Super Lumina chapter three.

But the 250 DR makes the older 250 sound broken polar bear 

nigelb posted:

See, I just don't understand these diametrically opposed views on SL vs Chord SSA cables. Undoubtedly they are both excellent cables, and having owned (and demoed at home) both I can personally vouch for this. Yes I now own SL but to say that SL cables kill the music just doesn't sound.....err.....'balanced' to me. And to excuse the comparative 'failure' of SL cables by some by saying that all systems are unique and that some (predominently Naim) systems don't suit SL cables doesn't sound...err...balanced either. This is definitely a story of pros and cons when it comes to SL vs SSA with no absolute winners or losers IMHO.

But...SL cables have been a revelation in my (predominantly Naim) system and far from killing, they have absolutely brought the music to life! I appreciated the many virtues of the SSA but I loved the musicality (sorry I could not come up with a better descritor) of the SL cables (interconnect and speaker cables so far).

What is going on here?

As one who felt the SL killed the music, if you care to look at my previous posts you'll notice I go out of my way to avoid hyperbole. I've heard SLs in friends' systems & it sounds fine, so I can with a fair degree of confidence state that the SL phono to DIN interconnect does not work well in my system, and because the SSL works so well (as do standard interconnects) it cannot be down to defects in my system as some have suggested. I've tried several times to stress how important it is to listen to these cables in one's own system, and I fail to understand why you cannot grasp that I do not like this SL cable. I know it's a bit hackneyed to say this, but SWMBO was even more positive than me over the negative effect the cable had on my system. I've no axe to grind here; I'm going to try the 552 to SuperCAP SL at some stage, and if that works I'll post my positive experience.

tonym posted:

nigelb posted:

See, I just don't understand these diametrically opposed views on SL vs Chord SSA cables. Undoubtedly they are both excellent cables, and having owned (and demoed at home) both I can personally vouch for this. Yes I now own SL but to say that SL cables kill the music just doesn't sound.....err.....'balanced' to me. And to excuse the comparative 'failure' of SL cables by some by saying that all systems are unique and that some (predominently Naim) systems don't suit SL cables doesn't sound...err...balanced either. This is definitely a story of pros and cons when it comes to SL vs SSA with no absolute winners or losers IMHO.

But...SL cables have been a revelation in my (predominantly Naim) system and far from killing, they have absolutely brought the music to life! I appreciated the many virtues of the SSA but I loved the musicality (sorry I could not come up with a better descritor) of the SL cables (interconnect and speaker cables so far).

What is going on here?

As one who felt the SL killed the music, if you care to look at my previous posts you'll notice I go out of my way to avoid hyperbole. I've heard SLs in friends' systems & it sounds fine, so I can with a fair degree of confidence state that the SL phono to DIN interconnect does not work well in my system, and because the SSL works so well (as do standard interconnects) it cannot be down to defects in my system as some have suggested. I've tried several times to stress how important it is to listen to these cables in one's own system, and I fail to understand why you cannot grasp that I do not like this SL cable. I know it's a bit hackneyed to say this, but SWMBO was even more positive than me over the negative effect the cable had on my system. I've no axe to grind here; I'm going to try the 552 to SuperCAP SL at some stage, and if that works I'll post my positive experience.

I was not suggesting that anyone was grinding any axes, just trying to understand the very differing views on the same cable. That's all. The fact you like SLs in a friend's system but not in yours (both predominantly Naim I assume) is again, perplexing. It does seem to indicate that Naim systems can perform very differently and of course the listening environments/speakers would also likely behave very differently.

Just an update on the SL Din / XLR, which has been in situ now for just over a week.

The stridency and occasional "wobbles" previously reported seem now to have disappeared, and the overall, things have settled down to a more detailed and dynamic sound than that with the stock XLR's.

I do think, however, that the inconsistent sound reported by others assumes that all things are constant, and that it is simply a case of the cables burning in.

Personally, I feel that it's just as likely that these differences are caused by one's changing mood on the day, as we have all experienced days when things just don't sound "right"...........or is that just me?

RJStaines reported the following:

"By comparison I found the S/L sounded too 'flat' and dare I say it.. lifeless."

I did experience the feeling a couple of evenings ago, that the music was "dragging it's feet" somewhat, and that some of the usual bounce was strangely missing.

Next morning, however, everything was back to normal, so I concluded that the fact that the previous day had been quite trying was more likely to blame.

I'll persevere with the SL's for another week or so, before trying the Chords, and will report back.

Dave.

Hi,

The Super Lumina XLR's has now been in place for nearly two weeks, and apart from a few early wobbles, they have brought a substantial change to the music.

Have to say that this last addition of the Din / XLR seems to be bringing out the best in both the SL speaker cables and the Din /Din interconnect.

More clarity, more "power", and much more "live" feel to the music...........very happy bunny here.

I'll more than likely chuck the Chord Sarum on at the weekend, though I have to admit, I'm somewhat predisposed to keeping things in house, rather than mixing cables, and it does sound awfully good at present.

The final step, of course, will be to reinstate the stock XLR's, just to see if it's all in the imagination, though it has to be said that the SL speaker cables and interconnect passed this test with flying colours!

Dave.

If your experience is anything like mine, you'll find that everything sounds even better in a couple of months time; everything seems to relax more and become even more immersive. I don't have the interconnect (my setup doesn't need one) but the xlr and speaker wires work beautifully together. I certainly wouldn't want to mix and match between Naim and Chord; I'd rather pick one or the other. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

... I certainly wouldn't want to mix and match between Naim and Chord; I'd rather pick one or the other. 

Why?

I guess because you'd lose the synergy. And it makes life simple. 

I too belive there is a sonic synergy from having a one-make loom. I had a mixture of SL and Chord Sarum (both TA and SA) and felt the sound gelled together far better when it was all SL. I made the point on here that I felt the Chord IC I was testing was at an immediate disadvantage compared to a full SL loom (well almost full loom). There is also a new review in one of the comics of 272/XPSDR/250DR/Sopra 2s using a full loom of Chord Sarum Super Aray (including power leads) and it was full of praise pointing out how much the Chord full loom added (or rather took nothing away) and simply got out of the way of the music.

I'm also swayed by the argument that having a loom from one source makes sense, and I'd assume that Naim coaxed the best out of the component parts of the SL loom, during it's development for the Statement amps.

That's not to say that the Chord Sarum is not more "musical", and I'll see what effect the introduction of the din / XLR has in a couple of days.

For now, the SL XLR seems to complete the picture as far as the SL speaker cables and interconnect are concerned.

I really don't want to start all over again seeking Nirvana via a full Chord loom! 

dave marshall posted:

I'm also swayed by the argument that having a loom from one source makes sense, and I'd assume that Naim coaxed the best out of the component parts of the SL loom, during it's development for the Statement amps.

That's not to say that the Chord Sarum is not more "musical", and I'll see what effect the introduction of the din / XLR has in a couple of days.

For now, the SL XLR seems to complete the picture as far as the SL speaker cables and interconnect are concerned.

I really don't want to start all over again seeking Nirvana via a full Chord loom! 

I wasn't suggesting you should do an about turn and go from SL full loom to Chord full loom. I was simply making the point that the full loom synergy effect appears to hold true for both SL and Chord Sarum SA. It will be interesting however to hear you views when you upset the apple cart and put the Chord SA DIN/XLR in the middle of an otherwise SL full loom! If it sounds great then it blows my theory right out of the water!

I don't see anything difficult about accepting that adding a Chord Sarum Super ARAY interconnect to what was a Naim SL full loom will improve the system. I don't see any particular magic in a full loom either - unless you consider there is fault masking. 

Well I have found that mixing cables from different manufacturers (Naim SL & Chord TA/SA) does not optimise SQ, not bad, but not optimal. A full(er) SL loom definitely move the SQ up a notch for me.

They do wonderful things but it's a shame they are so expensive.

They would cost enough if half the price : )

Debs

naim_nymph posted:

They do wonderful things but it's a shame they are so expensive.

They would cost enough if half the price : )

Debs

The fun just never ends.

Dave.

Well, it just goes to prove that we all hear things differently, as demonstrated by the various opinions voiced so far in this thread.

Anyway, the SL XLR came off a few days ago, to be replaced with the Chord Sarum Super Array version, and I wasn't immediately impressed. The increased dynamics and flow of the music seems diminished, and the "live" feel was absent.

So, the SL XLR has gone back in half an hour ago, and I'm once again hearing the improvement heard upon initial installation.

So, call it synergy between the cables, call it my ears, no matter, my preference is for the full SL loom.

Mind you, I did say that the final test would be to restore the stock XLR's, but that'll have to wait for now, as I'm enjoying the music far too much at the mo'.

It's all good,

Dave.

The thing about the Sarum, which nobody has pointed out so far, is an uncanny resemblance to Ascaris lumbricoides. 

The SL XLR does take bloomin' ages to come on song, but once it does, coupled with the speaker leads, it's astonishingly good at connecting one to the music.

dave marshall posted:

Well, it just goes to prove that we all hear things differently, as demonstrated by the various opinions voiced so far in this thread.

Anyway, the SL XLR came off a few days ago, to be replaced with the Chord Sarum Super Array version, and I wasn't immediately impressed. The increased dynamics and flow of the music seems diminished, and the "live" feel was absent.

So, the SL XLR has gone back in half an hour ago, and I'm once again hearing the improvement heard upon initial installation.

So, call it synergy between the cables, call it my ears, no matter, my preference is for the full SL loom.

Mind you, I did say that the final test would be to restore the stock XLR's, but that'll have to wait for now, as I'm enjoying the music far too much at the mo'.

It's all good,

Dave.

 

 

I certainly know what you mean by a 'live' feel to the SL cables. I described the SL IC (with SL speaker cables) as more incisive (than the Chord SA) but I think your description is a better one.

As Ken would say, enjoy.

Hungryhalibut posted:

The thing about the Sarum, which nobody has pointed out so far, is an uncanny resemblance to Ascaris lumbricoides. 

Uncanny...........(had to look it up though)!

nigelb posted:  

I certainly know what you mean by a 'live' feel to the SL cables. I described the SL IC (with SL speaker cables) as more incisive (than the Chord SA) but I think your description is a better one.

As Ken would say, enjoy.

Enjoying I am Nigel, just posted on the "Listening to" topic..........says it all really. 

dave marshall posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

The thing about the Sarum, which nobody has pointed out so far, is an uncanny resemblance to Ascaris lumbricoides. 

Uncanny...........(had to look it up though)!

And once you see it, could you pay for it? I think not, especially after dissecting them. Disgusting things. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

dave marshall posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

The thing about the Sarum, which nobody has pointed out so far, is an uncanny resemblance to Ascaris lumbricoides. 

Uncanny...........(had to look it up though)!

And once you see it, could you pay for it? I think not, especially after dissecting them. Disgusting things. 

Harsh words, coming from a vegetarian