102+Supercap

Hello,

look into the manuals concerning connections on the Naim homepage under the explanations for connecting a NAC82 to the Supercap. Instead of two cables you use just one (I tried the upper entrance with my NAC32.5), Prefix is connected there too.
The cable you need is the normal SNAIC 5 (That you use already for your 102/Amplifier or Hicap).
You will feel the sound improvement. Supercap is really a good improvement.

Have fun
Peter

Thanks Peter. Understood that step no. 1, but with a 102, step no. 2 seems to be to get rid of the NAPSC and have the SCap do its work; hence my question.

... plus on the forum I read that some believe the SCap shouldn't be powering the digital aspect of the 102 because the voltage is too high (24v vs 18v), that "step 2" is not recommended by Naim etc. The Naim manual says the SCap can power a 102 but then doesn't say how to connect the thing (and whether using the SCap+SLIC in stead of NAPSC is OK or not).

Carl

I used a Supercap with a 102 for a few years, but I still had a NA-PSC for the digital controls.

Connect the SC to the 102 audio section as follows:-

SC socket 1 to 102
SC socket 3 to power

Cheers, Julian

Yes, you could use a SLIC to use the secondary supply on the Super-Cap for the 102's NAPSC needs. However, there might be problems with the shared ground, etc. (I'm not sure one way or the other.) Ultimately, it would probably sound better than not having the NAPSC at all, but possibly not as good as having an independent supply to do the job.

BTW, don't worry about the 24V. The 102's internal regulators will handle it just fine. I'm currently using a 24V SNAPS2 with a SLIC to power my office's 102's NAPSC socket.

Finally, don't use the digital supply from the Super-Cap to power the 102's NAPSC socket. This supply is pre-regulated for the 52, and isn't a high enough voltage to drive the 102's internal regulators. I'm also not sure what type of cable you would need to use. But since it won't work regardless, it doesn't really matter, does it?

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Interesting thread for me. I have a 102 and NAPSC. Would you say the Supercap upgrade on the 102 significantly improves things? Better than going for an 82?

Thanks,

Ben.

I would suppose 82-Hi should be better but upgrading to SCap makes it possible (in my dreams) to 'skip' the 82 on the road to 52/SCap, even if it means living some years with 102/SCap... But has anyone A/B'd 82-Hi vs. 102-SCap?

102/Super vs. 82/Hi

The 82 combo gets more things right overall. However, the Super-Cap imparts a particular "magic" to almost any pre-amp (even a lowly 32.5). It's a particular blossoming of the sound. That special "something" doesn't seem to happen with a mere Hi-Cap. If you are a sucker for that particular aspect of the sonic reproduction, then you might prefer the 102/Super combo. Most, I think, would rather have 82/Hi.

As Carl indicated, however, if you already have a 102 and you're aiming for a 52, then a Super-Cap is a great step on the way there, enabling to you leapfrog the 82.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

BTW: Richard Dane on the "Can't connect your kit?" thread just posted that the "SLIC"-path (see above) is not at all recommended
QUOTE
"You push the regs close to the very edge due to the voltage difference and this could result in damage. You should stick with using a NAPSC".
UNQUOTE
So at least that is now clear to me: just connect the SCap as you would a Hi-Cap and leave the NAPSC in place.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Julian H:
Carl

I used a Supercap with a 102 for a few years, but I still had a NA-PSC for the digital controls.

Connect the SC to the 102 audio section as follows:-

SC socket 1 to 102
SC socket 3 to power

Cheers, Julian

---

This is exactly how I have my kit set up at home.... works like a charm.

y.

NAC102 + SUPERCAP + NAPSC
NACDS+PSCD
NAP135

So the SuperCap entered the house yesterday to power my 102.. From the first note, the sort of "where did my speakers go" amazement. Also very impressed by how good ("airy") the music how sounds at LOW, "social", listening levels.

Regards,
Carl