CHC-XPS with Mundorf CAP upgrade for Naim HDX player / Trilogy 933 and Fostex TH900
Sep 25, 2013 at 9:38 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 6

zardon

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I recently picked up a Naim HDX player for my living room and have been impressed with it - the only issue was that I noticed that the dynamics seemed a little flat when compared to my REGA ISIS VALVE and even the Raysonic CD228. Obviously the conveniences of being able to play hundreds of ripped WAV files from the internal drive and 24 bit FLAC files from a networked drive (via my iPad as a controller) was incredible, but the sound quality still just didn't cut it for me.
 
I went online and checked the NAIM power sections and landed on the XPS and 555PS units. Then found a guy on ebay who runs his own site http://www.custom-hifi-cables.co.uk/contact-us - his name is SEAN and he lives in LEEDS.
 
Anyway I gave him a call and he mentioned his CHC-XPS and we discussed upgrading the unit even further with Mundorf capacitors at extra cost. It took him a few weeks but during the time he educated me on the internals a little.

The total cost was just under £1,500 - much less than the cash that NAIM are asking for their power units.
 
The XP5 XS - Naim's stripped down version of the XPS
http://www.hifitest.de/test/zubehoer_hifi/naim-xp5_xs_6060.php#

The original (olive) XPS, and the 555PS (top end PSU) can be seen on this page (2nd and 3rd from bottom of page):
http://www.comiston-jones.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/power_supplies.htm

This is the current version of the XPS - bigger transformer, but that's about it compared to the old (olive) XPS:
https://hificlub.co.kr/upn/1004/brd_10180/xps2.jpg

Naim tend to use 10,000uF caps made by BHC - a very good make for sure, maybe just as good as the Nichicions that Sean uses, but the Mundorfs are still the best. Note that Sean uses two 10,000uF capacitors per rail (6 rails in the PSU means 12 caps in total needed), whilst Naim only use a single 10,000uF cap per rail. Sean also uses a choke filter between the caps, this removes any high frequency noise from the  rectifier diodes switching on and off - the result is cleaner power into the regulators.
 
In real world terms, I have noticed a huge increase in dynamics, and the bass is even tighter and more focused (The Trilogy 933 and Fostex TH900 pairing is just incredible anyway).
 
I have attached an image of the insides of this custom power section and a little shot of my 'night time' music section in my spare room - great to lie on bed and listen to this!


 
Apr 14, 2014 at 1:27 PM Post #4 of 6
Its a custom build - link to the guys site is above (engineer who builds them) - it is a better power section than anything Naim have out. I have auditioned them all over the last couple of years...
 
Apr 14, 2014 at 2:01 PM Post #5 of 6
Placed my order a few weeks ago, for a CHC - XPS loaded with all the upgrades, collect it next week. By the way Sean is a really great chap to talk to. I'll report my views if any of .you guys are interested. ? The set up will be CHC - XPS into Naim CDX2 into STAX 600ltd Energiser, Interconnect is an Atlas Asimi the power Cables are Naim Power Lines. The internal spring coil fuse with the STAX Energiser was replaced with a Synergistic Research Quantum fuse. The headphones are STAX Omega 007. Total age of the system minus the new CHC- XPS, 3 years. Everything else standard.
 
Aug 31, 2020 at 11:54 PM Post #6 of 6
Reviving this old thread. I‘m considering one of the CHC HiFI Cables - Sean Jacobs Naim replacement power supplies for my Naim 52 preamp.
I’m considering his Naim Supercap replacement power supply to replace my Naim olive Supercap.
Sean Jacobs designed the power supply in the highly regarded top end Innuous servers.
Anyone have any feedback on Sean’s Naim replacement power supplies - either XPS or 555 or Supercap replacement power supplie.
 

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