A suggestion for Naim-audio re. interconnects.

What's your beef with Chrysalis exactly?
Carries the tune really well IMO.

Red,

I'll go along with Stevens request.

A enthusiast friend of mine recently made a cable for me using a neutric din connection, a couple of bullet plugs and some good quality wire. Total cost for the parts, £15. The result completes blows away my cobra 2.
So I'd say that there is some definite "areas of opportunity" for Naim to get a good cable in .

oh gawd. not another cable thread!

Can't we just talk about mana or something?

The cable thing is so subjective. Too subjective. Chances are you wouldn't like what Naim put out, citing it's "not right" in comparison to "brand X".

Naim do make a cable - for the conditions they can control.

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

Steven it is almost impossible for us to suggest a cable thats fits all permutations although the chord lead does a good job at this.
Different is often the case rather than better!

Sukebe it could be the different connectors are making the difference!

We continually asses cables and would love to find a better cable for Naim, afterall that means more music at home for me!!

Interconnects !!!!!

So Naim have added RCA sockets to their cds3 and 552. Now we can EASILY connect these fine beasts into our Krell/ML/Audio Research/Pioneer/Sansui/Uncle tom Cobbley and All the other preamps/poweramps out there.........

And you want Paul S to listen to ALL these fine combinations and evaluate EVERY one with ALL the cables under the sun in 0.5m/1.0m/1.5m/2.0m......lengths.........

Try asking your dealer and the manufacturer of the other kit for cable recommendations to suit a Naim front end.

On the other hand.......If all of Naim's dealers sent the results of any trials to HQ for correlation, then Naim might be able to build a useful database at little cost ?????????

Next time you audition a new piece of kit, (eg a Krell FPB 300 on the back end of a 552) make sure the cables are treated as an integral part of the kit. After all, that’s what you get with the Nap 500.

Cheers

Don

I actually got a friend to terminate an extra naim interconnect to RCA on one side and replaced the nordost red dawn. It goes between my ERA Gold phono and my 202.

FWIW, the naim interconnect was no slough compared to the red dawn that was probably 4 or 5 times its cost.

None of the tingling highs, but i thought the naim IC gave better bass weight and music was still as enjoyable.

Another missing post ? Did Minky remove his post or was it administered? If the later can a message be left to that effect?
I may be me completely lossing it of course, I thought I posted yesterday but there is no post now.


Howard

[QUOTE]Originally posted by BigH47:
Another missing post ? Did Minky remove his post or was it administered? If the later can a message be left to that effect?
I may be me completely lossing it of course, I thought I posted yesterday but there is no post now.


No. Just another interesting post from RSH, which eats the place for 10 posts.

I'm glad to hear that naim is working on the cables. First thing we need is the NACA6, then interconnects. For naim systems. Mixed systems are not priority. But they will also benefit.

Emil

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Mixed systems are not priority. But they will also benefit.

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I disgree. Mixed systems are a market that Naim could exploit more fully by addressing the i/c issue better, all imho of course!

The Chrysalis does carry the tune but it makes mixed systems sound hard, compressed, grainy, and not at all the way all-Naim systems sound.

Anthems carry the tune even better, btw.

Regards,

Steve.

Steve

It'll be very nice to have cables which have the traditional /and maybe more/ PR&T of naim and more hi-fi.

I think there are 2 ways to do this:

1. naim develops their own better cables;
2. naim delegates a task to the best cable companies - transparent, nordost, van den hul, you name it:
2.1. with a lump-sum payment the production of new cables stays under naim's name and control;
2.2. with no payment one of the a.m. companies sells their own cables for naim equipment.

At the time being naim is the only company which cables cannot be bettered by anyone. This is not the case with other big hi-fi manufacturers.

I don't mind to improve the sound of my system with paying 10% of the price for new cables.

Is this possible?

Emil

Emil. I'm sure the cables Naim currently use are very difficult to improve on. As Richard Dane said:" We continually asses cables and would love to find a better cable for Naim.."

IMO it's strange that cables get discussed so freqently here. One of the many good things about Naim is that you don't have to enter the "cablejungle".

Of course in mixed sistems it's a different matter but to make cables that would fit well with all other brands must be impossible.

Like it or not, there are many Naim cd players and tuners used in otherwise non-Naim systems. The "cable jungle" is unavoidable. If you've got an all-Naim system, and it works in your room, consider yourself lucky. For those of us seeking other solutions for whatever reason, flippant responses such as "listen to the tune" just don't cut it. Different interconnects do shift the sound. "Timing" is not the be all and end all of the discussion. As RSH has said, ruining the sound of a $4250 component (or far pricier!) with an interconnect cable is both maddening and all too common.

Richard Dane has responded to my questions with some very cogent explanations as to why the DIN connector is superior to the RCA phonos. Again, well and good, but as soon as a DIN-to-RCA cable is introduced into a system we are stuck with the deleterious effects of the rca plugs. All we can do is hope to minimize the problems. Richard has suggested that the Eichmann bullet plugs are superior to the usual metal jobbies for the rca end; and Naim already has figured out which DIN plug it thinks works best on the other end of the cable. That being the case, I don't think it's too much to ask for Naim to produce an interconnect for the many (thousands?) people trying to use the superb Naim source components with non-Naim preamps.

Unless, that is, the rca outputs on the newer players provide a sound that is equal or superior to that available through a din-to-rca interconnect. Martin Colloms' review of the CDS3 (in a non-Naim system, boyos) points to the DIN output remaining superior. I vote for a Naim-supplied din-to-rca interconnect for easy recommendation by dealers to the wider audio market.

Steven, if you would kindly mail my brother, you will find he may has already addressed your very problem and it's rather good too.

Kind Regards David

Well Balanced Beings Promote Harmony In Music and Soul

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I don't think it's too much to ask for Naim to produce an interconnect for the many (thousands?) people trying to use the superb Naim source components with non-Naim preamps.

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I am absolutely no expert on cables. Before owning Naim i tried different interconnects, some cheap and some not so cheap. I must admit that I hardly heard any difference. Many people hear big differences between various interconnects. Some cables are said to be thin, bright ,lean, warm etc.etc. This makes me wonder if it is at all possible to make a cable that will fit sonically with different preamps. If Naim decides to make one there will be no guarantee that it will work equally good with different pre's.

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So, what should I do folks. Do I lay down the long green for the Chord Anthem? Please don't say to not go down the road.

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Jeez Robert, ISTM you really want to go down that road (Anthem Avenue), but first want greater comfort from lots of people telling you it's safe to go there - to the point you'll ask people to refrain from the opposite comment?

FWIW anthem f*#ked the timing completely when I heard it. Physical presentation alone will not be repsonsible for that. There are a bunch of poeple who like the cable, they're probably not concerned about these effects. This is not that difficult... Lay down the green - I am sure it will be a fine cable in your system!

regards

Rico - SM/Mullet Audio

RSH

What exactly is wrong with the sound of your CDX that you need to buy expensive cables to cure. You say you want something to make Naim source components sound their best. Easy Peasy, It's called Naim amplification. Then you can forget about different cables etc. and just listen and enjoy the music.

Yours in Music

Syd

RSH said earlier that he is happy with his current amplifiers so I don't think that's the right advice, although a very good one . Isn't it possible to fit DIN contacts to most interconnects, or is there problems fitting some cables? Is it possible to change one of the DIN's of a Naim interconnect and fit RCA phonos? Even a good DIY might be a solution.

"You may ask me what am I expecting so this is my definition of what would make me happy. An interconnect that is close to neutral as possible that provides a balanced sound top to bottom, detailed, open, clean (no grain), quiet (no added noise) and smooth but not excessively smooth to hide the detailing while still preserving the PR&T."


RSH,

I would say that the 'sound' that you describe is actually the absence of various faults.

The normal 'fix' for a fully Naim system is to change the rack under the component(s) or upgrade the PSU. I guess these 'no-brainers' may not be true in your mixed system, though. Meticulous setup may also help with this sort of thing.

What does your CDX stand on?

How much does an XPS cost in your neck of the woods, and what percentage of that price are you contemplating spending on an interconnect? FYI, the XPS does all that you describe to the sound of a bare CDX, and a lot more besides.

BTW, I have used a non-Naim CDP-to-preamp cable in the past, and it gave a more balanced sound. In my case this was because it masked the fact that my CDP source wasn't good enough for my system because it was less than 10% of the total system budget. Once I'd upgraded my source, the Naim cable was much better. One of the cheaper Chord cables (can't remember which) is identical to the standard Naim interconnect, except it includes an extra layer of sheathing and the phonos.

If you are sure that you will stick with non-Naim amps it might be best for you to send your CDX back for phono sockets. I presume you can then borrow a bucket-load of cables from your dealer F.O.C. until you find the one that works for you. Beware, though, that this might harm the resale value.

cheers, Martin

E-mail:- MartinPayne at Dial.Pipex.com

Skirting around the issue.Again!

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You say you want something to make Naim source components sound their best. Easy Peasy, It's called Naim amplification. Then you can forget about different cables etc. and just listen and enjoy the music.

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We know Naim amplification in conjunction with their freebie cables works. That doesn't answer the question at the top of this thread.

We also know that an XPS will make a big difference - probably nearly as big a difference as an interconnect that actually works in synergy between a CDX and a preamp by another manufacturer.

When the interconnect issue is sorted in such a mongrel system, then and only then would the XPS be the appropriate next upgrade. It should be an even bigger improvement once a more revealing and neutral i/c is in place.



Regards,

Steve.

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Steven, if you would kindly mail my brother, you will find he may has already addressed your very problem and it's rather good too.

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Many thanks David, and I wish your bro Tone all the best with his endeavours in Omiga Audio.

I have found a solution that works for me, but I'm looking/hoping for Naim themselves to carry out some investigative work so that they might sell more of their venerable CD players for use in otherwise non-Naim systems.



Regards,

Steve.

Guys:

RSH is asking a straightforward question: where can he obtain a great-sounding (ie, better than Chord Chrysalis or Cobra2) interconnect to use with a Naim CDX feeding a non-Naim preamp?

He has made it clear that he is otherwise quite satisfied with his preamp, amp and speakers. Therefore, telling him to buy a Naim preamp and amp is off the point, and rather insulting. If you haven't got a useful reply to the question at hand, please cruise on over to another thread. That's as polite as I can be about this!

Naim sells many cd players to otherwise non-Naim owners. The interconnect question comes up on a regular basis. It's not odd, it's not hostile, it's important to the people asking it.

RSH: Martin Colloms reviewed the CDS3 in the a NON-NAIM system for the October issue of HiFi News. We won't see this issue here in the States for another month. I asked a pal of mine in London for some more details. Colloms used a din-to-rca made from Cardas Golden Cross. My pal uses a Kimber Select din-to-rca from his Naim 01 tuner to his non-Naim preamp. I've had decent luck with a din-to-rca made by Wasatch Cable Works, following a recommendation of those cables by Art Dudley, a Naim-friendly reviewer. I've also had Chord make me up some other interconnects I needed involving din connectors. Find their web site, and write to them. They're extremely friendly folks.

"If naim think the chord is the best interconnect to non-naim systems then so be it. Test drive their players *and recommended interconnect* and don't buy if you don't like it."

That way Naim won't sell as many of ther CD players as they could, and the potential buyers will lose out on great music playing as a result.



Regards,

Steve.

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Originally posted by Steven Toy:
"That way Naim won't sell as many of ther CD players as they could, and the potential buyers will lose out on great music playing as a result.

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And the problem with that is ? There is nothing better than non-naim owners crying into their chardonnay at my place because not only are they experiencing the most tortured Billy Holliday they have ever heard but they are being forced into the harsh realisation that their own systems sound like shite. You want to know what really gets the old waterworks going ? When I tell them how much it costs.

If they want "the Naim sound" I reckon they should pay through the nose for it like I have. If Naim comes up with a 2 bob interconnect that makes a CD5 into their Sanyo 3-in-1 sound like active DBL's how silly will that make me feel ?

W*nkers

When we've got our system to play music with Naim at source we just kick back and enjoy...

That's the plan. It's really that simple.

There must be an i/c out there that costs a bit more to make than the Chrysalis that will make the CDX and higher really sing into just about every other pre and power amp going. I am almost certain of that.



Regards,

Steve.

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Originally posted by Steven Toy:
W*nkers

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Calm down Steven. I don't know. You try and have a civilised conversation with some people and they just turn nasty