Thinking of selling my hicap dr and moving to a supercap or possibly a supercapdr, I don’t want any additional brightness or “in your face” as some people describe it, would like to add a little more refinement to the system.
I had planned to stop once I reached a 282/hicapdr/250dr but at the moment my system sounds a little too aggressive or bright.
From researching on the forum it seems the supercap will do want I want but I worry that it may compound the issue, any thoughts from past experiences, thanks in advance.
I would recommend switching to 252 if you find the “in your face” presentation of the 282 to be too much.
In my experience a supercap doesn’t really tame it down.
After the recent streamer update changing to that type of presentation, imho, I ended up giving up on the 282 and changed it out for a 252. (I was already running a Supercap)
If I get a different streamer, at some point, I might get the 282 back out and try again, as I did like its liveliness, it’s just that it can be very easily pushed over the edge with some components.
This is just my opinion, of course.
Many thanks for your reply, the new update certainly hasn’t helped my situation, it feels like I have just got too much energy in the system, not saying it’s wrong but it has definitely tipped the balance in the wrong direction, for me anyway.
The option of moving to a 252 may give me what I’m after but at a fairly high cost even with the way s/h prices have gone, so not really sure what move to make next .
I did this a few years ago and it was a good value upgrade though I brought my Supercap SH. It just solidified the sound.
I have always found that an over bright system more to do with the speakers or room issues that the amp. The latter to do with absorption of certain frequencies or reinforcement of others. It’s worth diagnosing the problem before chucking large amount money at it.
For me the sc and scdr bring additional clarity, refinement, separation and even body, but no more warmth. I don’t think a sc would help you get the sound you are looking for. Live with the hicap for a while, it may settle. If it doesn’t and you don’t want to go to a 252 then I’d start looking at speakers as the next change point.
Of course if you wanted to try a sc, a pre owned one might be worth a try with a minimal loss if you have to move it on.
I didn’t like the 282/SuperCap combo although many do. I went 282/2x HiCap DR and was much happier with the total sound presentation. I run mine into a 300DR rather than a 250DR.
Obviously getting a demo set up to hear this difference could be a real challenge, but would be the only way to be certain…
I have powered my 282 from 1 x CB HiCap, 2 x CB HiCap and now a Supercap DR. In each case the upgrade was exactly as @bruss describes above. I have not used any HiCap DRs so cannot comment on them. I am driving PMC 20.23 speakers and to my ears they do not sound overly agressive, but this is in my room listening at lowish volumes and driven by 2 x CB 135. The sources include NDX2/XPSDR with latest firmware.
This is probably not relevent but many years ago when I was looking to replace a NAP110 I demoed a CB 250 and found it a bit thin and hard, issues that the 135s totally removed.
Many thanks for the member’s responses, a speaker change has always been in the back of my mind but to be honest after visiting a few shows nothing has really grabbed my attention, apart from speakers that are out of my price range.
I was hopeful that a change to the black boxes might work, at a reasonable price, moving to a 252 appeals but at a cost, so perhaps it time to start thinking along the lines of a change of speaker.
My son has always suggested I try some Harbeth’s but I do like rock and played at realistic levels and from what I have read this is not really Harbeth’s best strengths.
I did demo the new PMC twenty5 21i and the Spendor 3/1 or 1/3 along with the Spendor D7.2, out of the three, the smaller Spendor’s sounded really nice, the other two sounded a little too energetic for my tastes.
I have a local dealer that stocks Neats and Kudos, I would be interested to try the Neats as I have heard some very positive feedback with how they work well with Naim.
More food for thought .
I can highly recommend Neats SB.
I have been a Linn speaker user for 30 years and find my new Neat Majistra’s to be an amazing alternative. Also their smaller siblings, the Ministra’s, were amazing.
Both speakers utilise Isobarik Geometry on their main drivers and deliver across the genre range. The fabulous ribbon tweeter bringing such marvellous dimension to voices and Classical pieces.
Definitely worth a try. My speaker journey is well documented in the Systems threads if you’re interested.
Are you Norfolk based by any chance. I can highly recommend Tony at @BasicallySound if you are. His insights and advice were invaluable during my recent journey and he is the kindest and most helpful chap.
Good luck, Simon
If you feel like facing the nuisance of selling and buying 2nd hand, I may suggest 202/200. It’s luminous, refined, powerful enough and never ever tiring. You already have a HiCap but 202/200 is perfectly good as is.
Best,
Max
As a 282/CDdr owner I can say it was a nice upgrade but as has been correctly stated earlier a few times, it won’t change the personality of the 282. If you like that leading edge, then great, if not, then you two biggest changes are going to be speakers or preamp. And in that order of severity of change.
I guess the question is, how drastic a change to you think is needed to address the issue? The 252 is noticeably different to the 282 in presentation but is still very much a Naim preamp. That might be light touch you are after without risking upsetting the rest. Otherwise different speakers will give you a different presentation entirely.
I agree with your son, at least give the Harbeth’s a demo. To my ear they work well with Naim amps and are a bit less fussy than other speakers. I moved from SBLs to 30.2s and regard the latter as my final upgrade. The view that they can’t do rock music really needs to be challenged now, it is out of date.
Brightness is not commonly associated with the 282, but it does have a forward presentation, like it should. Music is inherently bold and assertive, “in your face” so to speak, embrace it. Avoid spending more for a lesser musical experience.
Hi Max, I had to smile when I read your reply, I started with the 202/200, adding a 282 which made a very appreciable difference for the better, then added the 250dr to balance everything out.
I knew a speaker replacement was always on the cards it’s just a shame the update has pushed things slightly the wrong way for my liking.
It seems clear that the supercap will not fix the issue without adding the 252, which starts to add up cost wise, I think the speaker route could be the best move, it would be ideal to try different speakers in the system .
My son has always thought a speaker change was required to achieve the sound I’m after.
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