To make a long cable short
Posted by: graphoman on 03 June 2002
One of the evergreen topics in this forum is how long the A5 should be. Unfortunately, Naim Audio is extremely tolerant in this respect stating that anything goes between 5m and 20m.
I happen to own two 5m sets so my cables can be used as 2x5m or in tandem as 2x10m. For two years or so I’ve used mostly 2x10m because I preferred its less harsh, bass-oriented character though I’ve been aware of the dynamic limitation of the long cable. So from time to time I have checked whether I was right or not.
Now I think I was totally wrong. (I must admit very recently I even suggested the use of the longer set to others. Sorry.) Presently I’m of the opinion that the longer cable only served to mask the deficiencies of my system. My equipment is still far from perfect (CDS1/72/Hi/factory rebuilt old 250/SBL) but using good supports and installing everything (even the mains) near-optimally now I’m able to feel the real differences. Actually, it‘s the shorter set that gives more bass, more highs, more everything. The longer set only reduces some disturbing peaks but makes them blurred with an unpleasant “time smear”. The excess highs will not disappear, they will only pushed into a lower region where they cause severe distortions. The same phenomenon goes for the bass. The whole dynamics is limited. You can think the sound is more listenable but then it has a dull and definitely “sleepy” character.
Of course I don’t know what the optimal length is. (I’m convinced there MUST BE a tchnically based optimum supposing both the amp and the speaker is made by the same factory!) The optimum length may be longer than 5m but it should be shorter than 10m for a 250 I’m sure now. The problem is that no private person (but Naim Audio!) has a complete set of experimental cables reaching, say, from 5m to 8m, in 0.5m intervals.
In my opinion it should be mandatory to know the optimal length for any (Naim) amp/speaker combination as the main basis for judging about the shortcomings of our system and the necessary upgrades.
graphoman
I happen to own two 5m sets so my cables can be used as 2x5m or in tandem as 2x10m. For two years or so I’ve used mostly 2x10m because I preferred its less harsh, bass-oriented character though I’ve been aware of the dynamic limitation of the long cable. So from time to time I have checked whether I was right or not.
Now I think I was totally wrong. (I must admit very recently I even suggested the use of the longer set to others. Sorry.) Presently I’m of the opinion that the longer cable only served to mask the deficiencies of my system. My equipment is still far from perfect (CDS1/72/Hi/factory rebuilt old 250/SBL) but using good supports and installing everything (even the mains) near-optimally now I’m able to feel the real differences. Actually, it‘s the shorter set that gives more bass, more highs, more everything. The longer set only reduces some disturbing peaks but makes them blurred with an unpleasant “time smear”. The excess highs will not disappear, they will only pushed into a lower region where they cause severe distortions. The same phenomenon goes for the bass. The whole dynamics is limited. You can think the sound is more listenable but then it has a dull and definitely “sleepy” character.
Of course I don’t know what the optimal length is. (I’m convinced there MUST BE a tchnically based optimum supposing both the amp and the speaker is made by the same factory!) The optimum length may be longer than 5m but it should be shorter than 10m for a 250 I’m sure now. The problem is that no private person (but Naim Audio!) has a complete set of experimental cables reaching, say, from 5m to 8m, in 0.5m intervals.
In my opinion it should be mandatory to know the optimal length for any (Naim) amp/speaker combination as the main basis for judging about the shortcomings of our system and the necessary upgrades.
graphoman
I remember Julian saying that they designed for 10m lengths - so you 'should' have the time smear you claim to be hearing! 
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.
I agree with Martin.
Hell, you can hear the difference (clearly) between different terminations on A5. Introducing another set of connections in the middle provides yet another variable.
Before publishing a definitive work on A5 length, please listen to 2*10m native lengths!
A5 comes on reels, so it is possible to run lengths greater than 10m. 3.5m is the stated minimum length for use with Naim amplifiers (NAP175 excepted?).
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
Hell, you can hear the difference (clearly) between different terminations on A5. Introducing another set of connections in the middle provides yet another variable.
Before publishing a definitive work on A5 length, please listen to 2*10m native lengths!
A5 comes on reels, so it is possible to run lengths greater than 10m. 3.5m is the stated minimum length for use with Naim amplifiers (NAP175 excepted?).
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
James
I have been told very little White NACA5 was sold here, so it's unlikely I'll be comparing long white with short white. What do you think this is, Starbucks?
I'll stick with plain old black. 8 sets? Sod that, it'd be too close to "auditioning cables". I'm prepared to have a fat at long vs short for interest, but other than that would prefer to listen to music.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio
I have been told very little White NACA5 was sold here, so it's unlikely I'll be comparing long white with short white. What do you think this is, Starbucks?
I'll stick with plain old black. 8 sets? Sod that, it'd be too close to "auditioning cables". I'm prepared to have a fat at long vs short for interest, but other than that would prefer to listen to music.
Rico - SM/Mullet Audio