NAPSC or Flatcap with 102?

Posted by: NaimDropper on 30 October 2003

I have recently upgraded my 32.5/Hi/250/NACA5/Vintage Briks with a 102. Very nice improvement in everything and I'm really enjoying my music!
My main source is LP12/Ittok/Karma and I plan on adding a "real" CD player once funds become available.
The next logical step for the pre is to add a power supply for the digital section. I understand with the proper cable one can connect a Flat or Hi in place of the NAPSC. Since I can easily pick up a used Flatcap 1 while the NAPSC on the used market is a bit rare and a second Hi would probably be a waste of power, my question is this:
Would a Flatcap 1 (and the appropriate cable) be a good choice in place of a NAPSC? Or is the NAPSC the only real choice here.
Thanks!
David
Posted on: 30 October 2003 by Steve Toy
A NAPSC - it is designed specifically to power the front panel of a 102. You already have a Hicap to do the rest else your system would be silent... Wink



Regards,

Steve.
Posted on: 31 October 2003 by NaimDropper
Thanks, Steve.
Would the benefits be the same, worse, better with a Flatcap?
David
Posted on: 31 October 2003 by skraft
Consensus here (and I agree) says NAPSC is a steal for the performance boost it provides.
Posted on: 31 October 2003 by Steve Toy
David,

It's only the front panel. To crack a nut, do you go for the sledgehammer or the nutcracker? Wink



Regards,

Steve.
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by NaimDropper
I guess it depends on the PRaT that the nut can produce with the sledge...
OK, I've got the NAPSC on the upgrade list.
Thanks!
David
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by Martin Payne
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Toy:
It's only the front panel. To crack a nut, do you go for the sledgehammer or the nutcracker? Wink



Steve,

I believe that the PSC actually powers the switches that the signal goes through, and lower noise on this supply results in a better "contact" by the switch.

Naim had originally intended to use a cheap-and-nasty plug-top supply for this, but found that the unavoidable noise compromised the performance too much.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by NaimDropper
That makes sense. Conducting noise into the pre with a cheap power supply would defeat the purpose of separating the digital and switching from the audio circuits.
As with the Flat and Hi, I'm sure the design is simple but very carefully implemented.
David
Posted on: 01 November 2003 by garyi
This is a very simple thing. If you can pick up a flacap to power the digital section at a good price then go for it.

If a NASPC will be significantly cheaper the get that.