I also sold my Power-lines. I honestly could not tell a difference after going back to the stock mains cables.
I am starting to believe that expectation bias plays a part in adding expensive cables and tweeks…
Don’t go too quick. Sometimes you realise what is missing few weeks later. The bias can hit both directions depending on your mindset.
I also took out my Etherregen ethernet switch and put back the 30$ Netgear. Again, no discernible difference.
Liking the difference or not is subjective but If you really can’t tell any difference whatsoever, it might be the set up is not sufficiently optimised and the differences are simply masked. You could be missing a lot more from your system too…
The less transparent your signal chain become by removing stuff the less you will hear differences. If you put a pair of 10 USD speakers in the setup you can put a Harman Kardon there instead of your naim system and also say “hey no difference”
My 500 system is SUPER sensitive for minor tweaks which was never the case with my Supernait 2.
Still an outstanding set up you’ve got there.
I think the optimisation bandwagon can at times be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Contentment is a good place. Enjoy the music.
This. I was really surprised when I tried the Chord Sarum Tuned Aray between my HicapDR and 250DR. It will stay in my system. No need to convince myself of the change. It was rather obvious after playing a few songs with different sorts of music.
I don’t use Powerlines so can’t comment on that. I presume the high-priced DIN cable connects the NDX2 to the SN2? 5-pin to 5-pin DIN? FWIW there is a possibility that the Harbeth C7ES3 XD speakers are not revealing too much of the difference with these interconnects. I used to swap Chord Signature TA cables with the standard Naim cables on my 282, 250DR and Hicap DR on the Harbeth SHL5+ and although there are differences, it’s not significant or night and day.
With power cables, I compared the standard Naim cords which come free in the box with some mid-priced cables costing up to £300 and the standard Naim cords sounded better, more natural and free flow.
The standard Naim cables have always been good. I still prefer NACA 5 to the other boutique cables I’ve tried. I have a Chord Din-XLR b/w the 272 and 250DR b/c it came with the amp. I’m sure the OEM cable is fine. I also prefer ethernet spec network cables and cisco catalyst POE switches over boutique network offerings. There’s nothing wrong with experimenting, you may find you prefer the boutique stuff or you may just think you do b/c of expectation bias. ![]()
I really like the lavender, for a cable that comes with the ndx2 is really good. I could live very happy with it. The highs in some recordings sometimes could be too much, but is a great overall performing cable.
The super lumina at least the speaker cables lack some body in the mid band and adds a very clear perception of textures, the highs are extended and very clear, it makes some recordings sound thin and lifeless, and others sound really amazing, is a great bass performer, the sound of the super lumina is both blessing a curse.
And you can’t go wrong with the Naca5, always sounds good, instruments and voices sound beautiful and inviting, the bass very present not the best bass in resolution but rewarding anyway, I like it and from time to time is back in the system.
The hiline did not impress me, it is what it is.
The cheap stock power cables do not disappoint anyone, the power lines are complicated in the way that they add precision, extension, focus and a more clear overall presentation, detail and transients are better represented, reading all these terms appear to be all virtues but sometimes could make the system become too bright causing fatigue on long listening sessions.
Over the years have found the cheaper cables are easier to live with including the naim entry level ones, most of the time they already give you a great experience, when you go up in the cable offerings you always gain something, more detail, better separation, bigger soundstage, a global cleaner and more controlled sound, but those chances could come with some lesser things also, you start to choose more the recordings, the sound loses musicality, and sometimes all that better things completely take the life of the music.
On the topic, the standard naim cables are really honest on the Naim gear and I do not think anyone would be disappointed.
I was using a Witch Hat Morgana 4 pin din source cable between my Dac V1 and pre amp, but when I got my Naim Dac it uses 5 pin din 180° so I decided to wait for the Witch Hat spring offer (which has just finished) to buy a Morgana 5 pin din 180° cable.
In the meantime, while I waited for the new Morgana I thought I’d try my old Sean Jacobs solid silver 5 pin din to rca cable between my Naim Dac and pre amp.
Straight away this was/has been a massive improvement over the old Naim Lavender cable, tighter stronger bass, clearer, more detailed and less harsh and all that at much lower volume levels.
With my old Naim Lavender I had a couple of CD rips namely (Sia - This Is Acting and Clean Bandit - New Eyes amongst a couple of others) that I just couldn’t listen to because there was too much sibilance and distortion but now they sound really good.
I’ll be doing some A/B tests between my old solid silver Sean Jacobs and the new Morgana when I receive it.
Daniel my advice usually is build the best system you can and then improve on the stock cables. If I was at your level of system, as good as I’m sure it is, I wouldn’t have bothered with cable upgrades, unless I was able to get them at a very good price. Having said that, the standard Naim cables are very musical.
I understand you said you’ve not been able to hear a difference so I guess it’s worked out for you.
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