CD5 / Nait5 - where do i go now?
Posted by: dave brubeck on 26 February 2002
Dear Sirs,
I have a CD5/Nait5. Yes i have heard them with a Flatcap2 connected and must say at one point I actually got a fright when on a particular track the singer's voice came in - sounded like the vocalist was standing next to me. wow. (and she was a girl).
I want this presence of sound and instrument distinction, but I also want more power.
I am happy with the CD5 and intend to keep it, but that is the only decision i have made.
I have 3 systems in mind:
1. CD5/Nait5 as preamp/NAP180/Hicap or Flatcap2
2. CD5/NAC102/NAP180/Flatcap2
3. CD5/NAC102/NAP180/Hicap
Is the preamp power output on the NAP180 any better or worse than that provided by a Flatcap2?
Is the Highcap worth all that extra money?
Should the best power supply always go to the preamp stage?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Davey-Boy-Brubeck and his 'cool jazz band'.
Please note that i will have to sell my TV, stamp collection and mother to finance the purchase of any of the above.
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by herm
"Please note that i will have to sell my TV, stamp collection and mother to finance the purchase of any of the above."
Hi Dave,
I thought architects were making loads of money...
However, you don't want to sell your stamp collection right now, so why don't you take it easy?
Get a flatcap first. Getting a hicap for a CD5 makes less sense, from what I've heard, than trading the CD5 in for a CDX. And you were going to hold on to the CD5.
So in that case getting a flatcap and preparing financially for a pre-power combo would be a prudent course in my view.
Just enjoy the music!
Herman
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by dave brubeck
"I thought architects were making loads of money..."
Herm that is highly incorrect in my case - my ruler is currently broken. However i am currently in that 'You only live once' fraim of mind so an imminent rash purchase decision is likely...
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by herm
You only live once...I know, Dave. I just ordered a twenty-one CD recording of Haydn string quartets. 
Herman
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by Top Cat
There's a 3 tier Mana rack for £225 in L&C in Edinburgh, should you be in the vicinity. 0131 226 6500. Good value at that price, should fit your system nicely.
Moving up the ladder you have QS Ref, Fraim, perhaps Hutter, Isoblue... any of that lot, I'm sure you won't go wrong. Just factor in the spacing for future NAP500 purchases... 
TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by dave brubeck
thanks for the advice, but racks are a bit 'boring' compared to shiny new black boxes.
ok i have it down to 2 choices:
1. cd5 with hicap/ nait5 / nap180
2. cd5 with flatcapA/ nait5 with flatcapB/ nap180
heeeeeeeeeeelp!!
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by Markus
My advice would be to stay far away from your Naim dealer for at least 6 months. Buy more cd's!!! No Kidding.
Your system is good enough to provide great satisfaction for a loooong time before upgrading. Enjoy it as is!!
In answer to one of your other questions--yes, hicaps are worth it.
Best regards,
Markus
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by bob atherton
Hi Dave,
What a coincidence to have the same name as a leading 20th century jazz musician & composer!
My advice would be to either get a 2nd hand Hicap (350 UKP ish) or save for a CDX either new or 2nd hand. I know this may sound boring, but the music won't be!
Bob.
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by Eric Barry
Trade it for a 112, get the transformer out of the box, get regulation on the inputs--it should sound a lot better. And you should consider power supplies instead of a different power amp--a hicap on a preamp sounds like what you'd expect from a power amp upgrade. And you should consider a CDX instead of hicapping the CD5. Why not CDX/hicap/112/150 as a goal, done front to back, i.e. CDX, then hicap, then 112/150 for Nait.
--Eric
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by phil. S
Dave
I have the following: CD5/112/150/HiCap/Flatcap2.
Originally I had the CD5 and 112 through the Flatcap. When I purchased the HiCap second hand (£400) I used it on the 112, dedicating the Flatcap to the CD5. I thought that all the sources would benefit by putting the HiCap on the pre-amp. The sound improved tremendously. Everything became clearer, more defined, relaxed. The only nagging problem was the bass on the CD5 sounded a little flabby, uncontrolled.
I switched the Flatcap to the 112 and put the HiCap on the CD5. Wow....what a difference, tight controlled bass, much more detail and insight to the music.
Result, I am now saving for another second hand HiCap to use with the 112. In my opinion don't bother with a Flatcap, go straight for a second hand HiCap, it makes a hell of a difference.
Something else I have noticed, I have a Stageline which I have tried powered from the 112 and from the second output of the FlatCap2. The latter dramatically improves the sound,,,,try it.
Cheers
Phil
Posted on: 26 February 2002 by Mike Sae
quote:
Eric said: Why not CDX/hicap/112/150 as a goal, done front to back, i.e. CDX, then hicap, then 112/150 for Nait.
Mr. Brubeck,
this is a kickass(tm) system with a perfect plan of attack. After all is said and done,this system is a "keeper"; all components balanced with no real weak point.
You can then tear you hair out wrt rackage and speakers.
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by phil. S:
When I purchased the HiCap second hand (£400) I used it on the 112, dedicating the Flatcap to the CD5. I thought that all the sources would benefit by putting the HiCap on the pre-amp. The sound improved tremendously. Everything became clearer, more defined, relaxed. The only nagging problem was the bass on the CD5 sounded a little flabby, uncontrolled.
I switched the Flatcap to the 112 and put the HiCap on the CD5. Wow....what a difference, tight controlled bass, much more detail and insight to the music.
Result, I am now saving for another second hand HiCap to use with the 112. In my opinion don't bother with a Flatcap, go straight for a second hand HiCap, it makes a hell of a difference.
Something else I have noticed, I have a Stageline which I have tried powered from the 112 and from the second output of the FlatCap2. The latter dramatically improves the sound,,,,try it.Cheers
Phil
I'm currently powering my Stageline from my nait, powered by a HiCap. I'm wondering which 'cap is going to give the best bang for the buck, I suppose it's the HiCap, to power the Stageline.
Peter
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by dave brubeck
quote:
Originally posted by dozy:
... now power supplies - that IS boring! 
..boringly expensive, i would agreed.
The above comments on exchanging the nait 5 for the nac112 cause me some concern, as i have been assured by my local 'dealer' (audio equipment only) that the preamp sections in the nac112 and nait5 are exactly the same and that such a change will bring me no benefit.
any ideas?
Mr. Naim technical moderator can you help?
Posted on: 27 February 2002 by Frank Abela
Dave (Andy)
Why do you feel you need more power? Do you have speakers that are difficult to drive (you don't mention them)? Do you have a huge room?
If not, then I'd agree with the others here and suggest a CDX which both makes the Nait5 sound more powerful through its extra resolution as well as providing a more musical solution.
If you simply wanted a fillip to the current system, then I'd suggest the flatcap2 which instantly improves both amp and CD player as you've found. I would not go down the 2-flatcap route.
If you really do need more power, then the 180 is a cracking amp. Its power supply to the preamp is almost as good as the one in the older flatcap.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 28 February 2002 by dave brubeck
" but racks are a bit 'boring' compared to shiny new black boxes "
"I suspect that comment is based on my gut feel you never heard what proper supports do to the sound of a decent system, and you simply want to upgrade because there is something more powerful."
..after reading all the stuff said about supports, ie. "mana is best, ferrous metal problems, the sparking cage thing, the i like timber thing and also i put them all on the floor temporarily and my system sounded 10 times better" i am unconvinced about the 'stand thing'.
I want more power to make my system go louder.
I want a Nap180 so i can have a party and nobody can hear what anybody else is saying (especially those who talk about work).
Everything else about the nait5/cd5 combo i love, except i like my music louder.
Posted on: 28 February 2002 by Frank Abela
For a given point on the volume knob, you will get the same loudness out of a CD5/Nait5/180 as you get currently. The difference will be in control and distortion. You still don't mention the speakers and room size - this would help me considerably in making a recommendation.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Posted on: 28 February 2002 by dave brubeck
"For a given point on the volume knob, you will get the same loudness out of a CD5/Nait5/180 as you get currently. The difference will be in control and distortion"
..doesn't this mean that the 180 will go louder without distortion, which is what i am looking for?
Speakers at present are Mission 780s - temporary until I manage to afford a pair of Living Voice Auditoriums.
Room size fluctuates as I move around frequently. I think of this as a hi-fi for life, and eventually the system will be sited in a "large" room.
Thanks for your help Frank
