NDS - which interconnect?

Posted by: oldneil on 17 March 2016

Hi, just wandering which IC you are using between NDS and the pre amp?

I am using a Hiline at the moment on my 2 weeks old NDS, but is it really a big step soundwise going up to Sarum or SL?

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

Have a go with the search function Neil loads of stuff been written on this.  I use a hi-line on my CDS3 and have tried a Sarum TA but went back to the hi-line after an extended trial - just seemed more natural/neutral.   Haven't tried a SL on my system but from other demos it clearly delivers more - you'd really need to have a home trial.  

However, I would wait until te NDS has fully run-in (say 3 months) so you know you're not experiencing changes in the performance of the NDS itself.

Regards,

Lindsay

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by oldneil

3 months run-in? Mine already sounds so good that I've put my CDS3 on the loft!

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Camlan

Replacing my Hi-Line with SL was far and away, pound for pound, the best upgrade I have ever made. Strongly recommended. Your dealer may well loan you one to try because once you have it I promise you won't hand it back!

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by nigelb

I have a Sarum TA from my NDS to 252 - previously Hiline. This was in the days when SL was a mere twinkle in the eyes of Naim so I have been meaning to get a loan SL IC and compare it to my Sarum TA. BTW I now have SL speaker cables so there is now a stronger argument to hear the SL IC as it would be a move towards a full SL loom for me. Would be interested to hear if anyone has already done this comparison (Sarum TA IC vs SL IC) using NDS.

I don't mean to hijack your thread but I hope you would be interested in this too.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by heihei

I demo'd Sarum TA, SL, and AR's new Lunar on my NDS -> 552. Didn't like what the Sarum did (less clarity, slightly "darker" sound). Small pref for SL on most tracks (but not all) but £ for £ the AR cable won out.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by tonym

I run a SuperSarum phono to DIN betwixt my Chord qbd76hdsd DAC & 552. Having learned of others' positive experiences with SL, I borrowed one from my dealer for a long home trial. Although it was more detailed than the Chord cable it lost all the musical drive. This may be because it wasn't in an all-Naim system so best to try it yourself. I confess the experience has rather put me off the SL cables, good timing being something I'm particularly  sensitive to.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by sheffieldgraham

I can't comment on the NDS connection, but I have auditioned the Sarum TA and SL IC between my 552 and CDX2.2/nDAC. I found the Sarum cable rather heavy and unwieldy. I seem to remember some reports of broken plug/cable connections. The Hiline has similar issues as I well know. To my mind the SL IC bests the HiLine and Sarum TA by some margin. Wider,deeper soundstage, greater detail and clarity. I also have the SL speaker cables which gave a noticeable improvement, for me, over the NACA 5. If you're ever in the position to audition the SL speaker cables I can recommend an audition. If you can't afford both why not try auditioning them both and see what you think.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Allante93

Nds - 7000

SL Din - 1700

SL XLR - 1500

SL 5M - 3000

Almost a 1:1 Ratio

 Don't forget about the PL's

I know, you can't take it with you!

In America, we have a saying: The finer things in life. These are the things that most people talk about when they are speaking of things of high quality. In fact, much of that which propels people to pursue success, particularly financial success, is the desire to participate in the finer things in life.

Let’s face it, increased finances enable us to do more things and enjoy things that we otherwise would not be able to afford. And we should consider that a blessing.

Enjoy your Music!

Chord Music, now that's crazy Fine!!!!

Allante93!

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by oldneil

Good point there, Allante93! It's a possibility for an expensive ride in the future.    

 

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by DaveBk

I use the SL between my NDS and 552. All the other cables are SL too. I used to have a hiline and found the SL to be a big upgrade. Far more open and transparent.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by rjstaines

I can't offer an opinion ...yet.  I've been using Super Lumia, BUT after hearing what Chord STA did at the Acoustica show, I called in to the shop on the saturday and borrowed an STA to try out. Thing is, it was almost new, so it's been playing to itself for the last few days (24hrs/day) in order to put the 100 hours that Chord suggested on the cable before I swap back to the S/L and start to listen seriously.

I'll be back.... 

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Jonas Olofsson

Chord Music is the best of the best for the NDS. It has to be experienced to be belived. 

I thought it was a matter of taste between SL STA. Upgrading STA to SSA was a step up, Music is from an other planet. Literally. 

I do think Martin Colloms had a valid point when he reviewed Statement. 

//Jonas

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Harry

SL was a big step up from Hiline for me. But you don't need to take anybody else's word for it. It shouldn't be difficult to borrow one.

Posted on: 17 March 2016 by Kevin Richardson

I'd like to suggest you get one of each.

Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Leith

The improvement to be had from moving from a hi-line  to an SL on the NDS is amazing and has to be heard to be believed. Our NDS already had a 555dr and powerline and yet the SL just opened up whole new areas of hitherto unheard delights. Pound for pound a very worthwhile upgrade.

Posted on: 18 March 2016 by DaveBk

Yup, SL,is the way to go IMO..

Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Polarbear

You should try the new Chord Music 

Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Knipester

Tellurium q - black diamond or silver Diamond Is a real  contender

Posted on: 18 March 2016 by Skip

I moved to Naim to get off the cable upgrade merry go round.   I already have Powerlines and HiLines all around.   Please make it stop.

Posted on: 19 March 2016 by David O'Higgins

Replace Hi Line with SL. That will stop it!

Posted on: 19 March 2016 by The Strat (Fender)
Skip posted:

I moved to Naim to get off the cable upgrade merry go round.   I already have Powerlines and HiLines all around.   Please make it stop.

Easy - not compulsory. Stick with the standard supplied leads and it's all good!

Posted on: 19 March 2016 by Allante93
The Strat (Fender) posted:
Skip posted:

I moved to Naim to get off the cable upgrade merry go round.   I already have Powerlines and HiLines all around.   Please make it stop.

Easy - not compulsory. Stick with the standard supplied leads and it's all good!

Stop it Strat, you're making to much cents! LOL

BTW, it really is  all good!

Cdx2 - 282 - HCDR - 3 x 250.2 - Fraimlite -Std. Naim IC - K-20 - Passive Tri Amped Briks!

Allante93!

Posted on: 20 March 2016 by bdnyc

How have any of you who have heard a closely matched comparison between the Sarum TA and the Sarum Super TA experienced the differences in the sound quality?    In particular, I am hoping the Super Sarum TA will be more full bodied and harmonically rich, which isn't really the strong suit of the Sarum TA cable, at least as I am using it on my NAT 01 FM tuner.

Thanks,

Bruce

Posted on: 21 March 2016 by tonym

It's interesting how different everyone's experiences are with the Sarum TA interconnect. Even the standard version in my system sounded very rich, smooth and detailed. I subsequently had one of my STAs "Supered" & the differences were subtle, just a tad more in the way of bass control and a more open sound.

Posted on: 21 March 2016 by Jonas Olofsson

I have the same experience as Tony with Sarum. Now, Music is another beast....

 

//Jonas