supercap sn2?
Posted by: oferr on 22 December 2017
My combo : sn2+ndac+ndx
Wish to upgrade the system with ps
Should I 555ps the dac connected to the ndx and not ps the sn2? or, also ps the sn2 with hicup/supercap?
SN2 and a power supply appears to be one of those marmite upgrades so its worth trying before you buy. I have a Hicap DR on my SN2 and wouldn't be without it - for me it makes it the amp it should have been but let your ears judge.
I have only heard the SN2 with the usual HiCap -- so can't really comment on the SuperCap. But I believe to recall that it has been mentioned here that the SuperCap is not fully utilised when used with SN2. Some suggested therefore that the SuperCap is somewhat wasted on the SN2 -- marginal improvement at a relatively high price...
The SCDR will elevate the performance of the SN2 to an extremely high level, I've done the demo, it's definitely not marginal in any way, shape or form, and it's a very worthwhile investment in my opinion. I never heard that the benefits of the SC are not utilized on the SN2.
I would think that the same benefits realized by using the 555PS on a 272, the same benefits would also apply to the SN2-SCDR combo.
Just as an FYI, in the SN2 owners manual the use of the SCDR is recommended by Naim , if there was no benefit, I don't think there would be any mention to do so! If you have the money, do it.
Definitely 555PS on the nDAC - it takes the NDX + NDAC to stratospheric levels, up there with NDS.
One consideration is that by using a non-DR'd PSU on the SN2 you loose the bare SN2's DR'd preamp. If using a DR'd PSU then DR is not lost. I'm one of those listeners that while appreciating the hi-fi aspects of the PSU addition, still preferred my SN2 bare. But if the HDCR works for you then a SCDR seems a very logical upgrade path. Why not?
I should point out that my above post and recommendation does refer to DR spec power supplies, non DR power supplies may or may not be worth the investment, as I personally never auditioned a non DR spec PS on the SN2.
But realizing that the SN2 already has the DR circuit pre-amp section built in, It is possible the benefits of a non DR-PS would or could be seen as a negative move sound wise.
Thank you very much!!!