Naim Hi cap

The Forum search facility is your friend here. 

If you have the money and a NDX level source then the HICAP DR is a good upgrade.  

I use Hicap with SN2 and I find there is a performance lift I prefer. For want of a better description I'd say the sound gets clearer. But I just happened to have a spare Hicap in my man drawer.

As above your best bet is the DR version. It would be your best option.

Kevin Richardson posted:

If you have the money and a NDX level source then the HICAP DR is a good upgrade.  

Would you also recommend the Hicap DR upgrade for the XS2? I am getting good results with an NDX/Mojo. I don't want to demo a new Hicap, but thinking of procuring one s/h. Or would it be better to invest in a higher-range DAC? Would appreciate your thoughts.

I've Hicapped a Nait with good results, so sure.

Are you running the NDX's digital output to the Mojo? If so, how does this compare to the NDX solo?

cheeselet posted:

I use Hicap with SN2 and I find there is a performance lift I prefer. For want of a better description I'd say the sound gets clearer. But I just happened to have a spare Hicap in my man drawer.

As above your best bet is the DR version. It would be your best option.

sound get's clearer? That is not much for an extra 2000 euro's. The bare SN2 allready sounds clear and bright so adding a HC is too much.

joe9407 posted:

I've Hicapped a Nait with good results, so sure.

Are you running the NDX's digital output to the Mojo? If so, how does this compare to the NDX solo?

Yes, NDX digital output to Mojo coax input and Mojo headphone output to XS 2 DIN input. Compared to the NDX solo it's a bigger sound stage, clear separation and bright sound but punchier bass. Bit like adding a PSU to the NDX at a fraction of the cost. So much better that I was wondering how much better it can get with a Hicap DR.

Robiwan posted

The bare SN2 allready sounds clear and bright so adding a HC is too much.

Curious, do you own a SN2 to make such a definitive statement?

I mean, I know I'm not qualified to give an opinion, being that I happen to own the pairing.

William posted:

joe9407 posted:

I've Hicapped a Nait with good results, so sure.

Are you running the NDX's digital output to the Mojo? If so, how does this compare to the NDX solo?

Yes, NDX digital output to Mojo coax input and Mojo headphone output to XS 2 DIN input. Compared to the NDX solo it's a bigger sound stage, clear separation and bright sound but punchier bass. Bit like adding a PSU to the NDX at a fraction of the cost. So much better that I was wondering how much better it can get with a Hicap DR.

The HICAP DR is less an improvement on SN2 vs Hugo. Might be a larger improvement for XS2 since that amp doesn't have DR built in. Maybe upgrading to SN2 would be a better step for same $£€¥?

Yes I might leave it the SN2 is only 3 weeks old so no point in jumping the gun.

badlands posted:

Robiwan posted

The bare SN2 allready sounds clear and bright so adding a HC is too much.

Curious, do you own a SN2 to make such a definitive statement?

I mean, I know I'm not qualified to give an opinion, being that I happen to own the pairing.

i have heard the SN2 many times. It's great when used bare, just like the SN1 and XS/-2. Okay i don't like the Hicap sounds get's overcontrolled so you loose in musical pleasure. 

Kevin Richardson posted:

William posted:

joe9407 posted:

I've Hicapped a Nait with good results, so sure.

Are you running the NDX's digital output to the Mojo? If so, how does this compare to the NDX solo?

Yes, NDX digital output to Mojo coax input and Mojo headphone output to XS 2 DIN input. Compared to the NDX solo it's a bigger sound stage, clear separation and bright sound but punchier bass. Bit like adding a PSU to the NDX at a fraction of the cost. So much better that I was wondering how much better it can get with a Hicap DR.

The HICAP DR is less an improvement on SN2 vs Hugo. Might be a larger improvement for XS2 since that amp doesn't have DR built in. Maybe upgrading to SN2 would be a better step for same $£€¥?

I was afraid you were going to say that ☺️ Maybe in my case first a HCDR then a SN2 later on...

Robiwan posted:

 

I have heard the SN2 many times. It's great when used bare, just like the SN1 and XS/-2. Okay i don't like the Hicap sounds get's overcontrolled so you loose in musical pleasure. 

SOOO, you don't own the SN2. As an owner of the pair, and living with the SN2 for six months before purchasing the HiCap, I couldn't disagree more!!!!!

badlands posted:

Robiwan posted:

 

I have heard the SN2 many times. It's great when used bare, just like the SN1 and XS/-2. Okay i don't like the Hicap sounds get's overcontrolled so you loose in musical pleasure. 

SOOO, you don't own the SN2. As an owner of the pair, and living with the SN2 for six months before purchasing the HiCap, I couldn't disagree more!!!!!

i hope you make the right move with hicap! What is not to like about the bare SN2? I just don't understand all the external PS fuss? 

Robiwan posted:

badlands posted:

Robiwan posted

The bare SN2 allready sounds clear and bright so adding a HC is too much.

Curious, do you own a SN2 to make such a definitive statement?

I mean, I know I'm not qualified to give an opinion, being that I happen to own the pairing.

i have heard the SN2 many times. It's great when used bare, just like the SN1 and XS/-2. Okay i don't like the Hicap sounds get's overcontrolled so you loose in musical pleasure. 

Having owned a SN2 for three years and tried a HCDR on it, I'd concur with Robin's findings. The HCDR brought too much hi-fi to the party for me. Pounded me with over-hyped speed and agility that's already well-balanced on the bare unit. Net loss of musicality and a hard transient fatigue factor by adding a HCDR to an already competent integrated. Maybe if my eardrums were 20-years younger I could do the HCDR. I found less is more and you save yourself some shelf space and cord management.

Robiwan posted:

i hope you make the right move with hicap!

I'd only consider adding a HCDR to the SN2. Adding a Hicap (non-DR'd) defeats the discrete regulators in the SN2's pre-amp.

A bare Nait has something beautiful. HiCap on SN2 makes only sense if it is DR and sources good enough.

What other said ...

Robiwan posted:  I just don't understand all the external PS fuss? 

It's what Naim has based it's whole sonic philosophy-signature on, and what sets it apart from the norm.

The power supply definitely extends the performance of the piece of kit, that when connected cannot be denied. Whether it's worth it or not , only the person spending the money can make that decision .

What the PS provides is an extremely smooth and stable DC feed allowing any partnered component to achieve its full potential. Fine details that were not evident without the PS are now heard, it changes the whole listening experience.

As for the more Hi-Fi remark, I never understood what that really means as far as Naim electronics are concerned. And this coming from someone who has moved on from Naim to Plinius. If my understanding of what you mean by the term "More HI-FI" is correct, then I would have to respond with, from my listening experience to Plinius electronics is that, if that isn't an example of the pot calling the kettle black, then I don't know what is.

You need to have a Hicap DR or non DR in your man drawer. Then you can experiment without needing to spend any more.

Maybe this will come about in years to come. 

badlands posted:

It's what Naim has based it's whole sonic philosophy-signature on, and what sets it apart from the norm.

The power supply definitely extends the performance of the piece of kit, that when connected cannot be denied. Whether it's worth it or not , only the person spending the money can make that decision .

What the PS provides is an extremely smooth and stable DC feed allowing any partnered component to achieve its full potential. Fine details that were not evident without the PS are now heard, it changes the whole listening experience.

As for the more Hi-Fi remark, I never understood what that really means as far as Naim electronics are concerned. And this coming from someone who has moved on from Naim to Plinius. If my understanding of what you mean by the term "More HI-FI" is correct, then I would have to respond with, from my listening experience to Plinius electronics is that, if that isn't an example of the pot calling the kettle black, then I don't know what is.

In basic terms - I don't care about Naim's sonic philosophy-signature, power supplies, smooth and stable DC feed or evidentiary fine details. My currency was the amp's ultimate output in my room with attention to musicality, some may call it PRaT, and in the end the Plinius brought more of the righteous stuff for me. Plus I got an internal phono stage that far exceeded the SN2/Stageline output. There's no right or wrong, or brand allegiance with me. It's simply a matter what my ears happen to enjoy.

I stated my own findings and preferences. Are you trying to tell me what I ought to like based on your ears and predilection with "specs"?

Well I just demoed a HCDR with my NDX/Mojo/XS2/SL2 and in my living room it is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. In the words of the missus it's "the music as I always thought it should be played, a 'welcome home' experience".

William posted:

Well I just demoed a HCDR with my NDX/Mojo/XS2/SL2 and in my living room it is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. In the words of the missus it's "the music as I always thought it should be played, a 'welcome home' experience".

How long have you been demo-ing? I have a HicapDR on my Supernait which is absolutely fine - I recognize very well what you wrote. But I also tried the HicapDR on my old Nait 5 and after 4 hours of listening on decent volumes I found that the music made me tired and the Hicap DR (probably) exposed the weakness of the Nait5's preamp stage.

William posted:

Well I just demoed a HCDR with my NDX/Mojo/XS2/SL2 and in my living room it is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. In the words of the missus it's "the music as I always thought it should be played, a 'welcome home' experience".

I would have thought it made more sense to put the spare cash into a SN2... 

Johnny5 posted:

anybody used the naim Hicap with the supernait 2 is it worth the upgrade.

Yes, if you mean the Hicap DR, and yes, in my view, it's a very worth while upgrade but there are different views and you're better off having alisten. 

Robiwan posted:

badlands posted:

Robiwan posted

The bare SN2 allready sounds clear and bright so adding a HC is too much.

Curious, do you own a SN2 to make such a definitive statement?

I mean, I know I'm not qualified to give an opinion, being that I happen to own the pairing.

i have heard the SN2 many times. It's great when used bare, just like the SN1 and XS/-2. Okay i don't like the Hicap sounds get's overcontrolled so you loose in musical pleasure. 

I take it your answer was no then, you don't own one?