well, I do not know it other than they make pretty decent phono stages.
Anyway hicap is always a great addition.
Agree with you Marcus, but once you connect the HiCap there is no going back…
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I put a HiCap DR on my SN2 and found it to be a worthwhile upgrade. It opened up the sound, much more delicate and detailed sounding. My understanding is the HiCap powers the preamp section allowing the SN2 power supply to run the amp section. Nice that Naim engineered this upgrade path, hard to listen to it without (like all Naim upgrades 
).
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Ive put a HiCap DR on both a SN2 and a SN3 and both times with very good SQ improvements with better detail and dynamics but mostly much better bass control and response for my large floorstanding speakers.
However for the OP i would initially spend the money on upgrading the streaming source.
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When in doubt, go HiCap!
I had a HiCap DR on the SN2. No regrets and improvements as described by others. Now it powers my 282. (And another one on the Superline).
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Got HiCap Dr last month for my SN3, as already said there’s no going back. Like having whole new system and speakers.
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So what I gather as an answer to my question, the HCDR brings a more detailed sound with more bass control and a broader soundstage.
One says even a little harder sound, another says a more delicate sound.
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Because surprisingly we all have different room acoustics and different ears (i.e. different hearing) and use different speakers.
In the end you may realise that your initial question was unanswerable or at least the answers would be meaningless.
Generally a power supply improves a Naim product, but can skew a balanced system away from its balance. My instinct is that a SN3 is well designed enough that a power supply upgrade does’t have a huge effect.
As others have said I’d be inclined to look somewhere else in your system if you absolutely must upgrade.
And if you use roon then DSP will give you so much more than a HiCap.
.sjb
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Is there any trick to setting up / installing the HCDR, or is it really straightforward?
HCDR is just connecting two cables to the SN, its plug and play nothing more. Some people recommend keeping the HCDR separate to the amp for SQ benefit but i had limited space and found no SQ difference with the HCDR on the top righthand side of my SN2 and SN3 compared to them being separated.
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Yes, I’m aware that synergi is important.
For example, when I auditioned SN3 in the shop, it sounded VERY different, compared to in my living room. Different source, different room, different speakers.
But I believe that the addition of HCDR to a SN3 ought to give a similar result, regardless of the rest of the equipment.
So, hence my question.
One other aspect that hasn’t been mentioned which places buying a HiCap less of a decision is the fact that you absolutely need one to upgrade to a 282. If you ever plan to move to separates, this is the next move regardless. I agree that a source upgrade would also benefit the system immensely, but if your goal is to one day move to a 282 then a HiCap is required.
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Unless you were to get a NAP 200 or 200DR of course.
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While waiting for my HiCap DR to arrive, I’ve looked into the SN3 manual researching how to install it. I found it interesting that power appears to be delivered to the SN3 via the Power Amp In terminal and that the supply sits in between the Pre-out and amp-in, which surprised me as we are adding something new into the middle of the signal chain. What’s Naim’s logic on this? I’m very curious to learn more. (Or do I have this all wrong?)
it does seem counter intuative but its keeps the signal earth arrangement correct. i tried mine with a direct Y cable but it sounded better with the snacs 4 & 5 via the hicap.
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Defo 
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Reminder you’ll need a 4 pin to 4 pin SNAIC DIN cable, the HiCap only comes with the 5 pin to 5 pin SNAIC.
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Mr. M, thank you! I’d have received my HCDR and would have been unable to play. The dealer didn’t realize this.
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The board members save the day phew!