Whats the difference?

Posted by: bigtrak on 01 February 2002

Hi
Please excuse my ignorance. I am considering getting an external power supply for my old style NAC12 NAP 160 and was wondering what is the difference between a HICAP and a SNAPS. Which would be most suitable, bearing in mind that I plan to ugrade to an old style NAP 250 and possibly a NAC 72.
Once again thanks for your time.

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by bigtrak

Hi again
I forgot to ask what I should expect to pay?
Cheers

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by bigtrak:
Hi
Please excuse my ignorance. I am considering getting an external power supply for my old style NAC12 NAP 160 and was wondering what is the difference between a HICAP and a SNAPS. Which would be most suitable, bearing in mind that I plan to ugrade to an old style NAP 250 and possibly a NAC 72.
Once again thanks for your time.

I don't know about the 12 but the 22 can only take a 4-pin power supply so therefore can't be used with a hi-cap. Does your 12 have a 5-pin output?

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Paul Ranson

When the Hicap first came out it had both 4 pin and 5 pin 'inputs'. The first Naim device to make use of the 5 pin was the (S)NAXO3-6. I don't remember whether it was 'S' or not at the time.

The 42-5 and 32-5 upgrades came a little later.

Paul

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by bigtrak

hi Steve
Ive just had a look and its a four pin output. So It looks like a snaps is the one to go for. Would this work with NAP 250?. I am right to assume that a SNAPS is an older version of a HICAP?

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Manu

If your intention is to upgrade later, go for a HiCap. Ask you Naim dealer to make you a 4pin to 5 pin adapter with the grey SNAIC you should get with the used HiCap. When you'll change for a 72 you will have to go with a black SNAIC (it is so much better!).
An other option is to find a really cheap SNAPS, it will be easier to sell 12 + SNAPS. A NAC12 alone is unsellable IMHO.

Emmanuel

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by bigtrak:
hi Steve
Ive just had a look and its a four pin output. So It looks like a snaps is the one to go for. Would this work with NAP 250?. I am right to assume that a SNAPS is an older version of a HICAP?

12/SNAPS/250 will definitely work (with 4-pin SNAIC's between the pre/SNAPS and SNAPS/power) but you'd need to make sure the SNAPS hasn't been dual railed (i.e. converted to have a 5-pin output).

If you can pick up a SNAPS for 100 quid or so then I'd suggest that would be worthwhile. If (as suggested in this thread) using a 4pin-5pin cable is viable then a Hi-cap would be a better long term proposition (not that a standard SNAIC is £53 though so you might not want to buy cables you won't need longer term).

If it was me I'd look for a cheap SNAPS and use that until you get a pre (for example a 32.5 for 150 quid or so) that works with a Hicap (the 32.5 etc have 4 and 5 pin outputs). You should be able to get a used Hicap for £400 or so.

I've no experience with the NAC12 pre but it might be the case that a 32.5/SNAPS2/250 is a better option that a 12/Hi/250 and a 32.5/SNAPS2 should cost less than a Hi-cap. The same may also be true of 32.5/Hicap/160 v 12/SNAPS2/250 but again I couldn't confirm that.

Given your long term plans I'd probably do the following, with the gaps between the steps being dependent on finances:

Step 1) Replace the 12 with a 72 (£400 used) or 32.5 (£150 used) using the 4 pin SNAIC you already have.

Step 2) Get a Hi-Cap (£400 used) and a 5-pin SNAIC (£53 new but the Hi-cap might well come with one) using the 4-pin between SNAPS and power.

Step 3) Replace the 160 with a 250 (£800 used)

If you're selling your NAC12 (cheap!) at some point then please let me know as I'd like one to play with.

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by Dr. Exotica

quote:
An other option is to find a really cheap SNAPS, it will be easier to sell 12 + SNAPS. A NAC12 alone is unsellable IMHO.

I would disagree here. As a lower priority background task, I am looking for an old NAC12 to fool around with; apparently Steve is as well.

Old school Naim is cool.

Erik

Posted on: 02 February 2002 by Manu

quote:
Originally posted by Dr. Exotica:
Quote: "An other option is to find a really cheap SNAPS, it will be easier to sell 12 + SNAPS. A NAC12 alone is unsellable IMHO."
I would disagree here. As a lower priority background task, I am looking for an old NAC12 to fool around with; apparently Steve is as well.
Old school Naim is cool.
Erik

Ok i've been excessive: A NAC12 is not easy to sell alone... 2 guys want one in the world... sorry... A NAC12 is easy to sell and prices will increase.

Seriously, easy or not to sell, the 12 is a good sounding pre, if recapped and cleaned. Better than a 42, imho. It can also be used as a serious external phono stage in a NAIT 5 or 112 system.

Bigtrak,

Choose your next targeted system. For example 72 + hicap + 250. Search for good deals, start by hicap then 250 then 72 then, if needed black SNAIC, new power cords (when buying used original cords are generaly lost).
I would suggest to sell now an option on your NAC12 at one of the 2 guys in the world ...(Erik and Steve)

Emmanuel