SNAPS???

The SNAPS was originally designed to power active crossovers and tuners I think (I'm sure somebody will put me right here if I'm wrong).

It's basically a half-shoebox size case (i.e. half the size front to back of a Hicap), and never made it to the olive case range. The early ones were single rail type (i.e. 24V/0V power output), later ones were dual rail (i.e. 24V/0/24V)

Al Weekes on this forum has some rather nifty modifications he can offer you to upgrade one for not much money.

I recently saw one go on Ebay for 168GBP, which was quite a lot for a very early (single rail type) version. Normally expect to pay about 130-150GBP.

With the ALW mods, definitely a very good VFM option to the Hicap.

Mike

Then I saw the SNAPS word - what exactly are they, are modified SNAPS up there in hi-cap territory?

Super Naim Audio Power Supply.

Similar purpose as a HiCap.

Built into a box the same width and height as the old NAC12 and NAC32 preamps, but only half as long (front to back). Designed to power these preamps if you had a 250 power amp, which of course, doesn't have a power supply for the preamp.

A SNAPS, used with a 12 or 32 preamp made the system sound better, even when inserted between a 12/32 and a 160, or other such power amp, even though these amps could themselves power up a preamp.

A SNAPS was not as good as a HiCap by a long chalk IMHO, but better than nothing (even with a 180 I would think). One (1) SNAPS can also power up a second piece of kit IIRC, eg a tuner.

Prices of SNAPS seemed to drop well below the £100 mark a few years ago. They have caps and need to be re-capped a bit like a power amp.

There was also a NAPS (no 'Super') for a while. Same purpose as a SNAPS but not so good.

My advice would be to hold out for a HiCap and pay the extra. Better sound and better value.

Hope this helps

Cheers

Don

a Snaps for 150 quid....they are cheaper in Canada

a Snaps for 150 quid....they are cheaper in Canada

errr....most things are cheaper in Canada....and either just as good .....or better

do you need to change the voltage to suit our 230V mains, or did these things come with a voltage selector, I can't remember !!!!

Cheers

Don

I've never paid more than £75 for a SNAPS, the cheapest was £50, all extruded case styles.

For some reason the prices have shot up, I've no idea why

General perceived wisdom is a Naim-serviced one will be of similar performance to a Flatcap.

There's no voltage selector, they need rewiring inside to change voltage.

Andy.

quote:

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Originally posted by Andrew L. Weekes:
General perceived wisdom is a Naim-serviced one will be of similar performance to a Flatcap.

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Confirmed by my own experience.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

I paid £50 for my secondhand SNAPS. That's very good value. Doesn't a SNAIC cost more than that?

I am under the impression that a dual railed power supply (Hicap) actually supplies the phono section of a pre amp from rail and the rest of the pre amp from the other rail. Can somebody, preferably Mr Weekes confirm if this is true.

Thanks

Fatcat

quote:

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Originally posted by fatcat:
I am under the impression that a dual railed power supply (Hicap) actually supplies the phono section of a pre amp from rail and the rest of the pre amp from the other rail. Can somebody, preferably Mr Weekes confirm if this is true.

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IIRC, one rail powers the input stage (all inputs), while the other powers the output stage. If you have a single rail power supply (like a non-dual-railed SNAPS or the supply from many Naim power amps), then both input and output stages are powered by the one rail.

In the case of an 82 with 2 dual-railed supplies, the same division between input and output exists, except that it's first subdivided between left and right channels. That's why it's import that the two *-caps used to power an 82 perform in a similar fashion. If one is substantially older/different than the other, you could hear a difference between your right and left channels.

-=> Mike Hanson <=-

Mike

Thanks for putting me right.

I must try and remember who missinformed me and put them right.

Fatcat

Does anybody know if the following information is true.

Hartmut Quaschik
Member
posted Thu 03 May 01 14:48
Dual rail Snaps good for vinyl

as the both rails on 42.5 and 32.5 do not split left/right but phono/line, it is the use with vinyl which profits most from such a mod.

Fatcat