May I direct you to Page 1 and the opening thread, hopefully that may answer your question.What's your interest in this Mu5icman?
May I direct you to Page 1 and the opening thread, hopefully that may answer your question.What's your interest in this Mu5icman?
I assume this discussion is centred on 82/282 with Supercap.
Does the mod have similar improvements with 2 Hicaps for powering the pre?
OK, so YMMV, but this is what I found with the basic Naim kit. My 82 is a late model POTS 8 with 523-S phono cards. I have run it from one HC, 2 HC & currently with an SC. I found that 2xHC over 1xHC was a significant improvement (all the usual stuff, frequency extension, instrument separation etc). I felt it was well worthwhile. Changing from 2xHC to SC was less obvious than 1xHC to 2xHC. However, when I hear things that I’ve never heard before (on my usual “test/evaluation tracks”, then I take an interest, and to this end I am happy with the SC. It remains to be seen (or indeed, heard) whether the Superlink builds on that.
There shouldn't be much of a difference with a non-Superlink 82 or 282 between 2 Hi-Caps or a Supercap. A stock [2]82 can only use 4 power rails. Whether that comes from 2 HiCaps or 1 SuperCap shouldn't make a tremendous difference.
The Superlink allows it to run off 10 rails in the Supercap. This is significantly different than either of the previously-described options.
Further to indroducing the Opening Thread regarding the Witch Hat Audio Upgrade to the Naim NAC82 I had hoped/expected some review input from those who have had the upgrade work done. To date no one has posted their findings - I understand because should I be asked to "review" something I'm not sure that I would know where to start - I am therefore making a request to WHT audio to give us an insight into their findings.
To review audio kit I use the following Jennifer Warnes " The Well " track 1 ..... Perry Como "The Scene Changes" track 2 ...... Bonnie Raitt " Slipstream" tracks 6 and 7. ..... not a lot of tracks but sufficient ....... hopefully WHA may have access to them.
What I would like to know is the impression of these tracks from the Naim NAC82/Supercap in standard configuration ...... then using the same tracks what sonic "improvements" when listening with the "superlink" upgrade and then the changes heard when using the "superlink" upgrade with a TPRed Supercap.
When I see the statement that the "superlink" upgrade gets the NAC82 to within 80% of a NAC52 it does not mean a lot to me because I have not owned - nor may not have heard - the Naim NAC52 ......... I know that it's a wee bit unfair to ask the folks at WHT to review their own product but thay may be the only ones with access to the various stages ......... and I believe that they would not have published the upgrade if they were not convinced of the improvement to be had.
I do hope that you may indulge this request.
Thank You
Hi, may I ask if you still have the supercharged 282? If yes, do you have it connected to the Supercap DR and 250DR? Also, did you compare it with the 252 (or 552) since you mentioned the supercharged 282 does not sound like a 252?I've had the Superlink mod done on my 282 and had it back for four days now so can give my views.
Externally there is very little change. The link2 DIN socket is replaced by a small Burndy type socket and that's it. Internally the amp has been rewired so that it can benefit from ten rails from a Supercap rather than just 4. A couple of link plugs are supplied so the amp can still be powered by a Hicap for example or direct connection to Nap 250 as before, so no change in connectivity.
Using the Superlink supplied Burndy cable with a Supercap, the amp still retains the liveliness and energy of the 282. It doesn't make it sound like a 252 which I wouldn't want in any case. What you do get is a significant improvement in clarity and differentiation. For example, vocal inflections are more evident and it is much easier to distinguish between singers in a group. Words in a song that had previously been difficult to discern are now much clearer. The different components of a drum kit (bass,snare,toms) are much more evident. Overall you can hear "deeper into the mix" and the sound remains very engaging.
So a worthwhile upgrade in my view at reasonable cost. Communication with Witch Hat was excellent.
Hi, may I ask if you still have the supercharged NAC 282? If yes, do you have it connected to the Supercap DR and 250DR? Interesting that the owner of the 252 also thought that the supercharged 282 sounded better than his 252.I had the Link82 mod carried out by WHA on my NAC282 when I sent it in for a service, also my supercap had the Newt mod carried out. Both items were sent back to me with connection instructions and interconnects. The upgrade in sound quality was immense, greater clarity, sound stage, imaging and the Naim sound was not affected. I compared the sound of a friends NAC252 to my modded NAC282 and the difference in SQ was surprising, The 252 sounded less immediate with the presentation of the music, don't get me wrong the 252 is no slouch, it sounds great, but it didn't get my foot tapping. It's a very subjective issue, as what i like to hear from a HiFi might not be somebodies cup of tea. The most important thing to come out of this comparison was the tears and disbelief that my friends 252 didn't please him as much as my modded 282. I can highly recommend what the guys at WHA for what they know and do, I've used them for other bits and pieces and never been disappointed.
Hi, may I ask if you still have the supercharged NAC 282? If yes, do you have it connected to the Supercap DR and 250DR? Interesting that the owner of the 252 also thought that the supercharged 282 sounded better than his 252.
Hi, may I ask if you still have the supercharged 282? If yes, do you have it connected to the Supercap DR and 250DR? Also, did you compare it with the 252 (or 552) since you mentioned the supercharged 282 does not sound like a 252?
I'm interested in this for my NAC72. However since I've moved to Ryan Sound Labs cards equivalent to the NA321 and 729, and pulled out all the others except (i think) the relay, would i be able to get the benefit of multiple rails?
Jim
Relay card aside it sounds like you're using only 4 cards, so only 4 rails would be needed. I think the law of diminishing returns would kick in here.
So in this application (2) Hi-Caps should do the same job as 4 rails of a SC