Hi-Cap vs Fraim

Posted by: GML on 13 March 2004

I have CDX2/202/napsc/150 which sits on Isoblue, Intro2 speakers. I'm after a more open sound but not necessarily a more powerful one. My room is small with paper thin walls and neighbours either side.

So, is it Hi-Cap for the 202 or Fraim?

Yours thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Thanks...GML

[This message was edited by GML on Sat 13 March 2004 at 22:05.]
Posted on: 13 March 2004 by Geoff P
Fraim does great things to "ground" the music and bring it to full bloom. It is particularly good at dynamics and keeping things under control when you turn the volume up.
A Hicap on a 150 in my experience expands the range of sound and brings more authority to the Bass. It makes a 150 sound much more dynamic.

Thing is you mention you have paper thin walls which limit how loud you can play your system. Normally I would choose Fraim before a HiCap because it adds something to every piece of equipment put on it particulalrly when you turn the volume up a bit, but I think since you are already on a pretty good stand, and with the volume limitations you have a HiCap maybe be a better first choice.

If you can demo a HiCap that would be a good idea BUT if you are planning to buy one 2nd Hand (a pretty safe option) it might be polite to tell your friendly HiFi shop up-front so they know going before they agree to a demo.

regards
GEOFF
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by andy c
Hi,
Can only agree with Geoff's comments re the Fraim. I've just installed my 2nd rack (Replacing Mana), and it sounds, well, more dynamic. There is also more info coming at you but in not as 'metally' sounding a way as with the Mana.

Also a Hi-cap purchase is a no brainer as well - its the most versatile piece of kit i think Naim do. Once you buy it you probably won't get rid of it because of the uses you can put it to...

regards,
andy c!
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by andy c
ag,
blah blah blah ( Wink)
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by Peter C
Hicap because

1)it will allow the 150 to act purely as a poweramp

and

2) the hicap does a much better job of powering a Naim preamp, than any of the poweramps
Posted on: 14 March 2004 by J.N.
Fraim it now with only three levels required.

It's the only way to get 100% out of your existing Naim Kit, and one extra Fraim level at a time isn't too expensive.
Posted on: 15 March 2004 by greeny
You already have a good stand.

To Fraim will cost almost double the price of a Hicap (even with a New HiCap).

I would go HiCap.