Hmmm which cable to upgrade?

Posted by: feeling_zen on 04 September 2015

Already a similar post at the moment I know but different systems have different requirements. I have been pondering a change to the cabling for a while but not sure what will give me the best result. Should state upfront there is ZERO chance of an audition so taking a chance on a non Naim cable aint gonna happen.

Guess my options are:

Power cables
Interconnects
Speaker cables

Current cable to unit setup is

NDX/XPSDR > HiLine > 282 > SNAICx2 > SCDR > Naim basic XLR > 250.2 > Atlas Hyper 2.0

Using the basic power cables supplied by Naim. But did have a dedicated mains spur installed for the system. A5 is out because I chose the Atlas over it on purpose because it was better to me.

Am feeling the XLR is the weakest link but have been told it is not as crappy as it looks. Lumina not impossible but full loom is out of the question. Kind of wish Naim did more options of HiLine level interconnect as that may make more sense but am led to beleive that is not possible. Wondering which Naim cable changes would give biggest impact.

No change is an option too. I love how the system sounds.

Suggestions? Experience?

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Chris Dolan

Originally Posted by feeling_zen:

I think I'll give the Hatpin a whirl. Compared to everything else, it is hardly a bank-breaking expense.

I hope that it goes well - it would seem that "taking a chance on a non Naim cable" is gonna happen after all.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

Originally Posted by feeling_zen:

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Let us know how you get on with the Hatpin. I'm glad a got mine, and for £120 they are great value, and beautifully made as well.

Will do. It was mainly your recommendation that tempted me to give it a try.

That's worrying! At least £120 is not a big investment.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Chris Dolan

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Originally Posted by feeling_zen:

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Let us know how you get on with the Hatpin. I'm glad a got mine, and for £120 they are great value, and beautifully made as well.

Will do. It was mainly your recommendation that tempted me to give it a try.

That's worrying! At least £120 is not a big investment.

So you're not minded to try swapping back to the standard Naim DIN/XLR HH?

The price for the "Mono Pair" HatPin 4X is intriguing - if it's listed as a "pair" does that really mean that you get both cables for £120 ??

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

The mono pair, for a 300 or 500 is £199.99 for the two cables. The stereo cable, for the 250, is £119.99.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Chris Dolan

Yes - I should have put my glasses on

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Steve J

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

That could be Chris's new avatar.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Chris Dolan

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

That could be Chris's new avatar.

Good idea

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

Wonderful! How long will it last? Mr Mole may have something to say.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Mr Mole

Love it!

Just goes to show that we Christophers have impeccable taste in avatars....

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by sheffieldgraham

Originally Posted by Mr Mole:

Love it!

Just goes to show that we Christophers have impeccable taste in avatars....

Yeh!.

Just remember he's the fickle finger of avatars.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Mr Mole

BTW HH, have you come to a conclusion as to whether the Hatpin DIN-XLR is an improvement over the "5mm mains cable" of the stock item?

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by sheffieldgraham

Originally Posted by Mr Mole:

BTW HH, have you come to a conclusion whether the Hatpin DIN-XLR is an improvement over the 5mm mains cable of the stock item?

He's wetted my appetite for a NAP300.

I certainly thinking about a trial, but will it go well with SL speaker cables and or a SL I.C. to my CDX2.2/nDac/552.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

When I first got my new amps I used them with the standard wire for about ten days, then I packed it all away for nearly a month while we were on holiday and redecorating. When I set the system up, the Hatpin had arrived so I just plugged it in. From memory the sound seemed better, but I've not done a direct A/B comparison. It does sound astonishingly good though, and I don't really want to fiddle about. Rob T recommended it to me and was convinced the improvement was worthwhile. They come with a money back guarantee if it doesn't work out. The fact that it's shielded appeals to be, particularly when there's a Burndy in the area.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

Originally Posted by sheffieldgraham:

Originally Posted by Mr Mole:

BTW HH, have you come to a conclusion whether the Hatpin DIN-XLR is an improvement over the 5mm mains cable of the stock item?

He's wetted my appetite for a NAP300.

I certainly thinking about a trial, but will it go well with SL speaker cables and or a SL I.C. to my CDX2.2/nDac/552.

With that system, you need to seek out some SL2s to replace the Allaes. They'd be cheaper than new speaker wires, and I bet they will give a far bigger improvement.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Mr Mole

SL2s do look rather fine, especially in maple veneer ......

but my immediate need is for a second Olive 250 for the SBLs

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by hungryhalibut

No you Mr. M, I meant young Graham.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by The Strat (Fender)

Yes even with a dedicated spur PLs make a very significant improvement.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Mr Mole

ah yes.....i need to borrow chris D's specs.

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by nigelb

Originally Posted by sheffieldgraham:

Originally Posted by Mr Mole:

BTW HH, have you come to a conclusion whether the Hatpin DIN-XLR is an improvement over the 5mm mains cable of the stock item?

He's wetted my appetite for a NAP300.

I certainly thinking about a trial, but will it go well with SL speaker cables and or a SL I.C. to my CDX2.2/nDac/552.

Graham, I went from Naim stock DIN/XLR to Hatpin DIN/XLR between 282 and 250.2 while using NACA5 speaker cables. Then went to 250DR and then SL speaker cables (all the way through using Sarum TA interconnect with a NDX then NDS). I observed significant improvements at each change which would imply the the Hatpin DIN/XLR is a good match for the SL speaker cables at least.

Now all of this was with a 250.2 and a 250DR but cannot see why the Hatpin and the SL speaker cables would not work well with the 300.

I would be interested to hear how you get on and as HH says, if you don't like what the (dual) Hatpin does with your 300 you can send them back and get your 'investment' refunded. You can't loose!

I always try the 'investment' word with SWMBO but she always sees straight thought it!

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by Chris Dolan

Originally Posted by Mr Mole:

ah yes.....i need to borrow chris D's specs.

You're welcome any time

Posted on: 18 October 2015 by sheffieldgraham

Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

Originally Posted by sheffieldgraham:

Originally Posted by Mr Mole:

BTW HH, have you come to a conclusion whether the Hatpin DIN-XLR is an improvement over the 5mm mains cable of the stock item?

He's wetted my appetite for a NAP300.

I certainly thinking about a trial, but will it go well with SL speaker cables and or a SL I.C. to my CDX2.2/nDac/552.

With that system, you need to seek out some SL2s to replace the Allaes. They'd be cheaper than new speaker wires, and I bet they will give a far bigger improvement.

HH,

I did give some thought to the SL2 a couple of years ago. They're a bit difficult to get hold of now and have wondered about the ACTSCM 40 for my small room being Infinite baffle. I'm happy with the Allaes at the moment. Probably difficult to get a home demo for the SL2's now, but thanks for your suggestion.

Young Graham,

I wish .