Hicap Recap!

Posted by: keithy on 30 January 2002

I have recently added a 2nd hand hicap to my system which has seriously improved it. The hicap is (according to the naim serial numbers page) approx 9 years old and I guess that means its due for a recap.

Can anyone describe the change in sound a recap will achieve and does anyone know roughly how much the recap will cost.

Its already got a black SNAIC

thanks

Posted on: 31 January 2002 by phil. S

I don't know how the sound changes as I have yet to re-cap. However, last week I asked Naim for the cost of a Hi Cap re-cap and they stated £120 inclusive of Vat. I presume the cost of carriage is on top of this?

Cheers

Phil

Posted on: 31 January 2002 by Jaitch

Keithy,
I had a 10 year old Hicap recapped last November.
Great service (and customer service) from Naim - helpful and efficient.
I paid £85.50 for labour and parts plus £12.00 carriage and VAT so the £120 all-in price sounds right.
Current service timings are about 3 weeks.
As for audible differences - well I had my circa 1983 NAP250 (owned from new) also done at the same time so hard to distinguish.

The changes were noticable mainly I feel contributable to the changed character of the 250 and it took a while to accustom to the new sound. More slam and corrected sibilants but the aging Spendors sounded more boxy and fatiguing at higher levels.
As an aside, I have since upgraded to 135's that I find that are different in character to the 250 and give me a massive improvement, more control, smoother delivery and effortless sound.
(I am almost afraid to audition to 500 as I would have to re-mortgage the house or sell the car).
With the 135's (bought s/h) now in for service and the 250 pressed into service again - having experienced the 135's I would find it hard to go back.

Excuse the ramblings, this does not help you to assess the sound characteristics of a re-capped hicap -
You will hear an improvement I am sure.

Regards

Posted on: 31 January 2002 by Dr. Exotica

quote:
As for audible differences - well I had my circa 1983 NAP250 (owned from new) also done at the same time so hard to distinguish.

Out of curiosity, what was the cost of servicing the 250? Also, I presume it also took the same three weeks...

Erik

Posted on: 31 January 2002 by Jaitch

To Dr.Ex
I paid £150 (incl. tax) but that included replacement of the older dual style spade/plug sockets to newer NAIM plug in type.

The service included replacement reservoir caps, bi-polars, axials, resistors, transistors and tants.
The local carriage cost of £12 included the hicap.

Hope this helps

Posted on: 31 January 2002 by Jaitch

Yes, it took 3 weeks

Posted on: 01 February 2002 by keithy

thanks everyone for their useful input

I'll definitely get it done at some point