HiCap vs SCap wth Snaxo?

Bruce,

A no brainer really, if you can't hear the difference a supercap makes over a HiCap get the cotton buds out! The snaxo will be able to use the different power supplies that the supercap has to offer, it even makes a huge difference on a naxo.

Sign the check in waiting,

enjoy,

Sean.

Thanks Sean

Have you heard this set up?

Your profile does not include your system.

Bruce

..and by the way you should NEVER put a cotton bud in your ear....

MacCoinnich.

I have no major upgrade itch to scratch but just wanted to get an idea if others had tried this route.

How is the weather over the Cuillin this morning? Sigh..

Bruce

I'm interested in this upgrade too, but am further back, in that I currently have a NAXO (being powered by a Hi-Cap). I had previously been given to understand that you couldn't use a Supercap with a NAXO (indeed, the S in S-NAXO supposedly stood for S-Cap). So, any experience with the level of improvement between NAXO/Hi-Cap and S-NAXO/S-Cap?? (In a CDS2/XPS/LP12/52/S-Cap/4x135's/SBL's set up)

bruce if youre not interested in the scap
please pass details on to me i would be
neil.g.w@btopenworld.com

cheers neil

In the context of a high resolution system the Supercap is a large improvement over the Hicap when powering the Snaxo. I have tried the Snaxo with
1. Hicap.
2. Supercap/Snaic-5
3. Supercap/Snaic-17 (Burndy)

Even using the Supercap with a Snaic 5 was a big jump. By comparison the Hicap/Snaic 5 sounded relatively dull, flattened, smeared and compressed, although certainly not offensive. But every thing becomes much more poised, effortless and seamless when the Snaic-17 is used.

BTW.. you are far more likely to reap the rewards of an upgrade if you are already pleased with the way the system sounds. Even an entry level Series-5 system when optimized should give great insight. Poor sound with good equipment is always a setup/room problem, and a hardware upgrade is less likely to be fully appreciated.

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

quote:

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BTW.. you are far more likely to reap the rewards of an upgrade if you are already pleased with the way the system sounds. Even an entry level Series-5 system when optimized should give great insight. Poor sound with good equipment is always a setup/room problem, and a hardware upgrade is less likely to be fully appreciated.

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...pearls of wisdom in quite a while.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Bruce,

I think you would be better off upgrading your source or amp. I think the supercap on the snaxo would reveal the limitations of your 140s. My money would go for a CDS2, CDX2, or a better amp like the NAP300.

In the past, I found the supercap/Snaxo most effective on 3 way systems where source and amps were the best available. If you go for the Supercap, I would be curious to learn the results.

Chris Bell

PS: The black burndy for the Snaxo is a big step forward..a must have.

Thanks for the advice from all, and Rons experiences.

I'm happy to stay active so a power amp upgrade means 2x 250 (or 300!). I know that is a logical step in my system too.

I think I'll let my 'HiFi account' grow a little more and just carry on enjoying the music for now.

Bruce

I borrowed a Supercap the other weekend form the Sound Org York - thanks guys.

I tried it with both my SNAXO and Prefix and on both there was a definate improvement to me in terms of making the sound smoother and removing some harshness.

The change on the SNAXO and Prefix were of the same order and one wasn't better than the other.

Incedently my wife and daugther prefered the HiCap as it seemed more nvolving ...interesting!

I am very happy with my set up and I think we have grown used to it's excellent sound and involvement particularly on live analogue reecordings from Hendrix-Dylan-Zeppelin- to the wonderous John Martyn (and does that guy have real soul!) and with the Supercap it maybe sounded a bit too smooth for a live gig at 1st listening but the more you lsiten the better it got!

Anyway, at £2,600 odd for a Supercap I thought I'd wait to hear the new Linn Akiva cartridge and the NAC552 and keep an eye on e-Bay for a 2nd hand Supercap in the good old 'olive' style.

Richard

Hi Bruce

Best bet is the cds2 or even better the 3.
Then the 250s, but with another rack to support the heavy boxes.

I have done the hicap/supercap to snaxo comparison a few times now, as I still have the hicap spare. In short don’t bother the supercap is way overrated unless you have the Naim-Lovies Golden Ears.

If your after that little extra refinement then by all means do the supercap or 250s first, but the front end needs attention first.

naheed. . .