CD player connection rca, din, xlr

The NAC552 is single ended, so you should use the single ended outputs on the Marantz SA10 (RCA phono).  Better yet would be to use DIN, but that would means using an RCA -DIN interconnect on the Marantz.

When I bought my Oppo 205 (which like the SA10, has XLR and RCA analogue outputs), the guy at Peter Tyson recommended that I used the RCA (to DIN) outputs with my NAC 72, rather than bothering with the XLRs. 

Kevin-W posted:

When I bought my Oppo 205 (which like the SA10, has XLR and RCA analogue outputs), the guy at Peter Tyson recommended that I used the RCA (to DIN) outputs with my NAC 72, rather than bothering with the XLRs. 

If I might ask, what is a good/correct rca to din cable?

Chord Co.

Flashback cables

Amo

Avoid adapters..

I am doing just the opposite....I will soon be needing to connect a high-end Naim CD player which has both 5 pin DIN and RCA outputs, to a preamp where I have the choice of RCA inputs or fully balanced XLR inputs.

So my first question is, what is the best possible combination in this case, from a sonic point of view? Clearly RCA to RCA is an easy answer, but will it provide the best sonic solution?

And then secondly, what are the absolutely best make & model of cables that any of you would choose for this application if cost was a secondary consideration?

Thank you!

Zackwater posted:

If I might ask, what is a good/correct rca to din cable?

Chord Shawline is a good compromise between affordability and high fidelity (I'm still not sold on the whole interconnect cables thing).

What would be the best way to connect a 552 to a Marantz sa10?  I need the help.  

I have used both Chord Crimson and Chord Clearway RCA-to-DIN.  Both are very good, and priced competitively.  Chord makes a cable for every budget — but I can recommend both of these bottom-of-the-line cables as more than merely adequate.  Going up the ladder would be fun to try, if I had the time and money, I suspect.

I think Naim still makes cables like this, too, at three price-points.  They are all good choices, at their prices, IMHO.

Nick

vintageaxeman posted:

I am doing just the opposite....I will soon be needing to connect a high-end Naim CD player which has both 5 pin DIN and RCA outputs, to a preamp where I have the choice of RCA inputs or fully balanced XLR inputs.

So my first question is, what is the best possible combination in this case, from a sonic point of view? Clearly RCA to RCA is an easy answer, but will it provide the best sonic solution?

And then secondly, what are the absolutely best make & model of cables that any of you would choose for this application if cost was a secondary consideration?

Thank you!

I'd go DIN to RCA. You have the usual choices in cables from Naim and Chord with sensible to daft pricing options 

Zackwater posted:

What would be the best way to connect a 552 to a Marantz sa10?  I need the help.  

 

That might be the most expensive out there..

Chord Music or Vertere, not sure Lumina is available RCA/DIN.

There may be others incl changing to a better source

Zackwater posted:

What would be the best way to connect a 552 to a Marantz sa10?  I need the help.   

Keep in mind that a fully-fitted five-pin DIN would have four RCA leads, ideal for a tape or CD recorder.  Most DIN leads are only half-wired for specific uses — so, it is important to be clear when ordering that the RCA is the Source/Play end.  The two redundant pins at the DIN end will be dead or removed, depending on the maker’s implementation.

Better cables have some indicator of the direction the signal will travel.  Though, from experience I can say a playback cable will work in either direction.  I have a Naim DIN-to-RCA intended to connect a Naim CD player to a non-Naim amp; I use the cable “reversed” from a non-Naim player into my NAC.

Nick

I guess Naim's own interconnect are basically a Chord industrial type, later on Vertere. Terminated in Salisbury.

Perol posted:

I guess Naim's own interconnect are basically a Chord industrial type, later on Vertere. Terminated in Salisbury.

As generalisations go, I’m not convinced that’s a very accurate one!

ChrisSU posted:

Perol posted:

I guess Naim's own interconnect are basically a Chord industrial type, later on Vertere. Terminated in Salisbury.

As generalisations go, I’m not convinced that’s a very accurate one!

Nope, me neither...

Perol posted:

Chord Co.

Flashback cables

Amo

Avoid adapters..

With adapters I'vebeen able to try different interconnects that don't come with DIN-RCA option.  I know it's not ideal, but can someone explain why adapters are worse than DIN-RCA cables?

I guess what I really want to know is if I choose the Marantz sa10 and connect with rca to din cable will I been getting a much better sonic experience than buying the naim cd5di and using the naim din cables? Or should I buy the cd5xs new and add a power source (I have a superCap waiting for my turntable decision—whole other story).  

Zackwater posted:

What would be the best way to connect a 552 to a Marantz sa10?  I need the help.  

 

552 uses the WBT Nextgen RCA connections.   You could try looking for RCA cables with the WBT Nextgen connectors.

TOBYJUG posted:

Zackwater posted:

What would be the best way to connect a 552 to a Marantz sa10?  I need the help.  

 

552 uses the WBT Nextgen RCA connections.   You could try looking for RCA cables with the WBT Nextgen connectors.

If you do find some interconnects with WBT next Gens fitted, do your homework because there are loads of fake WBT plugs out there (some of which look very, very convincing) and I'm reliably informed that the difference in performance is sizeable, to say the least!

Zackwater posted:

I guess what I really want to know is if I choose the Marantz sa10 and connect with rca to din cable will I been getting a much better sonic experience than buying the naim cd5di and using the naim din cables? Or should I buy the cd5xs new and add a power source (I have a superCap waiting for my turntable decision—whole other story).  

That would be an interesting shootout to attend.  You may well be the first to sponser such an event, if it comes to that.

The SA-10 is a very capable deck.  I have never heard one.  If I had one, I would definitely try to use RCA-to-DIN, rather than RCA-RCA into a 552.  I would expect either to be very good, though, if only due to the advertised quality of the SA-10.

For similar $, you could get a CDX2 or CDS3; but which of the three you would prefer cannot be predicted.  The SA-10 has a lot of features the Naims do not.  You can use the same RCA-DIN cable to test a Naim CD player vs any other, for a level playing field, then try the DIN-DIN on the Naim.

FWIW, my CD5X/FC2X sounds better than my Oppo BDP-95; but the Naim was more than double the Oppo price, new.  I doubt the difference is mostly due to the cables, but could be, I suppose.

Your query begs another:  How would e.g. an expensive Chord Music RCA-DIN compare to a much cheaper Clearway DIN-DIN on the same Naim CD player?  

The nice thing about buying used is sponsoring your own shootouts becomes practical / affordable.  

Let us know your findings.

Nick

Confessing my own sins of laziness and prejudice, my pre-loved CD555 came with both a standard lavender DIN, and the above-mentioned DIN-RCA Hi-Line.  In seven years of owning these, I have never even tried the Hi-Line into the RCA input on the 552, from any DIN source.  So, evidently, I seem to believe DIN-DIN trumps a “better” RCA cable.

You may have stirred my curiosity enough to finally do the test.  Of course, if I do like the Hi-Line better, it will only lead me to want a DIN-DIN version.  LOL!

Nick

I must admit, I really, really would love a cd555.   I will keep a close look out for one. 

NickSeattle posted:

Confessing my own sins of laziness and prejudice, my pre-loved CD555 came with both a standard lavender DIN, and the above-mentioned DIN-RCA Hi-Line.  In seven years of owning these, I have never even tried the Hi-Line into the RCA input on the 552, from any DIN source.  So, evidently, I seem to believe DIN-DIN trumps a “better” RCA cable.

You may have stirred my curiosity enough to finally do the test.  Of course, if I do like the Hi-Line better, it will only lead me to want a DIN-DIN version.  LOL!

Nick

Please, please do, Nick, and put me out of my misery!

Buy your 552 a Chord Sarum T DIN-DIN, and then buy a nice pre-owned CDS3 to go on the other end of it [which nowadays will cost less the the cable - bargain!]. The addition of a 555PS-DR will perfect the musical alchemy : )

Debs

Nick

Are you in Seattle?  I would like to cross paths if so.  I'm in Fauntleroy area.  

Fred

Moderated Post:  Fred, please don't post a personal email on here as it's not safe to do so - the forum is publicly viewable, whether a member or not.  I have removed it for your security.