SL speaker cable upgrade, my thoughts.

Posted by: crackie on 09 June 2018

Thought I would post my thoughts on SL speaker cable that has been bedding in nicely over the last month. Coming from NACA5 (briefly had TQ Ultra Black for a short stay, but moved that on as I found it a bit too sweet / smooth for my taste).

Well, Its all true what has been written before, from top to bottom the cohesion is nothing short of phenomenal. Nothing stands out as individual greatness- it is just all so very right (if that makes sense). The Treble is not only sweeter but also extends higher and the bass appears deeper and a bit more defined (but not overblown like NACA5 to me ).

Except the one thing that does stand out and is so very obvious - clarity, lower noise floor, resolution - whatever the name for it is - it is just mind blowingly excellent.

The most obvious example I can give is U2 With or Without you, the opening 30 -40 seconds the synth that was previously hidden deep in the mix now shares the stage with the rest of the music. Not taken over, just brought out and now so very easy to listen to - like a new mix of the same song.

Compare to NACA5 ? The NACA5 is more rough around the edges, pumps up the lower/mid bass too much , falls apart a bit as the volume increases - almost harsh in the midrange, the very highs appear rolled off.

Still excellent cable for the money and it has been around for ages, just in my room, my system, my preferences is very much in favour of the SL.

I have posted recently about upgrading my digital front end, digital coaxial cable etc. Well that is now well and truly off the table now, the SL speaker cable has fixed any issues that I had in relation to resolution shortfalls and where I wanted my system balance to move towards etc.

Any downside ? Unfortunately, I’ll now be getting the DIN>XLR amp. cable pair for my 300DR to complete the full SL loom....................

Posted on: 09 June 2018 by No quarter

I agree with everything you say.i have a hard time describing what I hear myself,but you summed it up nicely,thank you.The Din to XLR was a significant upgrade for me too,I actually did that one first.I am still waiting for my DC 1 cable,what issues are you talking about with your front end and coax cable,I must of missed that post.?

Posted on: 09 June 2018 by Filipe

Crackie, I’m very happy with almost the same setup including the SL DIN to XLR. Almost went for a 552 to replace the 282, but the Naim Glass isolation shelves, cups and balls (£90/set) added to my HiFi Racks Akorner made the difference. Medium or long legs essential.

Phil

Posted on: 09 June 2018 by crackie

No quarter posted:
I agree with everything you say.i have a hard time describing what I hear myself,but you summed it up nicely,thank you.The Din to XLR was a significant upgrade for me too,I actually did that one first.I am still waiting for my DC 1 cable,what issues are you talking about with your front end and coax cable,I must of missed that post.?

Nothing really problematic as such, just "wondering what if...." But I did try an Chord Epic Digital Coaxial cable against the DC1, could not really tell much difference at all between the 2. I just craved a bit more resolution and detail in the end.

The SL speaker cable did this and then some...........