CD5 and other stuff
Posted by: Lightkeeper on 19 April 2002
Hi all !
I am plan to buy CD5. I have never had a chance to hear CD3.5, CDX or even CDS(II). But I was heard CD5, Nait5, Intro2. I found Intro2 as a very dissapointing, but CD5 jumps from that system like a real star in all areas. CD5 is definitely best component in all series 5 (to me).
I will apreciate some good answers to my questions.
1) Which Naim power supply can powered more than one component at a time?
2)Adding a Flatcap2 to CD5 is a good investment (never heard it with Flatcap, but have reasons to believe). Is adding a Hi-Cap to CD5 rather than a Flatcap2 more like shaving a mosquitos? I mean, difference in sound is more evident with adding a Flatcap2 to naked CD5, than having some time CD5/Flatcap2 and exchange Flatcap2 for Hi-Cap. False?/True?
3) Let's imagine a system like: CD5/102/180. 102 can be powered from Napsc, some other PS or 180 (or some other amp). Is it better to pwered 102 with Napsc or 180?
4) Did Napsc should be always connected to 102, even it's powered from 180? Maybe Napsc powered one little part of 102 circuit and 180 or some PS some other critical part. In Naim owners manual wrote that Napsc should be always connected to 102. True?/False?
5) Is it better to supply 102 from Flatcap2 or 180?
Thanks,
Ozren
Posted on: 19 April 2002 by garyi
Ozren
The NAPSC only powers the digital section of the 102. So the 102 will still need the main section powered from eaither a powersupply or from the power amp.
I believe the flat cap 2 can power two different sources, however I think this is the only cap that can, I may be wrong.
Posted on: 19 April 2002 by Jay
Hi Ozren
Right....
1. That would be the Flatcap2
2. CD5 with Flatcap2 = good, CD5 with hicap = very good. Value for money (IMO) Flatcap2 if you have a Naim pre-amp as well. You need to do the demo yourself.
3. 102 can be powered from the poweramp 180, a flatcap2, hi-cap or supercap. In that order of quality - highest last. The NAPSC is an alternative upgrade quite separate from those mentioned before. As Gary says it powers just the input switching I believe (someone prob know "exactly" what it powers. I have 102 with the NAPSC and hi-cap and have no complaints (until I get an 82 of course
)
4. TRUE, Napsc always connected you can change power supply like Flatcap2, hi-cap, etc or use a poweramp like the 180
5. No question Flatcap 2.
Posted on: 19 April 2002 by Lightkeeper
Thank you all, especially you Jay.
Now some thing are much clearer to me.
Ozren
Posted on: 19 April 2002 by herm
Hi Ozren,
Choosing a power supply for the CD5 (and it seems pretty clear you' re going to get a CD5, isn't it?) is not too hard.
You either get the FC2, which can be used on the CDP and a pre-amp at the same time, though there are folks who wind up with two FC2s, one for the preamp (112 or 102) and one for the CD5.
Or you get a Hi-Cap. The only problem is, with a CD5 + HC you enter into the price range of a CDX, which would be a better bang for your buck. So if you want a Hi-Cap (which seems to yield better results than the FC2, though not everyone agrees about this: check old threads) you need to luck into a secondhand one. In that case the price is in the same area as a new FC2.
So, unless money is no object, it depends on what the second hand market is like in your area. You can either lurk for a sh HC or get a FC2 right away.
Why don't you just get the CD5 first, and decide what you're going to do for PSU later? After all, these incremental upgrades are part of the fun.
Herman
Posted on: 19 April 2002 by Lightkeeper
Thanks Herman.
Yes, your'e right about that I should buy CD5 first and then to decide where I am going after.
But the main thing is that I and most of people her simply enjoy to plan for long term, also listening a lot of gear, mix them and exchange them is my enjoyment which nothing can exchange.
I must say that years of listening Nait 2 make me a little frustrated about no chance for any upgrade or even listening test here in Croatia.
I was read so much post in this forum these years and dream about the day on which Naim should came to my country. It's finally is, but just the entry level and that's matching my budget also.
I was earlier plan to order some Naim gear (in a 3.5, 72, 140 golden years), but experience tells me that I must wait. Now, after few years of redaing a billion words about Naim on net, and after hearing series 5, I know much more and know where should I go.
I have two more question.
How big (if it is) is difference in sound if CD5 and 102 are supplied from one FC" in order to CD5 and 102 supplied from 2 FC2?
Thanks again,
Ozren
Posted on: 19 April 2002 by bec143
Ozren,
I have the following:
CD5/flatcap/92R/Hicap/90.3/A5/Vienna Bachs. I have played around with the power supplies a lot and observed the following in my house. The addition of a PSU to the CD5 makes a big difference. However, the biggest difference by far is the FC compared to the naked CD5. The HiCap is subtle compared to the FC when on the CD5. In contrast, the HiCap is markedly better than the FC when on the 92. Thus I have decided to keep things as described above. However, you can drive yourself crazy with these changes should you be so inclined! Eventually I just decided to sit back and enjoy.
Now, I've just got to get that 102 out of my mind......
Bruce
Posted on: 05 July 2002 by silklee
sorry for digging out such an 'old' thread but i thought i want to piggyback and ask something about the flatcap2 and hicap.
Right now i am thinking of going vinyl, reason being that some of the music that i want is really rather unlistenable in the cd format.
but there are a lot of push factors for me going vinyl.
I am presently using a cd5 but not naim amplification.
If i get a 2nd hand hicap, it would be about the same price as a new flatcap2 ( cant find 2nd hand flatcap2 around here).
However would adding a flatcap2 or a hicap help in getting more music out of those unlistenable CDs?
If yes, which would be recommended? the hicap or the flatcap2. I do not intend to go for naim amplification in the near future.
Posted on: 05 July 2002 by Steve Toy
quote:
Or you get a Hi-Cap. The only problem is, with a CD5 + HC you enter into the price range of a CDX, which would be a better bang for your buck
Ultimately a CDX is much more musical and detailed than a CD5/Hi-cap.
However, the CDX costs £2470, and a CD5/Hi purchsed new together is still less than 2k. Moreover, you can buy the CD5 and add the Hi-cap later.
The Hi-cap is better value for money, imho than the FC2 when used to upgrade a CD5. The FC2 gives a lift in dynamics and soundstaging as well as control, but the Hi also lends more authority to the sound with less distortion.
Regards,
Steve.
The proof of the pudding...Posted on: 06 July 2002 by herm
Hi SL,
CD5 plus Hi-Cap is an excellent combo. It makes the sound a lot better, less "digital" and more authoritive all over.
Plus if you're located in the UK, as you appear to do, it shouldn't be too hard to get a second hand Hi-Cap for less money than a new Flatcap 2. (Try Loot or otherwise give the guys at The Audio Works a call.)
Obviously you get more detail and life with a CDX, but you don't have a CDX right now. But if we're talking about juice and satisfaction, a Capped CD5 is pretty good fun.
Herman
Posted on: 06 July 2002 by silklee
quote:
Originally posted by herm:
Hi SL,
CD5 plus Hi-Cap is an excellent combo. It makes the sound a lot better, less "digital" and more authoritive all over.
Plus if you're located in the UK, as you appear to do, it shouldn't be too hard to get a second hand Hi-Cap for less money than a new Flatcap 2. (Try Loot or otherwise give the guys at The Audio Works a call.)
Obviously you get more detail and life with a CDX, but you don't have a CDX right now. But if we're talking about juice and satisfaction, a Capped CD5 is pretty good fun.
Herman
nope.. i am not located in UK, but in Singapore. Second hand naim stuff is bit hard to come across.
anyway thanks for advice and please keep it coming.
Posted on: 06 July 2002 by Manu
Max,
You are right, in your system a flatcap2 was the way to go. It betters a Hicap on the CD5 alone. Your flatcap improves both your CD5 and your NAIT. Now you are ready to add a hicap to your CD5.
Emmanuel
Posted on: 07 July 2002 by Peter Stockwell
Hi,
I have the Nait 5 + HiCap ... I'm considering a CD5, or Primare D30.2. So If I go CD5, I should go FC2 when funds permit and switch the Hi to the CD ... but I have a Stageline too, what would be best then ?
Peter
Posted on: 07 July 2002 by Phil Barry
3 sources that benefit from indepndent PSUs. 2 PSUs inside the FC2. 3 into 2 won't go.
I'd be inclined to purchase used Flatcap (CD5), and 2 used hicaps (Stageline and Nait). If you're hooked on 5-series style, I guess you have to buy 2 FC2s, or do without a PSU for one source.
Phil
Posted on: 07 July 2002 by Steve Toy
quote:
You are right, in your system a flatcap2 was the way to go. It betters a Hicap on the CD5 alone. Your flatcap improves both your CD5 and your NAIT. Now you are ready to add a hicap to your CD5.
Your hi-fi actually sounds
worse when you connect the Flatcap 2 to both preamp and CD5 than if you just connect Output A to the CD5.
(I did this one blind, and several times, and each time the results were the same, btw.)
I also compared Flatcap 2 just into CD5 with Hi-cap.
The Hi-cap was better. If you don't believe me, try it out!
Admittedly, Output A of the FC2 into the pre, and a Hi-cap on the CD5 is better still.
Regards,
Steve.
The proof of the pudding...Posted on: 07 July 2002 by Steve Toy
quote:
please explain why the system would sound worse in your words. i'm just curious.
It is simple source-first theory being proven in practice.
Of course a Flatcap 2 connected to both pre and CD5 will sound better than no Flatcap connected to anything, but just connecting the Output A of the FC2 to the CD5 gives the most musical, transparent, and dynamic sound.
Swapping this for a Hi-cap gives you all the above plus added refinement and lower distortion.
Connecting the B output of the FC2 to the CD5 and the A output to the pre will therefore make it sound worse.
As for your synergy theory, it is because they come in the same dark grey slimline boxes, right, whereas the Hi-cap comes in a different shaped olive green box?
As for knowing what I am talking about, I have experienced the full Naim upgrade path from CD5/Nait/Intros right the way up to CDS2/52/250/Credos and all the stages between.
Please remember also that my auditions of the Flatcap 2 were undertaken blind - no theory, just the proof of the pudding...
Regards,
Steve.
The proof of the pudding...Posted on: 07 July 2002 by silklee
Need some help here. Can a hicap be plugged into a cd5 using the any SNAIC cable? Or only certain SNAIC can be used with the cd5, ie is the SNAIC for hicap to naim pre different from that of hicap to CD5.
