Starquad cables - Naim 250

Posted by: Eddie Pugh on 21 May 2002

I need to run some fairly long cables from my AV Processor (Non Naim) to a NAP 250 which will power my rear surround speakers.

Now I know you purists will say that you should never feed a Naim Power from a non Naim Pre but a quick call to Naim's help line reassured me that there would be no problem.

My problem is that the cables need to be about 8 metres long and there are DECT phones and WIFI basestations in the near vicinity.

Chord would relieve me of a small fortune for one of their special cables so I'm getting the iron out.

Can anyone recommend a good quality Belden,Klotz or Van Damme cable type for this application. Is ther any advantage in using a "starquad" type in view of the EMI/RFI advantages. As the 250 has a 3 PIN XLR input. Does anyone know whether the 250 input is BALANCED. The AV will have two phonos at the other end - UNBALANCED

I read somewhere that there is a way of wiring up "Unbalanced to Balanced" which preserve ssome of the benefits. Any techies out there?

Eddie Pugh
Posted on: 21 May 2002 by Simon Crosland
Hello Eddie,

quote:
My problem is that the cables need to be about 8 metres long and there are DECT phones and WIFI basestations in the near vicinity.


In a domestic environment, even with DECT phones and WIFI etc., 8m should not be problem for standard unbalanced cables.

quote:
Is there any advantage in using a "starquad" type in view of the EMI/RFI advantages.


Starquad is an example of an overly promoted cable that is not worth the additional cost, and has the disadvantage of excessive capacitance.

Belden 1800F is a good premium cable.

Cheers,
Simon
Posted on: 21 May 2002 by Martin Payne
Wouldn't you just be better off with a short interconnect & 10m of NACA5, as the designer intended?

cheers, Martin
Posted on: 21 May 2002 by Manu
You are looking for problems!
Naim amps are already touchy with non Naim pre, if you use a 8 m cable, good luck.
1m interconnect and 8m NACA5 (or even, whatever speaker cable) is the only way to go.

Emmanuel
Posted on: 22 May 2002 by Eddie Pugh
Thank you all.

I can't possibly fit another Naim 250 in at the front of the room where the rest of the kit is so a long run to an inconspicuous position on top of a cupboard at the back of the room is the only way to go.

Anyway those A5 are impossible to conceal.

I'll try the Belden 1800F. Now to find a source which doesn't require me to buy a 100m reel.

Eddie