FlatCap vs. HiCap for CD3.5? Sorry if this is an old argument...

Posted by: Dino on 26 November 2000

Any thoughts on whether the additional expense of a HiCap over a FlatCap is warranted for CD3.5?

There seem to be a few second hand HiCaps around (on the web) but none (so far) of second hand FlatCaps. The price difference between a new FlatCap and a s/h HiCap seems to be in the $400 range (Canadian dollars). There is also the hassle of buying a second hand unit sight unseen from the US and trusting it will get to me in good condition (or at all! -- call me paranoid).

Sorry if this is an old argument. Thanks in advance for any input.

Posted on: 27 November 2000 by Dino

Thanks for the input. Picked up a 10 month old demo from a dealer for CDN$1525 (about US$990) incl. all taxes and delivery.

Should be here tomorrow. Waiting anxiously...

Posted on: 28 November 2000 by Mike Hanson

I've done the 3.5/Hi vs. 3.5/Flat comparison. The Hi-Cap is certainly better, but not twice as good. For example, if a 3.5 is "X", then a 3.5/Flat is 1.5X, and a 3.5/Hi is 1.7X. Considering a Hi-Cap is twice the price of a Flat-Cap, it's not really full return on your investment.

This contrasts the Pre/Hi vs. Pre/Flat situation, where the Hi-Cap really does give you twice as much (or more) than a Flat-Cap. At one time I was running my system as 3.5/Hi/102/Flat/NAPSC/140. When I switched the Hi-Cap and Flat-Cap (making it 3.5/Flat/102/Hi/NAPSC/140), the system sounded MUCH better.

Of course, if your amplification is Naim-based and you don't have a *-cap on the pre-amp, then you can upgrade your CD3.5 to a CDX later, and move the Hi-Cap to the pre-amp. This is a good upgrade path.

Regarding used Hi-Caps in Canada, I'm in Toronto myself. I think I know of someone who has one for sale, and it's cheaper than the one that you just ordered. I don't know whether you're interested and whether you can cancel the other order now, but if you want more info send me an e-mail to Mike@BoxsoftDevelopment.com. Catch you later!

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

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