Which SL cable

Posted by: thijazi on 01 November 2016

Curious which SL cables would I need for a full loom setup. I am running a DAC-V1 with a NAC552.DR and NAP300.DR with speaker SL cables.. I suppose to achieve a full SL loom setup I would need to replace all my interconnects which in my current setup are:

1x DAC-V1 to NAC552 DIN interconnect
2x XLR from 552PS to the NAP300
1x DIN cable from the NAP552 to the 552PS
 
So there are a total of 4 interconnect cables (not counting the Burndy massive cables). My Naim dealer advised me that for the full-loom I can only change the 2 XLR cables as there are no SL versions of the cable connecting the DAC-V1 to the NAC552... I tried to find a good guide on SL cables online but as with the rest of the Naim stuff the manuals are written for aliens

Regards,

T

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by hungryhalibut

If the V1 is your main source, that's where the money should be spent, rather than on cables. 

I'm not sure if there is a SL 4 pin to 5pin din lead, which you'll need to check. Other than that you'd need a pair of din to XLR leads and the speaker cables. You cannot change the lead between the 552 and 552PS, which is only the digital power supply anyway. 

For the £8,000 or so that these leads would cost you could get an nDac with 555PS. 

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by ChrisSU

Another vote for a source upgrade here, I think an NDAC, Chord or something would be much better use of funds, unless you can afford to do both, of course!

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by thijazi

Tried the Hugo, didn't notice any difference compared to DAC-V1 to be honest.... It is not easy choosing the right DAC to match...

 

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by Zipperheadbanjo

There is no 4 pin > 5 pin SL cable... so it would just be the 2 x DIN > XLR, and the interconnect cables... speaker cable is also a component of "full loom"... not mentioned in your post. 

Based on forum feedback, the priority order of implementing SL cables seems to be as follows:

1. Interconnects - Most impactful

2.- Speaker Cable - Next Most Impactful

3 - DIN>XLR (amp to PS) - Least impactful... some have reported detrimental in the short to medium term. Most have reported beneficial in the long term, but typically these reports are within the context of full loom installations.

If it were me and the money was burning a hole in my pocket as seems to the be case here, I'd just get the speaker cable, and would put the rest aside and go on a digital source home demo spree. Once settled on a source, then get the appropriate SL interconnect once funds allow... and add the DIN>XLR at some point way down the road.

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by Adam Zielinski

I would 'work' on a source. Another vote for an nDac plus 555PS. Or an NDS.

Leave the cables for now. 

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by thijazi

Got the SL speaker cables already in place. Looks like the source it is. . Any recommendations for a USB equipped DAC (the main reason I am sticking with the V1) 

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by Moussa

At your system level, I think you should look at Dacs like Chord Dave, EMM labs Dac2x, the new to be launched Mytek Manhattan II or the Ayre QX-5/twenty digital hub. If you want a Naim dac then my advice is to wait.

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by thijazi

Will do some research here, since I cannot home demo most of this kit where I live I have to base the call on feedback and reviews. . .