How to identify SNAICs and Interconnects

Standard Naim Interconnects.  

Interconnects carry only audio signals.  Naim usually include a standard grey Interconnect in the box with sources.  It is no after-thought, but rather a great sounding high performance cable that complements Naim equipment perfectly.  

Pictured above - standard Naim interconnect. Grey or grey with a slight lavender tinge outer sheath, DIN5 (180) at both ends, green direction band. Used for connecting signal from sources such as a Naim CD player, streamer, or tuner to a Naim pre-amp. Other versions: Red direction band = DVD5 Multi-channel interconnect; Yellow direction band = AV2 reverse interconnect. Length: 1.25m.

Pictured above - Naim 4-5 Interconnect. Grey or grey with a slight lavender tinge outer sheath, DIN4 at source end, DIN5 (180) at other end. Used for connecting signal from a Naim phono stage to a Naim pre-amp when the former is powered by a dedicated power supply.  This can be done directly from the phono stage in the case of later versions of the Stageline, or from one of the signal outputs of the Flatcap, Hicap, or Supercap power supply. Length: 1.25m.

Pictured above - Naim RCA-DIN4 Interconnect. Grey or grey with a slight lavender tinge outer sheath, black tails with green direction arrows and marked  "Naim", 2 x gold plated RCA Phonos at source end, DIN4 at the other end. Used for connecting a unit with RCA pre-outs to a Naim power amp. Other versions: 2 x RCA Phono to DIN5 (180), for connecting non-Naim sources to a Naim pre-amp;  Also available as DIN-RCA interconnects, with DIN4 for connecting a Naim pre-amp to an RCA input power amp, or DIN5 (180) for connecting a Naim source to the RCA input of a pre-amp. Length 1.0m

Pictured above - Naim DIN5 - 4 RCA Phono Interconnect. Grey or grey with a slight lavender tinge outer sheath, black tails with green direction arrows and marked "Naim", 4 x gold plated RCA Phonos at one end, DIN5 (180) at the other end. For connecting a recorder, processor or non-Naim headphone amplifier to the tape IN/OUT of a Naim pre-amp. Length 1.0m.

Pictured above - Naim 3.5mm - DIN5 "iPod" Interconnect. Grey or grey with a slight lavender tinge outer sheath, gold plated 3.5mm jack covered with white heat shrink at one end, DIN5 (180) at other end. Used for connecting portable devices with a 3.5mm jack output to a Naim pre-amp.  Length 1.25m. Other versions: DIN-3.5mm jack, 3.5mm jack to 3.5mm jack.

Pictured above - Naim DIN4-XLR lead. Thin black-sheathed 3 core cable, DIN4 at source end, Naim Cannon XLR connector at the other end. Used for connecting a Naim pre-amp + power supply to a Naim regulated power amplifier. Versions: White band (Channel 1 + Channel 2) for use with NAP250; Green band (Channel 1) and Red band (Channel 2) for use with NAP135, NAP300, NAP500. Length 1.0m.

Pictured above - Naim DIN5 (180) - DIN4 lead. Thin black-sheathed 3 core cable, DIN5 (180) at source end, DIN4 at other end. Used for connecting the pre-out of a Naim n-Vi to a Naim power amp. Length 1.0m

Pictured above - Naim DIN5 (180) - XLR lead. Thin black-sheathed 3 core cable, DIN5 (180) at source end, Naim Cannon XLR at other end. Used for connecting the pre-out of a Naim n-Vi to a Naim NAP250 power amp. Length 1.0m

Not pictured - Naim DIN4-DIN4 "Active" lead. Thin black-sheathed 3 core cable, DIN4 at source end, DIN4 at other end.  Used for connecting unregulated Naim power amps to a Naim active crossover (recommended to replace SNAIC4 in this application). 

Naim SNAICs.  

SNAICs carry audio signals and can also carry 24v DC power. The SNAIC 4 is included with most unregulated Naim power amplifiers. A SNAIC 5 is included with the Flatcap and Hicap power supplies.

Pictured above - SNAIC 4. Thick black sheathed cable with black/dark grey heat shrink ends, white banded direction marker, DIN4 connectors at each end. Can carry L+R signal and 1 x 24v DC. Used for connecting a Naim pre-amp or pre-amp + PSU to a Naim unregulated power amp.  Also for connecting a Naim single-rail power supply to a single-rail pre-amp. Length 1.25m.

Pictured above - SNAIC 5. Thick black sheathed cable with black/dark grey heat shrink ends, green banded direction marker, DIN5 (240) connectors at each end. Can carry L+R signal and 2 x 24V DC. Used for connecting a Naim dual-rail power supply to a Naim pre-amp, phono stage, or analogue output stage of a CD3.5/5/5x/5xs CD player. Also for connecting a Naim phono stage to the powered AUX2 input of a Naim pre-amp. Other versions: SNAIC 5-4 - for connecting a Naim dual-rail power supply to an early single-rail pre-amp. Length 1.25m.

Earlier SNAICs

Earlier versions of the SNAIC4 and SNAIC5 had a grey outer sheath to the cable.  The later black versions are superior in sound performance.  The earliest of the grey SNAICs used latching Deltron DIN connectors instead of the later locking ring Preh DIN connectors shown above. The later Preh DIN plugs can be used with the earlier Deltron sockets by inserting with the locking ring in the fully retracted position.  Note though that you cannot secure the plug to the socket so care should be taken to prevent accidental disconnection, which may result in damage to your speaker HF drive units should the system be fully powered up and speakers connected.

Pictured above - SNAIC4 (early). Note the grey outer cable sheath and latching Deltron DIN plugs.

Pictured above - comparison of current Preh locking ring DIN and earlier Deltron latching DIN connectors.

Beware of imitations!

There are many 'Fake SNAICs' around which can look quite similar to the genuine Naim items.  At best these will not perform as Naim intended, at worst they may well cause damage to your Naim equipment.  Always use genuine Naim SNAICs.  Look for Naim branding on the cable sheath and for the NA-xx number on the direction band (the number refers to the person at Naim who hand assembled your SNAIC).

Pictured above - black SNAICs showing earlier and later printing on the outer sheathing.

NAIM SLIC lead. 

Pictured above - SLIC lead. Thin black sheathed cable with a DIN5 (240) at one end and a female 2 pin locking ring connector at the other end.  Does not carry any audio signal, only DC power. Used for powering a Naim Headline headphone amplifier from a Naim Flatcap, Hicap or Supercap power supply. Length: 2m.