Description
Naim Flatcap is an external power supply mostly used within the Naim’s Olive series – CD3.5, NAC92 and Nait3. Feel free to use it with NAC112, NAC102 and NAC82 preamps, Stageline phono stage or Snaxo crossover. The Flatcap was introduced in year 1994 and replaced by Flatcap 2 in year 2000.
- Talema toroidal power transformer;
- Capacitor brought by BHC Aerovox1 x 10000µF;
- 2 power transistors.
Retail price in the US in 1998: 700$
Retail price in Germany in 1999: 900DM
Retail price in the UK in 2000: 370£
Pictures
Reviews
“So I listened for myself, using a Naim FlatCap ($700).
Wow! The differences weren’t subtle—but neither were they simple to put a finger on. The sound was richer and warmer, without losing any of the snap or detail I found so beguiling in the single-box player. How much richer? Well, the CD 3.5 sounded far more similar to the Meridian with the power upgrade. But even more, the music was communicated more effortlessly.”Wes Phillips, Stereophile.com, 9th July 1998
“The Flat-Cap is Naim’s entry-level power supply and was designed to work with the Nait 3, CD3.5, and NAC 92 preamplifier. I removed the cover and discovered that most of the case is empty. Before you go running from the room, remember that Naim uses the same chassis for all of its entry-level equipment, and that you couldn’t stack another component on top of the Flat-Cap if it were a different size. Inside, I found a rather large toroidal transformer along with rectifiers, capacitors and regulators. There is no monkey business going on here. The function of the external power supply in this case is to power the analog output stages of the CD3.5. The Flat-Cap connects to the CD3.5 after first pulling off a shorting plug from the rear of the player, and then wiring together the two boxes via an umbilical cord terminated with the DIN connectors. The umbilical is long enough that you can place each component on a different shelf without running out of cable. I experimented with both pieces resting on top of one another and separated by a few feet. If there was a difference, it was not substantial enough to notice. Besides, I like how the two components looked stacked together. Yeah, baby. Yeah!”
Ian White, Soundstage.com, November 1999