Powering a Headline

Posted by: Chris Metcalfe on 25 July 2003

I'm sure this has been raised before, but would like confirmation... Just purchased a new HL2 with a SLIC, and currently deciding on a power supply, when I noticed (for the first time) that my Supercap includes an output for 'Digital supply to 52'. Presumably, as I'm using an 82, I can use this with the SLIC to connect to the 82, thereby freeing up the NAPSC which came with the 82 for use with the Headline! If Naim haven't yet gone on holiday, perhaps they could confirm this. Of course, eventually I'll use a FC2 or a HC2 to power the Headline - as they sound so good.

Posted on: 25 July 2003 by N. Mason

Chris, I don't pretend to be Richard Dane but perhaps I can help. What your proposing may well work but will have a detrimental effect on sound quality, better to pick up a second hand Hi-Cap. (or even new one!) It's so much better to dedicate a PS to the HL. I sold my old HL recently to find the new model far superior. Hope this helps. Regards

Posted on: 25 July 2003 by Richard Dane

Hi Chris,

you can't run a Headline from the Digital PS socket on the Supercap. The Headline requires between 18-24V whereas the Digital PS supply in the Supercap is only 13V which is spot on for the switching/control circuits in the NAC52 and NAC252 but too little for the Headline to work effectively.

Richard

Posted on: 25 July 2003 by Chris Metcalfe

Richard,

Thanks but that wasn't quite what I was proposing. I tried powering the HL from the digital supply and you're right, it makes a noise but no power. However, if I use that output to power the digital input on the 82 (even though it says '52' on the Supercap), that would free up the NAPSC which came with the 82 for the HL. I'll try it tonight anyway.

It's a bit academic, as I heard the HL2 powered by a Hicap2 last week and it sounded superb, so will almost certainly get one.

Posted on: 26 July 2003 by Richard Dane

Hi Scud,

while powering a Headline from the powered input socket is possible, it's not recommended as it screws up the earthing and will compromise the system as a whole.

Richard

Posted on: 31 July 2003 by Chris Metcalfe

Well, I tried my suggestion above and it seems to work, so I'm still a mite confused.

The output on the Supercap above the burndy socket is marked for 52 digital input. However, by using this to power the digital input on my *82*, I have thus freed up the NAPSC which was factory-supplied with the 82, and used it for the Headline2.

Still would like an answer to the question though - does using this Supercap-to-digital-82 arrangement compromise the sound?
- if not, should the Supercap output read '82 OR 52' ??

Meantime, I'm saving for a Hicap2 ANYWAY, as this is so much better for the Headline2. But I'm not buying one yet....