speaker cable for Uniti Qute 2

Correction:

The speakers impedance is 4 Ohms, not 8 Ohms that i stated above.

No you don't have to. I use Linn K20 (amazingly 'like' old NACA4) there are other alternatives of course! Avoid high capacitance, high cost altervatives and all will be well.

Try to chose the cable on basis of performance and not on "stiffness".  

We set ours up with the speaker cables from Crimson Electronics.   They sound great.   Check w Peter at Venice Audio.

Surely Richard, but why on earth Naim make this speaker cabe to be stiff?  I assume there is a good reason?

Does Naim offer an alternative solution to its customers?

Also it seems i only have one set of Naim speaker connector on the amp, which i am using on the NAP 100.  Can i use ordinary banana plugs on the UQ2 speaker outlet, or is there a reason to use the Naim connector?

Regards,

I borrowed the K20 from a friend, it is ok but no comparison to the NACA5, i am afraid.

I did the ultimate test, as i have the UQ2 and the NAC-N272 with NAP100, so i tested it with same music same speakers, and just swapped cables.

You will be surprised to hear that the UQ2 with NACA5 direct to the speakers, sounded better than the NAC-N272 + NAP100 with the K20 speaker cable.

So maybe something else might work, but not the K20.

P.S. i didn't have the Naim socket for the amp connection, so i just inserted banana plugs instead.  Don't know if this makes a difference to the sound.

Regards,

Yes, use the Speaker connectors that come with the kit - they're a perfect match to the 4mm sockets and this really does seem to make a difference.  

NACA5 was not made stiff by design, more as a byproduct of the materials used, which just happened to be superior to others used previously that were more flexible.

I tried the NACA5 cable with the UQ2 (which is fitted with the NAiM connectors) and it does sound better than the other options i tried (K20 and Pulse D-Fi).

I agree, the choice should be based on sound not on "stiffness".

Regards,

Suprised indeed, so suprised in fact I don't believe it.

There must be something wrong with the K20 or connections, I can do the test myself with identical (5m) lengths of both on Qutes and SU and the K20 is not that poor, slightly less bite in the treble. Nothing you would jump out your chair over! If the 272 / 100 is worse than a bare Qute just by changing the wires, then there's more 'going on' than the wires here.

I was thinking the same, to tell you the truth.

The K20 is not soldered on the banana plugs, it is screwed only.  Secondly, it is only 3m long (each side), not 5m long.  In fact my NACA5 is only 3.5m each side, too.

It may be that it is poorly made, i am not sure.

One more thing, is it supposed to be directional?  If so i can not find any markers. 

As i said at the start, i borrowed this from a friend.

But the K20 is better sounding than the Pulse D-Fi.

Regards,

Yes the K20 is directional, the K (linn) logo should point toward the speakers, but I don't think that is of much importance compared to the 'screw' terminals (they tend to fracture and break some of the strands)

I have Chord Company bare banana plugs (soldered) with their heatshrink sleeves at the speaker ends. If you are sticking with the NACA5 work out your bends then use a hairdryer to soften it up, it cools rigid(ish) again.

Ok, i did the test again.

Fair enough, the K20 with the NAC-N272 does sound better than the NACA5 with the UQ2, but only just, and because of the NAC-N272.

The other way around there is a huge difference.  The bass is quite good and punchy with the K20, but it lacks the highs.

I also observed that the UQ2 does sound considerably better with the NACA5 than the K20.  There again, the K20 is just £5 per metre length and the NACA5 is £30 per metre length.  It is expected to sound better.  Whether it is worth the extra dosh, this is subjective and to the judgment of each individual.  Overall, yes the K20 is acceptable, but i prefer the sound of the NACA5, personally.

Regards,