NAPSC is for powering the logic and control circuits - these can be quite noisy, so big advantages when separately powered. To power the analogue audio circuits of the NAC202 you need either a Naim amp with a pre-amp supply inside, or better still, a dedicated power supply such as the Hicap. So the ideal power supply arrangement on a NAC202 would be a NAPSC for the logic circuits and a Hicap for the analogue audio circuitry. You could the take signal from the audio pre-outs on the Hicap to any power amp, Naim, or otherwise.
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Thank you Richard for such a detailed response. Very much appreciated.
As Richard says, you need a Hicap. The NAPSC is just an optional extra, which does a different job.
Not really an optional extra then… If there’s no NAP around… one does need 2 external power supplies - Or did I get that wrong
You don’t absolutely need the NAPSC (fit the paddle link plug to the 202 if you aren’t using a NAPSC). But it’s well worth having because it gives a big upgrade for comparatively little outlay. Listen with and without the NAPSC and you may decide that you really do NEED one…
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Ah! that sorts it… thank you once again Richard
Sorry Chris - I was being a bit thick (My sincere apologies)
No apology required! It’s a bit confusing until you’re familiar with how this works. Welcome to the world of the 4 box amplifier!
I think I’d leave the power supply out of sight and just have the 202 next to my ND5 XS and then from the 202 straight to my SCM19A … It’ll still give the illusion of a 2 box system…
The NAPSC has quite a long lead, so it’s usually possible to hide it on the floor somewhere.
I’m currently contemplating a NAPSC for my 202 - is there a noticeable advantage in having it on a Fraim shelf, or is the floor quite good enough? I ask because buying an extra level on the rack would significantly increase the outlay for such an upgrade.
Mark
I had a napsc for many years and it lived on a paperback book on the floor. No way is it worth the cost of a Fraim shelf. You should definitely get a napsc though. It makes the 202 so much more natural.
When I last had my NAPSC it lived on the floor under my brawn Fraim base.
Mine’s on the floor too, well hidden. I’d say it makes a really nice difference to the top end with the 202.
Mine’s on the floor behind the right hand speaker. Always feels a bit disingenuous of Naim to claim it’s non-essential to a 202. It really isn’t.
I think the idea was to make the entry into the NAC202 as affordable as possible. It also gave you the opportunity to do the NAPSC demo, with the normal result that any doubts that may have lingered about separating supplies was truly dashed, and so would begin a better understanding of Naim’s engineering philosophy.
Would anybody be kind enough to explain this to me? What does Richard mean by the audio pre outs of the hicap? I thought the HiCap was a power supply, the ‘audio pre out’ bit threw me… My anticipated apologies for my ignorance
With Naim the Pre-Amp power supply supplies not just power but also signal is routed back through as well. More info on why can be read in the FAQ:
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Thank you Richard!
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