Naim PSU upgrades

I will say that for the first time in a long while I am not missing an external PSU (222-250). I cannot remember saying this about any previous setup in recent history and then also not every PSU upgrade has felt worthwhile in terms of SQ and outlay (e.g. XPSDR or HCDR).

Only heard the NPX300 at the dealer while deciding on the 222 and later when adding the NC250 - it did seem to make a small difference in “calming” the sound overall but at home with my speakers and fairly optimised power and cabling I feel it sounds just right. May be a home demo some day.

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Pictured here my SC and HC.
Transformers are same rated. 500VA
Big caps are same rated.
Main difference is the SC has 7 dr (edit 14 as per below comments) regulators.

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I thought the Supercap DR has 14 DR regulators.

It does, and you can count them in the photo.

You could be right.

I know it’s early days but initial thoughts on the supercap move?

It’s early days! The whole rig was switched off this week ( away with work), so I’m letting it warm up.
Will report back later…

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Seems like overkill big time to have a 500VA transformer in the HCDR for the preamp stage in my SN3, but it works…

The sums dont add up to me, but it clearly works.
I was more surprised the SC was only 500VA. Same as the HC.

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So, I’m a day in. The SC is certainly better than the two HCs I had before.

I’ve been testing out some LPs I know well and am struggling to find fault with the sound.

When I looked inside the SC, I thought I was going to see more than two HCs. Actually, as far as a 282 is concerned, there is less. Clearly, to extract the best from an SC, a Burndy is required, but in my 282, I’m slumming it with two Snaic 5s. And still feeding the Superline via the 282 Aux2.

So that’s two PSU upgrades this year. A CD555PSU on the NDX2 and now a Supercap on the 282. Both have been impressive and affordable as both were pre-owned.

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Get the Burndy. I knew Supercap DR would be better for you. The 282 is only making use of 4 of the 13 power rails.

A 252 will give you greater control, refinement and separation if you ever decide to change.

The other advantage is one less power cable.

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A 252 is always a consequence of adding a Supercap to a 282. That we all know. The 282 is heading to Sheffield for a service, it’s a 2011 model, so it is sort of due. Sending it with the 555dr. That is only 10 years old, but its previous owner left it on 24/7. And in a few years service prices will be more !

I was going to pop the 72 in the 282s space, but to get any tunes out of the NDX2 would mean finding the plug thing to use the NDX’s internal psu.

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So when I got my XPS2, Supercap 2 and 52 serviced. Darran said that 52 service is about every 15 years, Supercap 2 10 years and XPS2 12 years.

At the time my 52 was serviced 10 years before, Supercap 2 was due and XPS2 had never been serviced.

The thing is once done, you know you are good for 10 plus years.

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Darran is cheaper than Naim. And turnaround is quicker. I can’t fault him. Service is impeccable and reasonably priced. Obviously Naim service will be good and they can service items Darran can’t such as 500DR HU. I am not sure what 500 series he services.

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Correct. And without putting too finer point on it, i dont know if Darran will still be working in say 3 or 4 years.
So, do both now, job done.

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He is a one man band, with noone to replace him. He said the same to me when I met with him. I think he is planning on retiring soon.

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I was in touch with him this week. The only 500 series he services are the 555 PS

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And not only 555 but 555dr too.

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That’s good to know.

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Sort of in keeping with the thread…

Found the NDX2 plug. 72 now fed from Supercap DR and the NDX2.

Well…a bit bright ? Perhaps? But, it is far better than i was expecting. Yes, a 30 year old ( but serviced) 72 and a NDX2 with no PSU.

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