Supernait 2 with Hicap DR
Posted by: BenNLCH on 18 November 2017
Hello
i have since 6 months a Supernait 2, and i was from the beginning very happy with this,
since 1 month i have Sonus Faber Amati tradition, and they are really beauties, very clear sound, very warm sound.
Now i upgraded with a Hicap DR, but now the warmed is gone, the high tones are to sharp, its unpleasent to listen,
the only thing i notice is that there is more room in the music more wide, but bass is almost gone,
i am very surprised about this, more because i read everywhere positive tests and experiences,
my question is, when i change to a NAP 300 with a NAC 282 would i have the same problem ?
thanks for your answers,
Ben
I preferred my SN2 without the HCDR after trying hard to like it on three separate occasions.
It just sounds more musically ‘together’ without ime.
G
thanks, good i am not the only one,
thanks for your reply
BenNLCH posted:the warmed is gone, the high tones are to sharp, its unpleasent to listen,
I'm another that preferred a bare SN2 to the HCDR. The HCDR enhanced all hi-fi factors but with a loss of ease-of-listening and overall musicality. Sharp high tones and unpleasantry in my room as well. So no BenNLCH, you're not alone.
I didnt like the SN1 and the HC too, so i swapped the HC with the SC, and the magic was back.
And with the SC you have the basement, if you will upgrade sometime to 252.
It always comes down to synergy. In my system, SN2 is clearly better with HCDR or some other upgrade PSU and that's because my speakers really need the extra power provided. I've heard on few occasions that people prefer bare SN2 over SN2 + HCDR, even one dealer in Finland does, but it's always about the synergy and rest of the system. To me, bare SN2 sounds bloated and slow in comparison. But with easier to drive speakers, it's probably very good on its own. Anyway SN2, with PSU or not, is a definite sweet point in Naim range. You need to put in some serious cash to clearly improve from it.
Seems to be one of those marmite upgrades. Personally I can't imagine not having my hicap dr connected now but I know others who prefer it without
Similar to PATU's experience mine has very much been the same - easily the most significant upgrade I have made to my system recently. Having tried the HCDR then returning it to my dealer left me wanting for more clarity, speed and impact to the listening experience. The PSU helps extract more insight and emotion rather than not. A lot of my listening involves iRadio and the HCDR has lifted the sound quality immensely. When streaming Tidal the jump in clarity is even more noticeable. Again, as always it is down to personal preference for a given way the music is presented and I absolutely agree that system synergy is crucial; and in my own system and to my ears - the HCDR simply works very well, so much so that I can see my SN2 staying in the system for years to come.
Vik
When playing vinyl I much preferred the Hicap powering the Stageline instead of using the aux2 input of the Supernait but when using a digital input I preferred Supernait/Hicap.
cat345 posted:When playing vinyl I much preferred the Hicap powering the Stageline instead of using the aux2 input of the Supernait but when using a digital input I preferred Supernait/Hicap.
I have a flatcap XS powering my Stageline and my tuner, Felt it impacted on the quality of other inputs when using the SN2 to power it
It's amazing that the same question gets asked again and again...
If you bass is seriously 'gone' that means speakers are out of phase.
Adam, I think the responders here are assuming a correctly configured system.
OTOH your response does have me wondering if the OP is dealing with a very new HCDR. Maybe not totally burned-in?
Something is wrong bass gone has nothing to do with burn in.
joerand posted:Adam, I think the responders here are assuming a correctly configured system.
OTOH your response does have me wondering if the OP is dealing with a very new HCDR. Maybe not totally burned-in?
I also thought about a HiCaPDR being new. But even a new certainly does not reduce bass.
Hence my 'guestimate' of speakers being out phase based on the OP's description of ' wide music and bass gone'.
I had the Supernait 2 + Hi Cap DR with Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento. For me it really helped to propel the speaker, with more bite and control. So imho it was a positive move.
I would not upgrade to 300 + 282 before this problem is solved. There is no mention of your sources yet on this topic, nor is it in your profile. I did learn a lesson when I got my revealing Ovators and fed it by bad recordings. Only when I replaced it by a better dac and used at least good cd rips, the system was / is performing nice.
Check the cables. Reconnect them, dont lock them and ensure they do not touch a mains lead or run in parallel with a mains lead.
No mention of your source(s), Ben. Are they first rate?
Chris