Supernait 3 - Addition of HiCap DR

As is the XPSDR, which Naim do recommend for the whole of the classic series interestingly. Although I suppose they would as the 555DR is for the 500 series. :joy: :+1:t2:

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I used to have these in 2007.

A lot has happened since, other priorities took hold.

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Fair enough, I get that. I’m relatively new to Naim so am on the increase journey; perhaps I’ll want a reduction one day. I was more interested as to why 6 is too many, as opposed to 5 or 7!

I got my 2010 model 282/SC/250 for the same price as a new 250 DR. Am servicing one unit per year. With the odd Powerline Lite, a good distribution block and a dedicated mains (the best spend thus far) I’m gradually enjoying hearing what they can do. I doubt I’ll ever reach the heights of 552/500, I genuinely can’t see how I’d ever fund them, and reckon without a dedicated listening room an upgrade on my models would be a waste. I share the space with my wife, our dogs and a parrot.

Am now interested to try a SN3 with the SC based on this thread (this forum is very useful resource), so will try and home demo one.

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I hope I haven’t come across as preachy with my earlier comment. It’s just from my perspective only and the folks on this thread appear to be building systems at the classic NDX2/SN3 level. For me personally, a system built around this level does excellent things and having heard this system augmented by powerlines and super lumina interconnects, it is something to aspire to, taking into account present financial concerns and other priorities.

If you already have a 282/SC/250 , I think there would be no need to consider a SN3 with a Supercap, as that would be a downgrade in all honesty. There is definitely nothing wrong having a 5/6/7 box system, but apart from the financial costs to have such a system , many folks here like to keep things simple and the box count down. Not everyone has room for two racks or wants a high rise one rack in their living room. But of course, each to their own and other folks here, quite rightly want to expand their system to even greater upgrade levels.

In days of old, i was able to afford the full 500 series when I was living in my parent’s home , but a property purchase soon changed that. To be honest I don’t miss not having that system and am content with what I have for now, although I would like to take a couple of steps upwards ideally, but if that wasn’t to happen, fine and I am presently content with my Saturn R, Node 2i (into Rega dac) , SN3 and Kudos C20.

Maybe your parrot can mimic the sound of a 552/500 instead for you?

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All comments welcome, even @popeye, but under strict control in his case now he’s abandoned us…
I think the clue is in the thread title and you’re spot on with the up and downers system story as many of us who regularly comment here have over the years and decades trodden the same or at least similar path to yourself.
Having personally owned all the Supernaits (to keep at least vaguely on topic) I’ve been suitably impressed with what Naim have done with the Supernait 3, in all it’s possible configurations and there really is a wide mix of experiences here, not least the fact we’re all a bit jealous of @Monkey_Jim and his Super Supernait setup!
I still remain a little torn longer term as to if I’ll add a HiCap or not to my SN3, I did ponder a Supercap but financially at least it may prove an indulgence too far although there are those who happened to have those boxes and tried it out with positive results.
There are also a number of folks who use a HiCap with a SN3 and are very happy with what it adds to their experience, @Stephen_Tate being our star pupil in that respect having shared a monumental system evolution journey over the last year or so.
Simply put, your comments and insights especially with regards to system comparisons are always of value and interest and always appreciated by myself and others I’m sure.

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I’m looking at a locally available Hicap DR; can anyone confirm what cables should come with it and what additional cables are required?

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You’ll need 2 in total. It should come with a SNAIC 5 and you’ll need to add a SNAIC 4

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Thanks and does it come with a mains lead? it’s listed as an upgrade on the Naim website! How come it doesn’t come with all the necessary cables?

Hi @Hollow
It comes with a mains lead, but you can upgrade to a better one if you want.

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I think it comes with Naim’s perspective of what’s most logical cable wise. I am not an expert but I suspect when a HiCap is used with other products different cables could be required.

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It’s really great to have this forum to share experiences. Of course, what’s best for each person is likely to be a little different in the end, but there’s so much information here on possible directions, people’s journeys with Naim and other brands.
I am surprised at where I am now to be honest. I have tried Naim’s best system, then went to a Border Patrol, Living Voice system, and then Ayre amps before returning to Naim at much lower levels, before then taking a massive jump from 272 streamer to ND555. I learned something at each step and, as I got older, the gaps between changes grew longer as I began to understand what I wanted and what compromises were right for me.
I have found that the Supernaits are a real sweet spot for me. They have the ability to resolve great sources beautifully, but are also simple. Whilst the better preamps and power amps are more resolving still, for me, especially with sensitive speakers and pretty benign and flat impedance curves amplification is the area that can perhaps be compromised, especially power.
So staying within my three box system limit, I wonder whether ND555, S1 and NAP100 would be a major success with speakers over 90dB sensitivity. :speak_no_evil:
It’s strange, I see my system is unbalanced in terms of the ultimate capability of each component, but the music it makes sounds so much more balanced than the 272/250 I had before, which was bolder and bigger sounding, but didn’t have the insight into arrangements and recordings that I assume comes from the ND555. But as @popeye has shown, there’s no doubt a 282 digs deeper than our SNs.
Anyway, hurry up HiCap.
This thread, the one about adding a Supercap to an SN and the one about source first have all been really fascinating for me. I feel I may be reaching the end of my journey (unless the S1 fantasy comes true) but so interesting to read about everyone’s journey.

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Just popping in to say hello - I’ve commented elsewhere (not sure if on this thread) but I recently traded in my XS3 for the SN3 and I’m very happy. I’m also thoroughly enjoying this thread, comments are insightful - particularly for someone so new to Naim. Thanks all.

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Excellent choice and sure to impress. Always interesting to hear peoples thoughts as they move between systems and their impressions of the changes they bring.

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We’re all eagerly anticipating the arrival of your HiCap!
Your enjoyment of your system is testiment to the value and capability of the SN3 and inevitably with the imminent arrival of a HiCap likely to be a very welcome refinement to an already rather fine setup.
Keep us posted, I’m sure you will.

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It will be supplied with a Powerline Lite or equivalent, you can add a Powerline as an additional refinement but out of the box it’ll be apparent what it bring to the mix. Keep us posted as it goes in and how you find it.

@Mr.M

Somewhat tardy, my apologies…returning to work plus getting Karousel fitted, plus deciding between my CD2 and CD5X has really knocked back my (O so unskilful) report of SN3/SC2 vs SN3/HCDR…I will try and get this done on my next day off…

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No worries, look forward to hearing your findings.

This is interesting. I’ve mused over whether to get more from my setup for that bigger scale (bolder and bigger) but with the insight and detail I get with the NDX2 with the XPS DR. I can’t really add more full size boxes, but one option would be a shoe box sized non-naim (!) power amp, just to get more straight linear amplification to the speakers. And TBH, the separates are getting beyond my willingness to pay threshold. I’ve also just added a sub to my media room with the Nova and without doubt that gives much more weight and scale in that set up, but don’t really want a sub in the lounge (well, Mrs Mike says no…). Apart from the perfectly good, just enjoy it as it is option, an easy upgrade is to swap the SN2 for a SN3 and move the SN2 to the media room.

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Do you know of anyone Mike that has mixed different make power amps with Naim?
I’d personally stick with Naim if you are going to go down that route.

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Interesting thought process you’re having here. I made a bit of a leap of faith giving up my SN2 (and XS 2) to move to the SN3. Having run it a good few months now It’s fair to say it is a more composed and refined revision of the SN2. I did briefly ponder just getting a NAC/NAP setup again around the same time but having moved to the SN3, I’ve no regrets at all, it’s all the SN2 ever was and it also goes some way to resolve the niggles I had with the SN2 at the same time.
I do find the volume pot has too limited a range, I’d like more granularity in that respect so I could move between say 8 O’Clock and 1 O’Clock, as it is it’s getting too loud between 9-10, minor niggle and a “characteristic” of the Alps pot anyway.

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