I see you currently have the NAC A5. Did you try any Chord speaker cables before this? I currently have the Chord Signature XL and it sounds great in my system replacing the NAC A5 and Chord Epic.
In my view choices with interconnects are limited with Naim amps/sources unless RCA is chosen as the primary connection. I currently have 2 pairs of XLR interconnects in my non-Naim system and they sound noticeably different when swapped. I didn’t compare a lot of interconnects in my Naim system though. The last I compared was about 10 years ago I think between a Chord Signature Tuned Aray DIN to RCA and cheap Naim black equivalent. Minor difference, almost negligible to my ears during that time. I compared the DIN to RCA interconnect to an all RCA one and similarly found minor/negligible differences.
Ive tried to do better than the NAC A5 but although many cables provided better detail and less grain they weren’t as engaging as the ol NAC A5…. I’m a little nervous about placing the order for the DSS 4.1 but at the same time excited
Furutech DAS 4.1 interconnect cable only really works for RCA and XLR Interconnects as the din connectors simply won’t be able to accept the gauge of wire.
I’ve been looking into a pair of DAC4.1 XLRs with NCF connectors for my system. I’m not 100% going to go for it, but I am very tempted and I will report back if I do!
Do you mind me asking where you purchased them from? I don’t think we are allowed to say on the forum; but is it a 4 letter company name beginning in M? If so, I find them very helpful and they terminate cables very professionally (in my experience). I got all my Acrolink/Furutech NCF cables made up by them
Ordered directly from a contact I’ve built a good customer-dealer relationship with. I usually stick with one dealer so they know I’m a legitimate buyer and I know he’s a trustworthy seller.
Doesn’t help much but I can’t share any dealer contacts on the forum
It amazes me that I am now at a stage where I am looking at speaker cables/interconnects that cost more than some speakers that still interest me (a new pair of Dss-4.1 in my desired length costs almost the same or more than the Dynaudio S40 or Harbeth C7ES3 XD). Although there are many speakers which I have not explored I realise there is no end to this, and since I’m completely satisfied with the current speakers that I own I decided to focus on other aspects such as cables, or just stay put.
I completely understand what you’re saying. My Harbeths retail for more or less what this cable build will cost me.
In my case the DPS 4.1 and the Tcs31 power cables with the NCF connectors were what eventually convinced me.
I agree it’s quite a sum of money to spend on speaker cables but I’m hopeful it will go towards completing my system. That’s my justification anyway. It’s my damned tube pre I tell you. Ever since it’s had a couple of upgrades, it sounds so good I’m trying to play catchup. I can’t move away from Naim Amps. I love them too much but through other upgrades I’m trying to introduce what this tube pre is doing in my system. A super low noise floor (when the tubes arent being noisy) and a sweeter more ethereal sound with stunning articulation.
More importantly however, cost is not always the barometer of a great system in my opinion. It is more often the case that the more expensive system sounds better but not always.
In that sense we can’t get too bogged down that a speaker cable costs as much as the speakers we chose. Suppose I had ten times more money to spend on speakers. Guess what I’d still have these Harbeths as they are (after a painstaking audition process) the best in my listening room that I’ve heard. They are fit for purpose. Larger/smaller speakers offset the balance and speakers of other designs don’t sound as real with a closed midrange. So is it necessary that my speakers have to cost more than speaker cable? Absolutely not. It just so happens that the cables I’ve chosen to buy cost as much due to build and design and more importantly reputation.
Prudent words which have given me some motivation to consider speaker cables that cost almost the same or more than the speakers which I currently own. I was recently in communication with a close friend who shares the same interest in hifi after I noticed discounted mint pairs of used Dynaudio Special 40 and Harbeth C7ES3 XD. A new pair of Furutech DSS4.1 would cost twice the price of the S40. He told me that I already have two pairs of very good and nice speakers, and that the S40s are only good for general listening and I would be fine if I don’t approach it with an audiophile mindset. Although I was initially giving these speakers a thought, I’ll fully focus on the speaker cables from now onwards.
I did have a brief peek inside the box. If build quality is anything to go by this cable is elite. Just the cable splitters were of real heft and finished superbly.
Sorry I just realised you’ve asked about the DAS interconnects not the speaker cable. Interconnects haven’t arrived yet and they are scheduled to be built after the speaker cables and power cable so it could be a few more weeks
Waiting patiently (and anxiously) for your precious review of the DSS-4.1 in the area of sound quality. I have expected the high build quality of Furutech cables and accessories and it’s good to know the cable splitters for the DSS-4.1 are high quality.
Ok not the comparison you guys wanted just yet but I while I was removing some components to build custom plinths for my tube gear I swapped the Naim Powerline with Furutech TCS31/1363 Rhodium NCF/ Fi-50 Piezo Cermaic.
The Furutech took a little while to settle in as is always the case with these cables but there was an improvement across the board. More harmonic detail. More defined edges. More robust bass. The rhodium is now fully settled in on this cable so the treble exhibited sweet extension too. Just goes to show how important the plugs really are.
Will be interesting to see what you think about replacing PL long term. I recommend not selling it. I’ve departed for other brands that initially felt wow in a similar way to what you describe but went back to Naim PL because they just felt more together even though lacking some fidelity other cables gave. But that’s me which is only a small sample of users You also don’t use it on Naim gear which likely is a different story. Synergy.
I won’t be selling the powerlines. Just going to be moved to another device. Probably the CD transport power supply. They are very good. What I love about them is the bass and directness of sound. They also have a more forgiving sound signature so definitely good to have around.
Also they came with my 500 series components so even if I wanted to I wouldn’t sell them.
The Furutech build was almost twice the price of the Powerline so not really a fair comparison.
I should have mentioned that this was on my tube DAC that I tested them
In the review of Powerline I copied into this thread Naim talks about this however UK plugs vs EU Furutech plugs. The fuse in UK plugs is negative according to Naim but their own design is positive so overall more or less the same. Maybe
You also don’t use it on Naim gear which likely is a different story. Synergy.