FlatCap2 - Any reviews/comments?

Posted by: Tim Collins on 25 November 2000

Has anyone had the chance to demo the new flatcap2 (i.e. the one that goes with the 5 series). What do you think the price/performance issues are with respect to old flatcap/hicap?

Tim

Posted on: 25 November 2000 by Laxton
Since the flatcap2 is supposed to be able to power to seperate components at the same time, has anyone tried it with an 82 such as both the 82 power supply connectors are used(similar to using 2 hicaps)? How close would a flatcap 2 in this configuration perform wrt to a hicap on the 82? Can anyone comment on this matter?

Regards
Laxton

Posted on: 25 November 2000 by David Dever
Laxton-

The FLATCAP 2 has both a dual high-current (24 VDC / 200mA) supply (like a regular FLATCAP mk I) and a dual low-current (22 VDC / 100 mA) supply with a smaller reservoir capacitance--thus it wouldn't be suitable for dual-powering a NAC 82 (as you'd be starving one channel).

But it is a very clean supply nonetheless and fantastic for smaller systems, substantially better than a FLATCAP mk I.

Hope this helps,
Dave Dever, NANA

Posted on: 25 November 2000 by Jay
David

Does that mean it'll work quite happily powering a 72 and CD3.5?

Jay

Posted on: 25 November 2000 by Laxton
....for giving more info abt the flatcap2. I didn't know that the 2 outputs on it are regulated differently. Now i do. I did a dem today with the entire 5 series. It was substantially better than the previous 3 series with greater dynamics, control and less harsh then the latter. But the fascia still remains a problem. Half the time, i was noticing on how difficult it was for the dealer to grip on to the handle of the cd tray-it was too small.

I also noticed that the LED's on the 5 series appear to be smaller than from the 3 series, and also the chassis seems to be a "bolted together" design. Is it true?

Regards
Laxton

Posted on: 26 November 2000 by David Dever
quote:
Does that mean it'll work quite happily powering a 72 and CD3.5?

Should work fine with the low-current output used for the CD3.5...

quote:
I also noticed that the LED's on the 5 series appear to be smaller than from the 3 series, and also the chassis seems to be a "bolted together" design.

Haven't looked at the LEDs in detail (which-numeric or indicator?); the chassis sides are extruded, front panel & top / bottom are die-cast; when properly assembled (bolt through bottom lid, through sides to top lid taps), the case does not ring...

Dave Dever, NANA

Posted on: 26 November 2000 by Laxton
dave,

Sorry i did not make myself clear on my previous post. I was refering to the numerical display LED on the cd player/tuner.

Regards
Laxton

Posted on: 28 November 2000 by Jay
Well installed the Flatcap2 into my system this evening for a bit of listening session and basically haven't moved from the couch except to change CD's and the..um..necessities.

I recently traded my old style 90 in for a second hand 180 and that was a SERIOUS improvement. No more information of course but.....wow, soundstage, dynamics, thank-you very much Chris and Steve (my friendly Naim gurus!) my Intros are singing!

Not content with a new 180 I spied the FlatCap2 they'd been running in for a couple of weeks. I'll give that a try as well thanks guys and installed it into my system - CD3.5, 72, new 180 and well run in Intros.

The result? - basically a hell of a lot more music. Initially I found the sound a little puzzling. Vocals seemed to sit futher back and the whole presentation seemed to be a kinda flat and a little slower (please excuse my poor explanations of sounds, haven't done this before).

After 2 or 3 tracks my hearing started to click in and my brain realised that everything just sounded more natural and free flowing. Almost everything sounds better, there's more detail, more separation between instruments, more emotion, more, more, more. I've actually managed to listen to Travis the whole way through - without falling asleep once!

I could save my cash and wait around for a second hand HiCap, but bugger it, I'm living life for today. I've got too much music just sitting at home, doing nothing. The Flatcap stays with me thanks.

Jay

Posted on: 28 November 2000 by Tim Collins
Interesting Jay,

I think I will have a go, and try it out for myself

Tim

Posted on: 28 November 2000 by Tim Collins
Jay, did you also plug the flatcap into the Preamp, or just the CD? As, I guess this is one of the main advantages of the FlatCap - two outputs. Whats the price in the UK?

Regards,

Tim

Posted on: 28 November 2000 by Jay
Plugged into both 72 and CD3. Didn't see any point in plugging it into just one or the other, would never use it like that in practice.

Don't know what they cost in the UK, living in New Zealand and all, but here it costs NZ$1750 which is about 525 pounds. That's a lot closer in price to a new "old" flatcap and about NZ$700-800 off a new Hicap.

Tried a Flatcap on the CD3 and 72 and preferred it on the CD3, but that was with the 90. From what I can remember the Flatcap2 has made more difference than the Flatcap did, no doubt due to powering both CD and pre and the addition of a 180!

Jay