Naim HICAP upgrade
Hicap Power Supply upgrade using the drop-in ASR module
We developed the ASR (Advanced Shunt Regulator) module specifically as a drop-in module upgrade for the Naim Hicap power supply. The module completely replaces the Naim Hicap printed circuit board. It is straight forward to fit, and we offer a fitting service if needed.
A Hicap fitted with the ASR module can easily be reverted back to its original specification at any time using the original Naim regulator.
The ASR upgraded Hicap is sublimely smooth, yet delivers energy and bounce when required, and is able to sustain the decay of notes in a manner unlike any heard to date. The smallest nuances are portrayed with integrity, whilst large transients flow with authority from the mix.
The ASR module is easily transposed into the Hicap within minutes, with only six solder joints to remove and remake. No setting up is required - just get two green lights from the module and off you go.
This represents the greatest upgrade for the Hicap EVER brought within the reach of the enthusiast.
Here's a summary of the upgrade/service options for the Hicap Power Supply
| Option | Price | notes - call us if you need guidance |
|---|---|---|
| ASR module | £187 | You purchase the ASR module and you fit the module yourself. Buy online |
| ASR Module + premium Kendeil capacitors | £234 | You purchase the ASR module and Kendeil capacitors and you fit them yourself. Buy online |
| ASR module installed and tested by Avondale | £220 | Send your Hicap to us and we fit and test the ASR module for you. We return your Hicap along with the original PCB regulator. |
| ASR module plus premium Kendeil capacitors installed and tested by Avondale | TBA | Send your Hicap to us and we fit and test the ASR module and capacitors for you. We return your Hicap along with the original PCB regulator and original capacitors. |
| ASR module and full service which includes main capacitors renewed with 22000uF KENDEILS. Installed, serviced and tested by Avondale. Service details | £347 | You send your Hicap to us, we service it and fit and test the ASR module for you. We return your Hicap along with the original PCB regulator and original capacitors. Note: Our service includes installing premium capacitors, a full deep clean inside and out, cleansing and degreasing of the power knob and front panel, cleansing and renewing of thermal paste on the rectifiers and a new mains socket and LED ballast resistor where needed. |
| Replacing the input and output DIN sockets. | £50 | Only when undertaken at the same we do a service. |
Q. If I send my Hicap to you, how long does it take to upgrade?
Please call us to book the upgrade. We have a 2 day turn around for ASR fittings, 3-5 days if other services are also requested . You also need to allow for postage time to and from us.
Background
The Naim Hicap regulator, now being some 30 years old, is well due for a revamp.
The limitations of the simple LM317 regulator in the Hicap power supply, with only a couple of frequency tailoring capacitors, are well documented and the system is easily bettered using more sophisticated components and circuits.
One of the major problems with simple regulator systems is the finite time taken to respond to transient demands. This leads to a loss of fine detail which larger transients tend to swamp and obscure.
What is needed is a power supply which is capable of an INSTANT response to ALL musical demands but STOPS when the music stops. Simple. Or so many designers have thought.
Current integrated regulators with their feedback systems fall far short of these parameters unless stringent precautions are taken such as in our TPX power supplies.
We applied some fresh thinking to this old problem:
The shunt regulator seems to meet all of our requirements but it comes with a penalty; slightly higher noise for reasons of inferior rail rejection.
So, after taking a fresh look at the shunt regulator, we designed the ASR which solves this noise problem.
The result is a superbly quiet and totally linear power regulator system which delivers the entire frequency spectrum with none of the usual shortcomings.
Some customer feedback
"I would normally wait a few days before commenting but you were right, the difference is too dramatic not to be noticed immediately. At a stroke, you've done exactly what was needed. Not only has the mid-top hardening gone - altogether gone, mind you - but the whole musical presentation seems tighter and more cohesive. Many many thanks."
"I have to say that it's another great product from Avondale, perhaps the best buy of all your products!"
"Chuffin eck what sort of magic juice do you use. The changes are
astounding and still improving I swear. Vocals are so personal and
enchanting. Bass is all there for the first time, ever so stable and
accurate (and thunderous enough for modern dance music) solo bach
piano is haunting and absorbing and oddly the image is stable which
had always been rather a distraction previously. Most pleasing is that
the character of my old olive stuff is still there so one happy bunny,
many thanks to Les and the team for the service received as well as
the results."
Serviced Hicap with ASR upgrade powering CD5x
Serviced Hicap on 72 with Avondale 821A boards
"I had been thinking for some time of replacing my Hicap with something better and this seemed to me to be possibly an ideal solution. I actually have two Hicap2s of similar vintage (2002) which used to power my NAC 82 and I decided to have one modified and keep the other standard for comparison purposes.
My Hicap was upgraded (ASR upgrade by Avondale) about two weeks ago and the main smoothing capacitors were replaced at the same time. I have been using it since then in my system which consists of CDX2/XPS2, Hiline, NAC 72 with Avondale 821 boards, NAP 135s, Avondale Blacklink, Allaes.
My initial impression was of more bass (although I now think it is more low bass and less upper bass), very taut and tuneful. There is also more fine detail and timbral information together with a much greater sense of the acoustic in which instruments were recorded, or of the effect applied.
It is easier than before to follow the thread of individual instruments within a recording, yet this does not detract at all from enjoyment of the music as a whole. Previously unheard instruments are now clearly heard and individual instruments in a percussion track, for instance, can be identified whereas before there was only 'percussion' as a whole. I can hear further into the music than before and this is particularly true in the case of bass lines.
I have read posts in the past suggesting that Avondale modifications make Naim equipment sound smoother and that this implies some loss of information. In my experience this is simply not the case - the sound is smoother and sweeter in the upper midrange and treble but there is far more detail than before. In a number of recordings, previously unintelligible lyrics are now easy to make out. For my taste, this is a good thing and is achieved with no discernible loss of 'PRaT' or musicality. In fact the system boogies even more than before.
The effect I have tried to describe is consistent and easily discernible over a wide range of music from Rammstein to Count Basie by way of Led Zeppelin, John Martyn, Lyle Lovett, Roseanne Cash, Michelle Shocked, Richard Thompson, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich and much more. It does not seem to apply any more to acoustic than electric instruments or to rock rather than jazz or folk. I did not listen to any classical music as it's not really my thing.
Today, I replaced the upgraded Hicap with the standard (warmed-up) one. In comparison, the music seemed rather flat and uninvolving with a considerable reduction in detail and ambience - quite a shock, actually. As soon as I swapped the upgraded Hicap back in, the life and groove returned.
I should point out that I have not auditioned any other power supplies and so cannot make comparisons other than as described above. For me, there is no temptation to do so and I commend this upgrade to anyone who, like me, would like to retain, but improve, their Hicap. Mine was not due a service but I feel the upgrade is excellent value - how much more so if your Hicap needs servicing?
The usual suspects will probably be along shortly to tell me I am imagining things so normal caveats - IMHO and YMMV - apply to the above!
I hope somebody finds this useful - thanks for taking the time to read."
For DIY Constructors
"I had been thinking for some time of replacing my Hicap with something better and this seemed to me to be possibly an ideal solution. I actually have two Hicap2s of similar vintage (2002) which used to power my NAC 82 and I decided to have one modified and keep the other standard for comparison purposes.
My Hicap was upgraded (ASR upgrade by Avondale) about two weeks ago and the main smoothing capacitors were replaced at the same time. I have been using it since then in my system which consists of CDX2/XPS2, Hiline, NAC 72 with Avondale 821 boards, NAP 135s, Avondale Blacklink, Allaes.
My initial impression was of more bass (although I now think it is more low bass and less upper bass), very taut and tuneful. There is also more fine detail and timbral information together with a much greater sense of the acoustic in which instruments were recorded, or of the effect applied.
It is easier than before to follow the thread of individual instruments within a recording, yet this does not detract at all from enjoyment of the music as a whole. Previously unheard instruments are now clearly heard and individual instruments in a percussion track, for instance, can be identified whereas before there was only 'percussion' as a whole. I can hear further into the music than before and this is particularly true in the case of bass lines.
I have read posts in the past suggesting that Avondale modifications make Naim equipment sound smoother and that this implies some loss of information. In my experience this is simply not the case - the sound is smoother and sweeter in the upper midrange and treble but there is far more detail than before. In a number of recordings, previously unintelligible lyrics are now easy to make out. For my taste, this is a good thing and is achieved with no discernible loss of 'PRaT' or musicality. In fact the system boogies even more than before.
The effect I have tried to describe is consistent and easily discernible over a wide range of music from Rammstein to Count Basie by way of Led Zeppelin, John Martyn, Lyle Lovett, Roseanne Cash, Michelle Shocked, Richard Thompson, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Tony Williams, Buddy Rich and much more. It does not seem to apply any more to acoustic than electric instruments or to rock rather than jazz or folk. I did not listen to any classical music as it's not really my thing.
Today, I replaced the upgraded Hicap with the standard (warmed-up) one. In comparison, the music seemed rather flat and uninvolving with a considerable reduction in detail and ambience - quite a shock, actually. As soon as I swapped the upgraded Hicap back in, the life and groove returned.
I should point out that I have not auditioned any other power supplies and so cannot make comparisons other than as described above. For me, there is no temptation to do so and I commend this upgrade to anyone who, like me, would like to retain, but improve, their Hicap. Mine was not due a service but I feel the upgrade is excellent value - how much more so if your Hicap needs servicing?
The usual suspects will probably be along shortly to tell me I am imagining things so normal caveats - IMHO and YMMV - apply to the above!
I hope somebody finds this useful - thanks for taking the time to read."
DIY constructors may use this advanced regulator to construct a state-of-the-art power unit resulting in a power supply that will certainly take on some of the best designs in the world.
Also available - Refurbished Naim Hicap Regulator Assembly
Fully tested to give stable, reliable pleasure for many years to come and come complete with a schematic to enable the average amateur constructor to easily make a Hicap 'clone' or quick repair in an afternoon.
Buy online