Interconnect choice

The TQ cables are worth an audition. I use them throughout my system. You'll get 30 days to try them out too. If you want to smooth out high frequencies you might want to try the Blue. From what I've read they are 'warm' sounding. Not heard them myself though. I have heard the black, ultra black, graphite and black diamond interconnects. The more you spend, the smoother the sound. Black diamonds are awesome 

Have you considered SuperLumia?   Probably a cable you could borrow from your dealer?

OK, they're a little more expensove than the Cobra, but then if they were to deliver that ultimate sound you're seeking, what matter the cost !

(This probably doesn't help, but I thought I'd mention it... you just never know what's around the next corner)

And why not a Hi-Line? Maybe a bit more balanced with this system than the SL.

Chag -

Agree with Finkfan, I have the Graphite interconnects at the moment but after borrowing the black diamond for the last couple of weeks ( ps many thanks Finkfan) , theirs no going back, although the Graphites are very good they do translate a little harshness at the high end, which you don't get with the black diamond,  which is  far smoother and warmer in comparison , so would recommend you give them an audition ...

JamesN posted:

Any ideas?

Yes James. You are making it too hard. Try a Naim dac and Naim wires.

Chris.

I would suggest you actually work on your source first. As Chris wrote - you can start with a Naim DAC or even a NAIM streamer.

Hi James like you I have a 202/200/Napsc/HiCap and am pretty happy with it I do have a Naim streamer as well and would suggest maybe you try one on demo if possible I have an ND5XS but there is also the more expensive NDX  I can honestly say no slight harshness ever.                                        

I'm not familiar with the 2Qute, but I had Hugo/202/200/Napsc/HiCap with MAC/A+ into 20.23s.

In the case of the Hugo instead of using the fixed volume I used the volume in turquoise. I tried different interconnects and the best results I obtained were with a RCA to DIN HiLine.

I don't know the 2Qute (or the Qute EX), but I understand it has galvanic isolation and at least some RF filtering and so in that regard is better than  the Hugo, otherwise I would be asking what you use as an isolator, which is definitely needed between a computer source and the Hugo. Assuming the 2Qute has adequate isolation, then the cable between Mac and DAC shouldn't make much if any difference. Given the popularity of Hugo here, rated by many as better than most if not all Naim DACs, maybe what you're hearing is the oft-vaunted difference between 2Qute and Hugo, even though according to Chord they should sound much the same.

other than suggesting that you try the Hugo with an isolator, or the Hugo TT which doesn't need an isolator and is a step up in sound quality (though doesn't suit everyone)  you might indeed want to try different interconnects on the analog side as long as any pricey ones can be  tried before buying.

2Qute is 2Sharp.

Try the Ndac or a Hugo for comparison and you will hear an immediate improvement...ime.

G

once you have read the 2qute is harsh then you are likely to think its harsh. i dont think it is. i suspect if there is anything harsh then its coming from somewhere else in the system. what software are you using to playback? audirvana integer mode 2 sounds nice. are your speakers toed in and pointing at directly at you? if so then point them so they are firing more straight or to a position behind you as the tweeters maybe best listened to off axis. this helped a lot with my pmc 20.23 speakers brightness. do you have anything in your room to tame reflections such as soft furnishings, carpets, curtains, etc. make sure your cables are not touching each other to reduce noise\harshness. you really dont want anything like a laptop power cable touching your rca to rca interconnect. as a last resort try an inexpensive copper cable such as chord c line rca to rca rather than silver plated - you might be finding the silver a bit 'fast'. stick to the std recommended naim interconnects for naim kit. what speaker cable r u using?

Here's another thought: sell the Qute, 202, Hicap and napsc and get a 272. That will get you a much better preamp as well as a source that doesn't frighten cats. It's a thought at least. I've never found using cables as tone controls to be in any way effective. 

hh thinking out of the box

Hungryhalibut posted:

Here's another thought: sell the Qute, 202, Hicap and napsc and get a 272. That will get you a much better preamp as well as a source that doesn't frighten cats. It's a thought at least. I've never found using cables as tone controls to be in any way effective. 

"Much better preamp" eh? That's pretty subjective when talking about a nicely maxed out 202.

Yes, sorry, I should have said 'very much better'. Of course, an NDX would be another alternative, but why have four boxes when one will suffice?

They only thing I can think of is that an external DAC can be added. Not that it helps with a box count though

And not that N272 needs a DAC either....

Hungryhalibut posted:

Here's another thought: sell the Qute, 202, Hicap and napsc and get a 272. That will get you a much better preamp as well as a source that doesn't frighten cats. It's a thought at least. I've never found using cables as tone controls to be in any way effective. 

Halloween Man posted:

hh thinking out of the box

Just so long as the frightened cat doesn't think 'outside the box' (it's not pleasant cleaning that up).

feeling_zen posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Here's another thought: sell the Qute, 202, Hicap and napsc and get a 272. That will get you a much better preamp as well as a source that doesn't frighten cats. It's a thought at least. I've never found using cables as tone controls to be in any way effective. 

"Much better preamp" eh? That's pretty subjective when talking about a nicely maxed out 202.

here we go again  

i think we should organise a jury of 5 and make blind test 202/272/282 naked and powered by reasonable matched PSs

A large and good dealer can organise this somewhere in UK, i might fly from Istanbul just to watch it, i don't consider my self a jury member status.... but i can bring Turkish delight and Raki! 

 but then what are we going to argue about here

My " not counted " vote is for 272!

Emre posted:

feeling_zen posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Here's another thought: sell the Qute, 202, Hicap and napsc and get a 272. That will get you a much better preamp as well as a source that doesn't frighten cats. It's a thought at least. I've never found using cables as tone controls to be in any way effective. 

"Much better preamp" eh? That's pretty subjective when talking about a nicely maxed out 202.

here we go again  

i think we should organise a jury of 5 and make blind test 202/272/282 naked and powered by reasonable matched PSs

A large and good dealer can organise this somewhere in UK, i might fly from Istanbul just to watch it, i don't consider my self a jury member status.... but i can bring Turkish delight and Raki! 

 but then what are we going to argue about here

My " not counted " vote is for 272!

One thing worries me though a bit - why do we have to do it naked? 

@ Emre: I know, I know... English is not my native language either.

Good idea re: test.

Sorry, I didn't mean to restart this tedious debate, I was simply suggesting an alternative to the OP. I've never heard a Chord DAC, and it might be marvellous, but something's not right and playing around with expensive wires is rarely successful. Use them to optimise a well balanced and functioning system yes, but don't use them to fix problems. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Sorry, I didn't mean to restart this tedious debate, I was simply suggesting an alternative to the OP. I've never heard a Chord DAC, and it might be marvellous, but something's not right and playing around with expensive wires is rarely successful. Use them to optimise a well balanced and functioning system yes, but don't use them to fix problems. 

Might be an idea to read the OP.

I don't really want to change anything major on the system at the moment because as I said before, the sound is mostly superb.

I'd love to be able to tone down the slight sibilance that I have in certain tracks.

Looks to me like he's only got an eeny weeny teeny tiny problem. Tweaking the sound with a different cable seems a sensible option.

Before investing in a new cable, try going over your system & check the cabling. Do the unplug- replug thing, make sure all's hanging clear where possible.

Maybe try a TQ usb cable too.   

Return them if you don't like them

Hello James,

I just recently bought a Chord Chorus Reference. I put it between my 01 and 282 and immediately noticed a difference. Definitely the highs were tamed but the added detail and warmth in the midrange was a very pleasant surprise and improvement. It is known to be a bit warm but that should be okay with Naim. It replaced a Hiline and is definitely staying.

However, I will add that cables can be very subjective. You should try as many options as you can at home. WIth your system, the Hiline might sound better. I initially bought Hilines when I had 202/200 and they added a lot to the sound - better imaging, soundstage, and more air around the notes. But in my current system, which is much more resolving than the 202/200 I had, the Chorus Reference is quite a nice introduction to Chord cables for me. I will be investigating their higher offerings for sure.

Of course optimal system setup is key. A dedicated line, if you don't have this already, should be first on your list.

Arun

Adam Zielinski posted:

I would suggest you actually work on your source first. As Chris wrote - you can start with a Naim DAC or even a NAIM streamer.

+1 spot on advice.