DIN to RCA and back???

Posted by: Arun Mehan on 20 January 2004

Just a quick question. If one purchases a DIN to RCA cable, made for using a Naim component with a non-Naim pre, will that cable also work as a RCA to DIN allowing the use of a non-Naim component with a Naim pre? Also, are DINs wired in a standard fashion or are there are differences between Naim, Quad and B&O DINs?

Thanks for the help.

Posted on: 20 January 2004 by trickytree

Hi Arun.

Naim and Quad DIN plugs are different, not sure about B&O, my Beomaster had phono sockets although the speaker outlets were 2 pin DIN.

Naim and Chord cable are directional so should not strictly be used both ways.

Paul

Posted on: 21 January 2004 by Arun Mehan

Thanks Paul. I had assumed a one-way road but a good deal came up on eBay (sounded too good actually!) so I thought I would ask someone just to make sure.

Posted on: 21 January 2004 by NaimDropper

Come, now. If it "works" one way, it will "work" another.
I believe the question was (paraphrasing) "will it work?" (i.e. pass a signal).
The answer is yes.
As to the cable's "directionality": If any, it will sound "better" with one end connected to the source and the other to the destination. And "worse" swapping ends. This is not an option with RCA on one end and DIN on the other, given the assumption that the desired connection has such incompatible terminations requiring the translation cable.
BUT it will pass signals both directions. It has to. Audio signals down such cables (including speaker cables) are equal (nearly so) opportunity in the polarity department. They are NOT one way in that they, for example, will only pass positive current one direction.
Will it fit? I don't know if B&O etc. use the standard DIN but Naim do.
David