HiCap DR Disappointment

How long has the hicap been powered up ? Noticed this a lot with cold kit. 

I’m a great believer in contemporaneity with Naim. The 32.5 and original Hicap were literally designed to go together. Even when warmed up, a Hicap DR may or may not be an improvement. Different yes, but better? A 52/52PS might be a better direction. 

I was disappointed at my first try of a DR'ed PSU and preferred the non-DR version. It was only later when listening again to the DR'ed PSU when there were a few other DR'ed components in the system did I appreciate what DR brings to the party.  I think that an extension of  HH's 'contemporaneity' explanation, though I can't be sure because a such a word is hard to digest at the end of the day .  

It’s a real word - one that needed full concentration. The phone wasn’t happy with it, but what do Apple know?

I don't doubt it, Nigel.  As for Apple, it is American after all so proper spelling isn't it's strong suite, any more than Microsoft's Word is good at grammar etc (I'm known in the office for having regular rants at my computer when Word has the temerity to suggest ways of improving my drafting!) 

In that case, ‘its strong suit’ would be far preferable. There, your drafting is improved. 

I stand corrected.  

mikeybaby posted:

After comparing a stock unserviced Olive Hicap (1994) with a 2012 Hicap DR I find the Hicap DR falls short. This finding was quite obvious.  The treble is sharper and it sounds "choked" in comparison to the olive. It is a bit cleaner and slightly more detailed but less flow and depth . I am quite surprised considering the huge difference in cost. 

System is: NAC 32.5,Nap 250, CDS, SBL,Naca5

I've had similar initial impressions from new DR supplies as I introduced them into my system - I was not at all convinced at first they were better in all areas.

The DR supply does need a few weeks to run-in and lose the over-taught lean sound and fill-out. I know this should not apply to an old one, but perhaps it needs to be in service for two or three weeks before you make a call on it.

The non-DR original supplies were warmer and fuller-sounding and also by comparison a bit murky and misty in the extra gentle noise they overlaid into the rendering. The new DR, to my ears, has a run-in that starts with great clarity but sounds restricted and 'over-presented' where you feel 'there is the music', but it is not involving you as much in a passive way as before. Then I found the bass fills-out and becomes less lover-lean and the correct warmth of the harmonic structures gets rendered - and without the added harmonic warmth of the non-DR.

If I had to choose a Non-DR against the new un-run-in DR I'd go for the former, but once the DR is run-in I prefer the latter. It is system-dependent as has been mentioned, so if the voicing of the old DR was part of the old design it may sound wrong without that.

DB.

Nice one. 

I'll make "contemporaniety" my word of the week!

mikeybaby posted:

After comparing a stock unserviced Olive Hicap (1994) with a 2012 Hicap DR I find the Hicap DR falls short. This finding was quite obvious.  The treble is sharper and it sounds "choked" in comparison to the olive. It is a bit cleaner and slightly more detailed but less flow and depth . I am quite surprised considering the huge difference in cost. 

System is: NAC 32.5,Nap 250, CDS, SBL,Naca5

Small Naim World, ran into A mickeybaby at Canuck Audio, searching for a SC 2.

Just Curious, you haven't had any hands on experience with Naim's SC-2 ?

My Vocabulary isn't my strong suit, but one would think, System dependence would reign.

Perhaps an CB Naim System, might perform better than an CB/Olive hybrid.

Likewise, perhaps Naim's Classic Black Box era System, might perform better than an BB/BB-DR hybrid.

System Dependant!

Just guessing!

Allante93!

PS. Perhaps the trickled down technologies from the Statement, is Naim's best works!

Especially, when implemented throughout one's System!

Hi-Line 2007

DR- Pre 2012

DR-Amp 2015

SL Loom 2015

mikeybaby posted:

After comparing a stock unserviced Olive Hicap (1994) with a 2012 Hicap DR I find the Hicap DR falls short. This finding was quite obvious.  The treble is sharper and it sounds "choked" in comparison to the olive. It is a bit cleaner and slightly more detailed but less flow and depth . I am quite surprised considering the huge difference in cost. 

System is: NAC 32.5,Nap 250, CDS, SBL,Naca5

You have a lovely old-skool Naim set there Mike, and the new boy doesn't want to play. If the new DR Hi-Cap doesn't sound better to you (immediately) in the context of your system; it isn't.

Synergy is all.

Good listening.

John.

Interesting thread as my PSU choices next year will be non DR Supercap or Hicap DR and the fact that all of my system is from around 2005 not exactly old school but pre DR by a few years maybe a non DR Supercap would be my best choice and as the only difference between the Olive and Black non DR Supercaps seems to be the casework and around £500 it looks like an Olive Supercap might be my best choice.

I ran a250\72 olive with a cb hc for 20 years always serviced in time and i found the hc dr a great upgrade.give it some more time.Is your gear serviced.

Bob the Builder posted:

Interesting thread as my PSU choices next year will be non DR Supercap or Hicap DR and the fact that all of my system is from around 2005 not exactly old school but pre DR by a few years maybe a non DR Supercap would be my best choice and as

{the only difference between the Olive and Black non DR Supercaps seems to be the casework}

and around £500 it looks like an Olive Supercap might be my best choice.

I'm on the same page, thinking SC none DR, save a little cash, and at the same time upgradable to DR status.

But I would think the Naim's Black Box Era with Fraimlite/Fraim> Glass would support the new feet associated with the classic SC.

In any event, I wouldn't expect that much difference, but what do I know!

Something I had Archived!