NACA5 vs NACA4

Posted by: DIL on 27 August 2001

Hi,

I currently run long naca4 cables (ca 15m + souced in about 1984) but due to rearranging the relative position of my gear, have the possibility to change to shorter cables. I don't want to cut the existing cables since having long cables in a cupboard "just in case" seems like a good idea.

Any comments / personal experiences of long A4 over short A5 (ie 3.5m or slightly longer.)

Before you ask, I am a long way from a dealer and the option of auditioning cables is not open to me.

Also, I know coils are bad, but what is current practice as far as a 'wife friendly' aesthetic solution to hiding excess cable ?

/david

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
quote:
Any comments / personal experiences of long A4 over short A5 (ie 3.5m or slightly longer.)

I've never worried unduly over cable length's, I believe someone once posted the optimum (design) length is 10m (?), but over 3.5 you're OK and it doesn't make a huge difference below about 20m or so.

NACA5 though is a massive improvement over NACA4, I was amazed all those years ago when I changed to the new cable, itwas stunning the improvement it made.

Buy some on spec, with Naim connectors fitted, I'm certain you will not be disappointed.

quote:
Also, I know coils are bad, but what is current practice as far as a 'wife friendly' aesthetic solution to hiding excess cable ?

The commonly recommended solution is to wrap the cable back and forth upon itself, instead of coiling. This works well and can be made quite neat.

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by Pierre Isabelle
Is is easy to see the difference between the two types?

-- Pierre

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by ken c
naca5 is much much stiffer than naca4. its so obvious you wont miss the difference.

enjoy

ken

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by Robbie
And it takes a long time to run in...

Rob.

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by jim learoyd
I have just received some A5 cable and have being trying this weekend. I'm told that the cable is about 2 years old.
Well my first impressions within minutes was wow, a huge improvement over the old exposure cable I have been using. The first thing that struck me was the bass, deeper, more tuneful, cleaner. The sound is SO much better for such a small outlay.
I would like to hear your comments on one plugs that came with the cables, they have Linn connectors on the Amplifier end with GOLD PLATED plugs. This makes me feel uneasy, even though I am getting a huge increase in music has anybody had bad reports about gold plated plugs. I seem to remember ages ago their was a thread on it. Will the Naim plugs be better? I have a feeling they will be.

jim...............

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by Michael
Jim.....

The matter of plugs has been discussed in quite a few threads here .....you might like to do a search....

In almost every case and also from personal experience, Naim plugs seem to be the order of the day... over banana plugs, gold plated plugs et al.

Could be one of the cheapest upgrades you'll ever make.... try to read the threads regarding soldering of the plugs if you are going to do the job yourself.

You won't be disappointed

Posted on: 27 August 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
quote:
And it takes a long time to run in...

I've never gone in for this cable running-in business.

I think it has more to do with psychological perceptions as a result of the familiarity that comes from use.

NacA5 sounds great straight off the reel to me, and doesn't get any better.

Andy.