Phono leads or 4 to 5 pin interconnect?

Posted by: simcat on 28 December 2015

Hello all. Hope you had a good Xmas. On Boxing day I moved my Nottingham Spacedeck from the bedroom system into the lounge as a neighbour was coming round and he was bringing some of his records. All sounded fantastic with the Stageline powered by the 252 and 300 into ATC SCM40. The bedroom system is a 112 into a 200 via a Hi-Cap and Audiovector speakers. The sound was always nice but a complete transformation once I moved the TT into the Lounge. Played some vintage Jazz- stereo and mono, Monk and Tatum and Ella - and had a great time. A very involving and dynamic performance - even with some very old vinyl. A very full range and tuneful presentation that just felt right. The ATC SCM40 just came alive with a real sense of scale and musicality that was never tiring or harsh. And as we enjoyed this so much the TT will be staying in the Lounge!

I have a question regarding cables and options and would appreciate some advice? Due to the layout of my lounge the TT is on a side unit away from the Amps. The phono cable from the TT (its a Rega 600 with Klotz cable) to the Stageline and the interconnect from the Stageline to the amp just reaches one another. My question is this, is it better to get the phono cable extended or changed so that it is 3 metres so that all cables can be hidden away or buy a 4 to 5 pin interconnect that is 3 metres long and then I can bring my Hi-Cap into play? Is it even possible to get an interconnect that long from Hi-Cap to amp? What would you do longer phono cable and no Hi-cap or longer 4 to 5 pin cable and bring in the Hi-Cap?

Appreciate your thoughts

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Adam Zielinski

At this lenght you may observe signal degradation, especially from the arm to the phono-stage. I woul recommend placimg your phono-stage as close to your Rega.

Maximum length of NAIM interconnects is 1.2 m, so I would not go over that.

You may want to consider running a ballanced connection if over 3 meters. Buth than again.... Naim is not a trully ballanced amp.

So that may leave you with a well shielded cable - have a look at Chord - thay maybe able to make you a custom-lenght interconnect. But it will become quite expensive....

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Richard Dane

Don't run extra long tonearm leads. The signal degradation is considerable. If you have to run longer than normal leads then better after eq and pre-preamplification. For all that, try to keep all to spec - best get a dedicated wall shelf or table for the TT.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by simcat

Ok. Keep Phono leads as is. Is a 4 to 5 pin lead from hi-Cap to amp not recommended?

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by simcat

oops. I mean a cable over 1 metre not recommended.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Richard Dane

Yup 4-5 i/c from Hicap to pre-amp is good, but don't go longer than 1.25m. Then again if a custom 3m lead is your only option I guess it's better than no lead at all... Ask for Naim's advice on this.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Adam Zielinski

simcat posted:
oops. I mean a cable over 1 metre not recommended.

Still not going to solve the 'problem' as you can only reach 2.5 meters

I would get a wall shelf for the Rega.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by simcat

Yes. If I just get an interconnect from Hi-cap tp pre-amp then I can hide the Stageline but then have a Hi-Cap in full view! May sound better but wouldn't get past management. Wall shelf wouldn't really work either.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by fixedwheel

I'd try and get the TT closer to the amps .

No way would I power the phono stage off a HiCap when the powered Aux2 of a 252 was not being used. (I haven't tried a HC-DR)

That would mean you could save yourself the cost of custom leads, and the nagging doubts.

And if you wanted to keep the funds in the hi-fi, you could poss exchange 112/HC for a 202 as a potentially better match for the 200.

Or, depending on cartridge, a Prefix or SuperLine for the main system instead of the StageLine

Loads of experimenting with options ahead.

Have fun

John

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Adam Zielinski

Can you put the TT on top of your system?

Perhaps a creative add-on on top?

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by u77033103172058601

Even a Nottingham Spacedeck is not going to perform well unless it is sited correctly. So first step is to take a hard look at where you could site the turntable, closer to the main system pre-amp and on an appropriate table or even wall shelf.

If you really cannot change the layout then the Stageline produces a line level signal, so degradation down a suitable cable should not present an onerous issue. I am sure your local dealer could recommend a suitable cable to go from the HiCap to the 252. This would mean locating the S'Line and HiCap close to the deck and running a longer cable to the 252. I cannot comment on the relative merits of using the 252's power to the S'Line over a Hi-Cap. I ran a Super Line from my 52 for a while but then went to an S'Cap. That certainly was worth the cost of the PSU upgrade.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Name

Great deck the nott analog spacedeck, I ran mine many years ago with a Naim olive system. Not at all surprised it's sounding great!

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by simcat

Would anyone know if Naim can make up a longer 4 to 5 pin cable or is it a case of going to Chord or flashback etc.?

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Richard Dane

Simcat, you need to ask for Naim's advice on this.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by simcat

Hi Richard, no problem. Will give support a ring for an answer. Thanks for the advice.

Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Felix H

If you can't get the turntable and 252 near each other in this room, could you possibly get them near each other in an adjacent room? Then just run long speaker cables.

A hicap with a long 4/5 interconnect will "work", but you will lose in vinyl sound quality (will give some improvement for you NDAC source though).

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by simcat

Thanks for the replies. I will use an Olive Hi-cap to power the Stageline. Which Sockets on the back of the Hi-cap do I use to run the 4 to 5 pin cable to the 252?

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by hungryhalibut

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by simcat

Thanks.

Posted on: 29 December 2015 by FangfossFlyer

Richard Dane posted:
Yup 4-5 i/c from Hicap to pre-amp is good, but don't go longer than 1.25m. Then again if a custom 3m lead is your only option I guess it's better than no lead at all... Ask for Naim's advice on this.

Will be interesting how long a 4-5 pin SL i/c will be when/if Naim get round to making one.

For me, 1m would be excellent for cable dressing purposes as my current 1.2m just clears the carpet by 1-2mm.

Richard