Mains cable for the CDX

Posted by: Matt worlock on 10 October 2001

In the post (warming up the CDX) Chris Metcalf said he was using the 'classic' Kimber mains cable to power his player. Now I,m wondering what was wrong with the cable supplied.

What are the sound improvements of using an alternative mains cable?

I have heard of the Russ Andrews range of Kimber cables, is it one of these Chris?

Cheers Mad Matt

Posted on: 10 October 2001 by garyi

Read the unofficial FAQ at the top of this page regarding mains cables and Naims attitude on them.

Posted on: 10 October 2001 by Andrew Randle

There's nothing wrong with the mains cable on Naim kit. Go to Audio-T in Reading and try out those Hutter stands

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 10 October 2001 by Steve Toy

The standard Naim lead is beaten by the Music Works one for its ability to separate strands of notes, especially organ, with a CDX.
It does everything else right as well.
However, the standard Naim lead is marginally better into a CD5 - better defined bass.

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one
Steve

Posted on: 10 October 2001 by Matt worlock

Hey Andrew good news ....the CDX is 'warming up' nicely as promised by many. I have left it spinning with the mute button on for a while.....

Meanwhile I set about practicing some home surgery......scooped them up from the floor where they fell & managed to graft both my ears back on to no detrement to my hearing......Phew I was pleased! However by this time I had missed some important calls & my wife was asking why I was ignoring her.
Anyway last night I pressed me mute button again and WOW the sound had changed for the better. Treble frequecies at the extreme were'nt smeared S's & T's far smoother & in control than their original ear slicing onslaught. Everything sounding more natural with soundstage more focused, generally easier to listen to, to relax into.

Long may this continue!

PS With sound like this, Hutter will just have to wait....anyhow somthing closer to home would be better, Readings to far. I'd still like to check it out though..Cheers Andrew.

Bye for now Mad Matt.

Posted on: 10 October 2001 by Andrew Randle

Excellent news! You're describing the same thing I experienced with my CDX. The problem is, when you power it down you will have to go through the whole thing again

Anyway, there might be a couple of other Hutter suppliers around the UK. Best phone Hutter, their website seems to ignore the low-key UK Hutter dealers.... if you feel the need now

Another thing to consider is that your interconnects aren't running in parallel and close proximity to each other. A fairly-large effect that will improve your involvement in the music.

Andrew

Andrew Randle
2B || !2B;
4 ^ = ?;

Posted on: 11 October 2001 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Andrew Randle:
The problem is, when you power it down you will have to go through the whole thing again

Andrew,

not sure about the CDX (didn't own mine from new), but my CDS-II head unit benefited considerably from being powered down for a few hours about 4-6 weeks into the burn-in process.

Sounds bizarre, I know, but it can't do any harm to try it out.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 11 October 2001 by bob atherton

Being, as I am, a totally out of the closet Hutter Nutter, I must agree with Andrew. There is a great synergy with Naim CD players & Hutter. Do yourself a favour & check them out.

Bob.

Posted on: 11 October 2001 by Duncan Fullerton

quote:
Not sure about the CDX (didn't own mine from new), but my CDS-II head unit benefited considerably from being powered down for a few hours about 4-6 weeks into the burn-in process

Not that I'm disagreeing, but how can you tell? I mean, how do you know that if you'd left you CDS-II powered up for those few hours that the same improvements wouldn't have been realised?

S'not exactly an A-B comparison, is it?

Posted on: 11 October 2001 by Matt worlock

I can you know..... I can see his point

Posted on: 11 October 2001 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Duncan Fullerton:
Not that I'm disagreeing, but how can you tell? I mean, how do you know that if you'd left you CDS-II powered up for those few hours that the same improvements wouldn't have been realised?
S'not exactly an A-B comparison, is it?

Well, no it isn't, but I was quite happy with the improvement. The sound really tightened up quite nicely, which I feel is a noticeable feature of the CDSII during early burn-in.

Of course, I can't say whether this will make any difference to the CDX.

cheers, Martin

Posted on: 12 October 2001 by Martin Payne

quote:
Originally posted by Martin Payne:
Quote: "Originally posted by Duncan Fullerton:
Not that I'm disagreeing, but how can you tell? I mean, how do you know that if you'd left you CDS-II powered up for those few hours that the same improvements wouldn't have been realised?
S'not exactly an A-B comparison, is it? "

Well, no it isn't, but I was quite happy with the improvement. The sound really tightened up quite nicely, which I feel is a noticeable feature of the CDSII during early burn-in. (**Edit: to clarify, the CDSII tightens up considerably during it's burn-in - the power-down seems to help this significantly**).
Of course, I can't say whether this will make any difference to the CDX.
cheers, Martin