New a/c Cord for NANA equipment

An interesting thread. During the testing at NANA, were any comparisons made with a Graham's hydra arrangement? Chris W, your comment to Craig about cable A and plug B, in response to his query of UK cable and US plug, prompts this query. I have a Graham's hydra and did notice a slight improvement over the single (older) cables I was previously using. I do not know what cable is used in the hydra.

Thanks,
Mark.

quote:

were any comparisons made with a Graham's hydra arrangement?

I cannot emphasize, as previously mentioned before in other threads, the commercial necessity of proper regulatory approval (UL/CE/CSA, etc.) of AC mains cables designed for use in domestic consumer equipment.

We are not in the hydra- (or any other accessory-) manufacturing business; further, one would STILL necessarily choose raw cable stock in order to make up the assemblies from scratch.

As Chris K put it, Naim is what we must concentrate on from a business perspective.

I, personally, would have no interest in a hydra for my own use, as it would be extremely inconvenient when changing my system configuration above or below the specified number of IEC heads (stubborn, I suppose, like many others).

quote:

We are not in the hydra- (or any other accessory-) manufacturing business; further, one would STILL necessarily choose raw cable stock in order to make up the assemblies from scratch.

Thanks for the answer, Dave.

I was asking if an internal comparison had been done at NANA during the Cablepro development; I was not wondering if Naim had considered entering the hydra market.

Many, myself included, have found the hydra that Graham's make up a worthwhile improvement over individual cables. This was certainly the case when I was in the UK. Since moving to the US, I found going to the wiremold a step down from the hydra.

"Since moving to the US, I found going to the wiremold a step down from the hydra"

...but you also changed transformer primary voltages, too, so this may not be a valid comparison–let alone the difference in plugs (and decoupling of the conductor pins).

Hi Mark,

Does the Graham's hydra, use a different type of cable/s for the US version, or is it the same as the UK version [apart from the wall plug]?

In Australia, the power cable, supplied with Naim gear, is the same as in the UK. [plugs different of course]

I haven't seen a Graham's close up, but I imagine the ones, that have been sold to people in Oz, are the same as the UK versions. [like the Australian Naim leads... which are supplied by Naim (from the factory in the UK), not the Australian distributor]

The reason I am asking, is that considering the importance of the power cable to the Hi-Fi component [it has to be considered part of design, and it is used to test performance at Naim's factory in the UK], I don't understand why a specific cable, with known parameters, is not supplied ex-factory to the US market.

This is made harder to undestand, when I look in UK electronics supplier catalogs [Farnell, and RS], and see UK cable manufacturers, who market 110V US IEC power leads, out of the UK.

Anyway, no big deal, just seems odd, though it can explain differing results with the gear.

Craig

Interesting reading through this thread. Strange attitudes. If you don't like the price don't buy the product. I'm just happy Naim is taking the time on such issues and make a product available. Like Fraim, its expensive but I am happy it's available. I have a Cablepro strip, excellent product! sounds like the new cords will be a good match with the powerstrip.

Are these new AC cords now available?

Given the proliferation of a/c cords being marketed in the U.S. at prices in excess of $500, $1,000 and even $2,000, I am somewhat perplexed by comments seemingly taking issue with NANA charging $25 for the new Naim a/c cord. I think the answers to the following questions really are pretty easy:

Does NANA want Naim gear to sound as good as possible? Presumably, yes.

Would NANA market a new A/C cord if it did not truly believe it represented an improvement over the old a/c cord? Presumably, no.

Should NANA charge money for the new A/C cord or simply give them away for free? Clearly, a charge is necessary and deserved.

If a price is to be charged, what is reasonable given the current market environment? God only knows, but purely profiteering motives would have led to something much higher than $25.

If NANA really marketed these cables as a substantial improvement, how many could it sell at $100? $250? $500? $1,000? Probably enough to make more profits than what it will make selling $25 cords.

Is a $25 price too much to pay to improve your Naim system? Given what most of us have spent on our systems, this is laughable.

What other improvements to your system are available at that price? Not too many come to mind ....

I'll be ordering 3 for my system, hopefully before the day is out. Frankly, I don't care whether the new A/C cord is the best in the world or not. I do have enough faith in NANA and my dealer to believe that the cord represents an improvement over the old one (and I really have no desire spend hours and hours testing tens of cords when I could be listening to music for enjoyment). I'll also be ordering the new Cablepro strip, but not until I get my Hi-Cap2.

Mike

quote:

Should NANA charge money for the new A/C cord or simply give them away for free? Clearly, a charge is necessary and deserved.

They are free with new equipment.

quote:

The reason I am asking, is that considering the importance of the power cable to the Hi-Fi component [it has to be considered part of design, and it is used to test performance at Naim's factory in the UK], I don't understand why a specific cable, with known parameters, is not supplied ex-factory to the US market.

Once again–must have regulatory approval AND sound good at 115V (without the variable of a step-down transformer). Taking a U.K. cable an re-terminating it at the plug end introduces another variable of comparison (the plug, the joints) that affects the results; the molded plugs often sound better, when compared to the local replaceable equivalents (which tend to be quite bright and timing-challenged).

quote:

The Ching Cheng that has been shipping for a year or more can be for some, a bit too bright and a little aggressive in the USA, and more than 80% are wired with the writing going towards the component, 20% or less are towards the wall outlet. The ones with the writing towards the wall outlet sound better, but are rare, and the rest are a bit bright for comfort.

The Volex cords that came before, which were more neutral, became unavailable, and the Ching Cheng was the best alternative.

We also have found that they fit too tightly into the socket, so if you don't push them in far enough, they can make a poor contact. Please check them if you can.

quote:

Craig: Does the Graham's hydra, use a different type of cable/s for the US version, or is it the same as the UK version [apart from the wall plug]?

Craig - good question, I shall endeavour to find out. Graham's will terminate with a US plug on request (note: this is not just some loose "yeah, we'll do it" approach; my particular circumstances were that they had also changed my equipment for 115v).

quote:

DaveD: ...but you also changed transformer primary voltages, too, so this may not be a valid comparison–let alone the difference in plugs (and decoupling of the conductor pins).

Maybe I wasn't clear enough previously. My own comparison was in the US, in the same apartment, with the same equipment, bar the mains cabling.

FWIW, the new AC cable fits Linn gear. Worth thinking about if you have any, and you are totting up how many cables to order.

Marc:

Are you now using the NANA approved Cablepro? IIRC you did at one time prefer another (Revelation II?)?

Outlet Strips and Such
I have 4 individual, dedicated circuits with 12 Ga. Romex wiring that feed my sistem and I use them like this:
1 for my LP12
1 for my 250
1 for my Hi/NAPSC
1 for my XPS
Would I find any benefit from using the new outlet strip on one circuit to power the entire sistem?
I have no current issues with ground loops, etc.
Any suggestions?
David

quote:

Originally posted by Paul B:
Marc:

Are you now using the NANA approved Cablepro? IIRC you did at one time prefer another (Revelation II?)?

Paul-
I am using the Cable Pro version,not the NANA version...This includes the reverie2 hardwired cord.
Regards,
Marc

David, I went from 1 - 20amp line with the wiremold to 4 - 20amp lines to 4- 30amp lines. The jump to the 4 lines from the wiremold was huge and again a large improvement to 4-30 amp lines.

The Cablepro product again is a significant improvement over the 4 - 30 amp lines. The noise floor dropped out of sight. I went with the NANA version but added a 20amp rated power cord and 20amp recepticles. The NANA version cord and recepticles are 15amp, inners 20amp rated.

John

Thanks for the response, John.
So, just to clarify, you are using the Cablepro with ONE line to power your kit?
This is really interesting.
You had a reduction in noise floor?
My vintage (but recently serviced) 250 is a bit noisy, I wonder if that would help.
David

David, I have my Cablepro plugged into one 30amp line now.

I was sceptical at first as well because I had experienced the benefit of going from 1 line to 4. Better grounding but maybe a compromise on the power??? The Cablepro is miles ahead of 4 lines. The impact is as big as putting all of your boxes on Fraim or adding a Supercap in your chain. It's essential IMO, it should be pruchased before any black box. Not sure how much the 20amp chord and recepticles add to performance. With all the effort of getting the dedicated lines to my equipment I didn't want to comprise anything.

John

Thanks, John.
I'll try one.
Phoned my local dealer and they didn't have any idea about the new a/c cord... Put me on hold and asked about a price list...
I'll give them a week or two and then try the whole lot.
Mean time I'll plug everything into one outlet (again) and see what I hear.
David

Hey slow down chaps, this lead is ok but not worth changing existing cable for.We concessed its use due to a short term batch problem we had with our supply.

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Stephenson:
Hey slow down chaps, this lead is ok but not worth changing existing cable for.We concessed its use due to a short term batch problem we had with our supply.

We still have a lot of Naim sheeps around

quote:

Hey slow down chaps, this lead is ok but not worth changing existing cable for.We concessed its use due to a short term batch problem we had with our supply.

OK, then there's this from Chris Coster:

quote:

The new cord (the TIBIA) has been a hit in many different systems. We waited to let it out until a lot of different customers who are good listeners and own very revealing systems signed off on it, after we had done extensive comparisons in our own systems, and at dealerships, and in the UK.

In combination with the Cablepro NANA powerstrip, this cord seems to be an upgrade for all US systems at a reasonable cost.

The last part has our attention.
Then this from Mr. Dever:

quote:

I just received a Noisetrapper NANA from CablePro and installed it at home, with the new power cords which were already in place, and must say that I'm finally convinced about the performance improvements brought by such a combination–such that this post will now terminate abruptly (while I escape back to the music).

Let's get our stories straight, please.
Or is the TIBIA a FIBia? (Or a Fibula for those anatomically inclined?)

David
(edited for spelling)

Paul, please clarify. I just ordered some based on the thrust of this thread and the input from Chris and Dave. I suspect dealers have also ordered in anticipation of sales. There will be lots of upset people if the cord is as you state.

quote:

Originally posted by John:
Paul, please clarify. I just ordered some based on the thrust of this thread and the input from Chris and Dave. I suspect dealers have also ordered in anticipation of sales. There will be lots of upset people if the cord is as you state.

There's now't like trying something out first

quote:

Originally posted by John:
Paul, please clarify. I just ordered some based on the thrust of this thread and the input from Chris and Dave. I suspect dealers have also ordered in anticipation of sales. There will be lots of upset people if the cord is as you state.

baahhhhh....baah...

Listen and decide.

What we need to impress is that if you are pleased with your system with the Ching Cheng, leave it alone, because there may be plenty of situations where it may be the best cord to get the best result.

Just make sure it is pushed in as far as possible.

If you try the Tibia, don't assume it is better. Make sure it is, or isn't. Our dealers will gladly give a refund if you are not pleased.



chris

And your dealers need to know about it too...
That way the sheep may safely graze.
baahhhh!
David