2. cables
  3. 147036-10135

Poll: Naim owners, what cabling are you using? DIN? RCA? NACA5? Other?

Loving the sound of my recently acquired XS-2 (60wpc version) and CD5x. Currently using Mogami W3082 speaker cable and Mogami W2549 RCA interconnects. Speakers are Vandersteen 2C's. I know... Vandersteen, right? But the combo actually sounds really good together. I know too I can post this on the Naim forum (which I might do someday soon) but wanted to post here first on A-gon to see what if there is a consensus. I'm curious as to what cabling other Naim owners ended up going with, and if they went through "the comparing phase" of cabling when first getting their components?

I've been reading and getting feedback that DIN is the best connection method for Naim gear. I did pick up a used original Naim 5-pin DIN to DIN interconnect (gray color) to start my own comparisons. I then heard the later Lavender interconnect is the better of the two. I should have the cable by week's end. 

As for the NACA5 speaker cable, it seems folks either love or hate it. There is a company called Witch Hat Audio that makes naim-specified cables and interconnects and is reportedly very good. In fact, this company is owned/ran by ex-Naim engineers. Anyone have any experience with their cables? Seems a lot of owner's use Chord as well. 

Even looking at the technical specs of the NACA5, the Mogami W3082 I'm using is much higher in capacitance (253pF/m) vs. the Naim, which is 16.5pF/m. I realize the speaker cable requirement isn't an issue with the newer Naim components, but I was curious to see if there is a Mogami cable with closer figures. W3103 for example, has a capacitance of 93pF/m at 1kHz, and 83pF/m at 10kHz. That's a pretty big drop from W3082. W3103 is a pretty popular cable, along with W3082 and W3104. Also, I'm not that tech savy, so I'm not sure what all this really means. 

JSB
jsbach1685

Showing 2 responses by jsbach1685

jsbach1685 OP
145 posts
 
Wow chayro, you weren’t kidding. I guess it’s off to the Naim Forum...
I’ve heard the hi line din is really good. And yes, the plan is to go with flatcaps someday.
jsbach1685 OP
145 posts
 
Hi again chayro, 

Which Flatcap is the matching one for the CD5x: Flatcap 2 or Flatcap 2x? Also, what about a flatcap on the XS integrated?  However, from what you're saying, I get the impression the bigger improvement comes from adding the flatcap to the cd player vs the integrated?

I was listening to my system last night. Man, is it sounding good! Thus far, the CD5x has been powered on since 2-17-19, and the XS since 2-20-19. From what I've read, these units can take several weeks to fully "warm" and be at their full listening potential?

As for the source cable, I'll be interesting to see if I hear any differences at all when going from an all RCA interconnect, to an all DIN interconnect. Of all the gear I've had over the years, the only two constants has been the Vandy 2C's and these Mogami RCA and speaker cables.

A guy on the Naim forum uses Mogami W2549 as well, except he had a custom DIN to DIN cable made at Redco using W2549. I might do that to if there is a noticeable improvement. Once I start building some funds again, a Flatcap for the cdp is my next step. 

JSB  




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