Hi Line cable Failure

No, I’m not putting more money into it. It’s for my NDX2/XPSDR, and I don’t listen to it enough to justify what I already have in it. My other HiLine is the DIN4-5 for my Superline, but I need a different phono-stage so that (SL/SCDR/HiLine) might end up sold on anyway.

I know how to handle a cable. Naim just didn’t know how to build the cable that holds up to handling.

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The Superlumina interconnect looks like it has the same design, but don’t hear of that failing?

“The new Super Lumina Air-PLUG features multiple individual aluminium rings which form the rear of the connector. These are screwed together to form an articulating section which inhibits the passage of unwanted energy, the choice of aluminium as a material enhances this process. The connector pins on DIN terminated cables also float within their sockets, extending the decoupling effect right to the point where the signal enters the product.”

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Ah, so it’s only visually similar, thanks

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I’ve had something like this happen and all I did was to relocate the plastic ring back on to the lugs – obviously with care. I found the plastic ring can spring from the capturing lugs even if you handle it via the main collar. The cable soldering retained its integrity.

To confirm, is it the retaining lugs which have ‘given up’?

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I had the Hiline fail twice when I had my CDS3/555PS. Focal/Naim repaired for free and I sold it on with the CDS3. Great sound but too fragile.

I remember seeing videos where exotic cables were dismissed as Jewellery. :roll_eyes:

When one can spend the cost of very hi-end kit (e.g. Statement) on cables to connect the stuff to each other and the 'speakers, in my mind it begs the question about how the internals of the kit is wired-up. Having opened the rear of a quality Focal 'speaker several years back, I found very thin gauge cabling from the terminals to the X-over. So, having a very thick cable running to it achieved what???

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Less is more. :+1:t2:

IMG_5153

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This thread is exactly why I swapped out my Hiline, just far too many failures. Personally I never had an issue but didn’t want to have to worry about it so I swapped my leads to WH Morgana. At the time of swapping the first one, didn’t notice any negative impact on sound, so it stayed & bought a second one for my TT. Unfortunately their ability to build cables was better than their ability to run a company so this is now only an option second hand.

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I’ve just gone back to using a HiLine. The one I’ve recently bought (dealer s/h) appears more robustly constructed, a different plastic even.

G

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Maybe Naim should put the new connectors with the aluminium rings on the hiline when the plastic rings break? By doing that they show good will and ensure no more failure because of the plastic rings.

Free of charge obviously

I’ve also had a Hiline which was broken. Looked fine on the outside but the ground cable had snapped off so the bass was gone and it sounded thin and had a buzz. It looks like they are spliced an inch in from the connector with shrink plastic around the cable. The green cable in this case was just snapped right off. Very strange.

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A retaining lug snapped off. There isn’t enough for the plug to hold on to the rings.

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That doesn’t look good
First a splice in the plug then the wires look very thin considering the insulation. :scream:
Looks very cosmetic to me.
Thanks for the pic. :+1:t2:

Looks typical for boutique cable structure all shrink and bling. :-1:t2:

One thing how it looks another thing how it sounds…and the Hiline sounds excellent .

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As long as it lasts then.
I don’t suppose anyone forking out is going to be keen to complain.

Since my last repair my HiLine has been excellent in terms of both reliability and sound quality. All repairs have been FOC. Three years happy music now.:slightly_smiling_face:

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I’d not be happy to pay nearly a grand “ not that I would “ for a cable then be pleased it’s still working three years after having to be repaired.
Seems like one if those grossly overpriced lifetime guarantee set ups.
Any how I didn’t start the moans I was just confirming what I thought with the pictures.
Good luck and enjoy while it works.

And what this guy said about hi fi jewelry

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