Amps! Pre, power...what does it all mean?!

[MajikMoo]

Hey everyone! I am getting into my hi-fi a little bit now :)
Out of storage is my Naim Nait 3, which has been serviced and has plenty of life in it. I have upgraded from a CD 3.5 to a CD 5i....my question is this;
I have a little bit of money to spend on an upgrade (not lots, but a couple hundred). I know my amp is intergrated....someone has suggested a Flatcap as an upgrade. Does this mean I then need a preamp, or (sorry if I am being thick) does the Flatcap run through my NAit? I must admit pre/power amps confuse me (feel free to educate me!!). Is this a good route for my system? Or is an updated amp a better option?
I only ask as I have seen this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NAIM-Flatcap-Power-Supply-Excellent-Condition-99p-NR-/222419427753?hash=item33c93b21a9:g:afMAAOSwTuJYrxk q Which is the same age as my current amp...
Thanks in advance! :D

[Macca]

Hi Jayne

My understanding is that you just plug your Nait 3 or whatever into the Flatcap and that is it, better power supply.

As to whether it is worth it I have no idea. Some say it is, some say it isn't. If you can, try before you buy and if the difference isn't worth the cost, send it back.

[MajikMoo]

Thank you! So, it really is that simple :)
I don't need to do anything to my CD player? Also, it doesn't matter what kind of CD player I have?
I might just go for it, it's not expensive... :D

[Macca]

Might only work with Naim CD players, I don't know. If it is cheap go for it, you can always sell it on. Naim kit is always easy to sell on.

[Haselsh1]

Way, way back when, I had a Naim pre/power and was advised to fit a SNAPS PSU, pretty much the same as you are describing. The difference was well worth the cost. I had no doubt then and I still have no doubt.

The SNAPS by the way was for the preamp not the power amp.

[Firebottle]

You don't need to do anything to your CD player, or any other CD player.

I also have a CD5i and it is absolutely standard in it's connection.

The Flat Cap is just an improvement to add to the power amp performance but I can't comment on the improvement, or otherwise, as I have never heard them.

[struth]

Naim cd players are usually pretty good. Flatcap and connecting cable which you need, average out at about £230 secondhand. If you get a working one with cable for less then you wont lose

[MajikMoo]

Way, way back when, I had a Naim pre/power and was advised to fit a SNAPS PSU, pretty much the same as you are describing. The difference was well worth the cost. I had no doubt then and I still have no doubt.

The SNAPS by the way was for the preamp not the power amp.
My Dad had the Snaps and loved it. :)
What is the difference between a pre and power? Is one for the speakers or something? My Dad tried to explain!!

[MajikMoo]

Might only work with Naim CD players, I don't know. If it is cheap go for it, you can always sell it on. Naim kit is always easy to sell on.
True...I think I will go for it.

[MajikMoo]

You don't need to do anything to your CD player, or any other CD player.

I also have a CD5i and it is absolutely standard in it's connection.

The Flat Cap is just an improvement to add to the power amp performance but I can't comment on the improvement, or otherwise, as I have never heard them.
Got you :) Thanks! Will give it a whirl I think!

[struth]

My Dad had the Snaps and loved it. :)
What is the difference between a pre and power? Is one for the speakers or something? My Dad tried to explain!!

Integrated is just that..has pre and power in one box. Seperate pre and power are just seperate boxes. A lot of integrated ones are passive i think

[wee tee cee]

In simple terms an amplifier is made up of a pre amp and power amp section.

The pre amp if a seperate component acts as a switching box-it lets you connect a number of sources like a tape deck/record player/cd player/tv. It will have volume control. record players need a phono section that boosts the wee delicate signal that is generated by the cartridge on the record player.

Active pre amps need power and boost/caress the signal they receive from the source.

Passive pre amps dont need power they act as a switching box and volume control.


Power amps take whatever signal you feed them and amplify it.

The power supply can be upgraded for naim kit-thats what your looking at.

Intergrated amps are both sections of the amp in one box.

Hope that makes sense and demystifies amps a wee bit...

Enjoy the hi fi journey-it should let you enjoy your music more as you progress.

[MajikMoo]

Great - thank you.. It does help! A lot to it! That's why I initially just got the intergrated amp (nice and simple for me!! Hehe!)

[Costas]

The Flatcap is I think, the only Naim PSU that will power two other black boxes. Check their website to see if it can power your CDP as well. I have had all the dems I need to be convinced that the off board PSUs do work and are a big step up from mains power.

Dave

[Elephantears]

The Flatcap is a power supply that can power two separate items, so it is a good purchase if you can use it on both on amp and a cd player. It tends to clean up the sound a little, but it's a subtle effect. However you can't use it with your cd5i. You could have used it with the cd3.5, but the cd5i can't be upgraded.

My Naim days are a while back, but I'm pretty sure of this. I had a Flatcap 2 with my cd5 years ago and I really liked them, but it won't work with the cd5i. Wether it would be worthwhile with your Nait 3 I couldn't say.

[MajikMoo]

The Flatcap is a power supply that can power two separate items, so it is a good purchase if you can use it on both on amp and a cd player. It tends to clean up the sound a little, but it's a subtle effect. However you can't use it with your cd5i. You could have used it with the cd3.5, but the cd5i can't be upgraded.

My Naim days are a while back, but I'm pretty sure of this. I had a Flatcap 2 with my cd5 years ago and I really liked them, but it won't work with the cd5i. Wether it would be worthwhile with your Nait 3 I couldn't say.

Thanks for this info - very helpful. So there's probably not much point in me getting it really at this stage. I will save my pennies :) Thank you :)

[RothwellAudio]

A Flatcap is a box which is mostly empty.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Naim+Flatcap&biw=1024&bih=653&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiP8qXS2LfSAhWsAMAKHcaRCDAQ_AUIBygC#imgr c=5SAC-Q_11Fk9dM: