Naim PSU upgrades

It provides an improved power supply for the XS range and can power two components at the same time.

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Just imagine the FlatCap components inside a HiCap case. I think the FlatCap just looks sparse due to the case size.

You could look at it as a slightly lower spec HiCap but with better component separation :slight_smile:

…and better I/O from the FlatCap 2 onwards

And the HiCapDR!

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Having only recently acquired a NAP110 and CB HiCap, I was blown away by how heavy the HiCap was, way heavier than the 110. I can imagine it gives a connected NAC a very very good power supply.

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And the Supercap DR.

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External PSUs, prior to DR and vs an internal or a power amp’s one, provided:

  • A dedicated transformer
  • large capacitors
  • two separate rails of 24V vs the single rail of the internal/power amp’s one

In all PSUs old LM317 regulator chips were used with a simple implementation. Going up the ladder more selected regs were chosen.

DR technology has brought discrete circuits of Naim design for much quieter and stable V. A DR circuit is not based on an integrated but on discrete components.

External PSU on a CDP powers the analogue stage while the internal one is still in charge of drive, DAC, display and logic card. XPS and 555 are more complex PSUs with many regulated outputs that power various stages.

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Absolutely! The HiCap Is one of the most iconico Naim products, along with Nap 250, It was launched in 1984, It’ s a pity that It has been dismisses

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Despite my protests, i!m about to swap out my 2 HICap DRs for a Supercap DR on my 282.
Wish me luck. Will this end with a 252?

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Unless you want an olive 52, yes it will. If the question occurs to you, you know the answer…

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Very nice @Thegreatroberto. Good luck with it and enjoy the upgrade. A 252 or 52 can come later.

And yes the Supercap DR I believe does work well with a 52, but 252 will bring better synergy still.

See how you get on with it first.

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I believe you called the Supercap DR a gateway drug :rofl:

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At this point, some so-called ‘wag’ usually says, ‘ah, but don’t forget, that’s space for Salisbury air.’

(I’ll close the door on the way out.)

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As I was born a Wilshire lad I can say Salisbury air is very good but the box and its associated unused space have more to do with matching the Flatcap with the other items in the family range. A Flatcap’s components could be made to fit in the same box as a Hicap quite easily but it would not then match stylistically with a NAC112,122 or NAP150 for example or any of the other of the slimline range.

It is not the size or weight of the box that matters but the design and quality of the components. Although I have long suspected that a Flatcap with a 2kg of lead weights put in it would make them believe it was a much better unit. Perhaps Naim missed a trick! :grinning:

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The range of different Naim power supplies all do different jobs. The Flatcap XS is unique in that it can power two components simultaneously. I haven’t used one but it’s a popular power supply on here.

Do they though? I would say they do the same job but in different ways.

I have a Flatcap XS myself I use it to power (in part) a CD5 and a Phono stage. It works very well and makes a difference to the equipment it powers.

I have used it to power a NAC202 but it is much better with a HiCap as one would expect.

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My experience with Naim power supplies is that adding one will improve the sound. Sometimes it is minimal[ second Hicap on Nac82] but it can be massive[PS555 on CDS3]. Largest improvement Hicap to Supercap to my current Non- Naim PS on the Snaxo 3-6-2.
I also added a Supercap DR to the Nac 52 with excellent results despite the mismatch. YMMV.

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Exactly what I found, but in my case a 282. The move to SC2 was dramatic and the move to 252 even greater.

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I have an XPS2 on my CDS3 and found I didn’t like the “improvement” the XPS DR or the PS555 brought. A strange thing to say but it made the sound more digital somehow. Much prefer the smoothness of the original combo.

The move from xpsdr to 555dr on my ndx2 was impressive. Especially given what the change cost me. Yet a good friend insists a xpsdr is more than adequate.

My latest kead of faith, depite previous protests is a Supercap dr to replace my 2 HC drs on a 282. Again, the cost of change was affordable. Will this lead to a 252. Of course not. Not least as I’ve been a big advocate of the 282.
History will be my judge !

Never say never.
The 252 is a great pre …

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