What Phono Cable? Anybody try a reterminated HiLine?

Skip, AFAIK re-terminating a Hi-line is not an option.  But don't worry, I was never a fan of the Hi-line used between phono stage and pre-amp.  I preferred the lavender/grey interconnect.  The Hi-line was designed on the CD players and that's where it works best (DACs too).

As such, even if it was an option to use Hi-line cable as an arm lead, I'm not sure it would be the best choice. 

I agree with Richard. My experience with a 4-5 Hiline on a PSU'd Stageline led me to the conclusion that a Hiline is best suited for my CDP and tends to "over-smooth" vinyl (which is already smooth to begin with). I found a welcomed grit, raw energy, and immediacy from vinyl replay with the lavender versus the softer, perhaps distant presentation of the Hiline.

Richard Dane posted:

.... The Hi-line was designed on the CD players and that's where it works best (DACs too).

 

So Richard - what about Streamers to PRE (NDX to 282 to be precise) ? - or maybe the streamers are considered DAC's in your context? - i have an option for a half price Hi-Line so its actually "good value" compared to chord and other options...

Hi Skip,

there is not much room inside my turntable which limits my choices to the original Graham cables with their tiny DIN plugs,  I use the IC 30 (silver). How about the Lyra Phono Pipe to match your cartridge?

I was using a Hi Line, NDX to 252 Hi Line much better than the stock cable changed from a Hi Line to a Super Lumina a few weeks ago considerably better again.

Can you listen to the Hi Line prior to purchase and make up your own mind in your system ? at half price it could be a bargain but listen if possible.

Hi PCD - yes home demo is next, just wondering about richards comment on the "fit" of the Hi-line...

Wunderbaum posted:

Richard Dane posted:

.... The Hi-line was designed on the CD players and that's where it works best (DACs too).

 

So Richard - what about Streamers to PRE (NDX to 282 to be precise) ? - or maybe the streamers are considered DAC's in your context? - i have an option for a half price Hi-Line so its actually "good value" compared to chord and other options...

Yes, worked the Hi-line well on my NDX/XPS DR.  I just preferred the lavender/grey interconnect to the 4-5 Hi-line when used on the Prefix/Supercap or Prefix/Hicap.  Do remember though that "dressing" the Hi-line cable just right is essential to hear what it does - otherwise it can easily be made to sound so-so.  It needs to be pre-formed before fitment and must hang with no stress anywhere along the cable, particularly by the plugs.  The plugs should be inserted and then withdrawn back by a mm. Do not touch the segmented part of the plug.

Mulberry posted:

Hi Skip,

there is not much room inside my turntable which limits my choices to the original Graham cables with their tiny DIN plugs,  I use the IC 30 (silver). How about the Lyra Phono Pipe to match your cartridge?

Pcd posted:

I was using a Hi Line, NDX to 252 Hi Line much better than the stock cable changed from a Hi Line to a Super Lumina a few weeks ago considerably better again.

Can you listen to the Hi Line prior to purchase and make up your own mind in your system ? at half price it could be a bargain but listen if possible.

Hi Mulberry:

According to Lyra, they do not recommend the Lyra Phono Pipe for use with the SuperLine because of the extra capacitance in the SuperLine.  Lyra minimizes capacitance in the phono pipe and you pay for it.  Naim adds capacitance to the Supercap and you pay for it.  You are paying twice, as I understand it, to implement conflicting design philosophies.   The only phono stage I have heard that sounds better than the Superline/Supercap is the late Lyra Connoisseur.   I do like your idea but that will not happen.  I would like to try a Phono Pipe someday but as I understand it,  they do not make it to the USA.  It would be interesting to know if any of the Naim Forum members use the Lyra Phono Pipe?

Hi PCD:

I own the HiLine now as an interconnect.  I would have to send it off, pay up,  and re-terminate it to turn it into a phono cable.  If it fails, there is nobody to send it back to but me.  This also will not happen.  I can add it to my NaitXS-CD5X system and I might. 

Thanks for your replies.

Skip posted:

 I can add it to my NaitXS-CD5X system and I might. 

The perfect option Skip and really where a Hiline preforms at its best IME. I'm surprised you don't have one there already

Skip, putting the hi-line on the CD5x and NAIT xs sounds like a great idea.

Hi Skip,

thanks for sharing your knowledge. I wasn't aware of the capacitance issue, but it makes sense. As Lyra is distributed by a well known cable manufacturer in the US, I can see why the PhonoPipe is not easily available in the States. As my own phono stage is at least a little bit designed after the Connoisseur and plays at about the level of the Superline/Hicap, I would like to try the Pipe. Unfortunately the straight DIN plug makes this virtually impossible.

I bought. hi-Line when they first came out to go with the nDac which I owned at the time, and later with the NDX.  Was never happy with the 'floating pins', especially after it had to go back to be repaired.  Eventually replaced it with  Sarum TA which has never caused me any annoyance and also sounds a little better.