Adding PSU to CD3.5

Hi Alan,
I started out with CD3.5 + Flat Cap and then switch to a Hi-Cap.
The Hi is without doubt better and if you plan to upgrade in the future and can re-use it elsewhere then it is probably a good move. I would say a bare 3.5 to 3.5+Flat is probably a bigger jump than 3.5+Flat to 3.5+Hi. In either case, adding an external PSU will give more focus, PRAT and detail.
Hope this helps,
Tom

I agree with the guys above. I have a 3.5. With a friend of mine we tried his 3.5 at his house, added my FC to his system, took it out again. I went home. He has not played his system since, as he says he has to have a FC. I've tried the same at home, and tried a HiCap too.
3.5 + FC is great and very very worthwhile. HiCap is better, but less of an improvement for a lot more money, and a bit of a dead end. For the investment of a HiCap, you could be looking at a trade to CDX or CDX2 with future PSU upgrades, which is much more sensible. Its not like you can use a HiCap on a CDX.
I got my FC1 for £100 s/h.
I'm going CDX/CDX2 next.

Having run a "naked" CD5, a flat capped (2) CD5, and a Hi capped CD5, my verdict is the Hi is a much more worthwhile improvement.
Although not speaking directly to the CD3.5, I cannot see where the 3.5 is that less evolved than the 5 to not make the same degrees of differences.
A 5/Cap is in my opinion, a better value for the money than a bare CDX2. (Yes, I know you're talking about a 3.5, but comparisons are stil valid)
I would respectfully disagree w/anyone who says a Hi is not a good investment. They hold their 2nd hand value quite well and can be used on other preamps or phono stages.
Presently running a Nait5/Hi and wishing for another Hi for my stage line -------

I run a CD3.5, to which I added a HiCap about 12 months ago. The difference between the bare and hicapped 3.5 is considerable. In particular most of the 3.5s tendency to harshness disappears, the bass extends and becomes better controlled and overall the CDP sounds like a far more sophisticated and musical unit.

I've not tried the FlatCap, but most people say it will get you part way along the same road but not as far as the HiCap. The HiCap is just a better, higher capacity PSU and maxes out the performance of the 3.5!

HiCaps are also more easily available on the secondhand market and even an old one bought cheap can be re-capped for minimal cost and will perform like new. The HC can also be used to power other things like pre's, headlines, SNAXOs etc., which in my view make them a better long term bet than an FC.

Add to that, the active s-hand market makes them very easy to resell with minimal depreciation if the unit was bought 'pre-loved'. All-in-all a definite vote from me in favour of the HiCap.

David

Thanks for sharing your experiences thus far.

My dealer has offered me a Flatcap2 and Hicap to try at home for a few days - I will pick them up next week.

I also did a search in the forum on the new Hicap and was surprised to read that there may be a difference in sound quaility between an olive Hicap and the new look Hicap.

Is there a noticeable difference, and I'll probably regret asking this question: which is better? Brand new olive ones are still available in Australia at about $2600 australian dollars - $400 cheaper than the new look.

I've onwned a Hicap (and Supercap) in the past, and I liked the solid extruded boxes they came in. Can someone describe the construction of the new Hicap? Is it as good?

Thanks
Alan

Hi Alan,

I'm in Perth, WA and have a recent olive style Hicap with black Snaic having upgraded from 82 to 52.

Cheers, Jens

**Message From Moderators**
Please Jens, observe forum rules - no advertising. Thank you, Richard.

[This message was edited by Richard Dane on FRIDAY 15 August 2003 at 09:50.]

[This message was edited by Richard Dane on FRIDAY 15 August 2003 at 09:51.]

I found a Flatcap2 a decent upgrade to my CD3.5. I felt a Hi-Cap may be overkill and perhaps better placed elsewhere.
Alan, check your Private Topics.

I bought Jens's Hicap (above note edited by Naim - but it worked out well!) for almost 1/3 the cost of a new one. Has made an enormous difference just in the 1 day I've had it running. Bass is tigher and more extended and the overall sound has opened up a lot. I can't wait for the system to warm up again!

Tom - I responded to your note in Private Topics, I don't know if you can see it though
Alan

[This message was edited by Alan Stewart on WEDNESDAY 20 August 2003 at 09:08.]

I ran my CD3.5 with a Hi-Cap.
There was a definite improvement.
If you're thinking of buying from a shop, they should let you try it at home.

Paul Rowlands

Alan,

I have a CD3.5, a flatcap and a hi-cap. I've tried both the *caps with the CD and also connected to my amp. IMO, the flatcap is best suited to the CD, and the hi-cap to the amp.

The flatcap makes a definite improvement to the CD but hardly any difference to the amp, whereas the hi-cap makes a little improvement over the flatcap when connected to the CD, but a major difference to the amp.

Hope this helps.

Graeme