New style Hi Cap v.s. Hi cap Olive style

quote:

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I´m probably one of the few who prefers the olive style to the new range

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You are not alone. I have not been overwhelmed with what I have heard so far. Certainly, it is good for what it does, but the new range places greater emphasis on those things which Levinson and others already do very well and it appears that this at the expense (perhaps slight but still noticeable) of the typical drive and impact of the older range. For example, IMO a 300 does some things (3D space) better but does not seem to have the same drive as 135s. In addition, my impression is that an active system using olive-style 250/SBLs offers greater drive and impact than the SL2/300 passive system I heard.

However, these were early impressions and subject to possible change as I become more familiar with the new range. Plus I have yet to hear the 552 but at the asking price it better be fantastic.

My advice is to buy the old olive-style Hicap unless you can compare the new/old side by side. I have been told that they are not the same although I have not made the comparison myself. Better still, get yourself a used olive-style Supercap. There are a number now available at more reasonable prices. You won't regret it.

Paul

even better, you could get two olive boxes for the price of a new black box... now THAT would sound better!

My understanding from reading the posts from the admin's is the largest changes in the hi are related to the isolation from the new case and particularly the new feet. Other changes as well, but those are the ones said to make the largest differences.

thanks Paul and Karly

Yes a supercap would be even better. I know that all to well.
Actually that was what was intended in the first place. I just hope that I would be content with a Hi instead. (Sure I know what a supercap can do to a 82.)
A secondhand supercap fetch around 2000 euros here in Sweden.
(The secondhand market here in Sweden is very limited)
What I got here is two new Hicaps, newstyle and olive, at my dealers and the price difference is just about 200 euros. Both at Swedish retailprice.


This is Btw not my last upgrade. I am also planning on a xps to go with my cdx and a fully spec. LP12.

After that I hope that I can just lean back and forget about the boxes and be satisfied with what there is.
That system should do music very well, of course there are setups that do it even better or much better, no doubt.

Paul, I appreciate just that drive and impact that you are describing and perhaps the newstyle is a little to civilised ( searcing for better word but will have to do) to my taste. Or perhaps I´ve yet to hear newstyle doing everything better than the olive gear.

And as Karly says a olive hi will match better with my other gear.
I actually prefer the olivestyle visually to the new range.(probably I´m quite alone on that too)

But for sure a Supercap would be super. But perhaps a newstyle hi is close. That´s what I`m wondering.
Could probably try them side by side but the time I could have them at home would probably not be the time that is needed for break in.

regards
Gunnar

Christopher, yes if I could get just one used let alone two. Otherwise definately so.

Thanks Bob. If so, perhaps on a good stand the feet are not that important. But I could be wrong here.

Thank guys.

Gunnar

Tom
Then an olive hi it will be.
(Just hoping I can resist the super that sits there on the shelf)

Thanks!

Gunnar

...I recall my oldstyle hicap as being VERY microphonic. The signal goes through it - so be careful what you sit it on and where you site it.

The new ones are reputed to be less microphonic due to the new casework and feet.

- GregB

Insert Witty Signature Line Here

Greg.
thanks for the input.
I´m gonna place it in my M**a rack so no probs.

regards
Gunnar

Hi Jonas!

Nice hearing from you.
Yes you are right, I´m heading towards an upgrade.

Listening test would be nice. Just mail me when you feel for it and I´ll pop over for a listen.

Now on the matter of separate spurs I got very interested.

When you got that running I´ll really like to know what that made in your system.
It looks like it´s mandatory if you want to get the best from what you got.
I had an idea about asking Swedish "Naimees" in a topic about in a separate spurs. If anyone had done it and what it made for them.

Regards
Gunnar

Gunnar, what full spec LP12 you going for?

Hi!
Karly.
I´ll come back to you when I´ve got it installed. I´m as you can see moving from a 92 to 82 so a direct comparison moving from 72 to 82 in my system is not gonna give you any input. I have made the choice of waiting with an upgrade until I can make a rather big step.
The intention has always been that I eventually should have an 82 or better and the 92 has been a temporary pre.

Jonas.
Having a friend doing the install must be the safest way of getting it right.
I might perhaps consult you in that matter in the future?

Christopher.

I would probably like to go for a lp12 with aro and armageddon. Not shure ´bout the cart though. Not new but hopefully a used one in good condition. Can probably always be serviced to equal performance as new if neccesary.
Have quite a large lp collection heading back to the early 70´s and many of the recordings actually is more rewarding on vinyl than on cd. But that´s my humble opinion.

regards
Gunnar

Jonas.
here is mine , got two:
gunnar@tandlakarhuset.nu
gunnarjansson3@telia.com

Gunnar