'Qute owners - How important is the equal length 'speaker cable requirement

Hi,

I think you will find that most if not all manufacturers will say that cables should be the same length; in Naims case they use the cable to load the amp correctly.

Have a look here for more info:  https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/3819189062263093

Peter

Yes, I'm aware of that general advice from Naim and wouldn't question it for the likes of the nap amps. However, the Uniti series amps aren't dependent on minimum 3.5m lengths of NACA5 or, indeed, NACA5 at all. I wouldn't even consider bothering about equal cable lengths for most amps and it would be a particular nuisance in this particular instance. Still, if I must then I must.

a metre or two will not effect the resistance of large csa cables

I bet it doesn't matter, although I usually have my qute connected to 3.5m of NAC A5. I do sometimes move it to my other system with qed 79 of uncertain vintage and it works just fine there too.

Actually, I've found a spare length so I can even them up with a bit of effort getting the old cable out. However, i've noticed that it's QED Micro, which I think has rather less than 79 strands  Should be interesting.

Just when one thinks he has heard all the NACA5 jokes along comes a world beater.

Add a bit to it and see.

Stu.

 Brilliant.

Actually, I guess what I wrote isn't too clear either. I have a full length of cable to substitute for the short length, so I won't need to add any. Maybe I'll leave the original length in position to save getting at it and just leave the new length on show (though my wife will NOT like that). However, all the cable that I thought was 79 strand isn't - it's micro, so will have rather less copper I think.

Oh dear, QED Micro. I usually show it to customers, then beg them not to buy it! It's dreadful. 79-strand (or QED original as it's known) is way better.

The cables should be the same length. If they're not the same, then the oddness that comes (usually a phasey sound almost lke you're lustening at an angle) depends on how much difference in length there is. My experience is that a few inches in several metres doesn't make a significant differene but 1m in 6m makes quite a difference.

But if it's Micro, I doubt it'll make a difference anyway! Give it a whirl and see how you get on.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I've just found 2 x 4.4 metre lengths of original Proac Response loudspeaker cable at the back of the cupboard. Now that's got some copper in it ! The ends look tarnished so I'll have to strip it back. Mind you, it'll be a beggar to install. To be honest, with the lounge set-up as it is, no one will notice any improvement. There's just a couple of Audio Pro Qubes at each side of the sofa, reflecting the sound up off the walls. It's fine for casual and background stuff though.

I think the point about some of the newer amplifiers is that they don't need NACA5 for stability, even if they benefit from it in terms of sound quality.