Speaker cable between Uniti 2 & PMC 25.23 speakers

Posted by: gsr on 23 April 2018

Hi,

Currently have Townsend Isolda cable which I am told, is one of the worst cables to use with Naim. I'm happy with the sound but borrowed some Kimber 8TC cable at the weekend and preferred the Townsend.

Is it worth looking at NACA5 and what improvements would I expect with Super Lumina or is that overkill for my system?

Thanks

Gordon

Posted on: 23 April 2018 by 1GiantLeap

Hi Gordon

NACA5 will work nicely and many on here with systems much further up the Naim hierarchy swear by NACA5. 
Super Lumina is overkill for a Uniti 2.
I think there's a nice synergy with TelluriumQ, PMC speakers and Naim.
TQ Black II speaker cable - in my opinion - will sound better than NACA5 for a little more money.

At this level and with your PMC speakers, I think TQ Black II (and Ultra Black) gives a cleaner and smoother sound and wider  soundstage.
If you have a dealer you should take the opportunity to loan both NACA5 and TQ Black II to hear for yourself before buying.
Alternatively, take a punt on buying second hand and sell on if needed.

 

Posted on: 23 April 2018 by hungryhalibut

When I was using twenty.23s with a SuperUniti I preferred the TQ Black to the NacA5, though it’s very much down to peresonal preference. The SL is very much overkill, but if you have the cash to buy it and don’t need a CD player it would be well worth looking at a SuperUniti or a Nova, which will give greater power that the 23s thrive on. 

Posted on: 23 April 2018 by ChrisSU

Kimber is also a cable that is particularly ill-suited to Naim amps, so perhaps it’s not surprising that you didn’t like it. Super Lumina would probably cost more that your Uniti, so I would agree that it is overkill. I would try NACA5. 

Posted on: 23 April 2018 by spurrier sucks

NACA5 worked well with my U2 when I had it. Before that Totem Tress worked well too. I don't think Uniti line is all that picky what you use with it. 

Posted on: 25 April 2018 by robert_h

While isolda might not play nice with older naim, there's no reason you can't use it with current naim amps. I used mine with a nait xs and only switched to naca5 when I switched things around and couldn't at the time afford longer isolda. The nait was unaffected by using isolda.

Posted on: 26 April 2018 by gsr

Cheers guys.

Isolda sounds good to me but have bought some naca5 off E*** as I'm curious if there is any difference. If there isn't, I'll just sell on!

Posted on: 26 April 2018 by feeling_zen

More modest Atlas cables are known to work very well between Naim amps and PMC speakers. 

I chose Atlas Hyper 2.0 over A5 for Twenty5.23. Cost was not a factor. The Atlas just happened to cost less than A5.

Posted on: 26 April 2018 by Perol

Another Hyper user here, 3.0 excellent cable which soon makes you forget electronics

Posted on: 10 May 2018 by gsr

Took a punt on Ebay and bought 2 x 1.5m lengths of NACA5 cable to compare to my Isolda cable.

Even after a couple of tracks, they difference was huge. Bass was weightier but in control and treble more controlled with the Isolda. Bit disappointed with the NACA5 to be honest so going straight back on Ebay!! 

Posted on: 10 May 2018 by feeling_zen

1.5m is an absurd short length. It should be 3m minimum, preferably longer.

Posted on: 10 May 2018 by Karl

You need longer lengths, at least 3M as FEELING_ZEN says, also if it is new it takes a good couple of weeks to burn in.

Karl

Posted on: 10 May 2018 by gsr

mmmmmm....is there such a difference between a 1.5m and 3m length. One can quote resistance per m but I struggle to believe that 1.5 metres would make a difference in the real world.

The pair I bought were 2nd hand so were well run-in.