Super Lumina Speaker Cables (again)

Probably not, if they all have resistors, which I think they do. 

I seem to recall that when the SL speaker cables were first introduced there was mention of them being "tuned" depending upon the different lengths (which is why they came in standard lengths of 3, 5 and 7m pairs). Presumably the inclusion of these resistors was the result of this tuning process. 

james n posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

There is also a bit of shiny plastic inside the block, but only on the resistor side. 

Perhaps Peter Belt is still working his magic...

Ah, the inimitable PB. Yes,his ideas were great - saved me money, being a prime cause of my ceasing to bother reading hifi mags!

Soon there will be a DR version of the cables with a new shining component inside,  making the current version unlistenable!

Claus

My opinion of SL cables is that unless you are extremely wealthy and well off, or have a Statement level system, your money is best spent somewhere else.

After hearing these cables, I honestly don't know how anybody could spend that kind of money, about $10,000.00 US dollars for a 3 meter pair speaker cables and two interconnects, and feel good about the purchase, or themselves, especially in a 250 level based system.

Maybe in a Statement level system with like value speakers, the purchase of these cables makes some kind of sense, but in a lesser system, it just makes no sense. I have heard FAR, FAR, less expensive cables that will basically do the same thing sonically compared to Naca5 and the Hiline, that SL cables will do in the lower resolution Naim systems.

The only way I could justify spending that kind of money on speaker and interconnect cables to my family, which in reality, add very little, to no difference to the sound quality than the standard Naim Naca5, HiLine cables in a 250 level system, is that, one, I have way too much disposable income, so no need to feel so self centered and selfish. Or two, the fact I'm so spoiled, that I have convinced myself that my system is absolute garbage without ten thousand dollars worth of cables, that it is unlistenable.

Either way, personally, I would  put the money to better use.

james n posted:

Looks like a resistor to me. A f**king expensive resistor....

and a regular 470 k Ohm +/- 5% resistor at that - if I have read the colours correctly. Should be around 5 pence a piece unless bought in bulk,

Simon

badlands posted:

My opinion of SL cables is that unless you are extremely wealthy and well off, or have a Statement level system, your money is best spent somewhere else.

After hearing these cables, I honestly don't know how anybody could spend that kind of money, about $10,000.00 US dollars for a 3 meter pair speaker cables and two interconnects, and feel good about the purchase, or themselves, especially in a 250 level based system.

Maybe in a Statement level system with like value speakers, the purchase of these cables makes some kind of sense, but in a lesser system, it just makes no sense. I have heard FAR, FAR, less expensive cables that will basically do the same thing sonically compared to Naca5 and the Hiline, that SL cables will do in the lower resolution Naim systems.

The only way I could justify spending that kind of money on speaker and interconnect cables to my family, which in reality, add very little, to no difference to the sound quality than the standard Naim Naca5, HiLine cables in a 250 level system, is that, one, I have way too much disposable income, so no need to feel so self centered and selfish. Or two, the fact I'm so spoiled, that I have convinced myself that my system is absolute garbage without ten thousand dollars worth of cables, that it is unlistenable.

Either way, personally, I would  put the money to better use.

The is it worth the money question needs to be answered by everybody themselves. But I would rate the difference with the standard cables and interconnects as a box upgrade. So it's definitely a step up. The pricepoint is of course not at all comparable to the other options in the Naim offering, but again that's something everybody needs to determine for themselves. It was for me one of the better upgrades I have done in the overall journey.

badlands posted:

My opinion of SL cables is that unless you are extremely wealthy and well off, or have a Statement level system, your money is best spent somewhere else.

After hearing these cables, I honestly don't know how anybody could spend that kind of money, about $10,000.00 US dollars for a 3 meter pair speaker cables and two interconnects, and feel good about the purchase, or themselves, especially in a 250 level based system.

Maybe in a Statement level system with like value speakers, the purchase of these cables makes some kind of sense, but in a lesser system, it just makes no sense. I have heard FAR, FAR, less expensive cables that will basically do the same thing sonically compared to Naca5 and the Hiline, that SL cables will do in the lower resolution Naim systems.

The only way I could justify spending that kind of money on speaker and interconnect cables to my family, which in reality, add very little, to no difference to the sound quality than the standard Naim Naca5, HiLine cables in a 250 level system, is that, one, I have way too much disposable income, so no need to feel so self centered and selfish. Or two, the fact I'm so spoiled, that I have convinced myself that my system is absolute garbage without ten thousand dollars worth of cables, that it is unlistenable.

Either way, personally, I would  put the money to better use.

I'm not sure anyone asked for your opinion, but you sure are going to ram it down our throats in a holier than thou manner anyway. You are clearly a superior being, but as it happens I don't give a toss what you think. 

badlands posted:

Maybe in a Statement level system with like value speakers, the purchase of these cables makes some kind of sense, but in a lesser system, it just makes no sense. I have heard FAR, FAR, less expensive cables that will basically do the same thing

please tell.....

Hungryhalibut posted:

I'm not sure anyone asked for your opinion, but you sure are going to ram it down our throats in a holier than thou manner anyway. You are clearly a superior being, but as it happens I don't give a toss what you think. 

I didn't realize that in a public forum you needed permission to have an opinion.

 Some here can get quite nasty with personal insults when your opinion differs from theirs. Naughty, naughty HH!  Might even be against forum policy!

I'd suggest that calling people self centred and selfish is what's nasty. I happen to believe these cables make a significant difference in my clearly crappy 250 based system but of course you know better and I am wrong. Anyway, I'll say no more, and leave it to others to judge who is being nasty and who is adding value to the Forum. 

badlands posted:

My opinion of SL cables is that unless you are extremely wealthy and well off, or have a Statement level system, your money is best spent somewhere else.

After hearing these cables, I honestly don't know how anybody could spend that kind of money, about $10,000.00 US dollars for a 3 meter pair speaker cables and two interconnects, and feel good about the purchase, or themselves, especially in a 250 level based system.

Maybe in a Statement level system with like value speakers, the purchase of these cables makes some kind of sense, but in a lesser system, it just makes no sense. I have heard FAR, FAR, less expensive cables that will basically do the same thing sonically compared to Naca5 and the Hiline, that SL cables will do in the lower resolution Naim systems.

The only way I could justify spending that kind of money on speaker and interconnect cables to my family, which in reality, add very little, to no difference to the sound quality than the standard Naim Naca5, HiLine cables in a 250 level system, is that, one, I have way too much disposable income, so no need to feel so self centered and selfish. Or two, the fact I'm so spoiled, that I have convinced myself that my system is absolute garbage without ten thousand dollars worth of cables, that it is unlistenable.

Either way, personally, I would  put the money to better use.

I thought the idea was that they are equivalent to high end electronics, so you buy a cheap music centre , connect with SL cables, and you have the same sound as a mid-range Naim system. Buy longer cables and the sound quality goes up further...

Badlands, expressing your opinion on Super Lumina Speaker cables is perfectly fine.  However, reading your post it would appear any nastiness was introduced here - the opinion you posit is more about  a judgement of those who would purchase Super Lumina cables than about the cables themselves.  As such, it verges on an "ad hominem" attack on anyone who might consider purchasing (or who has already purchased) these cables.  In future, by all means express an opinion, whether good or bad, just try to keep to the kit and avoid making judgments of the members here.

Hungryhalibut posted:

I'd suggest that calling people self centred and selfish is what's nasty. I happen to believe these cables make a significant difference in my clearly crappy 250 based system but of course you know better and I am wrong. Anyway, I'll say no more, and leave it to others to judge who is being nasty and who is adding value to the Forum. 

If you would have read my quote correctly, I was referring to me, not anyone else, hey, if you feel guilty about what you spend, don't take it out on members of the forum, I have seen some pretty snarky comments you have made in the past towards others here, so I wouldn't be too quick to point fingers.

Richard Dane posted:

Badlands, expressing your opinion on Super Lumina Speaker cables is perfectly fine.  However, reading your post it would appear any nastiness was introduced here - the opinion you posit is more about  a judgement of those who would purchase Super Lumina cables than about the cables themselves.  As such, it verges on an "ad hominem" attack on anyone who might consider purchasing (or who has already purchased) these cables.  In future, by all means express an opinion, whether good or bad, just try to keep to the kit and avoid making judgments of the members here.

Richard, in my quote, and I quote "The only way I could justify spending that kind of money"   The emphasis is on ME, I!

If you read it, it specifically states I am talking about me personally, no attacks were made to anyone else.

Now now, I see the kids are fighting again. My 2p worth or £3000 for 5m SL speaker cables.

These cables DO improve the sound at all levels in Naim systems. It must be hard to justify the price when the cables cost more than the black boxes. Thats the reason why we have dems so we can make our own mind up and spend the money.

Never tried it, but I suspect 300 + NACA5 > 250 + SL whereas 300 + SL costs somewhat less than a nice new 500... So, the value of the investment in SL is dependent on where you sit in the Naim range. And yes,, my understanding is that all the SL speaker cables have a resistor across the shields at the amp end, but the value depends on the length. I guess it's an impedence matched termination.

Sounds pretty fine to me... 300DR + 7m SL.

Dave.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Finkfan posted:

If you get time [@mention:4804681823084713] whip off the block on the amp end and tell us what you find! 

I find this, in a 3m cable...

How disappointing. I rather liked the idea that there might be some sort of magic frog inside. 

MDS posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Finkfan posted:

If you get time [@mention:4804681823084713] whip off the block on the amp end and tell us what you find! 

I find this, in a 3m cable...

How disappointing. I rather liked the idea that there might be some sort of magic frog inside. 

Oh dear, does this mean back to base for a service every 10 years!!!!! 

dave marshall posted:

MDS posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Finkfan posted:

If you get time [@mention:4804681823084713] whip off the block on the amp end and tell us what you find! 

I find this, in a 3m cable...

How disappointing. I rather liked the idea that there might be some sort of magic frog inside. 

Oh dear, does this mean back to base for a service every 10 years!!!!! 

Hope not - resistors (even 5p ones) don't really go off like capacitors. 

Still love my SuperLumina cables, despite clearly being self-centred and apparently too wealthy 

I sent an email to Naim earlier in today enquiring about the 'blocks' and received a very prompt response from Phil Harris who stated:

"The metal blocks do contain a padding circuit however this should not 'age' or require any maintenance ..."

Adam Zielinski posted:

dave marshall posted:

Oh dear, does this mean back to base for a service every 10 years!!!!! 

Hope not - resistors (even 5p ones) don't really go off like capacitors. 

Still love my SuperLumina cables, despite clearly being self-centred and apparently too wealthy 

Yes, that's us told, good and proper ....................memo to self, ................... flogging with birch twigs first thing in the morning!

dave marshall posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

dave marshall posted:

Oh dear, does this mean back to base for a service every 10 years!!!!! 

Hope not - resistors (even 5p ones) don't really go off like capacitors. 

Still love my SuperLumina cables, despite clearly being self-centred and apparently too wealthy 

Yes, that's us told, good and proper ....................memo to self, ................... flogging with birch twigs first thing in the morning!

 

Nahh... Take the strings off those lovely Gibsons and try those, especially if you use 9s or 10s Alternatively for some proper effect I can send you one of my low B strings - that goes up to .130"

It's a double negative resistor !

Sorry I couldn't resist !

Adam Zielinski posted:

dave marshall posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

dave marshall posted:

Oh dear, does this mean back to base for a service every 10 years!!!!! 

Hope not - resistors (even 5p ones) don't really go off like capacitors. 

Still love my SuperLumina cables, despite clearly being self-centred and apparently too wealthy 

Yes, that's us told, good and proper ....................memo to self, ................... flogging with birch twigs first thing in the morning!

 

Nahh... Take the strings off those lovely Gibsons and try those, especially if you use 9s or 10s Alternatively for some proper effect I can send you one of my low B strings - that goes up to .130"

You've got my attention, especially as I'm currently trying out Billy Gibbons' 7's............mad or what?