S U P E R L U M I N A - Is this the biggest improvement ever?
Posted by: Martin.L on 08 November 2015
I naively used to assume that the NAC A5 are perfect...
Just got the speaker cables and could not believe that cables could make this difference.
Clearly these cables need a good warm up and run-in before they are going to approach their optimum sound and I have been told that it takes one week for them to really start to disappear behind the music. Yet from the off with only day’s warm up this upgrade delivered a more musical result than the majority of others.
The system now creates an effect of a non-electronic device, the end result gives the overall feel of a much more realistic space. The wider and deeper soundstage has very consistent perspectives.
These luminas changed the system, it became a variety of moods expressed in tones that are almost endless, they depend actually upon the great working together of all the tonal attributes– color, quality, pitch, and loudness.
The heavy tones assert their will with a more insistent energy; the long tones upon which we linger make a deeper and more lasting impression; while the light and short tones in contrast become points of mere passing and transition.
The contrasts between piano and forte – loudness that brings the tones so near that they may seem threatening in their insistence; softness that makes them seem far away and dreamlike.
The treble is delicate - sweet and clear. Voices are strongly holographic, female singers do not screech and are outstandingly articulate.
The energy it managed to extract from the albums was nothing short of astounding.
It also preserved the ability to put the music before the sound...
It makes you want to keep on listening! can't get to sleep.
What a great project.
Good job naim,
Martin
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by ken c
Originally Posted by Steve J:
Has anyone tried a 4-5 pin SL IC on a Superline/Supercap/552?
i'm also interested in any experience with this Steve. Right now, i am using 'ordinary' lavender 4-5 signal cable.
enjoy...
ken
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Steve J
I'm using the lavender IC as well Ken. Neither the Hiline or Chord STA IC was as good in comparison.
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by ken c
Originally Posted by Steve J:
I'm using the lavender IC as well Ken. Neither the Hiline or Chord STA IC was as good in comparison.
yes, i recall you actually made the comparison Steve and preferred the lavender. just goes to show how important it is for one to try out these things and make ones own mind. i suspect the SL version will just your socks off though -- but lets not speculate 
enjoy...
ken
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Steve J
Who knows Ken. One thing I've just thought of is whether the Hiline may be more synergistic with the SL speaker cables. I'll have to dig it out and try this weekend.
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Allante93
"Designed to maximise the performance of Statement but equally at home in 500 Series and Classic Series systems, Super Lumina pre to power amp interconnects are available with DIN to XLR, and XLR to XLR terminations. Super Lumina source to preamplifier interconnects are available with DIN to DIN, DIN to RCA, RCA to RCA and RCA to XLR connectors. "
Look like we are missing Din to Din!
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by ken c
Originally Posted by Steve J:
Who knows Ken. One thing I've just thought of is whether the Hiline may be more synergistic with the SL speaker cables. I'll have to dig it out and try this weekend.
this will be quite interesting Steve, let us know how you get on please...
enjoy
ken
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by tonym
Don't mess about with these Super Luminas and Chord Super Tuned Arays, they're just so passe.
Prepare to replace them all with the new...ChordMusic Cable! Yippee!!!..
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Aric
Originally Posted by tonym:
Don't mess about with these Super Luminas and Chord Super Tuned Arays, they're just so passe.
Prepare to replace them all with the new...ChordMusic Cable! Yippee!!!..
Innovation is really happening in Wiltshire. It seems just yesterday I was reading about STA. Then I looked up and there's this "Super" thing available. Now something else. It's all very hard to keep up with.
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Dave J
Originally Posted by tonym:
Don't mess about with these Super Luminas and Chord Super Tuned Arays, they're just so passe.
Prepare to replace them all with the new...ChordMusic Cable! Yippee!!!..
Have you heard them yet, Tony? Truly wonderful.
I heard a prototype which was absolutely great but more recently I had the chance to hear the a couple of production ready versions and, if you had deep enough pockets, you'd not hesitate....
Interestingly, they don't appear to require hundreds of hours of burn-in, which makes a nice change.
Cheers
Dave
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
Chord seem to replace their cables quicker than many people replace their underpants. I'm sure it's good for profits, but a right PITA for those who've just bought the super mega out of tune aray or whatever preceded the new offering.
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Chris Dolan
The Chord Sarum Tuned ARAY can be upgrade to Super ARAY at (I think) reasonable cost based on the improvement - I'm looking forward to hearing the Music
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by varyat
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:
Chord seem to replace their cables quicker than many people replace their underpants. I'm sure it's good for profits, but a right PITA for those who've just bought the super mega out of tune aray or whatever preceded the new offering.
Pita, agreed. However, there is no question in my mind that each iteration has brought forth an increase in the type of SQ that I am interested in. Again, there is no impending doom if one chooses not to upgrade their cables just as the introduction of the S1 has not made the 500 series sound any worse. It's all personal choice in the end. I will not be hearing the "Music" btw, SuperSarum is as far as I go!
ATB,
Mark
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by ken c
Originally Posted by varyat:
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:
Chord seem to replace their cables quicker than many people replace their underpants. I'm sure it's good for profits, but a right PITA for those who've just bought the super mega out of tune aray or whatever preceded the new offering.
Pita, agreed. However, there is no question in my mind that each iteration has brought forth an increase in the type of SQ that I am interested in. Again, there is no impending doom if one chooses not to upgrade their cables just as the introduction of the S1 has not made the 500 series sound any worse. It's all personal choice in the end. I will not be hearing the "Music" btw, SuperSarum is as far as I go!
ATB,
Mark
exotic cables here, there everywhere... its good British compaies are making a mark in this area.
anyone know he cost of the "music", say for a din-din interconnect, as a matter of curiosity?
enjoy...
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Aric
I love Chord products - I've owned several different models, albeit the low end of their range - but the bewildering thing to me is their constant tinkering with replacing their flagship model with the latest greatest thing. Naim may introduce quite a few products every few years, but thus far they haven't replaced their top source with a new one two times over in 3 years. I would imagine some of their customers are less than pleased.
Posted on: 11 November 2015 by Jonas Olofsson
I'm using Chord Sarum STA in my 500 system. It's better then SL, but you could always play the "different" card and choose SL instead of STA.
Not the same story with Chord Music
I had the opportunity to listen to STA and after that Music in a good but quite modest system. It was....shockingly better! Mind blowing if you ask me.
It doesn't make SLA worse but introduces a new reference standard never heard before.
//Jonas
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by tonym
At the moment I've got a cheap and nasty Chord STA phono-DIN on my Urika - 552 connection and a SuperTA betwixt DAC & 552. I tried the SL in the latter position but it was tinkly & I didn't like it.
Think I'll sit this one out if it's all the same to you folks. There'll be another one along in a minute.
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by Graham Clarke
Originally Posted by Chris Dolan:
Originally Posted by Graham Clarke:
I'm actually very near the end of my feasible upgrade process. All that is left to consider is a second 555PS for my NDS and/or a Melco N1Z box.
Surely 6 NAP S1 mono power amplifiers as well - can't imagine what is stopping you Graham
I can! 
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by Graham Clarke
Originally Posted by ken c:
Originally Posted by varyat:
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:
Chord seem to replace their cables quicker than many people replace their underpants. I'm sure it's good for profits, but a right PITA for those who've just bought the super mega out of tune aray or whatever preceded the new offering.
Pita, agreed. However, there is no question in my mind that each iteration has brought forth an increase in the type of SQ that I am interested in. Again, there is no impending doom if one chooses not to upgrade their cables just as the introduction of the S1 has not made the 500 series sound any worse. It's all personal choice in the end. I will not be hearing the "Music" btw, SuperSarum is as far as I go!
ATB,
Mark
exotic cables here, there everywhere... its good British compaies are making a mark in this area.
anyone know he cost of the "music", say for a din-din interconnect, as a matter of curiosity?
enjoy...
I'd heard a rumour that it's around 4 grand. Makes SL appear positively cheap!
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by FangfossFlyer
Originally Posted by Steve J:
Has anyone tried a 4-5 pin SL IC on a Superline/Supercap/552?
Steve,
I was told that such a SL IC is not available yet.
I was keen to ty one on my Superline-Supercap.
Richard
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by J.N.
Originally Posted by tonym:
At the moment I've got a cheap and nasty Chord STA phono-DIN on my Urika - 552 connection and a SuperTA betwixt DAC & 552. I tried the SL in the latter position but it was tinkly & I didn't like it.
Think I'll sit this one out if it's all the same to you folks. There'll be another one along in a minute.
That's done it Tony. Cue for a (very long) song:-
"Really don't mind if you sit this one out ............... "
John.
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by Allante93
Naim's Website:
"Designed to maximise the performance of Statement but equally at home in 500 Series and Classic Series systems, Super Lumina pre to power amp interconnects are available with DIN to XLR, and XLR to XLRterminations. Super Lumina source to preamplifier interconnects are available with DIN to DIN, DIN to RCA, RCA to RCA and RCA to XLR connectors. "
I was told that such a SL IC is not available yet.
I was keen to ty one on my Superline-Supercap.
Richard
Just Curious, your interest is Does Naim produce an SL interconnect from Pre to Superline, and Also an SL interconnect from Superline to Supercap, the 17/ 18 pin interconnect, Correct?
Just trying to get an understanding of how all this works out, but I think they recently came out with an SL Interconnect for Active users from Snaxo to Pre Amp!
Graham & DB just purchased this interconnect late Summer!
Your Concern is to complete the full Loom for TT Users, Correct?
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by Darke Bear
From what I heard Naim got it right with Super Lumina - also once you run-in the full loom for a few months it is gorgeous. The sound is lively and tuneful with excellent definition from lowest bass to the top HF and extracts more detail that I've heard any other cable manage - and do it all in a way that is not 'analytic' and is very musical.
If other even more expensive cables turn up that do better - great! 
But I'm happy to rough-it with the Super Lumina.
...and yes - the Active DIN-DIN SL lead is available and very worthwhile for Active users that are still using the old lead. Change that before the DIN-XLR Power Amp leads.
DB.
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by Steve J
We were talking of a 4-5 pin lavender/Hiline IC equivalent for those who use a Superline Supercap combo connected from the Supercap to the preamp.
Posted on: 12 November 2015 by Allante93
Originally posted by Steve J:
"Has anyone tried a 4-5 pin SL IC on a Superline/Supercap/552? "
Don't know, waiting for Richard to confirm a No, or Yes.
Suspect not, but probably in the making for TT user's!I
Posted on: 13 November 2015 by Dave J
Originally Posted by Jonas Olofsson:
I'm using Chord Sarum STA in my 500 system. It's better then SL, but you could always play the "different" card and choose SL instead of STA.
Not the same story with Chord Music
I had the opportunity to listen to STA and after that Music in a good but quite modest system. It was....shockingly better! Mind blowing if you ask me.
It doesn't make SLA worse but introduces a new reference standard never heard before.
//Jonas
I see that there's a Music event at Cymbiosis next Friday/ Saturday. Should be worth a visit.
