Speaker cable length again

Posted by: graphoman on 16 April 2002

It’s commonly known by now that Naim Audio doesn’t want to define the optimal length of A5 between amp and speaker. They say any length is good between 5-20m. I have two sets (paars) of 5m pieces that make a 10m-set if used in tandem.

In the recent two years I made several upgrades: Nait 2 as preamp, then 32.5, HiCap, 72, SBLs instead of some cheap model, and, at the end, CD3 to CDS1. Every time I compared the two lengths of speaker cables. Of course, I’m far from having the current bests but at least now I HAVE my opinion. In the future I’ll stick to the 10m-set. The sound is more stable. (Though the big snakes are rather inconvenient.) In this respect it should be mentioned that A5 comes in 10m-sets and it’s the dealer who has to cut it into half.

graphoman

Posted on: 16 April 2002 by Manu
You must compare 5m cable with 10m cable (one piece). Whatever method you use to connect them together will deteriorate things.


NACA5 comes in 100m rolls, they are cut to dealer (or customer) demand.

My view is the optimum length is around 10 m. The other advantage of such a length is that you can place your system far from speakers.

Emmanuel

[This message was edited by Manu on WEDNESDAY 17 April 2002 at 05:42.]

Posted on: 16 April 2002 by Craig B
Date: January 21, 1998 09:44 AM
Author: julian vereker
Subject: cable length

This has been covered before, (try search), but to restate, NACA was designed for a nominal 10m length so that 5m - 20m would be fine, but 3m is the shortest recommended.

julian <end>

I would agree with Emmanuel that your 5m set should be superior to a patched together 10m set made up of four 5m lengths as no matter how you connect them together you will be adversly affecting the loop values by introducing additional variables into the circuit.

From the jv archives (again)...

FOR INFO THE RELEVANT SPECS ARE:

1.3 - 1.5microHenries per metre (Loop)

MAX 20picoFarads per metre

About 25milliOhms per meter (loop)

MIN Length 3 metres <end>

IME longer does sound better but you should not exceed 20m. I went from 3m to 10+ and noticed a difference, however, it was much less of a difference than going from same lengths of A4 to A5.

Why not sell off your 4 x 5m runs and buy a new 10m pair?

Craig