviously a rare thing, so it’s quite tempting.

Am I right in assuming that the Super is not connected to the 82 with a Burndy? What cable is usually supplied with a plain Supercap?

Many thanks,

Thomas

Posted on: 26 April 2001 by Phil Barry

I believe no cable is supplied w/supercap. Although no cables come with most preamps, I thought the burndy comes with the 52.

I think regular 5-pin SNAICs are used to connect the two sides of the s'cap to the 82.

Phil

Posted on: 26 April 2001 by Mike Hanson

Yes, you use two regular SNAIC5s between the Super-Cap and the 82. I'm running with black ones myself.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 26 April 2001 by Mike Hanson

quote:
I'd have thought the Supercap would come with at least one SNAIC?

Naim tends to supply chords where they are obvious and "required". For example, a power cable and interconnect comes with the CD player, to connect it to the pre-amp. Power amps come with a power chord and either a SNAIC4 (generic for most, but specialized for the 250 and 135). The Hi-Cap comes with a power chord and SNAIC5.

Pre-amps don't come with any chords, since all the necessary cabling is already coming with the connected equipment.

The Super-Cap is the strange one, as it comes with only a power chord. It can be used in many different ways, so any provided cable may not be used. If you're using it with a 52, then it needs a Burndy. Or if it's an 82 then you'll need two SNAIC5s. I believe all other uses require only one SNAIC5.

I'm not sure, but I believe that when you buy a 52 and Super-Cap together, Naim throws in the Burndy and the cable for the digital supply for free. Don't quote me on that though.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Posted on: 26 April 2001 by Martin Payne

Mike,

no cables are included with the SuperCap because you could use so many different combinations.

The Burndy for a 52 is unique, and will always be required. For this reason it is always included with the 52.

cheers, Martin