Connecting Supercap to CD5

Posted by: JosephR on 22 March 2003

Can anyone tell me how to connect a Supercap to a CD5 ?

Is it from Socket 1 of the Supercap to the input on the CD5 (link plugs removed) next to the output going to the preamp ? Does the CD5 still have to be powered through its mains ?

TIA

[This message was edited by JosephR on SATURDAY 22 March 2003 at 14:29.]

Posted on: 22 March 2003 by Andreas Nystroem

Didn't even know it was possible to connect these two things.

Posted on: 22 March 2003 by Rico

Joeseph

just refer to the connections guide on Naim's website. Pretend the Supercap is a flatcap, and install the same way. Yes the CD5 must still be connected to the mains. For further detail use the search bicycle.

Interesting experiment, better to spread the funds elsewhere in the system though!

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Posted on: 22 March 2003 by Tarquin Maynard - Portly

If in doubt, phone Salisbury / your dealer

Regards

Mike

Posted on: 23 March 2003 by Ron Toolsie

The supercap is a very large step up from a self powered CD-5, although as suggested not likely to represent the best allocation of funds. My tinkerings with a CD5/Supercap as well as other combinations may be found in this threadCD5/Supercap

Ron
Dum spiro audio
Dum audio vivo

Posted on: 23 March 2003 by JosephR

Thanks, everyone ... it is definitely not a wise allocation of funds. It's just that I have an idle Supercap in the meantime, so might as well give it some work ...

Thanks, Ron, I did a search earlier and saw your post and excellent descriptions of the various configurations. But I just wanted to make sure I will be connecting it correctly.

So thanks too, Rico, I believe nobody has ever posted the connection method before ... or I missed it ...

My dealer said just use the 5-pin DINs, but a 2nd opinion is always welcome

Posted on: 24 March 2003 by JosephR

Ok, done it !

For those interested, it's from 5-pin Socket 1 of the Supercap (Socket 1 as shown in Supercap manual from the Naim Audio website - just next to Socket 3) and into the only 5-pin input of the CD5 (link plugs removed). Both units powered on.

Improvements ? Well, it will be hard to go back to the self-powered CD5. Everything is now much more natural-sounding, with higher resolution. Still very digital to these analog ears (in the long run), but it did take a big step towards analogue quality.

Of course, a CDX will probably be a better deal, but in the meantime, the Supercap will stay

Posted on: 25 March 2003 by bazz

Using a length of 15 amp three core mains cable soldered to 5 pin dins in this application instead of a snaic (as suggested by Andy Weekes in another thread), also results in large sonic improvements.

The reasoning is that the snaic is a necessary compromise in situations where it is necessary to carry signal in one direction and 24v in the other, but as in this case only the 24v needs to go to the CD5 a lower impedance cable is better.

I can certainly vouch for that, an absolutely astounding improvement for very little cost and 15 minutes with a soldering iron

BTW, thanks Andy.

Posted on: 26 March 2003 by TommyT

Has anyone ever gone from a Hi-Cap to a Super-Cap on either a CD3.5 or CD5?
In considering upgrade paths, my current pair of hi-caps may be replaced with a single Super-Cap. Whilst the objective would be to then get a NAC52, just wondered how much the source would improve in the mean time.
I would be interested in hearing anyone's experience of this.
Rgds,
Tom