If it sounds broken......

Posted by: Polarbear on 16 March 2016

...... it probably is!

A couple of weeks ago I thought my system had started to sound a bit thin and tinny, especially on CD replay. Never really thought enough about it to check it out.

Today I picked up a new Interconnect from Peter for my CD555. I wanted to hear the new cable in my system after hearing it at Whittlebury in one of the Cymbiosis rooms. I went to disconnect the HI-line and the back half was hanging off. Thought to myself that it didn't look good and put the new cable on the CD555 and wow what a difference. Put the Hi-line on the NAT 01 and bloody hell does it sound bad. The NAT 01 had a bog standard cable on it and I thought I would upgrade it to the cable from the CD555 but no, it wasn't a step backwards it was a step back to an old transistor radio!

Tomorrow, Karens taking the hi-line into Peters to see what the heck has happened, until then its back to the bog standard cable.

Moto of the story is that if it sounds broken then it probably is. I should have checked it out rather than thinking it just sounds a bit off!

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by DaveBk

Hi lines are a tad fragile... You should try the SL interconnect Nigel. The same principle, but rather better engineering.

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

So PB from this do we deduce that the new cable is awesome...........compared with a knackered hi-line?!

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by Polarbear

No deductions yet Lindsay, need to do plenty more listening!

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by Kazibabes

I can definitely say Lindsay it is brilliant and Polar Bear could be putting his hand in his pocket at last and buying some New HIFI equipment. Not befor time lol x

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by Gavin L

Maybe I should try that with my Hi Line. I have just started an SL IC trial - massive difference,

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by Hook

Went through the same thing as PB. Last year, my NDS's DIN5 HiLine fell apart under its own weight, and was repaired under warranty. Upon its return, I compared it to my dealer's demo DIN5 SL. No contest - the SL delivered a clear increase in clarity. The SL stayed, and the HiLine was traded in to help offset the purchase cost.

Posted on: 16 March 2016 by Martin.L

In my system, too, the hiline ruined the 01' sound.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by tonym

Kazibabes posted:
I can definitely say Lindsay it is brilliant and Polar Bear could be putting his hand in his pocket at last and buying some New HIFI equipment. Not befor time lol x

Behave yourself Karen!

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

All well and good but we need clarification as to which IC the Bear has in his paws?

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by ken c

i sense another 'jaw-drop' thread coming. look fwd to it!!! :-)

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Polarbear

The Strat (Fender) posted:
All well and good but we need clarification as to which IC the Bear has in his paws?

I have a Chord Music din to din cable Lindsay

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by dave marshall

Hi Mr Bear,

Long time no speak.

For what it's worth, I traded in my Hi-line for the SL interconnect, and, as others have reported, the difference was staggering.

Having had to return a Hi-line in the past, due to the same fragility that you've encountered, I can confirm the that the SL version is somewhat more robustly engineered.

I'd already had the SL speaker cables in situ for some months, which, in itself was a major leap in SQ, but the addition of the Highline replacement was certainly worthwhile.

I suppose I ought to be considering completing the picture by getting hold of the twin SL XLR cables for my 300, but baulk somewhat at the cost.

And yes, I chopped in my 300 for a 300 DR, for not much more than the cost of doing the DR upgrade, so, my MF9's are still lacking that NAP 500! rolleyes

Aw ra best,

Dave.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Polarbear

Evening Dave,

Yes its been a long time since we last spoke. Its good to hear from you.

I found replacing the XLR's was the biggest difference in my system. I went from the stock Naim XLR's to the Chord Indigo's and then to a Vertere Pulse R's I have now. The improvement in the XLR's really opens up the amps sound window. The dynamic range and soundstage really improved as the cables improved allowing me to hear what the amps were really capable of. The Neats will grow in stature if you upgrade the XLR's. You owe it to yourself too try that 500 on the Neats. There's nothing wrong with the 300 but the 500 is in a different league and the Neats appreciate the extra power and dynamic range.

As for my HI-line, its on its way back to Naim for repair. When I get it back its going to be used with the NAT 01 which is currently being used with an Audio Quest cable. The Chord Music is settling down nicely, its taken away a sheen from the treble, and reduced the noise floor. I can hear so much more detail and the timing has improved dramatically. I am just paying Snowie Whites White Flames live album and its very enjoyable,

Regards