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No Improvement With Transparent Reference RCA Interconnects For Naim NDX 2 Streamer

I am in need of some guidance from those more audiophile educated than myself. I recently upgraded my 18-old system. My system now is: Mark Levinson 5805, Naim NDX 2 streamer with Naim XPS DR power source, Naim Uniti Core CD ripper to WAV files, and Transparent Super speaker cables.
I use the streamer mostly for music from Tidal and the Uniti Core. My dealer talked me into buying a pair Transparent Reference RCA Interconnects saying my system was good enough to benefit from the $3200 upgrade. After ~ 600 hours "burn-in" time, I have to say that the Refs don't sound any better than my 18-year old Transparent Supers. Transparent's VP even called me when I politely complained, explained how the Refs were tuned for the source impedance and suggested that my speakers may need to be re-positioned to which I replied that there is not much more room for adjustment.
I am wondering several things: if the Refs are simply overkill for Naim's mid-level streamer, or if Transparent "tuned" the boxes incorrectly, or if the Ultras would be better, or if a different brand of interconnects would be better, or fill in the blank.
Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
paulg24
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Thanks for the details.

Once again, moving the speakers further out from the wall behind them improves the sound.

The increased toe-in will, among other things, compensate for being closer to the side walls.
andy2
1,522 posts
 
I'm happy with the sound of my system now. With some music, it could use more power. But I'll take the bait...would you please elaborate the facts on which you base the opinion that the 7Ts are a "bottleneck" in my system. I don't know what that means vis a vis my hi fi system.

I mean the drivers used in the 7T may not have the resolutions to reveal the differences between upstream components.  

With more exotic driver materials such as ceramic ...., you may hear differences.  


no_money
638 posts
 
Hi Paul,

The second unit failed, just shut off one day. Not sure what the cause was, but if you are still running you should be fine at this point.
The 585.5 offered a nice improvement overall I think due to the extra power. Is it worth the full retail difference? Thats a tough call, the 5805 offers so much great sound.  But they knocked quite a bit off the MSRP with a full refund for the 5805 so I went for it. I also liked the extra DAC inputs, and the phono stage is a nice upgrade.


Glad to hear they got the 7ts signing for you. They are great speakers as well.
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