My strange question is due to my search for one. I have late 80s Naim CB amps and a matching grey SNAIC4 with latching plugs. I wish to keep the system ‘period’, but finding a grey latching SNAIC5 seems impossible… I’ve found one but it’s got locking plugs.
(yes, I know, I know & I know…)
Hi Max,
according to @Keltik they do: Snaic age problems? - #7 by Keltik
Sorry yup they do / did , but I binned mine after stripping it to find out what was going on . It was gen. Naim
Have you tried asking a dealer to ask Naim if they can supply a SNAIC with the latching plugs?
Hi,
thanks.
M
Latching DIN plugs are still available even though Naim no longer use them so if you can’t find a suitable vintage cable you should be able to have a cable re-terminated. I believe Naim used Deltron latching plugs which are still made today.
Thanks, but I wasn’t specifically after latching plugs rather after a SNAIC5 of the same epoch of my CBs…
I’ve already used modern black SNAICs with my 62/90, and am now using just a grey SNAIC4 with latching plugs (it must be really old or just a clone because it’s just 1 mt. long and the black robust shrink around cable and plug is absent) without the SNAPS, and the sound is so good, open, natural and easy that it made me wonder…
Hi Max, yes I’m using one, it’s genuine from the 80s, I’m using a genuine latching din-xlr as well.
With the 5pin latching snaic my 32.5/HC/250 sounds more like amps on stage – direct music, but of course roughness and distortion, hardcore CB sounding. Maybe due to cable aging there is a shade of grey as well. I tried shaking the snaic like snaic shaker does the sound opened up a bit.
I switched to black Snaic and locking din-xlr, fun is retained yet warmer, sweeter, smooth and colourful. Maybe like the difference between a Nait 1 and Nait 2
Julius,
thanks for your post, truly informatuve and helpful. It’s the same impression I’ve had the few times I had a chance to compare, or used one/the other, grey and black SNAICs. My feeling after 40 years of Naim, albeit with breaks, is that sticking with 80s gear is the right choice for me as long as Naim is concerned…
Agree with the course roughness of the grey Snaic. My black (4-pin) Snaic also helps reduce some midrange peakiness or ringing that exists in various ways across the 70s/80s gear. I’m including in-period LP12 and Linn speakers in that. I’m guessing it didn’t take Naim long to chase all of that out of their amps and accessories in the late 80s and through the 90s.
The old amps are full of soul and attitude like a rockstar when young, we all love them. With a change of cables it’s like how the real personality behind being revealed – still critical with attitude, however, may as well a warm neighbour and sweet grandpa we love to see them everyday. I enjoy switch between the cables after a while
Cheers @Murmur , fully agreed with your experience.
Does it like the difference between a Nait 1 vs Nait 2? Do you recall if the peakiness and ringing were there back in the 80s? Not sure if the peakiness is part of the designed experience. Some said the old cables were off the shelf from RS catalogue 
The black Snaic and locking din-xlr (took from the modern 250) are very neutral that let the character of the amps show. It also matches with the claim that the Naim amps are all measured very neutral.
@juliushui,
@Murmur,
thanks for your interesting thoughts and experiences. Things are mysterious - I’m now using a grey SNAIC 4 between 62 and 90, into IBLs. In theory, it should be a sharp sounding, ‘unrefined’ system; in practice, it’s lovely and not harsh at all.
I’ll still look for a grey S5, possibly with latching plugs.
Best
M
Does it like the difference between a Nait 1 vs Nait 2?
If you mean the grey vs black cables then yep, I think that’s a good example.
Do you recall if the peakiness and ringing were there back in the 80s? Not sure if the peakiness is part of the designed experience. Some said the old cables were off the shelf from RS catalogue
I don’t recall it back in the late 80s but I used Kan II’s which are nothing like as peaky as some Kans I’ve heard. I also used an Exposure amp.
I think it probably starts in the LP12 and just gets exacerbated to a more or less extent. Lingo is better than Valhalla. Modern VM95 stylus is better than an original K9 stylus. Kans are probably the worst offender, but they vary as you know. My Sara 9’s also had it. Late-Briks were more neutral. The most neutral CB amps I’ve heard were probably 62/HICAP/140, but not my favourite.
I tend to think that a serviced 42.5/110 is the best way into CB amps. That combo is transparent (like a Nait but less so), has enough power to drive a wide range of speakers (unlike the Nait/Nait 2) - whilst still being nimble (like Naits/NAP 90), fairly neutral by modern standards, and above all very enjoyable.
If you’re sensitive to timing then I think these old amps were very carefully tuned to work with specific partners and that probably extends to the ICs.
Based on comparisons here, I’d say the pace of the black Snaic is slower which would better suit amps like the 72/140 and 62/HICAP/140 to help calm things down to the correct pace. Those two combos sounded a bit hyper when I owned them (with grey Snaic/s). Whereas, the black Snaic on earlier amps sounds a bit laboured and slow, albeit more refined.
Good points, very well worded and useful, thanks.
The repairman at my side said some of the internal wiring of early Scanspeak Kans were using silver cables and that’s why peaky, and sounds unnatural – not sure if it’s true
Also the grey Snaic are unscreened compare to black Snaic being screened, the steel sub-chassis rings as well if couple too tight with the armboard…etc lot of sand and pebbles as you said
And interestingly using the grey snaic music from my nDac ‘sticked on the wall’, just don’t shoot from the front’ like using a LP12. By using the locking cable set it fixes such problem, and make the CB/Kans also sound great with digital source. Mine are Hiquphon/SP1003 with Nac A4 though.
It’s great that you’re able to experiment and find solutions. Thanks for the reminder not to tighten the black ICs.
Not heard that about silver wiring. The most peaky Kans I’ve had were actually late ones with KEF SP1057 drive units.
I’ve had two pairs of Kans serviced (one full on and one light touch) and neither really sang again afterwards. No idea why. The pair with full service and new Hiquphon tweeters sounded surprisingly clean and neutral (for Kans). If only Linn would make them again.
I repaired a couple of grey Snaic cables years ago and they definitely were screened. The screen actually is the 0V conductor between the various boxes. With both CB and Olive gear I found the black Snaic cables to be quite a bit better than the grey ones. Less veiled and better timing IMO.
There are mysteries that will remain unsolved. I’ve used my CB 62/90 with a SNAPS (all serviced) and black SNAICs, and am using them without SNAPS and just an old grey SNAIC4 between the two, and it all sounds clear, agile, spacious to me. If I hadn’t the SNAPS which is my favourite PSU I would probably leave it as it is.