SuperCap on an Early 52--Will it work?

Unless you get a deal on a Supercap, I would much rather refurb the twin-transformered 52PS. While it may not be as broadly appicable as a Supercap, it has every reason to sound as good as-and methinks probably better than a Supercap. If you look at internal photos, it sports an admirable amount of filter capacitance compared with a Supercap. I bet if it was still a current model, it would cost much closer to a 555PS than a Supercap in price. 

But since these were phased out circa 1995, they will be at LEAST 20 years old and simply begging for a service, which will not only restore them to as-good-as-new, but actually better as contempory components are probably better than those used circa 1995. 

Anybody remember moving from the CDSPS to an early XPS and going ?????? Where is the upgrade in this?? I certainly do. 

BTW, the migration from twin transformers of the 52PS to single one within a  Supercap had nothing to do with sound quality-it was all about compliance with international safety specifications. 

Will the head unit work with a Supercap though if the 52PS has problems down the road?? Or not?

The head units didn't change when the 52PS was phased out...so I don't see why an earlier 52 head unit would not work with a Supercap. Apart from some of the POTS upgrades, the biggest difference in the earlier vs the later 52 was the RC codes....early 52 do not work with the remotes from later 52s. 

It is a 1994 build. Will the new Narcoms work?

Also I thought I read that that the 52PS cannot be interchanged with the Supercap...

The 52PS can power only a 52. The Supercap can power pretty much any piece of Naim gear that does not require an XPS-type supply. With the exception of the NAT-01. I suspect-but do not know for sure-that this is because the SC has two DIN-4 Hicap-type power sockets that have 24V feeds, one of which also takes signal input. Time for RD to step in here!

Thanks Ron. Before I buy this 52 I want to confirm that my Narcom 4 will work on a 1994 build.

Also can I power the head unit with a Supercap or was it designed to be used only in conjunction with its own PS?

Richard can you chime in please?

A head unit that age deserves a complete service. The opto couplers are prone to age related failures for instance. The need for a not-inexpensive service should be reflected in the price, unless documentation exists showing that some sort of post-sales service was done. I suspect that your Narcom4 will NOT work with a 1994-era 52. 

Not sure of the age of my 52 head unit but it was powered originally by a supercap and now by a 52PS (supercap now powering a snaxo). Worked fine with either power supply using the same burndy.

Regards,

Willy.