supercap dr worth it on SN2
Posted by: Matthew Johns on 13 January 2017
hi all,
after bit of advice/opinion
intending to have listening demo at some point soon of HiCap DR paired with SN2 (as noticed mixed opinion on this pairing on the forum)
however opportunity arose for a pre-loved supercap DR at reasonable much reduced price.............so as now tempted am curious on peoples experiences when paired with a SN2 (also will not be able to listen/demo if do decide due to seller location, which i know isn't ideal)
as ever input appreciated thanks
I didn't even know someone had ever paired the two units.
Sounds a weird application to me, SC is effective on preamps which really crave for.
The Supercap, especially the DR, is spectacular on a 282.
Seems like overkill to me on an integrated, even one as good as the Supernait 2.
It seems you are aiming high in the Naim hierarchy so maybe best to grab that Supercap at the good price now and upgrade your pre-amps in the future.
Ray
Rather than adding a Supercap to the SN2, might it be worth considering swapping it for a 282/250DR, though you'd then need a Hicap of course.
thanks guys is tricky one good points all do not intend to upgrade SN2 any time soon so Scap DR would be very much playing the long game (next big upgrade would be speakers for me i think sticking with current speakers for at least another year as have metal fixed grille which is good for keeping my small curious children away from daddy's toys, thinking of kudos s20s, kef ref 1s, etc sort of range when i do upgrade speakers though)
anyone actually heard the combo SN2/Scap DR though? suppose only reason am curious is the HicapDR seems to get such mixed reactions with the SN2 ???
thanks again
The S20 really wants something like a 282/250, so if you are ultimately going there a Supercap now could make sense.
I owned a SN1 and tried most possible combinations at the time: FC2X,HC2,SC2.
I understand the SN2 is a different animal as are the DR upgrades, however, the sweet spot was the HC2 imo. It sounded just right and was a significant improvement over the SN alone. The SC2 was over the top- too hi-fi. The music did not flow it just attacked you. That said, a good deal is a good deal and if you are planning on upgrades...........
ATB,
Mark
Absolutely no reason why you can't buy it, try it and if it's not what you want sell it on you certainly won't lose money on it
My simple answer would be no. Much better off if buy a decent preamp. Power section of SN2 is just excellent imho.
I would say it's definitely worth a shot to try it, the SN2 is that good. It's also a recommendation in the owners manual.
Hi Matthew
I run an NDX into SN2 and a year or so ago was trying out "next step" upgrades. I did a dealer demo and tried out XPS(dr), 555PS(dr), NAP250(dr) and just for poops and giggles the Supercap.
Rather surprisingly the consensus between myself, my partner and the dealer was that the biggest improvement by far was the addition of the Supercap to the SN2. The other upgrades made some improvents but for my money, of the 4 I wouldn't have hesitate to buy the supercap as my next step.
I have found though that system balance and synergy is a vital consideration, and so with your speakers you may find different results. (I run PMC Fact12s which by rights should be well outside the parameters of cosinderation for such "humble" electronics, but they work beautifully).
Cheers
Matt