Alternative to NACA5 speaker cable

Posted by: NJB on 27 January 2018

I am using old, probably at least 20 year old, NACA5 between my 282/250.2 and my Dynaudio Focus 160s. A couple of years ago I Re-terminated the ends (and discovered that the hifi dealer that had supplied them should not list soldering as one of his talents). I am of the opinion that the conductors themselves do not age, so are still fine, but nothing that I can do will improve the stubborn nature of A5. Indeed, one of my concerns is that I have moved house a few times, have coaxed the A5 into an approximation of a 12 inch diameter circle (to hide the extra metres) on many occasions and wonder if I have caused any strands to fracture as a result.

I am sure that there are alternatives to A5, can anybody recommend any that are sensible prices? I only need 2m lengths, although ‘old school’ used to say Naim amplifiers needed a minimum length to meet the inductive requirement for speaker cable. Not sure if that is still true.

Comparisons to A5 would be appreciated, tone, dynamics etc.

Posted on: 28 January 2018 by Skip

Crimson Electronics makes a speaker cable, the RM MusicLink, which is a credible alternative to NACA5. It is cheaper, more flexible, and sounds competitive on my son's UQ2b into Blumenstein Thrashers. We got them on the dealer's recommendation because the banana plugs work well with the UQ2b, compared to the standard Naim connector, and they are the high value solution for a price sensitive customer. They might be worth a listen. From the website, it appears Crimson might lend you a pair or put you in touch with a dealer who would.

Posted on: 29 January 2018 by NewNaim16

Richard Dane posted:
... Your NAP250.2 most certainly needs to strictly comply with Naim's speaker cabling recommendations, 3.5m per channel being the absolute minimum.

+1. I just found this out for myself the hard way. I recently borrowed a 7m pair of NAC A5 cables and much preferred it compared to our own 3.5m pair of NAC A5. The 3.5m version was lacking in body compared with the 7m length.

I previously owned the Mk1 Tellurium Q Black, which for our room, system and preferences was a bit bright and thin. We subsequently auditioned the Mk2 version of Tellurium Q Black which we preferred over the Mk1 version but consider NAC A5 better for us with what one might describe as a fuller, more rounded sound. We've also auditioned Super Lumina, which although sounding fabulous in some ways, introduced some unwanted sibilance.

Depending on your situation the stiffness can be a curse or a blessing. Tellurium Q Black wiggling all over the hardwood floor looked unsightly compared with a nice straight run of NAC A5. So it all depends.

Our next upgrade will probably be to a longer length of NAC A5 although the question remains about how much longer e.g. say 5.5 or 7m.

Have you seen the new Witch Hat, Phantom speaker cable?