Early Impressions : Chord Epic Twin vs Naca5
Posted by: ryder. on 31 October 2016
I am currently listening to the Chord Epic, freshly soldered with Naim plugs at the amp side and bananas at the speaker end. I have to say, the difference between the Chord Epic and Naca5 is not subtle at all. They sound very different! I was not expecting a significant difference between these speaker cables but it's really an eye (or ear) opener for me.
I have to say, I am surely leaning toward the Chord Epic at the moment. Just tried some tracks and the Chord Epic is more open and detailed than the Naca5. The sound is airier, larger and 3-dimensional. The Naca5 has more body in the mids and sounds thicker. It's just a completely different presentation. The bass quality is also different between the two.
It's still early days with the cables having about 30 minutes on them. Although they are barely run-in I am impressed. We'll see if the cables will stand the test of time with extended listening sessions. For those who are still on the Naca5, I would recommend that you try other alternatives, Super Lumina, TQ Black, Ultra Black, Chord or whatever. You wouldn't know what you have been missing if you didn't try.
The Naca5 may fit well when matched with Naim speakers. However, for those who are on non-Naim speakers, it might be worthwhile to explore other alternatives.
Are you suffering from amnesia!!!!!
I sold my Epic and went for naca5
Drewy posted:I sold my Epic and went for naca5
+1
I also tried TQ black but preferred NAC A5 out of the 3. I then tried Super Lumina........
Was I once told that Chord Epic was Oydessy with different shielding?
The Strat (Fender) posted:Was I once told that Chord Epic was Oydessy with different shielding?
Yes I believe that's right. At least I've heard the same.
Drewy posted:I sold my Epic and went for naca5
After years of using Naca5, I went to Epic. Having allowed myself to consider the alternatives I ended up listening to and going for Sarum. Have since tried SL but have been deeply disappointed on each occasion.
I appreciate comments such as "I sold the Epic and went for the Naca5" and others who found the Naca5 to sound better than the Epic. Nevertheless, as usual it is heavily dependent on listening preference and also the context of the system particularly the loudspeakers.
I would appreciate if folks who find the Naca5 to sound better than the Chord Epic (or any other cable) can describe in what ways the Naca5 is better, other than the cable exhibiting more drive or musicality. A bit of description would help.
In the context of my system based on Harbeth SHL5plus loudspeakers, even though the Chord Epic wasn't run-in yet it made the Naca5 sound veiled. Everything snaps into focus with the Epic with the added refinement. With the Naca5, there is slight smearing with the notes, and as there is reduced detail and air the Naca5 does not sound as open as the Epic. The Naca5 has more body in the mids though which may be useful when matched with leaner sounding speakers.
I have not experienced a reduction in pace and drive with the Chord Epic at this point of time though I have not done a lot of listening yet. I will report in a week's time when I get to do more listening with the system(and cables). At any rate, I cannot imagine the Epic to sound inferior than the Naca5 in my system as the increased levels of resolution, air and detail with the former have surely transformed my system for the better. The flow in the music is better with the Chord Epic. As mentioned earlier, the difference is immediate. It's not a case of straining one's ears to hear a difference. When I installed the cables, I wasn't expecting much to avoid disappointment, but I was surely in for a surprise.
Wasn't the Chord Signiture speaker cables the only one worth using with Naim ? A decade and some ago you couldn't not see a big Naim system with big B&W speakers without them.
ryder. posted:I appreciate comments such as "I sold the Epic and went for the Naca5" and others who found the Naca5 to sound better than the Epic. Nevertheless, as usual it is heavily dependent on listening preference and also the context of the system particularly the loudspeakers.
I would appreciate if folks who find the Naca5 to sound better than the Chord Epic (or any other cable) can describe in what ways the Naca5 is better, other than the cable exhibiting more drive or musicality. A bit of description would help.
In the context of my system based on Harbeth SHL5plus loudspeakers, even though the Chord Epic wasn't run-in yet it made the Naca5 sound veiled. Everything snaps into focus with the Epic ........and as there is reduced detail and air the Naca5 does not sound as open as the Epic.
.....
At any rate, I cannot imagine the Epic to sound inferior than the Naca5 in my system as the increased levels of resolution, air and detail with the former have surely transformed my system for the better.
Its a funny old game this world of hi fi Ryder, and it is highly based on personal preferences and how it all.sounds in the context of ones system and room.
I'm rubbish at explaining things in hi fi terms, but the way you describe the improvement changing from Epic to NAC A5 is exactly how I remember my experience when going the other way!
My system at the time was Superuniti with Neat Motive 2s, but the way the NAC A5 opened up the sound in my system really surprised me. I think I posted at the time how my Epic cable made everything sound closed in.
As I said, funny old game!
Anyway, the main thing is that you are getting such an upgrade with this change, enjoy the music!
ChrisH posted:Its a funny old game this world of hi fi Ryder, and it is highly based on personal preferences and how it all.sounds in the context of ones system and room.
I'm rubbish at explaining things in hi fi terms, but the way you describe the improvement changing from Epic to NAC A5 is exactly how I remember my experience when going the other way!
My system at the time was Superuniti with Neat Motive 2s, but the way the NAC A5 opened up the sound in my system really surprised me. I think I posted at the time how my Epic cable made everything sound closed in.
As I said, funny old game!
Anyway, the main thing is that you are getting such an upgrade with this change, enjoy the music!
Yes, it is certainly weird and as you say, a funny old game indeed. A particular type of sound presentation may not be influenced by personal preferences. For instance, one will either prefer a warm sound or a lean sound. In our case, you have found the Naca5 to be more open and detailed than the Chord Epic and my experience is the opposite. How could this be? Perhaps the speakers that are in use react differently to the cables?
Another possibility that I can think of is the real experiences that we decipher with our brain may not be accurately conveyed or translated to words.
Anyway, I agree that the most important thing is the music sounds good with the change. That is all that matters.
As a side-note, the termination of the Chord Epic is not an easy job due to the construction of it. The guy who worked on the cables commented that he knew the cable was high quality when he was working on it. It is not easy to strip and solder the cable as it comes with metal braid shielding and PTFE insulation.
ryder. posted:I appreciate comments such as "I sold the Epic and went for the Naca5" and others who found the Naca5 to sound better than the Epic. Nevertheless, as usual it is heavily dependent on listening preference and also the context of the system particularly the loudspeakers.
Surely you mean, I appreciate comments such as "I sold the Epic and went for the Naca5" and others who found the Naca5 to sound better than the Epic. Nevertheless, as usual it is heavily dependent on listening preference and also the context of the system particularly the amplifier.
C.
Christopher_M posted:Surely you mean, I appreciate comments such as "I sold the Epic and went for the Naca5" and others who found the Naca5 to sound better than the Epic. Nevertheless, as usual it is heavily dependent on listening preference and also the context of the system particularly the amplifier.
C.
No, I was referring to the loudspeakers.
Ah. Oh well.
C.
I found Epic did hi-fi very well, NACA5 was better at giving you more music...
Sister xx
Haven't read all the posts -so this may already have been mentioned. I have just changed from epic to Tellurium Q Black - if you can try to audition these cables they are excellent for the money and in my system anyway a step up from epic.
No, it's one of those meaningless phrases that get trotted out from time to time, along with 'X makes Y sound broken'.
Hungryhalibut posted:No, it's one of those meaningless phrases that get trotted out from time to time, along with 'X makes Y sound broken'.
Thats night and day Nigel.
Richard Dane. If you are reading this can you please delete my profile please,
Many thanks.
Sister E. posted:Richard Dane. If you are reading this can you please delete my profile please,
Many thanks.
If someone's account shall be deleted, it shouldn't be yours as you find the Naca5 to be music. It's me that should be banned for supporting other products, but thanks to the moderate policy practiced by Naim I am spared. I understand things can go a little out of hand at times but do consider staying.
Okay, I won't say the Naca5 is inferior to the Chord Epic or vice versa. I'll just say they sound different. I prefer the sound quality of the Chord Epic at the moment mainly for its refinement and detail. The presentation is more delicate than the Naca5 which sounds more forced with a certain immediacy. Perhaps this immediacy is what people call timing or pace.
The Chord Epic cable is still breaking in and will need 100 hours to fully open up. That may be the reason the cables are sounding a little unbalanced at the moment. The decays of notes particularly pianos are not emanating uniformly from the speakers at the moment.
petzhou posted:Haven't read all the posts -so this may already have been mentioned. I have just changed from epic to Tellurium Q Black - if you can try to audition these cables they are excellent for the money and in my system anyway a step up from epic.
Thanks for the information on the Tellurium Q BLack. Looks like reports of the Tellurium Q Black being "better" than the Chord Epic Twin are consistent. That, another time if there is opportunity. At this point of time I just want to warm up to the sound of the Chord Epic.
Ryder,
Could you please tell me what presentation you're looking for? You seem to be changing things at a rapid pace, and are somehow not really satisfied with the sound, as you are still seeking that just right sound.
So, what is the sound you are looking for? Is it more detail, is it more air, more solid foundation, maybe I could give you some recommendations if I knew exactly what you are seeking.
Badlands,
It can sound complicated and I will just simplify things. Yes, you can say I am seeking for the elusive sound which can be a never ending journey. It’s just like someone who is contemplating of upgrading to a higher level gear. One may be happy or contented with something but he wants to explore further. It is the curiosity or desire to seek a “better” sound quality which in turn enhances the musical satisfaction or enjoyment. That is one of the reasons which partly explain on the rapid changes in my system.
A more relevant reason is the last upgrade of the complete revamp, the loudspeakers which skewed the balance of the system. I wasn’t really happy with the sound from the new speakers during the initial stages as the new amplifiers and also the speakers were still in the process of breaking in. Somehow the sound quality improved but I wasn’t entirely satisfied. The Chord Epic is something I had always wanted to try since I had always wanted a pair of speaker cables that are longer than 3.5 metres (the Naca5 are 3.5m in length). Since the equipment rack is on one side of the room and not located at the centre between the speakers, 3.5m is barely adequate. The cable on one speaker can be seen hanging in the air.
In summary, I believe I will settle down with the system with this final speaker wire upgrade although I have a power strip and cord coming in the next few days to wrap things up. No more fiddling around after this. It is actually a blessing in disguise that I have gone with the Chord Epic. If I hadn't tried I wouldn't know how it would have impacted the system (in a rather positive and nice way).
Sister E. posted:Richard Dane. If you are reading this can you please delete my profile please,
Many thanks.
Why? Are you genuinely offended by HH's gentle dig? I think I understand what you were trying to convey, but you have to admit it's a 'lazy phrase', leaving the receiver free to place multiple interpretations on it, and therefore ultimately is meaningless. It may well have qualified for inclusion in the games of 'Bullshit Bingo' I and a few colleagues used to play in project board meetings!
I have owned Epic Twin in two periods, along with Naca5. Several setups and speakers have been used, both Naim speakers and others.
I agree to a point that setup, room and personal preferences must be taken into the mix, in my view Epic lacks in life and emotion, compared to the Naim cable. I can also support the shut in and not as musical experiences mentioned above. In my view Naca 5 is a very open, sparkling and musical cable.
It must be said tough, people are so different, experience differently and so on, there`s not just one answer to this, but now you`ve got mine 
Give Epic some time and don`t judge it to quick, either ways
S