Proper connection of HiCap DR

First things first, did you get a SNAIC lead and a 4-pin interconnect with it? The SNAIC is a hefty 5-pin DIN cable that is NOT the same as the lavender 5-pin interconnects. You will need both the SNAIC and the 4-pin DIN interconnect.

Ok, I have the 5 pin SNAIC cable that came with it, but not the 4 pin.  

Moderated Post: jdawg, I have edited your post.  Please ensure you have read and understood the rules of the forum, thanks.

The 4-pin DIN is not too expensive even by non-Naim standards. Naim dealers often have one or two surplus that seemed to have just accumulated over the years like the reverse of losing socks in the dryer, so should not be too hard to get hold of one. Once you have it...

1. Remove the link plug that joins the two "Upgrades" sockets on the SN2.
2. The thick SNAIC cable goes from the topmost "Upgrades" socket on the SN2, marked "Pre-amp out" to the rightmost socket on the HiCap marked "Socket 4". The plastic band on the SNAIC should be at the end closest to the SN2.
3. The 4-pin DIN cable goes from "Socket 3" on the HiCap to the bottom "Upgrades socket on the SN2, marked "Poweramp in". The plastic band on this cable shoule be at the end closest to the HiCap.

The logic is that the HiCap treats the SN2 preamp section and power amp section as two separate units, hence the odd cabling. DC current into to the SN2 via the SNAIC and signal out of the SN2 via the same cable. Signal back to the SN2 power amp section via the 4-pin DIN. This is where the flexibility of using the SN2 as purely a pre-amp or power amp come from.

Just to be clear - the 4 pin to 4 pin lead that you need is also a Snaic, not a standard interconnect. You need to get one from your dealer. 

Find and download the Naim connection guide. It's all there (page 27).

Hungryhalibut posted:

Just to be clear - the 4 pin to 4 pin lead that you need is also a Snaic, not a standard interconnect. You need to get one from your dealer. 

You want to be careful there. The SN2 doesn't accept the same 4-pin that the NAP200 does which is a 4-pin SNAIC. It is a different configuration on the SN2 with no power on the 4-pin interconnect and different layout.

FZ, are you sure....?

It requires a SNAIC4 - only possible alternative would be an "active lead", which is a DIN4 version of the DIN-XLR lead that comes with the NAP250.

A DIN4 is a DIN4 in Naim land...

?? No I'm not sure. That's why I said be careful. I'm 100% sure HH is correct that a SNAIC4 is the one to use when connecting the SN2 direct to a Naim preamp. But as the pin assignments for the ouput on the signal sockets 1-3 on the HCDR are different than that scenario, the implication was to let a dealer supply whichever DIN4 is required. If it is one and the same, so be it.

I'm 100% sure that a Snaic 4 is the lead you use to connect a Hicap back to a Supernait, hence my post. 

A SNAIC 4 is a SNAIC 4 - no difference.

Richard Dane posted:

A SNAIC 4 is a SNAIC 4 - no difference.

Just when I thought I had this post pegged!

Naimland:

Active lead --+ sends signal from Pre to Power

 Snaic5--+ as Zen stated bi-directional (HCDR)

Snaic4--+ Active directional lead, SN2--+Power

Snaic's, King Reptiles in Naimland, Even in Active 552 territory!

Am I on point, please correct me, if I'm not!

Thanks, The Forum at its Best, informative!

Allante93!

Allante:

The SNAICs can carry both 24VDC power as well as signal.  SNAIC 4 can carry a single +V DC, whereas the SNAIC5 carries dual +V DC (for dual rail devices).  However, the SNAIC 4 is also used where no power is carried, just signal, for example in the case of taking a pre-amp signal from a Naim power supply to a Naim power amp, or in the case above taking the pre-amp signal from the Hicap back into the power amp section of the Supernait2.

The so-called "active leads" are only to be used in an active system that's using unregulated Naim power amps.  The NAXO and SNAXO aren't able to drive a Pair of SNAICs without possible issues (they were designed around the leads supplied with the regulated amps), so the active leads use the same cable as that found in the NAP250 etc.. but with a pair of DIN4s at each end.

The hicap comes with a snaic4. You also need a snaic5

its very clear in the excellent connection guide on the Naim website. 

Actually, the Hicap comes with a Snaic 5, and you also need a Snaic 4. 

Hello - hedging my bets here as I just posted this on the 300DR thread as well but as it has to do with connecting a HC as well ..........I currently have a 282 with HC and the 250DR and my dealer has offered me a trade in of the 250 for a 300DR. Question is is the 300 compatible with the 282 HC?

Not ready to upgrade the pre yet so wondering if the 300 will even connect to the HC as I have only seen it connecting to SC with 252 or higher.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Actually, the Hicap comes with a Snaic 5, and you also need a Snaic 4. 

The Big Fish!!!!!!

Richard Dane posted:

Allante:

The SNAICs can carry both 24VDC power as well as signal.  SNAIC 4 can carry a single +V DC, whereas the SNAIC5 carries dual +V DC (for dual rail devices).  However, the SNAIC 4 is also used where no power is carried, just signal, for example in the case of taking a pre-amp signal from a Naim power supply to a Naim power amp, or in the case above taking the pre-amp signal from the Hicap back into the power amp section of the Supernait2.

The so-called "active leads" are only to be used in an active system that's using unregulated Naim power amps.  The NAXO and SNAXO aren't able to drive a Pair of SNAICs without possible issues (they were designed around the leads supplied with the regulated amps), so the active leads use the same cable as that found in the NAP250 etc.. but with a pair of DIN4s at each end.

Thanks Richard!

Please excuse me OP, not my intention to Hi Jack your post, but it is informative.

So in my case, if I were to Power my 282, with a SCDR, of course, two Snaic5.

But the Snaic4, from the 282 to the Snaxo.

Then:

Snaxo/ 3 x Din 4/XLR/250.2's/Briks!

No such thing as too much information!

Out!

Allante93!

Drewy posted:

The hicap comes with a snaic4. You also need a snaic5

its very clear in the excellent connection guide on the Naim website. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Actually, the Hicap comes with a Snaic 5, and you also need a Snaic 4. 

Yes smelly is correct, it's the reverse from what I said. Oops

As for connecting it all up, IT'S IN THE CONNECTION GUIDE.  Did I already say that?

Sten posted:

Hello - hedging my bets here as I just posted this on the 300DR thread as well but as it has to do with connecting a HC as well ..........I currently have a 282 with HC and the 250DR and my dealer has offered me a trade in of the 250 for a 300DR. Question is is the 300 compatible with the 282 HC?

Not ready to upgrade the pre yet so wondering if the 300 will even connect to the HC as I have only seen it connecting to SC with 252 or higher.

I've had a hicap connected to a 300dr

Allante93 posted:

So in my case, if I were to Power my 282, with a SCDR, of course, two Snaic5.

But the Snaic4, from the 282 to the Snaxo. 

Wouldn't you take the 282 feed to the Snaxo from the SCDR (socket 3) rather than the 282 - you'd still need another supply in line to power the Snaxo though. 

james n posted:

Allante93 posted:

So in my case, if I were to Power my 282, with a SCDR, of course, two Snaic5.

But the Snaic4, from the 282 to the Snaxo. 

Wouldn't you take the 282 feed to the Snaxo from the SCDR (socket 3) rather than the 282 - you'd still need another supply in line to power the Snaxo though. 

Correct. 282 -> HCDR or SCDR -> HCDR or SCDR -> SNAXO

james n posted:

Allante93 posted:

So in my case, if I were to Power my 282, with a SCDR, of course, two Snaic5.

But the Snaic4, from the 282 to the Snaxo. 

 

Wouldn't you take the 282 feed to the Snaxo from the SCDR (socket 3) rather than the 282 - you'd still need another supply in line to power the Snaxo though. Correct, and the 2nd SC to power the Snaxo!

That's when the Burndy come's into Play! 

However, if funds aren't  available it can power the Snaxo with $150 Snaic, as opposed to an $950 Burndy! 

Out! 

Allante93! 

Drewy posted:

Drewy posted:

The hicap comes with a snaic4. You also need a snaic5

its very clear in the excellent connection guide on the Naim website. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Actually, the Hicap comes with a Snaic 5, and you also need a Snaic 4. 

Yes smelly is correct, it's the reverse from what I said. Oops

As for connecting it all up, IT'S IN THE CONNECTION GUIDE.  Did I already say that?

Oi, who are you calling smelly? Step outside!

As to the connections guide - yes, it's all there. You wouldn't think connecting two wires could be so hard. 

Sorry lol

JDAWG,

I just did this to my brand new SN2, added the HiCap DR. The HCDR does indeed come with a SNAIC5. Yes you need to buy an additional SNAIC4 DIN, new in the States they sell for around $350.00 bux.

Richard is right, a SNAIC 4 is a SNAIC4. There is no difference.

To make the proper connection, the band on the SNAIC5 is closest to the  SN2, the band on the SNAIC4 is closest to the HiCap DR.

Look on page E6 in the manual for the SN2 for the proper way to make the connections. If you didn't receive a manual you can download it from the Naim website.