Flatcap XS
Posted by: Ncpphil on 11 December 2016
Hi all, well after a few weeks of owning my CD 5xs and nait xs ive now added a used flatcap and connected both to it. I was not expecting the hear the diffence i did after reading various comments regarding flatcap. The first thing i noticed was the sound stage has got bigger with more transparency, vocals are more realistic with a fantastic sweet spot. Im hoping the system will get better as the weeks go by as the amp and cd are now 5 weeks old.
Good call. The Flatcap XS is a smart addition to your set up.
It's reassuring when you invest in an upgrade an you immediately notice the benefits, an no doubt it will continue to improve ....enjoy
it get's better or worse in the coming weeks because you grow accustomed to. The gear will not change at all.
Nice system and you'll get plenty of enjoyment out of it; I loved my CD5X when I had one.
It will just be nicely warmed up to losten over Xmas.
Allan
Good result.
When my SuperCap was away for service and DR upgrade my kind dealer loaned me Flatcap to power my 282. I was expected a big fall in performance but in practice the Flatcap put in a very creditable performance and I was left with a very positive impression of what it delivers. At it's price-point I think it excellent VFM.
Robiwan posted:it get's better or worse in the coming weeks because you grow accustomed to. The gear will not change at all.
Whilst I believe that to be the main effect, it's impossible to completely rule out some minor real improvements; particularly from larger electrolytic capacitors due to the small reductions (associated with the long term re-forming of the dielectric after storage) that occur in the series resistance, leakage current and the associated noise.
that wil be in the 0,0001% range.
Robiwan posted:that wil be in the 0,0001% range.
I think that figure represents a change then?
I added an ex-demo Flatcap XS to my CD5X and Nait XS2 after about a year of owning player and amp. I agree that the improvement was very worthwhile. If you like what it does to the sound then it must be one of the most cost effective upgrades possible within this level of Naim products.
Robiwan posted:that wil be in the 0,0001% range.
Or in other words, a change in the resistivity of the copper wiring corresponding to a 0.0003°C temperature change.
If you only get that degree of change over time then you've got some spectacularly well controlled central heating there!
I have a general question regarding Flatcap or other Naim power supplies: is one required to power NAC-N172 or N272 when paired with self-powered loudspeakers.
No.
Acoustics Guy posted:I have a general question regarding Flatcap or other Naim power supplies: is one required to power NAC-N172 or N272 when paired with self-powered loudspeakers.
You don't require a power supply. For the 272 it's an optional upgrade, but not the Flatcap, you need XP5, XPS or 555.
I added a flatcap xs to both upgrade inputs of the 152 xs and also found this produced all round improvements. I preferred it to the hicap dr which seemed to thicken the sound somehow. The flatcap brings better separation in my opinion and in my system
If you want further improvements try the ndac with the cd5xs particularly with the new firmware update it's tremendous
I remember when I borrowed a Flatcap from my friendly dealer - I wasn't expecting such a difference and was so happy with the resulting changes that it never went back.
In the grand Naim picture, it may be 'cheap' but it certainly gives a lot of satisfaction.
Don't think ill get away with buying a dac just yet! lol. I did stretch to a stageline very pleased.
I wouldn't even think about it, just enjoy what you have. When I had a CD5x with 122x and 150x I added a flatcap 2x and it was a wonderful improvement. It was a lovely system that I used very happily for three years.
I have been thinking about upgrading my newly acquired XS2 with a Flatcap XS -- but I don't have a CD player and probably won't get one, as I entered the world of streaming with a marvellous ND5 XS. Without a CD player, is it still a worthwhile investment to add a Flatcap? One would only use "half" the Flatcap, and I remember reading somewhere that the Flatcap has a greater impact on the source. Cheers!
I would say yes. You may also like to consider trying a Supernait 2 against the Flatcapped Nait.
Timo posted:I have been thinking about upgrading my newly acquired XS2 with a Flatcap XS -- but I don't have a CD player and probably won't get one, as I entered the world of streaming with a marvellous ND5 XS. Without a CD player, is it still a worthwhile investment to add a Flatcap? One would only use "half" the Flatcap, and I remember reading somewhere that the Flatcap has a greater impact on the source. Cheers!
My experience with a Flatcap XS on a Nait XS-1 that it is a subtle but worthwhile upgrade.
Thanks Hungryhalibut for your superfast reply! Once bitten by the Naim bug it is difficult not to ponder about upgrades, even though I have been in this for some little time only. A friend suggested that the only upgrade path for the XS2 is the Supernait 2, suggesting that flatcapping is not really much of an improvement. But replacing the new XS2 is not really an option that could receive domestic approval... ;-)
Don't be in too much of a rush, though if the used flatcap is a real bargain that's different. Make sure you get the XS version though, as it's the one designed to go with your boxes. And do get a decent stand if you don't have one already - a four self Quadraspire, preferably the bamboo version, would be a good starting point.
Timo posted:I have been thinking about upgrading my newly acquired XS2 with a Flatcap XS -- but I don't have a CD player and probably won't get one, as I entered the world of streaming with a marvellous ND5 XS. Without a CD player, is it still a worthwhile investment to add a Flatcap? One would only use "half" the Flatcap, and I remember reading somewhere that the Flatcap has a greater impact on the source. Cheers!
Yes. In my view, unequivocally so.
I had the same combination (ND5 XS + Nait XS 2) and I added a cuddly toy. Significantly more low level detail, better instrumental timbres, better readability of words in vocals and much firmer bass. I believe a FlatcapXS will give a fairly similar return on investment (and s/h they are really quite inexpensive).
Don't forget you also need to get the SNAIC5.
My last move was to swap the ND5 XS for an NAC-N 272.
Thanks for the advice guys -- I shall look out for a good deal in the ex-demo and s/h market. And maybe also look out for a mate for my ND5XS... ;-)
Huge, and congratulations on your recent purchase -- cracking!!