DIN/XLR for NAP250 and SNAIC 4 for NAP 200

analogmusic posted:

Maybe Adam Meredith or Richard Dane knows the answer about this one, but are these made of the same type of cable?

Not, in the main, they are not.

The SNAIC cables have a braided outer shield - the XLRs are unshielded.
In fact, the situation here (with no power coming from the power amplifier) doesn't require shielding and does require 3 conductors.

The cable used is a (presumably specific make and model) 3-core mains cable - as evidenced by the presence of an earth coded (green & yellow) 3rd core. The tuning dial in the NAT 101 was a cut down plastic measuring jug and, I think (although someone might have been teasing) the PIPS in the Allae and Credo are Lego wheels. It was always about what works - rather than - something else.

There is the rare Active SNAIC which I would imagine is again the 3 core cable in 4 pin to 4 pin configuration - used in active systems and, if you wished, where power to the preamplifier is being provided by an external power supply and not the power amp. I made such a lead up for myself back when I knew better - who knows if I picked a suitable example.

Thank you Adam

analogmusic posted:

Another curiosity is that the Hi-Line didn't work out for DIN/XLR duties (which is the preamp to power amp connection) as it is deemed to be electrically unsuitable and doesn't work out musically/sonically for that job.

 

When the proposed versions were listening tested they produced an improvement. However, it was decided not to be good enough value for money to go into production.

The Naim, lightweight (plastic) XLRs are very good connectors and, so far, deemed not to require AirPlug technology.

If I still worked at Naim I might hanker (i.e. try to sneak a special) for a metal AirPlug 4 pin DIN with either some HiLine or SL cable but there would likely be a messy connection at the XLR end as cable entry and retention might not work very well. That and I now use a Qute - so not much call for sprauncy leads. I did make a PowerLine hydra for my own use.

Although ALL the little clever pixies used to come up with intriguing ideas Roy George always ran, except when checking prototypes, his home system as standard - as would any customer.

interesting that Roy George (who voiced the legendary Nait 2)  uses the standard cables at home....