Which Interconnect?
One detail we’ve been considering is a decent interconnect to go between the Zen Mini (internal DAC) analogue output to our Naim NAC72 pre-amp. The configuration is a simple stereo RCA phono pair to Naim 5 pin DIN source.
I’ve spent a few sessions tinkering with these loan demo cables…
Shown, in order
- Chord Chrysalis ( as a proxy for the Naim equivalent currently available)
- Chord Clearway
- Chord Shawline
- Chord Epic
Here are our thoughts …
The Chrysalis and Clearway are on a par. I would struggle to find many words to describe anything to separate them. Importantly, they sound okay. If these were the only cables available, either would do just fine.
The Shawline is better. Little more detail, life, leading edge of notes more apparent, little more control of bass notes. But, it’s just a little, not a significant lift over the above options, at the lower price point.
So, you are left considering this marginal gain - value - for the additional cost from the Clearway & Chrysalis, to the Shawline.
After using Shawline for a while, if you go back to the other two (above) they sound a little dull and lifeless.
Epic is Best.
The Epic provides bags of detail and energy. There is a clear hierarchy - between these cables - going up the range. It was a pleasant surprise that it was so obviously apparent.
But there is a catch. Epic is also bright. Almost too bright after a while. It’s tiring after longer periods.
At lower volumes, this is less evident. So, at lower levels this apparent better control is quite pleasing and I could happily live with it. The problems only occur when the volume goes up. String arrangements sound too much. Hi hats and cymbals become difficult, etc. The overall sound becomes unnatural. Too much of everything.
So, you can’t have cake and eat it too!
There is a little caveat to this finding. We tried the Epic with a Nait XS2 + HC2. We got a different result. I would say it works better in this situation.
Standing Back for a Moment
Last year, (when the Olive shoes boxes first came into our lives), we spent quite a bit of time experimenting with them and figuring a few things out on how they work. Also, comparing and contrasting with other items we have.
I mention this now, because I am reminded how we learned these Olive boxes work better with vinyl. Which is why we decided to set up a vinyl only system in one room with them. It’s almost like they were made for playing vinyl records. ( In fact, they actually were. LOL )
When using the lovely shoe boxes with both CD5XS - DC1 - nDAC and vinyl record players, (same album comparing between sources), the sound of vinyl was preferred.
CD’s sound a little clipped and maybe bright by comparison. Don’t get me wrong, CD’s still sound great. We’re happy to play CD’s on this system. But if you have a more recent Naim amplifier, it just does things differently and is probably better suited.
So, there is also a system context to consider. As we understand, from experiments, that more recent Naim amplifiers deal with digital sources differently. But through the older Olive boxes, CD can be bright. This leads me to wonder if the Epic simply gives the Naim Olive boxes more of this. In other word, emphasising an already bright presentation.
Final point, I should also note, the Zen Mini is intended as a secondary source in this room and not to get too carried away anyway. Does it really matter that much?
Independent Confirmation
It was fascinating that my best mate and wife agrees. She wouldn’t use all the adjectives. Just a calming comment like “that’s nice” or “that’s not so good as the last one”. Often from the next room and with no knowledge of what I am doing with all the cables. So, a perfect blind test. She’s great.
Conclusions
So, we are leaning towards the Chord Shawline for now.
A little more music, compared to the first two. But without the OTT bits (probably inherent within the Olive system) the Epic exposes.
Post Script
So, the best cable wasn’t actually the best cable. Or at least not in the context of this system. Apart from deciding on which cable option to use, one other thing was learned : None of these learnings matter.
I mean the learning cannot be carried over to other system situations. So, for me, I would have to try the whole thing again - with another source - or in another system.
Another way of saying this, the Epic might work fine with other items.
System Notes
Here’s the geeky stuff for those wishing to understand system context…
-
Innuos Zen Mini mk3 + LPSU
(Supplied power cable, plugged into Wireworld Matrix 2 power hub) -
Connections
Using Zen Mini (internal DAC) analogue output - Test Interconnect - NAC72 source input “Tuner” (5 pin DIN) -
Naim NAC72 - Naim HiCap - NAP140
(PowerLine Lite on HC and NAP140, plugged into Wireworld Matrix 2 power hub) -
Interconnects
All other interconnects standard Naim SNAIC. -
Power
Power from dedicated 10mm2 radial circuit, unswitched MK Logic 2G faceplate, (as per forum recommendations).