Sorry for the delay replying - a busy day!
I think I could accommodate 5 metres per side without it being too much to fit in. This would be about twice what I currently use with the XS3.
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I’ve just ordered 10 metres of K20 for two 5 metre runs. Total cost of £62 which seems very reasonable.
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Where did you source this? I assume that is not terminated.
Where?
Without Naim plug and Bananas
Linn L20 is fine in sounding?
The same like NACA5 ?
LK20 is basically a copy of the earlier NACA4 - not absolutely identical, but close enough to be interchangeable.
NACA5 is superior to both, but much stiffer too.
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You can buy it on the bay for a fiver a meter unterminated.
I guess this is similar (same?) to the old Cable Talk 3.1.
Yes, it’s one of a number of quite similar cables made by (IIRC) BICC.
Yeah, I bought Exposure speaker cable back in the late 80s (with my Exposure integrated) and it felt exactly like NACA4. Linn K20 has always seemed much softer and more flexible plastic but I never bought it until the 2000s so perhaps it started life more like NACA4.
I’m in the minority here preferring Linn K20 to NACA4/NACA5. To my ears, it makes more sense of the music. However, the K20 presentation is certainly not as clear as the Naim cables.
I can’t see the point in buying NACA5 on ebay that is below the 3.5m recommended minimum length. Better to hold out for some 5+ meter long runs on ebay, or call around the EU Naim dealers for some second hand runs.
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Ebay - listed under K10/K20 - you just need to make sure you order the correct one and the length option you need/want. I think the K10 is out of stock anyway. Brand new, UK seller (a Hifi dealer). I ordered a metre run from them a while ago to make up my own terminal links and it arrived quickly/was as described. Hope that helps?
Yes it is unterminated. I have the proper plugs at home but I have not used them yet - that was incase I ever wanted to swap in a different (non-Naim) amp but I’m happy with the XS3 so will get around to it at some point. I use Chord bananas at the other end - annoyingly the plastic outer has gone sticky over time but otherwise they work well.
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You can buy stuff VAT free if abroad though, I have done exactly this
Martin
You have to soldering the cable to the Naim plug
A good excuse the get my soldering iron out of the garage😉
HiFi Gear (a UK HiFi dealer) have posted a freely available how-to guide which might be useful.
The cable arrived today (very quick service I must say) and I have just fitted it by putting the spare on each side into a concertina. The extra length certainly hasn’t harmed things SQ wise. Indeed, the opposite. Possibly just me but there appears to be greater image depth and three dimensionality/texture of instruments. I measured the old k20 and it was about 2.1 metres per side so now over double the length.
I might have to try it in the NAP 200 in the other room now…
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Try applying a paste of bicarbonate of soda mixed with water, and leave for a bit maybe half an hour or so, wipe off and finish with a damp cloth to remove any residue. I have found that very effective at removing the stickiness that sometimes occurs on some types of rubbers/plastics.