As I’ve said before I’ve an SN3 with an NDX2. I’ve added XPS DR and HiCap DR.
Power supplies have both improved the sound but the biggest difference was the XPS DR which made a huge difference to the NDX2.
Appreciate the insight as always @JohnF and your conclusions are in line with others on the same journey.
It’s been an interesting diversion in my case having got rid of my HiCap DR in order to acquire an NDX2, taking a “source first” approach and glad to have done so vs where I’d be with a HiCap and an ND5 XS2.
I think what’s come out of this thread and my own recent moves/choices is that specific to the SN3, that adding the HiCap, whilst giving the usual expected benefits, is not a priority against the addition of an XPS DR to the source.
I’d say it’s persuasive enough from others experience to prioritise adding the XPS first despite it probably involving a longer wait initially vs adding a HiCap back in first.
I’d expect adding a HiCap to a NAIT to always be considered an improvement, however vs that improvement on a SN1 or SN2 I’m expecting the gains to be more subtle rather than like for like.
I’ve certainly found the move to the NDX2 alone to be a big jump in my enjoyment of the system as a whole, having added the new SN3 at roughly the same time that was a nice addition as well of course and I’m not finding it lacking so far.
The HiCapDR is a round off error in the grand scheme of a NDX2/XPSDR/SN3 system.
Other question about the HC.
Whats in the box when you buy a HC-DR ? Do you have all the cables to connect to a SN3 ?
The Hicap comes with a SNAIC, but you will also need a 4 pin DIN cable. If you were using a Hicap in a more typical setup between a Naim pre and power amp, this would be included with the power amp, but with a Supernait you will have to buy one.
Yes correct from @ChrisSU. The HiCap requires 2 SNAIC cables. It is supplied with only the 5 pin to 5 pin SNAIC. You will need to source a 4 pin to 4 pin SNAIC to complete the loop between the SN and the HiCap.
Thx for the information.
Here’s the one I used for some years on my HiCap.
It’s clearly labelled as a naim snaic. The sleeved label further identifies it as a NA-0010 although that may be the Naim employee identifier who made it rather than the product number.
Refering to the Naim product page below you’ll also see that the SNAIC cable is manufactured in both 5 pin and 4 pin versions.
I do have a cable like that. I will look for it and show it (if it wil be ok)
Well, two weeks in with the NDX 2 / XPS and Supernait 3 and… errm… it’s the best system I’ve ever owned! The NDX 2 with XPS is an absolute revelation; I used to own a Naim DAC / XPS fed by NDX and it’s better than that. I guess the DAC really needed a 555PS, but NDX2/XPS is such an incredible source, I haven’t heard better (although I’ve avoided listening to NDS and ND555, nobody panic). 272 owners, don’t despair, the muscle and drive of the 272/250 isn’t quite there, but the subtlety, natural detail, solidity and body that stands in its place are addictive. It’s the first time in a decade that I’m listening to tracks I’ve owned since the 90s and hearing things I’ve never heard before.
Isn’t that the best feeling! Time consuming but so worth it.
Decent place you found yourself there, XPS is next on my to do list.
I had a Fraim level I ordered a while back materialise yesterday so I’ve put an empty shelf under the NDX2 and I’m fitting IsoAcoustics Gaia feet to the speakers this evening once I get some time.
Few updates my side. I got a Fraim level that missed off an order before lock down that arrived yesterday, I’ve put some air between the NDX2 and the SN3 and tidied up the cables a bit more.
I’ve also added some IsoAcoustics Gaia III feet to my speakers. They went on mostly ok, never enjoy levelling stuff in my old house, floors are far from level!
Thankfully had a pint of ale to calm my nerves and have it running again. I’ve also done some tidy up and recable to CAT 7 on my LAN, still getting data in and out of the NDX2 over Wi-Fi for now, probably going to put some Ethernet runs up to it soon for fun and comparison.
Plenty of changes anyways, and with that and the black boxes having had a bit of run in it’s all sounding pretty awesome and enjoying it a lot.
My wife did look at the empty shelf today and immediately asked what was going on it, she knows me too well…
Image for reference, have to wait for an XPS for a bit now alas but happy where its got to so far.
Had pondered building up two racks and having a second one for PSU’s but now likely to have one and put some space between boxes somehow, maybe an empty fraim lite between the PSU’s and the rest for example.
Nice! I’m waiting on a 4 shelf Fraim and have no clue when it will ship or arrive. All good, it’ll get here when it does and I’ll enjoy it then. Congrats!
You’ll have fun once it gets there for sure. Fraim is worth every penny in my view and very well built/designed.
Out of interest how do you find your Rega on the SN3?
I still haven’t got round to plumbing mine in as I’m enjoying settling in the NDX2 so much I’ve not got that far.
It’s great! But like you I’m enjoying the NDX 2 so I don’t give it much play. The Audiotechnica AT150sa I have on it sounds great with the internal phono pre.
“Insert XPS here”