Supernait 3 + HiCap DR worth it?

Hi-Fi Corner
61

Thanks for sharing a bit more about your profile/system as it appears hidden to me.
I note you don’t use the upgraded bit of the 200dr although you heard a very different and improved SQ when compared to the earlier version - this helps me understand and put into context your view more clearly now.
Enjoy.
Apologies to OP for drift - and yes add a HCDR to SN3 although have a listen first if possible but it’s a dual upgrade. It directly improves the pre then free’s up internal psu for the power section so clever design and very effective - makes it a sweet spot in the range with say an NDX2 or your ND5 with an Ndac.

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62

Some other members said the same previously, it turns out I’m not alone. Luckily for me I’m really enjoying my system and it works for me so far. I noticed you have the NC 222 / 300 / 250. That’s another big and intriguing topic with very different views and preferences. I think I now understand for instance why some people love with and without the additional PSU.

By the back and topic or the OP will blame us :sweat_smile:

Fully agree on both points.

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63

Significant. I would highly recommend it. I found the (already very good sound) ‘simplify’: instruments and vocals had more authority and separation and the lower registers were cleaner/better musically defined. One of the genuine ‘no brainers’ in the Naim catalogue of worthwhile improvements.

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64

Excellent questions:
At the time I bought the Technics ST-C700d, my amp was the Nait 5i and that streamer had all the bells and whistles for me:

  • DAB+ tuner;
  • Internet radio powered by vTuner which broadcasted all my preferred stations (unlike TuneIn which has copyright issues with my preferred local radio stations) and a lot more worldwide stations in all genres and HiRes quality;
  • USB front socket for wired connection to my iPhone used to stream iTunes in HiRes;
  • Bluetooth + AirPlay;
  • etc.,

the first three of which I was using all the time until Technics decided for obscure copyright/contractual reasons to operate a nasty DOWNGRADE of the ST-C700d by remotely removing vTuner. I did NOT like THAT unrespecful commercial approach.

The Rega P3 plugged to the Arcam Alpha 9 phono stage via the Aux source of the Nait 5i sounded superb.
Then I upgraded to the Supernait 3 and experienced the electrical incompatibility betyween the SN3’s built-in phono stage and the P3/Elys2 combo.
Then I bought the ND5 XS2 plugged into the SN3, which was a HUGE step-up over the Technics/Nait 5i pair.
Now, I kept the ST-C700d that I use as a DAB+ tuner connected to the ND5 XS2 as a digital source to bypass the Technics internal DAC and use the ND5 XS2’s superior DAC instead - I did an interesting sound quality test with both streamers to see if the DAB+ still made sense: I picked one of my preferred radio stations that does not broadcast compressed sound so I knew I could rely on the station source and listened to it in DAB+, that is Technics (with a special aerial) through ND5 XS2 to SN3, and internet radio, that is ND5 XS2 to SN3. The DAB+ was FAR superior, and better through the ND5 XS2’s DAC. I have to say that the station in question broadcasts in 192 kbps resolution on their internet radio offering, which is also explains why the DAB+ sounded as it should - Deep, Wide and Detailed.

This said, I am delighted about the ND5 XS2 overall quality - internet radio stations that broadcast in cd quality or higher resolution are a real pleasure to listen to, and since I moved to QOBUZ, my digital music experience has just been incredible.

So to finish answering the question, my next upgrade steps will be to:

  • Switch to a more compatible turntable, hence why I mentioned the Rega P8 + Nd7 or 9 or an Ortofon 2MR Black;
  • Switch to “better” speakers - which is very subjective since I have experienced the famous “source first” logic whereby I fell in love again with my old CDM 7 SEs - Perhaps Sonus Faber Sonetto V G2, or ProAc, Spendor, Dynaudio, etc…

That’s it!

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