Hi.
I’m looking to upgrade my Supernait 3 and read that the Naim HiCap DR would do the job. Unfortunately seems impossible to find a HiCap DR currently so was wondering if anyone had any other upgrade ideas?
Thanks for your help.
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While you await a Hicap you could consider a Powerline mains cable.
What’s your source?
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They come up quite frequently in the uk on the bay. Where are you?
It does make a difference to the SN3 as well, in a good way. Be patient you’ll find one.
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I’ve got an Rega RP6 turntable as my main source. Looking to purchase a naim CD player also.
Cheers Mark. I’ll keep looking. Don’t know how much they usually sell for on the second hand market?
£800 to £1200! So not cheap.
Good luck.
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Are they the only choices in the offing ?
Definitely worth the wait to get one as the uplift is quite noticeable, you might want to factor in the cost of a factory service depending on the units age
Quite a few people prefer the Supernait 3 without a Hicap. When I had mine I was perfectly happy without a Hicap, using an NDX2/PS555DR as source.
If I was in your shoes I’d forget the Hicap and use the cash to swap to a Planar 8. It’s a massive upgrade over the 6, whereas the Hicap will be much more marginal.
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What he said. 
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With the addition of the HiCap DR, the preamplifier section hits cleaner, faster, and with better control. Instruments and vocals stand out more against a darker, quieter background.
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The SN3 definitely sounds better with a HiCap DR added to it. Once you hear it its very hard to go back IMHO.
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I’m with Richard Dane on this. Get a Poweline. I held out, being sceptical on such matters, but bought 3 and they do improve things without a doubt.
I was in exactly your position not too long ago. Because one CAN upgraded an SN3 with a HiCap DR one is desperate to, the more so because they are thin on the ground. It is the Naim upgrade ‘itch’ - part of the Naim business model. I saved a search on the auction site and acted quickly when a decent, fairly new HCDR turned up. It probably did improve things but not massively. Definitely not ‘night and day’ and the other silly things folk say. It is the move to a separate pre and power that is the upgrade that is really noticeable.
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Have you considered moving up to a 10?
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I had a period of A/B ing lots of Naim amps ( I really enjoyed myself) and directly compared an SN3 against a 202/200. The separates sounded better (my speakers, my room my ears- well my friends, kids and wife’s as well - etc). When I added a hicap dr to the SN3 that took the lead. When I added a Flatcap xs to the 202/200 that retook the lead (just).
If you’re sticking with the SN3 and you see a hicap dr, go for it. Try it and if you don’t
Like it you’ll probably be able to sell it without losing money.
Have fun.
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A minter has literally just been sold on the Naim Audio Buy & Sell Facebook group for £549!
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When I had a Supernait 3 I too had an RP6 as my main source and tried the recommended upgrade of Hicap DR. I did indeed get the improvements mentioned by other posters.
However, this was more apparent with other sources (CD, tuner) and if anything, made the RP6 sound a bit lacking by comparison.
In the end I went without the Hicap and ultimately replaced the RP6 with an LP12.
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That is a bargain!
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Think this will be my first move now. Thanks.
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Thinking this will be my first step now. Do you think a Rega Aria MK3 external phono stage will be a worthwhile stepping stone?