Chord Sarum T speaker cables

why not just make life simpler and buy a Naim cable?

naim optimize their cables and do thousands of hours of testing to ensure the system retains that Naim magic.

timing is a very elusive thing, that's why naim took decades to improve on Naca 5

analogmusic posted:

why not just make life simpler and buy a Naim cable?

naim optimize their cables and do thousands of hours of testing to ensure the system retains that Naim magic.

timing is a very elusive thing, that's why naim took decades to improve on Naca 5

Speechless

analogmusic posted:

why not just make life simpler and buy a Naim cable?

naim optimize their cables and do thousands of hours of testing to ensure the system retains that Naim magic.

timing is a very elusive thing, that's why naim took decades to improve on Naca 5

The simple answer is that I prefer the chord cables. I intend to have a full Chord loom. I have the Sarum SPDIF interconnect from the Core to my NDS and it blows the SL interconnect out of the water (others may take a different view). I also have connected to my system an older Chord Tuned Array Din-XLR and it's definitely better than the standard Naim cables (I have not tried the SL cables so can't comment). Given my experience, I would believe that a Sarum loom would outclass an SL loom. 

Of course like I said...that's just my opinion. 

Good to hear. Apparently other manufacturers are capable of spending the time required to optimize/improve their cables and ensure they do elusive timing, Some without taking decades

I wasn't aware Naim make a Superlumina digital cable SPDIF cable.

They don't. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

They don't. 

Sorry. I was referring to the 5din-5din interconnect. My bad.

So I'm confused with what you are trying to say.

I think - maybe that you are saying that the Sarum T interconnect from you NDS to 282 blows the superlumina out of the water?

These posts are amusing, since I have compared the Sarum Super Array to Superlumina Interconnects between source and preamp.

They don't blow each other out of the water, not to my ears.

They both very good, more a matter of personal preference. I liked Superlumina marginally a bit more as it didn't have the bloated bass of Sarum.

Yes, I realised what you meant, and was responding to AM. That said, I don't see how you can possibly say that the Sarum digital lead 'blows the SL interconnect out of the water' because one connects the Core to the NDS and the other connects the NDS to the 282. You are not comparing like with like, and the only meaningful comparison would be the SL and Chord NDS to 282 interconnects. I don't care which is best, but at least the comparison should be sensible. 

I didn't think so either. For my money I also think the SL cables are better terminated too as well as putting less strain on chassis terminations. I've had Chord Indigos and Anthems in the past and wasn't that impressed with the cheapie DIN plugs enveloped in acres of shrink tubing. I've also had a couple of cables with poor soldering requiring dealer returns. Stuffing all that wire into what look like stock DIN plugs must add stress to the terminations.

The SL speaker cables are also more room friendly - the Chord Signatures I used to own looked like black and red hosepipes running across the floor and their weight would often cause the 4 mm plugs to bend at the amp end. SL is far classier

Having had the pleasure of dissecting Ascaris lumbricoides there is no way I could have Sarum T cables in my house, even if I wanted them. 

Yes, I know. So how can you say it blows the SL interconnect into the water when it's completely different? It's like saying that Next socks are better than M&S pants. 

Richard,

if your profile system details are correct [ you have a 282 & SC ] a few expensive cables will cost you the same sort of money as upgrading your 282+SC to a nice pre-owned 552.

Cables - don't believe the opinions of others on this forum who most probably have never had a proper demo, you really need to hear them compared one against other yourself, with your own ears [in order to hear the benefits of Sarum T] but if you can't do that then consider keeping your cable buying powder dry for now and go for the 552 pre-amp upgrade which is more or less a dead cert  

Debs

Ok. Just to be clear, I am referring to the 5 din interconnect from my NDS to the 282. My bad. 

naim_nymph posted:

Richard,

if your profile system details are correct [ you have a 282 & SC ] a few expensive cables will cost you the same sort of money as upgrading your 282+SC to a nice pre-owned 552.

Cables - don't believe the opinions of others on this forum who most probably have never had a proper demo, you really need to hear them compared one against other yourself, with your own ears [in order to hear the benefits of Sarum T] but if you can't do that then consider keeping your cable buying powder dry for now and go for the 552 pre-amp upgrade which is more or less a dead cert  

Debs

Noted. Certainly an option. Still...I would be curious to know if anyone has listened to Sarum speaker cables. 

Richard Choong posted:

 

Noted. Certainly an option. Still...I would be curious to know if anyone has listened to Sarum speaker cables. 

Richard, i have a full interconnect loom of Sarum T and very happy with it, IMO the Sarum gives more transparency, realism, and musical communication that the Super Lumia, however it must be said people who do prefer the Sarum often seem to have 500 series kit, so perhaps the Sarum maybe more revealing of system component ability?

IMO you'd be better off spending upgrade money on a nice pre-owned 552 before cables 

Debs

No - I heard Sarum SA and Superlumina on a 552/300 DR preamp.

Superlumina sounded better to my ears.

analogmusic posted:

No - I heard Sarum SA and Superlumina on a 552/300 DR preamp.

Superlumina sounded better to my ears.

Quite frankly a balanced non sheep view as opposite to the brainwashed BS in post #2

at these elevated price levels Perol, nobody is a sheep and stupid to part money just because of Brand loyalty to Naim.

naim_nymph posted:

Richard Choong posted:

 

Noted. Certainly an option. Still...I would be curious to know if anyone has listened to Sarum speaker cables. 

Richard, i have a full interconnect loom of Sarum T and very happy with it, IMO the Sarum gives more transparency, realism, and musical communication that the Super Lumia, however it must be said people who do prefer the Sarum often seem to have 500 series kit, so perhaps the Sarum maybe more revealing of system component ability?

IMO you'd be better off spending upgrade money on a nice pre-owned 552 before cables 

Debs

Must be a colossal difference with the Statements then and to think that SL was developed with the Statements in mind. Back to my awfully unrevealing 300DR feeding those awfully dull Focal Sopra 2s. Perhaps I should consider B and Q bell wire? I won't even mention that I have a new 252 - I'm starting to feel like a real socond class citizen. Time to dig out the Rogers Cadette and that old Goodmans Maxim from the loft!

i've faffed about with cables in my time -- most recently, i ordered a set of Chord Shawlines for my phono stage and streamer/DAC -- and the differences were, shall we say, subtle. 

so with that grain of salt and admission of cable skepticism out of the way, i offer the following logic:

--if money's no object: feel free to make it rain! 

--if money is an object, and the cables do make a beneficial difference: Debs is right that you should optimize your boxes first. after all, if you'll be upgrading the boxes in due course, why "tune" the boxes you have now with cables that might not be suited to whatever you get in the future?

--if money is an object, and the cables either don't make a difference or they screw things up: NACA5 is inexpensive relative to the other stuff, it gets the basic electrical parameters right, and Naim supplies for free the interconnects you're supposed to use.

so, my advice: unless you've got money burning a hole in your pocket or no future upgrade plans, sit tight for now, cable-wise.

analogmusic posted:

No - I heard Sarum SA and Superlumina on a 552/300 DR preamp.

Superlumina sounded better to my ears.

But you keep referring to Sarum SA, now no longer made, whereas this is about Sarum T, which you'll admit has received some pretty enthusiastic endorsements here and elsewhere.

I take it you've not heard them?

I have a loom of Sarum Super Aray power and pre-power interconnect cables which I rate very highly. I started along the Chord route before Naim introduced Super Lumina and having made the investment in buying Tuned Aray and upgrading to Super I never listened to Super Lumina and just enjoyed the Chord. 

I am currently testing Super Lumina speaker cable and Chord Sarum T speaker cable to replace the Auditorium 23 cable that was recommended for my DeVore Fidelity speakers. 

I have to say that both the Chord and the Naim are a huge step up on the Auditorium 23 in terms of drive and resolution,  but the surprise to me is that Super Lumina is just a total joy in my system whilst the Chord was impressive, but in comparison to the Naim, uninvolving and brittle sounding. 

Of course, my ears and my system, but that's what I heard and I was expecting the Chord to be better, as it's what Chord had told me would be the best next step and I'd been impressed with every upgrade they'd suggested to that point.

Having believed that completing the loom would be an important final step, I am surprised at how much I prefer the Naim which brings power, detail, rhythm and an overall just very moreish sound. I don't want to stop listening, it really is giving me such a beautiful window on every type of music.

Dave J - I've heard Sarum SA source to preamp interconnects against SL ones.

A few trusted friends who hear things like me, said the Chord Signature speaker cable wasn't doing the boogie thing, and was dull rhythmically.

No I haven't heard Sarum T, but based on Monkey Jim's post, I feel I don't need to. I know others will come along and start saying the SL speaker cable did not do it for them, but it is a very transparent cable, it could highlight flaws elsewhere in the system, and that is what they don't like, but blame Superlumina.

The speaker cable is the most difficult to get right, next is DIN/XLR, the source to preamp cable though, we do have some good options from Naim, Vertere, Chord, Tellurium.

analogmusic posted:

No I haven't heard Sarum T, but based on Monkey Jim's post, I feel I don't need to.

Some things never change do they. Tut, tut, tut....