Anyone prefer the supernait 2 without the hicap DR ??

I can't imagine my SN2 without the Hi-Cap DR, it just makes everything so much better!

I felt it added impact, I felt it did just the opposite of what one member said, it didn't over control the sound, it let it explode, yes, it means more of everything, whether one prefers that presentation would think an improvement, and quite a worthwhile one, others, not so much.

As others have so eloquently  explained what adding a power supply does. Adding the HiCap DR "provides an extremely smooth and stable DC feed allowing any partnered component to achieve its full potential. Perceive new levels of fine detail, it allows you to comprehend subtle emotional nuances that expose the performer’s emotion and passion".

"These elements are always captured in the recording but unresolved until the system is able to discern a higher level of detail. A stable, strong and separated power supply can provide huge sound quality benefits for a hi-fi system".

I believe the HiCap DR does that for the SN2, and that it does superbly!

After two years with a bare SN2 I added a HCDR five months ago. A nice improvement yet something I could live without, esp for the cost. This post is a good reminder for me to remove the HCDR from SN2, try it on my Stageline, then CD5X, and decide whether to keep it. My prejudiced supposition is that the HCDR will provide greatest value to me on my Stageline (I've heard that combo at a dealer) and I wasn't a fan of a FCXS on my CD5X. Rambling thoughts from one who is all for minimizing box count, cable dressing, and power cords.

It is all subjective and also dependent on the rest of your components (cables, speakers, source, room..) and especially your ears :-)

I am more to test NAC272/XPS DR with NAP250 DR

Mark J posted:

What about a SN2 with non DR HiCap ?

Or is that sacrilegious?

Little point technically, as SN2 already has a DR, so adding an older type HiCap has very little effect.

gary yeowell posted:

I have had greater success with a dual railed Snaps, but can't say too much about that on here.

Dual-railed SNAPSes are lovely. I've had three in my life, two of which – well, I can't say too much about that on here too. It's the PSU with most 'analogue sound' I've tried. Not so muscular as a HC, but preferable to any FC in my view.

clintyboy posted:

Spend you £££ on your source, my cd555 favours a bare supernait 2.

You list a Sugden.

C.

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mark J posted:

What about a SN2 with non DR HiCap ?

Or is that sacrilegious?

Little point technically, as SN2 already has a DR, so adding an older type HiCap has very little effect.

But you're adding an external power supply, which can only be beneficial, even though it's not a DR PS. I thought the whole point of adding a power supply was to separate pre-amp from amp so the pre-amp had its own supply. Or have I got it wrong?

Frenchnaim posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

Mark J posted:

What about a SN2 with non DR HiCap ?

Or is that sacrilegious?

Little point technically, as SN2 already has a DR, so adding an older type HiCap has very little effect.

But you're adding an external power supply, which can only be beneficial, even though it's not a DR PS. I thought the whole point of adding a power supply was to separate pre-amp from amp so the pre-amp had its own supply. Or have I got it wrong?

Not wrong as such, but an internal DR circuit would be replaced with an older version from the HiCap.

Christopher, sold the sugden about 2 years ago, just hav`nt updated my profile

S

clintyboy posted:

After a few months of using my hicapDR on my supernait 2, and being quite pleased with the overall sound I thought I would remove it to hear the negative effect, if any, to the sound, but alas instantly the sound  had more bounce and groove along with better flow.... hooking the hcdr back up brought a slight tightening of the sound and slightly more detail but the foot tapping element was missing !! My source is CD555 with Spendor S9 speakers. Anybody else prefer the supernait 2 bare ?

Clintyboy

I have a Supernait Mk1 but found the exact same effect. I had used it for years with a HiCap (non-DR) that was a hangover from my 202/200 days, but having experimented found I preferred it without for the reasons you mention.

Since I have just upgraded from a Hicap 2 to  a Hicap 2 DR (thanks to the excellent James of Tom Tom audio), I thought I would rescue this thread from the swamp of lost and  forgotten threads.

I have only been listening to my new HCDR for a few hours so much can happen in the next two (?) weeks  but experience shows that Naim electronics do not get any worse as you run them in. Still some of the improvements it brings are clear. The first is a sense of greater smoothness (there are many other advantages as well) to the sound. Now I note that this thread is about what the HCDR brings to the SN2. This is a smoother amp to start with. Everyone has their own view as to the best position (for them) on the smooth to rough axis. This will depend on the room, your taste and all the electronics involved.

Since my system is CDX2, 202, 200 in a room with a lot of unforgiving glass and metal, adding some smoothness to the sound is just what is needed; treble less bright, bass deeper and more detailed etc. However I can see that with the SN2 these improvements are less crucial. And for those of you who like a bit of rough, extra smoothness might be actually unattractive. Since extra smoothness is not all that the HCDR brings,  this is does not rule out the HCDR as a significant improvement on the HC.

One other point, the question has been asked above; what do Hicaps (of either kind or other Naim power supplies)  bring to the party ? All I can say is have you been awake for the last 40 years? It was JV's great insight that power supplies were crucial to good sound systems. He was right, the rest is history. Power supplies make a big difference, the difference is nearly always significantly good. How good? That will depend on the particular application (and your tastes). 

On the way back from St Albans, I dropped into Oxford Audio to listen to the demo of the DCS Vivaldi and Rossini CD players. Many thanks to the guys in Park End for making this such an enjoyable event. It was the hottest (OK the second hottest) day of the year. So listening to heavy duty valve amplification in a room with no ventilation at all as far as I could see  was a pretty sticky experience. However the demo was so interesting, it deserves a new thread.

David

SNAIT 1 here and I run my Stageline-N off the SNAIT.

I found a small (but noticeable to me) reduction in dynamics (CD Player using the SNAIT's Internal Dac) when I attached the phono.  This was remedied with the addition of the Hi-Cap 2.  This is perhaps a slightly different situation than just a bare SNAIT or bare SNAIT 2.

I have previously posted that the DR upgrade on the Hi-Cap changed the tonal presentation.  I vaguely recall preferring the Hi-Cap2's presentation after I made the transition.  But it doesn't really matter, the system is quite engaging and a lot of fun to listen to.

I remember it taking quite some time to settle down/burn in and get to this point where I was really happy with the DR upgrade. Perhaps it was more of a process of me getting used to the new presentation than it actually burning in, but I think it still took a good 6 months to a year for me to really enjoy the new presentation. 

A bit off topic, but was there ever any discussion of a DR upgrade for us SNAIT1 users   

nathan_klassen posted:

A bit off topic, but was there ever any discussion of a DR upgrade for us SNAIT1 users   

No & no chance I expect.  A HC(DR) will do the job as its the preamp section that gives most from a low noise VR, as does my SN(1) with its 'alternative' very low noise PSU.  

Nope, love my SN2 with the hicap dr attached.  It makes it the complete integrated amp for me, to the degree that when I recently had the opportunity to add a 250dr I spent the money on a TT instead.  Adds weight and solidity and musical coherence.