Which Chord speaker cable?

At a guess, the two inside main wires used are exactly the same, apart from the cheaper using a slightly less beefier AWG - with just the outer sleeve being the difference.

depending on your " environment" concerning the extra shielding,  I would think there is not much in it with differences in quality.

Everything is close to the ethernet-cabled router...

Also, I might stretch to the Epics, if the quality leap justified the price. ..

Chord clearway 14 AWG

            shawline 16 AWG

            epic    12 AWG

So, yes some differences in the inside main cables !

more metal AWG is known to give more of everything, but compromised in timing from skin effects etc.

depends if you want to contour your tone and delivery or if you want a straight neutral signal ?

Two different cables:

Shawline:   Twisted pair silver-plated OFC wire with PTFE insulation & a braid screen.   Wire size is 1.31mm/2 & OD is 8mm

Clearway:   Twisted pair OFC wire with FEP insulation & a foil screen.  Wire size is 2.08mm/2 & OD is 10.5mm

A classic case for a dealer demo & let your own Mk-II audio receptors decide

Unfortunately,  due to peculiar circumstances that I won't bore you with, a demonstration is not available.

I could be tempted to the Epics, but the need to  "tuck away" the extra length (2×4.5m) means it's got to be fairly bendy?

I have Epic Reference which I wouldn't describe as bendy,  but I have managed to tuck the excess length down the side of the rack.

If not a demonstration, how about a home loan, I'm reasonably sure Chord keep a library for dealer loan. If not at least one dealer offers 60 day cash back.

The Epic is the same as my Odyssey except it has a braid screen.

Twisted pair silver-plated OFC with PTFE insulation (Epic with braid screen)   Wire size is 3.31mm/2 & OD is (Epic 11mm)   Odyssey is 8mm & very bendy & stay put bend compliant.  

So I've taken the plunge and ordered 2x4m Epic.

I like the addition of shielding for mechanical interference which, given their coiled-up location (back and forth, not circular, before you start going on about it) on the floor under the racks due to lack of space, swung it in their favour for me.

Cost covered by selling on the ProAcs.

Happy days.

Had epic for a number of years and went to the NACA5. Can’t beat a good copper cable in my opinion. 

The epic is good but it was far to bright and quite fatiguing after a while I’m my opinion.

My ???? tho

Popeye posted:

Had epic for a number of years and went to the NACA5. Can’t beat a good copper cable in my opinion. 

The epic is good but it was far to bright and quite fatiguing after a while I’m my opinion.

My ???? tho

I did the same. Personally I couldn’t really pick out an obvious difference between the two. I was financially better off though and I’m happy I now have the speaker cables that my system was developed with. 

So I've installed the Epic.

The leap of faith was justified. Astonishing improvement all round. Those who claim that cable upgrades are woo science need a different set of brain synapses, in my opinion.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it. When I can hear things that simply were not in the room using the old cable, to me that's an improvement, not an illusion.

There has been no loss of musicality. Foot still tapping.

Happy days.

Popeye posted:

Had epic for a number of years and went to the NACA5. Can’t beat a good copper cable in my opinion. 

The epic is good but it was far to bright and quite fatiguing after a while I’m my opinion.

My ???? tho

I have both NACA5 and Chord Epic Twin in two separate systems and often switch both cables in the main system. The difference is subtle between the cables, not night and day. I can live with both but the Chord Epic Twin gets the vote as it offers slightly more refinement and detail than the NACA5. The NACA5 sounds crude in comparison. Again, not night and day difference as both are a good fit for Naim amps. The Chord Epic just edges the NACA5 in both detail and refinement.

Drewy posted:

Popeye posted:

Had epic for a number of years and went to the NACA5. Can’t beat a good copper cable in my opinion. 

The epic is good but it was far to bright and quite fatiguing after a while I’m my opinion.

My ???? tho

I did the same. Personally I couldn’t really pick out an obvious difference between the two. I was financially better off though and I’m happy I now have the speaker cables that my system was developed with. 

You didn't perceive a noticeable difference between the two cables because they do sound quite alike. I went with the Chord Epic Twin in the main system because it sounded slightly better than the NACA5 with added refinement and detail. The NACA5 is still a good sounding cable though it's now in the lesser system with the 202/200. The stiffness of the NACA5 is one of the reasons I switched to the Chord Epic Twin apart from the "slightly" different(improved in my system) sound quality.

I'm starting to develop the "Trapped On The Sofa" syndrome already and I've only just had breakfast... 

Great, Mike. Glad it has worked out and you are enjoying the new cables.

Sofa sores are always a good sign!

Suggest to get Chord Cable from Signature level and up. If you has more budget then just go for Sarum, it won't disappoint you with the Naim Setup. If your speaker are Tannoy or similar then suggest go for Cardas. Naim Cable to me still less the sparks like the Chord Cable.