RCA and DIN connectors

Posted by: diggygun on 28 August 2017

Hi All

I have a Naim NAC152 XS preamplifier which has both DIN and RCA sockets. My Linn LP12 has RCA leads coming from the Urika phono stage amplifier

Until, I change the RCA leads to DIN, is there any benefit from using an adaptor / fly-lead to convert the RCA terminated cable to a DIN fitting or carry on using the RCA plugs on the back of the Preamplifier

I have seen the following, which isn't a bad price at £19.99, but will it make an improvement, considering that you are adding another signal path

2 x In-Line Phono/RCA Sockets - Naim Style 5 Pin Ring Locking DIN Plug Cable

Thanks in advance for your help

Posted on: 28 August 2017 by analogmusic

It will degrade the signal

buy a real naim rca to din 

worth the money, I've tried all kinds. 

Or buy the vertere DFI RCA to Din even better than the Naim one

Posted on: 29 August 2017 by AndyH

I use a Mayware RCA/DIN adaptor to connect the Urika to a 552. In my experience it improved the sound when compared to using the RCA connections on the 552.

I think it cost £12...

Posted on: 29 August 2017 by Filipe

The Super Lumina RCA to DIN made a big difference to Rega RP10/Aphelion/Aria -> Rega Couple 2 -> 282 setup. All the other ICs up to £800 degraded the sound but the SL was worth it. Seems a shame to spoil a top end piece of equipment. I have a full loom now as this has been the only way to get the best out of the boxes.

Phil

Posted on: 29 August 2017 by Huge

AR Sound Lunar RCA -> DIN are notably good, with a somewhat lower price tag!

Posted on: 29 August 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

No benefit at all in using an adapter if you have the option of using Phono/RCA on your Naim as you are simply adding more noisy low pressure contacts  ... DIN to DIN is best with direct phono to DIN as the next best. I would ask Naim to make up your lead. I have a phono to DIN hiline, and Naim use WBT  phono plugs that match some of the DIN connection characteristics. Eichmann bullet plugs are another high quality pressure contact phono connector. It's the connector rather than the cable that is most crucial.

Posted on: 30 August 2017 by audio1946

there are many well made cables in the market and expensive ones are not really needed. the din/rca  is saga is strange, if manufacturers could improve there product by fitting DIN they would have done decades ago. modern production can make quality plugs/sockets cheap . and low resistive/capacitive  screen cable is widely available too. the cable range is available is good for the customer

Posted on: 30 August 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Don't quite get the above comment... DIN/Phono is not about the cable, but the equipment being connected. Naim use star earthing and work hard to remove earth loops and create an accurate as they can common reference between left and right channel. DIN allows you to that with a single common ground reference, you can't do that with phono.. So DIN makes sense with how Naim design their equipment... other manufacturers do it differently.. so it's not really about cable manufacturing... but the amp design....

Posted on: 30 August 2017 by Filipe
Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Don't quite get the above comment... DIN/Phono is not about the cable, but the equipment being connected. Naim use star earthing and work hard to remove earth loops and create an accurate as they can common reference between left and right channel. DIN allows you to that with a single common ground reference, you can't do that with phono.. So DIN makes sense with how Naim design their equipment... other manufacturers do it differently.. so it's not really about cable manufacturing... but the amp design....

Hi Simon, So is the SL RCA to DIN a waste of money? Phil

Posted on: 30 August 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Yes I would say so .. unless for what ever reason you can't obtain appropriately terminated cables

Posted on: 30 August 2017 by fatcat

But we're not talking about connecting Naim to Naim, we’re connecting Linn to Naim.

The Urika is dual mono, with direct coupled RCA outputs.

Posted on: 30 August 2017 by Filipe

Simon, My vinyl setup is all Rega with an Aria phonostage. The sound stage and detail improved significantly with SL, and was pretty good before. Previously tried Chords up to £800 which were not as good as the Rega Couple 2. The Anthem was RCA to DIN I think, but the other two all RCA. I don't know how the Aria does earthing, but I have never had any earth loop issues and neither the RP10 nor my Thorens TD124 need earth connections. 

Phil