Is DR this a good idea?
Posted by: Daft Apeth on 22 October 2017
Hello
I have a simple system comprising CDX2, Supernait, HiCap 2 and Allaes. I have a Hiline between CD and amp plus 2 Powerlines, one on the CD, one on the Supernait.
Should I get the HiCap serviced but leave as plain vanilla or get the DR at same time? it’s a 2002 so probably overdue. Don’t want to upset the balance of the system as these units work well together as whole.
Thanks
You can't go wrong getting the Hicap DRd and recapped as it will make the most of the supernait. How old is the supernait?It could benefit from a recap as well if older than 10 years. You have a lot of options after that, such as eventually getting the even better supernait 2 and/or getting a power supply for the excellent CDX2. But the initial Hicap improvement should really get the system grooving.
Agreed the DR will be well worthwhile. You may also want to try the PowerLine on the HiCap rather than the SuperNait as the HiCap will be powering the SuperNait's sound.
Another option is to sell both the Hicap and the SN, and get a SN2, which comes with an inbuilt DR supply. Whether a SN2 betters a SN/HCDR I’m not sure, but you’d have only two mains leads and no PowerLine angst.
Love your username. (My family's from West Yorks).
Out of my depth with your question, sorry.
What HH says: I've compared SN1+ Hicap DR and SN2 and they come very close. So if box count is an issue, the SN2 is a very nice change which will brings you what you want for less money than an upgrade of the HiCap in case you go the s/h route.
Besides that, If you are happy with your boxes, a HiCap Dr is a massive transformation of your amp. Much recommended and it saves you the hassle with selling / trading in the boxes.
Dr is worthwhile and if old you might also consider exchange of your boxes with a SN2 as suggested before. Making the step to DR will definitely be a step forward.
IMHO - hicap service then XPS for CDX2. I thought XPS transformed my CDX2 (olive version) when I bought one.
Thanks
Seems DRing the HiCap is a no brainer?
Almost indeed. It is the biggest improvement you can add to the Supernait 1. It will be very similar to the SN2 after the upgrade. Hence my wink to HH's suggestion (if this is proper English, never used 'Hence my wink' before).
It will improve the Pre-amp and Dac strongly.
I thought the Hicap only affected the preamp, and not the dac?
Before getting the HC DRed, it’s worth comparing the price of the upgrade with the differential between the cost of a new or used Hicap DR and what you’d get selling yours as is. I’d still consider getting a SN2 if you don’t need the Dac.
Hungryhalibut posted:I thought the Hicap only affected the preamp, and not the dac?
Without Hicap DR, the Dac is average. I noticed that the performance of the Dac is getting much better once a Hicap DR is connected. I cannot think of a way currently to disctinct whether it is a performancelift of the Dac itselve, or that it is the performancelift of the preamp stage which makes the intrinsic qualities of the Dac visible.
If you have suggestions there to distinct this, I'd appreciate your comments.
You might also argue that when the internal PSU is relieved of Pre-amp powering duty, it lifts all boats, as it were, so possibly yes, the DAC performance improves too.
Another test I've done on my SN1 was to add the Nap 200 - as suggested as an upgrade. And indeed, it is an upgrade.
I had SN1 + Hicap DR + Nap 200 being fed by a RPi + Dragonfly Dac which was very nice. It felt a bit like two hicaps on a SN1.
If I'm right, that massive toroidal was only feeding the input controls ...