Why Does The Grey Naim 5 Pin Din Cable Sound So Good ?

Anyone have an answer as to why the cable sounds so good?... well to me anyway..

More details required. What are the other cables that were compared to the grey Naim cable, and are they 5-pin DIN to 5-pin DIN. If the grey Naim cable sounds good, are you implying that the other cables sound poorer, and in what ways.

Nina posted:

Anyone have an answer as to why the cable sounds so good?

Very simple really, because it's a very good sounding cable!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have heard the cable shine in 500 series systems compared to other highly touted cables here, there was very little difference. Not enough to justify the price difference anyway. My ears, my opinion. 

Trust your ears, don't fall for the hype.

badlands posted:

Trust your ears, don't fall for the hype.

Indeed. If you're looking for someone here to help explain what you're hearing you may be lost in cost and/or window dressing. Cables are all about system synergy and how that matches your room and ears. Cost shouldn't enter the equation. I've replaced Naim Powerlines with mains cables that cost a tenth the price and found marked improvement. I've replaced a Hiline with a Naim gray/lavender (maybe an eighth of the cost) on my vinyl side and been more satisfied. I wouldn't necessarily expect anyone here to concur with my choices or explain them. I simply look at it as a boon to my hi-fi budget.

Why would Naim Audio provide the grey interconnect with the NDS,  its top streamer, if they didn't consider it to be a good interconnect?

As Badlands says, trust your ears and don't fall for the hype.

I also use nDAC and SN2 and recently tried the original SNAIC between them. Unfortunately, I can't agree with the op. Against TQ Black DIN-DIN, it falls short on every aspect. In comparison, the original SNAIC sounds flat and boring. It sounds grey as the color suggests. It veils the sound, bass doesn't hit as deep, highs aren't as clear and it leaves the feeling like you miss quite a lot information on the recording. I use the regular Naim power cables and NACA5 as speaker cable, but when it comes to interconnect cable you can improve from SNAIC and it doesn't even have to cost you an arm and leg. 

But yes, it always comes down to system synergy. I could imagine grey SNAIC sounding very good in overly bright and detailed system. 

Hi Patu,  a point of order,   the so called SNAIC cables are those that carry both signal and power, typically connecting power amps & PSU's to preamps.   The cable in this thread is the 180 degree 5-pin DIN that carries signal only from the source to pre.,  and this is just called IC (interconnect)     FAQ  https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...cs-and-interconnects

PATU, it's not a SNAIC that's under discussion here but the grey/lavender grey interconnect.

See, How to Identify SNAICs and Interconnects

I like the standard Naim interconnect very much.  Other may do better hifi in one area or another, but it is engaging and allows through rhythms and leading edges that can so easily be blurred or blunted by other alternatives. Obviously it complements Naim kit very well, because that's what it's for. It's very cost-effective too.  Oh, and I just love the fact that it slips so easily under the audiophile radar - as thin as a shoelace and with no bling, how could it possibly make such wonderful music possible? And yet, it just works..

It sounds good because it is good.  It was very carefully sourced by Naim from a reputable supplier and then of course given a good shaking on the rack

Sorry guys! I just mixed the names of the cables. I was talking about the cable connecting source to preamp, so exactly the same cable which op refers to. 

Nina posted:

Anyone have an answer as to why the cable sounds so good?... well to me anyway..

It's not that it sounds so good, it's that expensive cables don't sound so good.

M

i have made a rca-din cable from the standard din-din lavender for connecting the phonoamp (which has rca) to the SuperNait. It simply sounds more lively and coherent than any other cable i have tried. 

I agree with Richard in that it just lets through the rhythms and leading edges in such a way that one cannot help but tap the foot with a well timed grin on one's face!

Superb value for money too.

Hi Nina,

 I think you have just noticed that Naim care enough about their products to include well performing cables. Both the so called Lavender interconnect and the standard mains cable may look like nothing special, but they are miles above the junk you get with most other gear. Better cables are available, some from Naim, some from others, but they don’t come cheap.

I prefer Vovox Textura interconnects between my nDAC and SN2. But I already had them before I bought the Naims. The matching Vovox power chord was nice with the DAC, while any other cable besides the Powerline made the amp sound worse.

I also love the locking connectors as it make such a secure fit

I hate to say it but I've also found much the same thing with the NACA5 cable.  I had very expensive speaker cable but the Naim cable again just sounds 'right'

For what I sold my 'other' speaker cable for virtually paid for the CD5XS or Naim Dac... 

And for what I sold my 'other' interconnect for paid for the NACA5 and NACA5 jumpers 

Bargain.... 

NINA

After auditioning numerous speaker cables, nothing really comes close to Naca 5. At this point I would have to hear something that was a night and day difference, as of yet, I haven't heard such a cable. I honestly believe that Naca 5 is just such a "right" sounding cable, and it does so many things brilliantly. Others I have auditioned sound compromised in some areas and fall short in areas where the Naim cable just excels. I would never not have it in my system! My ears, my opinion.

I can understand wanting to spend a small fortune on exotic cables, and to be honest, I definitely could afford the luxury, but nothing has swayed me enough to make the change. I think you're making the right decision in staying with Naca 5 and the lavender interconnect.

You'll put yourself to the test should you  decide to evaluate any of the Kimber SELECT 6000-series of speaker cable..

Word of caution: Do not listen unless you're prepared/able to purchase, particularly the silver/copper or all-silver models. I'll bet however that even the KS-6063 (all-copper) will leave you astonished.

 pj 

allhifi posted:

You'll put yourself to the test should you  decide to evaluate any of the Kimber SELECT 6000-series of speaker cable..

Word of caution: Do not listen unless you're prepared/able to purchase, particularly the silver/copper or all-silver models. I'll bet however that even the KS-6063 (all-copper) will leave you astonished.

 pj 

Do you use kimber with naim?Your profile says nothing.

I agree with Richard Dane.

Nina posted:

I also love the locking connectors as it make such a secure fit

I hate to say it but I've also found much the same thing with the NACA5 cable.  I had very expensive speaker cable but the Naim cable again just sounds 'right'

You’ll find the interconnect sounds better if you leave the collars unlocked. When I had this cable I removed them altogether. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

You’ll find the interconnect sounds better if you leave the collars unlocked. When I had this cable I removed them altogether. 

Seems a long-standing if not old-school notion of the Naim forum. Frankly, I've never been able to hear a difference either way - collars locked or unlocked. That may well have to do with the resolution of my ears or my level of gear, but I'd not be inclined to cut the collars from Naim ICs simply for matter of their resale value. Besides, as Naim zealots might say - the locking ring is included by Naim for a reason - best SQ after scrupulous testing.

joerand posted:

Seems a long-standing if not old-school notion of the Naim forum. Frankly, I've never been able to hear a difference either way - collars locked or unlocked. 

I'm inclined to agree,  I found it hard to hear a difference - & yes its old sckool as I tried it in my days with olive pre/pwr; rings loose & removed.  TBH I left them removed because it was all part of the 'Naim world'.    I'm now thinking it was most likely placebo or peeps trying to convince others that their ears were cloned from bats.    

allhifi posted:

You'll put yourself to the test should you  decide to evaluate any of the Kimber SELECT 6000-series of speaker cable..

Word of caution: Do not listen unless you're prepared/able to purchase, particularly the silver/copper or all-silver models. I'll bet however that even the KS-6063 (all-copper) will leave you astonished.

 pj 

Another word of warning; allhifi, do you know the inductance and capacitance of these cables? I couldn't find a spec on the web to check this.

Note that Naim amps are designed to work best with low capacitance and moderate inductance cables, otherwise you can have poor sound, or in a worst case scenario overheating and possible damage.

I’m sure I’ve read Naim people saying that it’s best to leave the rings on the interconnects of course, unless you have acrobatic hamsters who might pull them out. This doesn’t apply to Snaics of course, as they carry power and should be locked. Anyway, it’s something that can be tried for free. If people hear an improvement then that’s good and it’s a little upgrade. And if they don’t, nothing’s lost other than a bit of time listening to music. I don’t believe the rings were chosen for sound quality, I suspect it’s more that they just happen to be attached to the chosen plugs.