NACA5 terminations.

Posted by: Fisbey on 09 March 2017

I've recently obtained some new NACA5 cables (from A Naim dealer, by mail order).

I have Naim plugs at the amplifier ends and 'regular' banana plugs at the loudspeaker ends (I don't use Naim speakers).

At both ends the cable has been split (cut) down the middle (between the conductors, the split is five or six inches in length), I've not seen this before and questioned it. I was told it was to allow for some 'flexibility and manoeuvrability' of the cables, thus allowing easier connection to the amplifier.

I can understand the reasoning, but would like to know if this is acceptable?

Many thanks.

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by count.d

Yes.

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by tonym

Indeed, it's a very good idea.

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by ChrisSU

The relatively wide spacing between the two cables is a key part of the design of the cable, I believe. If splitting them apart causes them to come much closer to each other, I guess that could affect performance, although as it would only be doing so for a very short distance, I imagine any detrimental effect would be negligible and could safely be ignored. Maybe someone with a better understanding of the physics then me would be able to comment on just how much of a difference this makes.

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by hungryhalibut

No need to worry about physics, particularly if it leads to a four page discussion.... splitting the wires like this is absolutely fine. It's also ok to remove the centre flat part in the split area, which makes it neater. 

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by jon h

it will be fine. plug it in, enjoy it. 

 

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by Huge
Hungryhalibut posted:

No need to worry about physics, particularly if it leads to a four page discussion.... splitting the wires like this is absolutely fine. It's also ok to remove the centre flat part in the split area, which makes it neater. 

Sorry, it'd take me too long to write a four page discussion on my own, so you'll have to do with a one liner...

Yes it's fine.

Posted on: 09 March 2017 by Fisbey

Many thanks all.