Chord Signature Reference Speaker Cable

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Chaps,

Another speaker cable thread I'm afraid. 

I've been trying Signature TA interconnects in my system with I must say very encouraging results.  Next logical step would be to consider Signature Reference speaker cable.  Interested to hear if anyone has experience particularly in a Naim/Kudos configuration.  

Regards,

Lindsay

I must say, I surf the internet weekly, looking for Individuals aspiring to upgrade from Signature to Music, or ST.

I don't really have a life, hence the forum.

But I've always admired the perceived built quality of Chords Signature Speaker Cable!

Must be decent, it's not cheap!

Signature Reference per terminated m

$ 360.00
1.5m pair 1.5m Pair $ 1,075.00
3m pair 3m Pair $ 2,150.00
5m pair 5m Pair $ 3,585.00

Allante93!

PS. 2nd hand Market, for me!

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Chaps,

Another speaker cable thread I'm afraid. 

I've been trying Signature TA interconnects in my system with I must say very encouraging results.  Next logical step would be to consider Signature Reference speaker cable.  Interested to hear if anyone has experience particularly in a Naim/Kudos configuration.  

Regards,

Lindsay

I am using a pair with Nds 282/SC/250 and love the sound got mine used on eBay

Allante93 posted:

I don't really have a life, hence the forum.

 

Are you putting the cart before the horse?!

tonycurran1 posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Chaps,

Another speaker cable thread I'm afraid. 

I've been trying Signature TA interconnects in my system with I must say very encouraging results.  Next logical step would be to consider Signature Reference speaker cable.  Interested to hear if anyone has experience particularly in a Naim/Kudos configuration.  

Regards,

Lindsay

I am using a pair with Nds 282/SC/250 and love the sound got mine used on eBay

And how do you find the baseline?

Went from Chord Epic ref and find the base tight I did add the 250 after getting a pair of B&W 804D3 as I found the SN2 ( a great amp) just not up to driving the 804.

tonycurran1 posted:

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Chaps,

Another speaker cable thread I'm afraid. 

Regards,

Lindsay

I am using a pair with Nds 282/SC/250 and love the sound got mine used on eBay

Smart move!

Ebay, Audiogon, Canuck, etc....

Allante93!

PS. But if one has the means, Nothing like Brand New, despite the burn-in period!

Mine came in original packing and in perfect condition and I saved £450

the combination  of these cables and running balanced with just the mono power amps between speakers made the biggest upgrade ive every had..

I'm afraid that I didn't enjoy the Chord Signature speaker cable between my 300 and Kudos C30s. Whilst it undeniably added more detail into the mix, it seemed to lose something in terms of 'organic sound'. Vocals in particular became too 'nasal' for me. This is despite using Chord interconnect cables everywhere else. I'd suggest borrowing a set from a friendly dealer so that you can hear them in the context of your own room and speakers. It certainly wasn't the 'automatic upgrade' which I had expected (given my prior experience with Chord interconnects). It may be that the newer 'Reference' range is more compatible than the older version but unfortunately I haven't tried it.

Hi Lindsay,

I am not sure my experience of Chord cables is relevant and I don't have Kudos speakers but I will chuck in my two-penneth anyway.

I owned, and quite liked Chord Sarum TA interconnect which superseded my Hiline. Much better than the Hiline but as I was using it with NACA5 at the time, I thought I would try an SL interconnect which I much preferred. At the time I also tried a Chord Sarum Super Array DIN/XLR and this simply didn't work in my system with neither the Chord SA IC nor the SL IC. I do however suspect the Chord DIN/XLR was not run in at the time. To complicate things further I also tried SL speaker cables and they were quite simply better than NACA5 in several important areas. As funds were limited (I had just upgraded to a 250DR) I could only afford one of the cables so chose the SL speaker cables. So I have been using the SL IC and SL speaker cables with my trusty Which Hat DIN/XLR for some time. The Witch Hat has recently been replaced with the SL DIN/XLR giving me a full SL loom and it is just superb.

I must admit that I have been tempted by Signature speaker cables in the past but have never tried them. I guess what I am suggesting is that you might try SL cables before you decide. I know they are more expensive than Chord Signature but you can now get SL cables ex demo and pre loved.

I suspect we may now get the usual Chord vs SL ding dong and I must admit preferences are often down to personal taste and specific systems. However I would urge you to at leat try (assuming you haven't already) SL cables at home.

Just in case you guys missed it, Mr. Richard Dane turned in Beautiful Expository piece! 

Perhaps it can shed some light, on this Thread.

Richard Dane posted:

analogmusic posted:

Perol posted:

Since Richard Dane owned all the 250s (CB,250 .2 and now 250DR), I'm curious what he thinks...

Richard?

I'm not sure what I can say here.  Yes, I have a recently serviced CB NAP250 from 1985 and also a fairly recent NAP250DR.  I have also either used or owned an early NAP250, a late Olive 250 and also owned an early pre-production NAP250.2. I like or liked them all.  They are all NAP250s after all.   And the current NAP250DR is excellent - quite possibly the best of the lot.

As for the NAP250.2.  This is/was an excellent amplifier. It extended the effective resolution and bandwidth of the NAP250 at both ends.  In truth it was a "faster" amp, but it also asked more of the source and pre-amp. Pre-amp wise the NAC252 or 552 were the best partners.  A NAC282 worked OK but a NAC202 with any power supply just didn't work with the NAP250.2. However, the NAP250.2 did have a certain warmth to it, a slight opacity and impression of a hump in the upper bass that was fine on a speaker like the IBL, SL2 or SBL, but which was exactly where so many other speaker makers would give a little boost - I guess because most people tend to like it.  Combined, it could be a little too much that at best could reduce the impression of pace, and at worst could make the sound a bit muddy and stodgy, particularly when compared against its junior sibling, the NAP200.

However, I can observe that regular service within the 10 year period is a must.  It could well be due to their regulated design (essentially two amplifiers where one regulates the power supply for the other) that means that as soon as anything begins to slip out of spec then the effect on performance is considerable.

Oh, and provided they're factory serviced every 8-10 years, there are no "bad" NAP250s of any type or age. They're all fab and they're all bona fide classics.

Are you on the right thread ALLANTE?

nigelb posted:

Are you on the right thread ALLANTE?

Richard Dane Posted:

"However, the NAP250.2 did have a certain warmth to it, a slight opacity and impression of a hump in the upper bass that was fine on a speaker like the IBL, SL2 or SBL, but which was exactly where so many other speaker makers would give a little boost - I guess because most people tend to like it.  Combined, it could be a little too much that at best could reduce the impression of pace, and at worst could make the sound a bit muddy and stodgy, particularly when compared against its junior sibling, the NAP200."

Nigel B Posted:

"I must admit that I have been tempted by Signature speaker cables in the past but have never tried them. I guess what I am suggesting is that you might try SL cables before you decide. I know they are more expensive than Chord Signature but you can now get SL cables ex demo and pre loved.

I suspect we may now get the usual Chord vs SL ding dong and I must admit preferences are often down to personal taste and specific systems. However I would urge you to at leat try (assuming you haven't already) SL cables at home."

That's right Nigel B, SL works for your particular System and Speakers!

But as you say, one must audition these Cables, otherwise just Hot Air!

Mr Richard Dane was just Elaborating on what you clearly pointed out!

Differences in Specific Systems:

Pre- Amps, Amps, and Speakers, which is why some may experience a positive impact with Interconnects and Speaker Cables, Whilst other may not!

That's all Nigel!

Just pointing out how Great minds, like yours and Mr. Richard Danes, constantly reminds members of the Forum of the importance of components, which are comprised in one's System!

Allante93!

PS. I think I got the right Thread!

Who knows, getting up in age!

Enjoy your Music Nigel#

??

Things are a little different in Allanteworld. 

The Chord signature speaker cable is even more stiff than A5

Its very near impossible to use "close to wall"'speakers with standard banan termination

I had an ear!y version around 4 mtr pair and very much detailed open performance, admittedly didn't enjoy sound even after weeks try, I gave up and sold it on.

Perol posted:

The Chord signature speaker cable is even more stiff than A5

Its very near impossible to use "close to wall"'speakers with standard banan termination

I had an ear!y version around 4 mtr pair and very much detailed open performance, admittedly didn't enjoy sound even after weeks try, I gave up and sold it on.

Sure looks the part, from the pictures!

Got you, didn't work within your System!

Allante93!

PS. Allanteworld???

Just push the ignore button!

I know, it's hard! LOL....

The Big Fish!

Interesting comments above.  I had signature speaker cable between my 252/300 and Art Emotions many years ago.

first comment, signature cables are thick and being bright red and black, they are not easy to use and hide.

secondly, I only kept them for a couple of months, the usual euphoria about something new and exciting gave way to these are unmusical and lumpy in the bass.  

I soon went went back to Naim NACA 5,

regards

PB

to my ears the SL speaker cable does time very well, and is much better than NACA 5 

I hope it is ok, to be in favour of a Naim speaker cable, on the Naim forum?

I mean whenever SL is discussed the Chord Sarum supporters come to say how much supposedly better it is (to their ears) , so hopefully it is acceptable to praise SL cables on a Chord cable thread....

I heard Signature once and while it provided impressive pinpoint imaging, it was very unengaging. Like a triumph of style over substance. 

Allante93 posted:

 Just pointing out how Great minds, like yours and Mr. Richard Danes, constantly reminds members of the Forum of the importance of components, which are comprised in one's System!

Allante93!

 

Can't argue with that!

Um - I'm now a bit dazed and confused.  Certainly there are differences (largely subtle) with various wires but hard to conclude what is better.  I'm minded to stick with the standard Naim stuff provided.

Thanks for the comments though guys - appreciated.

Regards,

Lindsay

Come on Lindsay, you can't give up that easily.

Why not see if you can borrow a set of SL speaker cables from your friendly dealer. I found the difference between NACA5 and SL speaker cables was not subtle. But, I accept, neither is the price difference. Only you can decide if they represent VFM though.

I would say however I have found that mixing SL and Chord cabling doesn't always work and I only seemed to get a real jump in performance when I finally moved from a mixed loom to a full SL loom. Still it won't cost anything to try out SL speaker cables in your system. Just a thought.

Apologies if you have already tried this.

Nigel - no I haven't tried SL and probably won't as I think cable changes - Powerlines excepted - whilst bringing changes I can't come to a conclusion.  

So if there's cash to be invested then I'm minded towards some DR mods and possibly a SC for the 282.  

Regards,

Lindsay 

The Strat (Fender) posted:

Nigel - no I haven't tried SL and probably won't as I think cable changes - Powerlines excepted - whilst bringing changes I can't come to a conclusion.  

So if there's cash to be invested then I'm minded towards some DR mods and possibly a SC for the 282.  

Regards,

Lindsay 

That makes sense Lindsay. It is what I did prior to SL, but you do know DRing and SuperCapping leads to the seductress that is the 252!