S.Lumina Interconect VS. Hi. Line

ryder. posted:

Drewy posted:

nicetone posted:

I find myself, not for the first time, in agreement with posts by BADLANDS providing something of a reality check. Not that I consider myself apart from the unreality of what we spend on HiFi 'just' to listen to music. I'd be embarrassed to be completely open with friends and family over how much I'd spent on (all DR) 252/300, CDS3/555, Fraim etc, even though most was below the full retail price. I mentioned to two friends the £1700 deal on the used CDS3 head unit, and could tell from the (polite) reaction that they both (one of them modestly into HiFi, the other into music big time but not into HiFi) thought I was barking. And, I'm increasingly, when I look back, starting to think I that maybe I was (barking), spending such large amounts of money for really quite modest gains. It has stopped me from considering cable upgrades and a secondhand 552. I didn't think the differences I heard at Bristol 2016, between 272 and 552 were worth the extra outlay; I'm starting to wonder whether the sonic differences between pre-amps are mainly down to tweaking the sound to justify different price points rather than from the use of superior components (is it, I ask myself, the power amp wattage that makes the real difference). I've never heard significant differences in cables that weren't either quickly assimilated or something that I could reliably identify in volume level matched blind listening tests; my Fraim looks great, but my Target stand did the business and by the time I'd switched everything back on, I couldn't reliably say there was an improvement in sound. I know some may think that the latter could be down to mastering the mystique of the Fraim build, but in my time I've stripped and rebuilt bike and car engines, and repaired/fettled decent cycles, so I didn't find any issues building a little 'ole Fraim!

But, all the above said, it's up to everyone, individually, to decide how they wish to enjoy their wealth, and if that's, for them, spending money on super lumina, or 552/500, or Statement, then good luck to them - enjoy it. VFM will also arguably have a different meaning according to relative wealth. I'm just saying that for me, I'm at the point where while I do have 'spare' money which could be used to fund HiFi upgrades, my experience to date suggests that I would find further improvements so marginal as to cause disappointment and doubt. I certainly couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of pounds on cables. Boring I know! To those whose mileage varies, very best wishes to you - enjoy your purchases and our (mine included) hobby.           

After reading that I can put to bed the urge to upgrade my standard cabling for a while.

Thank you.

Hats off to you for using standard cables with your NAC 552 and NAP 300 DR. I think I saw a post from you several days ago which mentioned you didn't notice an (appreciable) difference with Powerlines after you tried 3. My experience mirrored yours except that I compared other cords, and for that reason I didn't bother to try Powerlines in my system. Having said that, you might want to treat yourself to some wire indulgences in the form of speaker cables and interconnects when you feel like mucking around. In my experience they do more than power cords. The differences are still relatively subtle, though appreciable.

I have 3 power lines. Two I bought second hand and the one that came with the 552. I'm fairly sure there was a difference but I can't say what the difference is. It's that uncertainty that makes me doubt the lite version so much. 

But to get back on topic yes I agree interconnects will make a difference to the standard naim ones. I'm in no hurry until I have plenty of money in the bank to do all interconnects in one go. I might wait till I've done those before tackling the speaker cables. 

The 552 is only 3 months old and am still enjoying the sound as it is while it continually improves, I think I need to get it fully bedded in before looking further.

ps. The old chord solid I'm using between the rega aria and 552 is causing an itch though. 

I don't know about super lumina cables as i have never listened. The prices are scary!

But the hi-line and PLs, IMO, showed the standard cables were limiting the performance of my system.
In terms of PRAT and immediacy, the standard cables are fantastic, probably better than any others, but the hi-line and PLs show "color, beauty, nuances, decays ..." not there with the standard cables.
This is so apparent with classical music. Or just listening a piano sonata.

Are they worth the money? For my system, yes .... they took the system to a all new level of performance and emotion.

A certain rightness (realism) in the way the instruments/music is played.

Best regards
Rui

rsch posted:

J Saville posted:

Roberto, have you checked the direction on the cable? The lighter collared end goes at the CD555 end, same as the Hiline. The difference is very subtle, easy to miss if you're not looking for it.

 

Hello,

Of course i did, the light grey is on the 555 side

I have it now running in on CD5X-552 for the last 20 hours. I'll try this evening again

Regards

Roberto

There must be an easier way to mark the direction, we are all middle aged old man after all...

Fortunately I'm into the eyecare world 

Regards

Roberto

Emre posted:

There must be an easier way to mark the direction, we are all middle aged old man after all...

Yes there is, just make the directional collar Brilliant White. The labelling on all Naim cables is quite vague, I find this most odd

nicetone posted:

I find myself, not for the first time, in agreement with posts by BADLANDS providing something of a reality check.........

 

......... I'm at the point where while I do have 'spare' money which could be used to fund HiFi upgrades, my experience to date suggests that I would find further improvements so marginal as to cause disappointment and doubt. I certainly couldn't bring myself to spend thousands of pounds on cables. Boring I know! To those whose mileage varies, very best wishes to you - enjoy your purchases and our (mine included) hobby.           

Yes, nicetone, that's what we do with this hobby of ours.

Spend Thousands of Dollars for subtle differences, that aren't detectable by the Norm.

But Remember, we aren't the Norm, that's why I don't tell my associates what I spend on Hi- Fi, they might have me committed! LOL...

But seriously, this is a common Theme.

In fact, there have been serval threads expressing your thoughts, one that comes to mind, {% spent on hi fi components}.

If I'm not mistaken, the rule of thumb, was 10%  of System, spent on Cabling!

But now, the question, 10, 20, or 40% of one's System spent on Cabling alone!

Point in case: (GBP)

272, very nice Pre-amp ~ 3K.

SL 4Pin/XLR ~ 1.5K

5 M pair SL Speaker Cabling ~ 3K

And to your point, does the difference in price between the 272 and 552, reflect the difference in SQ?

But as you say, in the end it is personal! 

One of my Fathers sayings was:

If you like it, I Love it!

As the young Folk say, you do you, and I will do me!

Enjoy your Music, the why!

Allante93!

PS. Well put nicetone, 6 likes!

Just to avoid future annoying comparisons, i returned the HI.Line to the dealer like part exchange we already agreed.

This morning before leaving out,  i played  R. Lee Jones -Pop Pop cd, i probably noticed a few more nuances on her voice than usual and after 2-3 days of intensive run in, is probably opening out a bit.

Regards

Roberto

It seems improving now, i did this loop  arrangement in order to avoid touching the floor, what do you think of this ?

Regards

Roberto