"Only" a new napsc

Posted by: Dave J on 12 November 2002

After the expense of the Fraim, I felt disinclined to make any more major investments for a while but, after hearing what the new napsc did for a 202 during a visit to the Naim factory recently, I thought it might be worth seeing what it could do in my system (82/hicap/250). After all, £225 seemed a reasonably modest amount and I could use my 'old' napsc on a Headline, which is next up on the shopping list.

Anyway, it arrived on Friday and my initial thoughts were much the same as installing a hicap from cold. The sonic signature I was used to was completely screwed up: more detail, better pace but a little harsh, somewhat overemphasised bass and lacking cohesion.

Since then, things have gradually begun to fall into place with the usual one-step-forward-two-steps-back that we're all used to. But by yesterday evening it was beginning to settle down and I started to hear what it was capable of doing.

So what's it like at this early stage?

It's like a hicap or, perhaps more accurately, like a Lingo. There's more control, more authority, more information. While the Fraim has allowed me to turn the volume up without getting any hardness (10 or 11 o'clock sounds great, loud but great), the napsc is letting me into the music by 7 o'clock. At that volume it's not weedy or insipid but full and attention grabbing, just quieter.

More burn in time needed before it'll give its best but, I've got to say, even at this early stage, this thing is an out and out bargain.

Cheers

Dave
Posted on: 12 November 2002 by greeny
I thought the whole point of the NAPSC was that it only powered the illumination/dial motors etc and hence has nothing to do with the audio path.

This concept means the actual price can be kept very low 'cos you don't need to worry about some small noise on the supply. In fact I always thought £200+ for somthing you could get from Maplin/Argos for £15 was pretty steep. So I would suggest that there is something wrong with the design of the pre-amps if a change here can have a dramatic affect (or any affect in fact)
Posted on: 12 November 2002 by Dave J
quote:
I thought the whole point of the NAPSC was that it only powered the illumination/dial motors etc and hence has nothing to do with the audio path.


This had been my thinking too and frankly, whilst I wasn't particularly enamoured with the crude older napsc and it's requirement to be placed well away from the rest of the system, I wouldn't have considered trying it had I not heard the difference it made when I was at Naim last month.

As with all these things, you need to hear it for yourself and clearly it's only going to be relevant to a limited number of pre-amp owners. Maybe, also, my old napsc was not performing as it should. Nevertheless, the sound of my system has improved.

Nick, I didn't have time to see how it impacted on Rammstein - clearly the only true test - I shall rectify this as soon as I get home this evening.

Dave
Posted on: 12 November 2002 by David Hobbs-Mallyon
Dave,

Any idea what is actually different in the design of the new NAPSC?

David
Posted on: 12 November 2002 by Dave J
quote:
Any idea what is actually different in the design of the new NAPSC?


Apart from what Naim describe as "some minor changes to the circuitry", there's a larger transformer, a more robust case ("..significantly less microphony..."), different feet and a detachable IEC. It's still got a long interconnect so presumably it's still intended for use well away from the pre-amp.

Dave
Posted on: 12 November 2002 by greeny
Anyone know what voltage this supplys??

Could you not wire up an old Snaps (I have one lying around they but can be picked up for £50ish) if it's the standard 24v. If a quieter supply makes a difference then the snaps should be better I would have thought (much bigger transformer/cap etc) and for a lot less money???!!

Am I being stupid here or does this make sense??