Superuniti sounds better with kimber cables then nac a5

Posted by: Pyrrhon on 03 February 2016

That came to a surprise. I was playing around with my other amp and decided to use my older kimber 8pr since I had the naim plug and the width would not fit. When I decided to move back to the superuniti I tought I could try the kimbers. Big surprise! The bass became better defined and the highs clearer. The speakers are proacs 148. I had tryed with naim 5si and got mitigated result but on the superuniti the kimbers sounds great. Noticebly better then the nac a5. It gave back the lively 5si signature sound to the superuniti.

This needs an explanation!

Posted on: 03 February 2016 by MDS

Be careful, Pyrrhon. When I was contemplating moving to Naim amplification I was advised that my then Kimber speaker cable would be unsuitable and so I'd need to factor in new cables too. Keep an eye on your SuperUniti in case in runs hot.

Posted on: 03 February 2016 by Zipperheadbanjo

Been there done that with a SU and Kimbercables. I thought they sounded better as well. Kept them in for a few weeks and then noticed the SU running very hot... switched them back for NACA5.

Realized that things sounded much less shouty / edgy... much more balanced sound with the Naca5.

I suggest you leave them in awhile and then switch back and see if your opinion changes.

Posted on: 03 February 2016 by Pyrrhon

MDS posted:
Be careful, Pyrrhon. When I was contemplating moving to Naim amplification I was advised that my then Kimber speaker cable would be unsuitable and so I'd need to factor in new cables too. Keep an eye on your SuperUniti in case in runs hot.

Hi MDS,

I didnt let the kimbers on. But Ill probably get something else then nac a5. The nac a5 did a great job with my 5si and spendor but with the superuniti and proac it makes the sound a bit too soft. I had the superuniti for a bit over 2 months and I am missing a bit the liveliness of the 5si. But im happy because I can fix this merrely with a cable change. Ill just look for an open and clear cable. Different amps speaker cable combination really produce completely different result. the nac a5 was not dull at all on the 5si/proac but it is on the superuniti/proac.

Posted on: 03 February 2016 by Pyrrhon

Zipperheadbanjo posted:
Been there done that with a SU and Kimbercables. I thought they sounded better as well. Kept them in for a few weeks and then noticed the SU running very hot... switched them back for NACA5.
Realized that things sounded much less shouty / edgy... much more balanced sound with the Naca5.
I suggest you leave them in awhile and then switch back and see if your opinion changes.

I think ill look for a valid nac a5 alternative. Something that doesnt heat the amp but thats more clear sounding. Any suggestion?

Posted on: 03 February 2016 by Mike-B

I had Kimber 8PR when I had Audiolab, I then moved to Linn K20 (slightly better SQ) but I kept the 8PR in my spares box.

I then moved to Naim with a Nait-2 & it was great with the K20, but I got a bit itchy to hear what was so bad with Kimber & Naim. It was not a happy amp, sound went off & although I did not keep it connected for long the Nait ran warmer.

It you're interested in techie data stuff

A Naim amp is recommended to have a minimum of 3.5m of NACA5, this gives the required minimum inductive load.

NACA5 is 1uH/m x 3.5m = 3.5uH. It also has 16pF/m capcitance x 3.5m = 48pF.

Kimber 8PR at 3.5m will give (estimated) aprx 0.60 to 0.70mH, the capacitance (measured) is 1036pF

Kimber is diametrically the opposite to the Naim requirements, but if it sounds OK, who are we to say its wrong, but like MDS says - be careful.

Posted on: 03 February 2016 by badlands

Pyrrhon posted:
Zipperheadbanjo posted:
Been there done that with a SU and Kimbercables. I thought they sounded better as well. Kept them in for a few weeks and then noticed the SU running very hot... switched them back for NACA5.
Realized that things sounded much less shouty / edgy... much more balanced sound with the Naca5.
I suggest you leave them in awhile and then switch back and see if your opinion changes.
I think ill look for a valid nac a5 alternative. Something that doesnt heat the amp but thats more clear sounding. Any suggestion?

I don't know if Nordost cable would be compatible with Naim, but if you are looking for a very clear and fast sounding cable that is very transparent sounding I can recommend an audition. Purple Flare or White Lightening is very good and reasonably priced, check it out.

Posted on: 05 February 2016 by Pyrrhon

Confused! Im back from work and the sound changed 180 degrees. It went from soft to very energized and brighter. It was dull the last 3 weeks and it came together today. I changed nothing it just changed to the naim sound. With That sound the nac a5 is perfect. A lot of people have reported that over the years. I got cougth too. Strange !

Posted on: 05 February 2016 by kaydee6

I use DNM resolution speaker cables. The spec matches the naca5 nicely. Its easier to manage and cheaper. I run a 4m pair from my sn2.

Posted on: 05 February 2016 by MDS

Pyrrhon posted:
Zipperheadbanjo posted:
Been there done that with a SU and Kimbercables. I thought they sounded better as well. Kept them in for a few weeks and then noticed the SU running very hot... switched them back for NACA5.
Realized that things sounded much less shouty / edgy... much more balanced sound with the Naca5.
I suggest you leave them in awhile and then switch back and see if your opinion changes.
I think ill look for a valid nac a5 alternative. Something that doesnt heat the amp but thats more clear sounding. Any suggestion?

An alternative to Nac A5 which a number of members on here have praised is Tellurium Black. I've heard that in a friend's Naim system and it performs very well indeed. It is suited to Naim amps. I actually replaced my Kimber cables with Tellurium Green - more expensive, but it had the bass weight that I liked in the Kimber cable. It took Super Lumina to oust my Tellurium Green. Anyway my advice would be to try Tellurium Black.

Mike

Posted on: 05 February 2016 by AndyL

Posted on: 05 February 2016 by Massimo Bertola

MDS posted:
Keep an eye on your SuperUniti in case in runs hot.

I can't imagine a SU becoming hot; to me, it could never be more than very mildly attractive.

(Joking)

Posted on: 06 February 2016 by Massimo Bertola

Pyrrhon,

seriously - the SU, to my ears, is very mannered.. I wonder if correcting a 'wrong' sound with wires is the right procedure. And NAC A5 is not exactly a velvety speaker cable. In my opinion, this combo could simply go against your 'true' taste; either you love a SU/NAC A5 combination, or it would be better to reconsider your aural preferences, perhaps..

(I bought a SU a few years ago: I had mused over it for a long time and had come to the conclusion it was the best, most rational one box solution for me. I could never get along well with it, and it was sold in a couple of weeks. But perhaps you really like it. Just my opinion, and I report it as simple personal experience).

Best

Max

Posted on: 06 February 2016 by hungryhalibut

I used TQB when I had a SuperUniti and PMC speakers, and found it a good improvement over the A5, being more engaging yet retaining the drive of the Naim cables. Whether it would work well with the ProAcs I don't know. The SU isn't the most lively and engaging box and will never have the bounce of the 5si.