RCA vs DIN
Posted by: sharik on 16 May 2014
was kind of shock to me when discovered that RCA inputs on my Nait XS 2 have such a poor installation -
has anyone here ever compared how the RCAs perform against DINs, does it affect the sound quality if i use RCA inputs thus ignoring Naim's recommendations to use DIN ones?
Try "search" - this is very frequently written about.
Also here is the sticky in FAQ = https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-use-din-connections
Can you hear a difference ?? it depends on the combination of many things, the spec's of the RCA cables, this includes the cable length & the impedance of the individual RCA terminals, added to the abilities of the rest of your equipment & your ears.
here is the sticky in FAQ = https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-use-din-connections
that is a praise of how essential DINs are, yes, but i would like to hear from someone who tried both connections indeed.
here is the sticky in FAQ = https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-use-din-connections
that is a praise of how essential DINs are, yes, but i would like to hear from someone who tried both connections indeed.
Can't you try it yourself. Then there will be no reason to doubt.
Can't you try it yourself. Then there will be no reason to doubt.
having nothing more to say than this you might abstain from the discussion at all.
Can't you try it yourself. Then there will be no reason to doubt.
having nothing more to say than this you might abstain from the discussion at all.
Sounded a reasonable course of action to me.
Why so touchy?
Yes, it sounds like a very reasonable course of action. Why not try for yourself and reach your own conclusion? I did.
Why not try for yourself and reach your own conclusion? I did.
then why not share your experience here?
Ok my experience.. I have no problem with RCA (phono) plugs for non Naim, but I have always found Naim connecting to Naim, the Naim DIN leads sound best. The audio sounds more coherent and natural. This might of course be as much to do with the cable as the plug, although technically I can see the advantage of a single common ground.
i also feel that there is advantage with the simplified wiring with DIN leads and it makes cable dressing easier.. again which might add a positive benefit.
Simon
Ok my experience.. I have no problem with RCA (phono) plugs for non Naim
thanks for the comment.
because the thing is i own a Nad M1 DAC that has RCA & XLR outputs which i connect to the Nait XS2 with some posh Acrolink RCA cable, and going DIN would mean for me purchasing a Naim DAC together with a Hi-Line.
Can't you try it yourself. Then there will be no reason to doubt.
having nothing more to say than this you might abstain from the discussion at all.
Sounded a reasonable course of action to me.
Why so touchy?
Eurovision thread?
I'm not sure I can see where the poor installation is in the photo, can you be more specific?
Why not try for yourself and reach your own conclusion? I did.
then why not share your experience here?
Because your experiences won't be the same as mine. I use a HiLine. So what?
Sharik, making this type of comparison is impossible to say positively that any differences you may hear is caused by DIN vs RCA or the different cable construction or a combination of both.
I've compared Chord Chorus RCA with a Naim "Lavender" DIN & my own 28cm length Mogami 2549 / Neutrik DIN. Apart from my own cable sounding the best, it is not possible to say what caused the differences. Its really up to you to form your own opinion. As for me, I'm happy that my DIN cables do not have impedance miss-match issues, after that I am not concerned.
there where RCA inputs installed.
..... has anyone here ever compared how the RCAs perform against DINs, does it affect the sound quality if i use RCA inputs thus ignoring Naim's recommendations to use DIN ones?
Naim prefer and recommend DIN inputs. They provide for RCA phono in some instances but normal owners will stick with DIN.
Some have tried RCA phono but you will find that normal owners do not - nor have they ever been tempted so to do.
Honestly.
However, you are free to stick what you like into where you like - you won't be judged here.
so what?.. you must have used some RCA cable before this one to see the difference, that is what's what.
If RCA is your only connection option then obviously you'll use it. It's not like it doesn't work. If you have a choice it comes down to your ears. Now you're saying you are pondering going to DIN and you'll purchase equipment to suit your cable choice? That's different. Don't think I've heard this one before.
I've compared Chord Chorus RCA with a Naim "Lavender" DIN & my own 28cm length Mogami 2549 / Neutrik DIN. Apart from my own cable sounding the best, it is not possible to say what caused the differences
okay thanks for the reply.
If RCA is your only connection option then obviously you'll use it. It's not like it doesn't work.
agreed.
so what?.. you must have used some RCA cable before this one to see the difference, that is what's what.
Yes indeed. I've used all sorts of RCA leads in the past but when Naim amps came into the rack I went DIN based on my preferences and I went HiLine based on my preferences. Not your preferences, which are unique to you and your system, room and ears. There's no such thing as better, it comes down to what you prefer, not what I prefer. If you find yourself in a situation like having the DAC, you will be able to decide for yourself. This is the only way you will know for sure. This strikes me as a reasonable and easy investigation. Your response to this suggestion "having nothing more to say than this you might abstain from the discussion at all." strikes me as unreasonable.
there where RCA inputs installed.
From this picture it's hard to detect any improper installation work. Do you have any close-ups? Or do you perhaps mean the general design?
the upper row of inputs is RCA's that connected to the mainboard with some hardware interconnect which i deem dubious, correct me if i'm wrong.
I can shed a little light on the DIN-RCA debate. FMOE a group of us, from the forum, were at Cymbiosis comparing the Superline with the Urika. In the morning of our visit the Urika was equipped with a Chord Sarum STA RCA:RCA. We then tried it using a Mayware RCA-DIN adaptor and there was a noticeable improvement. Whilst at lunch Peter switched the RCA-RCA for a well run in RCA-DIN cable and the difference was there to hear but more so when compared to using the Mayware adaptor. The improvement was unanimously agreed. So, FMOE, there is a significant difference between using a DIN termination over an RCA termination into Naim kit.
These are the two relevant threads;
https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...m-ta-a-boys-day-out-
https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...68#29584101132400868
ATB
Steve
However, you are free to stick what you like into where you like - you won't be judged here.
Well said
We then tried it using a Mayware RCA-DIN adaptor and there was a noticeable improvement. Whilst at lunch Peter switched the RCA-RCA for a well run in RCA-DIN cable and the difference was there to hear but more so when compared to using the Mayware adaptor. The improvement was unanimously agreed.
Indeed - and bizarrely I have purchased a Mayware adaptor but have yet to commit to the STA - can't think why 
If the Mayware sounds better then why not use it, if it doesn't then stick with RCAs.
Oh it really really does 
- and it is best into the tuner input btw