NACA4 vs NACA5.

Posted by: Mike1951 on 10 January 2018

So... (don't you just hate people starting sentences with "So..."?)

If I swapped my NACA4 for NACA5, what qualitative difference would I hear?

System is:

Tidal lossless/Ethernet Cat7 cables/ND5XS /XP5XS/NAC202/NAPSC/Fluffy Toy/NAP200/Graham's Hydra/Isoblue rack/ATC SM19's on Quadraspire stands. 

Posted on: 10 January 2018 by Japtimscarlet

Probably very little/ no difference at all

Unless your A4 is faulty in some way

They are (were) both naim standard cables and both perform well enough

You WILL notice the A5 will not want to turn corners as easily as A4 !!!

Posted on: 10 January 2018 by badlands

Cables are a touchy subject on the forum, some claim night and day differences, others claim very little to no difference, regardless of price differences. My advice would be to audition for yourself, and trust your own ears, take what others say on the subject with a very big grain of salt!

Posted on: 10 January 2018 by Dave***t

Possibly nothing, possibly something.

When I swapped from K20 (same as A4) to A5, I did notice a difference. More/better bass, for a start. I make no claims about why, I just did.

Like Badlands says, only way to know is to try.

Posted on: 10 January 2018 by bazz

NACA4 is softer sounding, especially in the bass. A5 tightens things up, improves dynamics and is a definitely an upgrade IMO.

Posted on: 11 January 2018 by Don Atkinson
bazz posted:

NACA4 is softer sounding, especially in the bass. A5 tightens things up, improves dynamics and is a definitely an upgrade IMO.

What Bazz says, basically.

Posted on: 11 January 2018 by Clive B
Don Atkinson posted:
bazz posted:

NACA4 is softer sounding, especially in the bass. A5 tightens things up, improves dynamics and is a definitely an upgrade IMO.

What Bazz says, basically.

Indeed those were my findings too when I made the change aeons ago. I must have a look in the loft to see if I still have it. If I do I’ll swap back; just for research purposes, of course. 

Posted on: 11 January 2018 by CJ1045

K20 is not same as A4 - it is much more pliable physically

Posted on: 11 January 2018 by Perol

Soon someone will tell you a full loom SL is the only answer 

Posted on: 11 January 2018 by badlands
Perol posted:

Soon someone will tell you a full loom SL is the only answer 

I wonder who that could be?

Posted on: 11 January 2018 by wenger2015

If your looking for an upgrade, it’s worth exploring other options, 

most good dealers will allow you to try before you buy..