Hicap DR or non DR Olive SuperCap for 282.

Bob,

I think I have first hand experience on this. In my last but one Naim life (last September), I had 282/HC/200DR; then I sold the HC and powered the 282 from the 200DR, with satisfying results. Then I decided to go for a 250.2 because I wanted more power and grip and authority. This forced me to have a PSU, so I opted for an olive Supercap with latest fascia that Cymbiosys was selling at an interesting price.

The Italian Lab assured me that internally it was basically identical to a 'black' one. So I had the SC fully recapped and the 250.2 adjusted (bias and minor resistors) and I can assure you, the difference between a HiCap/200 and a SC/250.2 is VERY audible.

Best

M

Thanks Massimo

That is very interesting to know that the Olive SC and the pre DR SC are essentially the same because the difference in used prices between the two can be as much as 400 pounds.   That just leaves the question does a 282 sound better with a pre DR SC or HC DR?

I made the jump from 82/HC to 82/SC back before there were such things as DRs. The SC is a major upgrade.

The difference between 82 and 282 is marginal, so I'd expect your results to be similar. 

I changed from 82 + 2 x Hi-cap to  - 82 + used olive Supercap - good move !!!

I know it doesn't answer the question, but having tried all pre-DR PS options with the 282 the Supercap was clearly superior.

JRHardee posted:

I made the jump from 82/HC to 82/SC back before there were such things as DRs. The SC is a major upgrade.

The difference between 82 and 282 is marginal, so I'd expect your results to be similar. 

Same here major improvement.

I agree with SheffieldGraham and PCD. When I bought my 282 I elected to go for a non-DR SuperCap over the then newly released HCDR. On demo it took less than a minute for the SC to show its worth.  

But just to be really sure I need a SC DR

Technical question - just noticed in the manual that when a 282 is powered by a SC there are 2 connecting wires.  For what purpose?  Are they are both SNAICS?

Yes. When a SC is powering the 282 you have two SNAICs (plus the Napsc, of course)

Thanks.   

Massimo Bertola posted:

Bob,

I think I have first hand experience on this. In my last but one Naim life (last September), I had 282/HC/200DR; then I sold the HC and powered the 282 from the 200DR, with satisfying results. Then I decided to go for a 250.2 because I wanted more power and grip and authority. This forced me to have a PSU, so I opted for an olive Supercap with latest fascia that Cymbiosys was selling at an interesting price.

The Italian Lab assured me that internally it was basically identical to a 'black' one. So I had the SC fully recapped and the 250.2 adjusted (bias and minor resistors) and I can assure you, the difference between a HiCap/200 and a SC/250.2 is VERY audible.

Best

M

I'm not convinced by that as naim won't DR the olive , unless it's a case issue

Apparently it has to do with how the parts are arranged inside the case, which may or may not confer some amount of sonic benefit for the black SC. Aside from that, olive SC = black SC. 

Naim tells its service people not to do it, but I'd be surprised if someone hasn't at least tried to DR an olive SC. 

MDS posted:

Yes. When a SC is powering the 282 you have two SNAICs (plus the Napsc, of course)

Yes it's just odd, that Two HC's wouldn't  out perform a single SC, but it appears to be a consensus, of the following rankings:

SCDR

SC

HCDR

Dual HC's 

The Forum persuaded me to take the HCDR route, on my 282, and said the difference was marginal, when compared to the SC. 

But in any event, I prepared myself for my next upgrade and picked up an extra SNAIC5.  Neat little Naim Package! 

Going Active, I would need the SC Anyhow, so what the heck, just waiting on the SC now!

Allante93! 

A 282 powered by a SC is something to be reckonned with. Though if you can listen, do. I made a jump (albeit from HCDR to SCDR) on my 282 and found it nothing but a positive change. On the other hand, some on the forum have found that they preferred the 282 powered by HCDR rather than a SCDR. While my ears don't agree with that, everyone is different and since some found the 282/SCDR combo not to their liking, it is always possible you might feel the same.

If you have the slightest doubt at all, all I can say is that I lived with a 282/HCDR for a while and I could have easily stayed there - you definately cannot go wrong with that combo and I don't think there is any (except maybe users of unsupported non Naim thrid party PSUs) who would counter that.

When I upgraded to a 282, it came with a HCDR at a very decent price so I got the HCDR. That said, after the deal was done, I did listen to the 282 with a SCDR and while I don't disagree there was a distinct difference, to my ears I just didn't think that the money spent on the SCDR justified the difference I was hearing. But that was just me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. 

The local distributor was trying to explain to me how the 282 does not fully utilise the SCDR but it was lost on me. It has something to do with the fact that the 282 uses only 2 or 4 of the 14 power rails that the SCDR has.

If however you are even entertaining the possibility of a 252 upgrade then you might as well bite the bullet and get a SCDR.

Thanks for all your answers as always very informative and interesting, it seems that those of you who have tried both the Olive SC and HC DR powering 282 prefer the SC. They are much the same price purchased used so I think I will go with an Olive SC, I did previously own a black box non DR SC but I only had a 202 at the time although when I connected them up it certainly did improve the sound but it was clearly to much for the 202 you could almost hear it groaning on some tracks so I moved it on when my record deck needed upgrading.

Richard archbold posted:

Massimo Bertola posted:

Bob,

I think I have first hand experience on this. In my last but one Naim life (last September), I had 282/HC/200DR; then I sold the HC and powered the 282 from the 200DR, with satisfying results. Then I decided to go for a 250.2 because I wanted more power and grip and authority. This forced me to have a PSU, so I opted for an olive Supercap with latest fascia that Cymbiosys was selling at an interesting price.

The Italian Lab assured me that internally it was basically identical to a 'black' one. So I had the SC fully recapped and the 250.2 adjusted (bias and minor resistors) and I can assure you, the difference between a HiCap/200 and a SC/250.2 is VERY audible.

Best

M

I'm not convinced by that as naim won't DR the olive , unless it's a case issue

Well, the man at the lab (the only Naim authorised lab in Italy), who I believe has been servicing Naim for many years told me so, and so far nobody at Naim has posted to contradict me. This will not change one iota the fact that an olive SC with front fascia and a complete recap makes a 282 sound wonderfully. If you are in doubt, why not ask someone at Naim?

As I understand it, the only difference between the Olive and black Supercap is the case and the feet. 

Massimo Bertola posted:

Richard archbold posted:

Massimo Bertola posted:

Bob,

I think I have first hand experience on this. In my last but one Naim life (last September), I had 282/HC/200DR; then I sold the HC and powered the 282 from the 200DR, with satisfying results. Then I decided to go for a 250.2 because I wanted more power and grip and authority. This forced me to have a PSU, so I opted for an olive Supercap with latest fascia that Cymbiosys was selling at an interesting price.

The Italian Lab assured me that internally it was basically identical to a 'black' one. So I had the SC fully recapped and the 250.2 adjusted (bias and minor resistors) and I can assure you, the difference between a HiCap/200 and a SC/250.2 is VERY audible.

Best

M

I'm not convinced by that as naim won't DR the olive , unless it's a case issue

Well, the man at the lab (the only Naim authorised lab in Italy), who I believe has been servicing Naim for many years told me so, and so far nobody at Naim has posted to contradict me. This will not change one iota the fact that an olive SC with front fascia and a complete recap makes a 282 sound wonderfully. If you are in doubt, why not ask someone at Naim?

I'm not in doubt I was asking the question.. maybe it's a case issue , I use the dr which is just a huge improvement never looked back however at the op I would suggest buying a supercap 2 so that he could dr it in the future 

Massimo Bertola posted:

Richard archbold posted:

Massimo Bertola posted:

Bob,

I think I have first hand experience on this. In my last but one Naim life (last September), I had 282/HC/200DR; then I sold the HC and powered the 282 from the 200DR, with satisfying results. Then I decided to go for a 250.2 because I wanted more power and grip and authority. This forced me to have a PSU, so I opted for an olive Supercap with latest fascia that Cymbiosys was selling at an interesting price.

The Italian Lab assured me that internally it was basically identical to a 'black' one. So I had the SC fully recapped and the 250.2 adjusted (bias and minor resistors) and I can assure you, the difference between a HiCap/200 and a SC/250.2 is VERY audible.

Best

M

I'm not convinced by that as naim won't DR the olive , unless it's a case issue

Well, the man at the lab (the only Naim authorised lab in Italy), who I believe has been servicing Naim for many years told me so, and so far nobody at Naim has posted to contradict me. This will not change one iota the fact that an olive SC with front fascia and a complete recap makes a 282 sound wonderfully. If you are in doubt, why not ask someone at Naim?

Well, Thanks again Forum!

If money wasn't an issue, all  would be sporting, an Active S1 Rig!

Unfortunately, one's bank account, does influence their decision.

That being said, I'm considering, off loading a gorgeous HCDR (307xxx).

Why? 

Would like to experience the incremental improvements that the SCDR brings to the table!

Mind you,  I picked my HCDR up practically Brand new, at a steal!

So, here's the Plan:

Take Advantage of An Individual, who wasn't enthused by the  252/SCDR, and decided to move on to 552 territory.

Live with an Late 2015 SCDR for 30 days, then search the market for an Olive SC, that's due for recapping!

Have it recaped with a front fascia, and call it a day!

Cdx2/282/SCDR

SC/SNAXO/362/3 x 250.2/Briks

Fraimlite/Naim Cups & Balls.

Well, that's the Plan, but once it's all said and done, the HCDR/282 ain't BAD!

But, I haven't experienced an SC, less know, an SCDR! 

Allante93!