Thanks all. TBH once I became aware of the importance of a Naim compatible cable to the AC4 or 5, I did some forum research. My goal was to make sure my Nait 3 was safe and I know that a length of 4.5m was better than the min of 3.5m. Having optimum sound quality was less important than VFM.
I bought the Nait 3 for a bit of fun. And that it is turning out to be, but I didn’t expect it to be so good even with my QED cable. The overall control of the sound and the tightness of the bass is outstanding.
I am looking forward to the Linn K20 coming and seeing how that improves or changes the sound.
In a couple of months , I shall get her serviced at Class A - it is a lot cheaper and more convenient for me,
Chris, thanks - I agree he would be providing the optimum advice.. its a shame that has not been generally reflected on this social media site.
Where is that post referenced - perhaps it needs to have elevated status or a sticky - unless it already is and I and some others are not aware….
Interesting the shortest is 3m according to Julian and not 3.4m or 3.5 m which you see referenced by many. .. and indeed 3+3m is what my dealer advised me back in the day and for a while I used 3+3metre of NACA5 and to me it sounded superb. I did later update it a tad under 4+4m and to me it sounded effectively the same. This was for a NAP250
As for 3m vs 3.5, I guess different amps probably vary, and it’s not as if they are going to explode the second they are connected to slightly shorter cables, so maybe it’s just judgement call. Product manuals, including those for the older Chrome Bumper and Olive amps as well as Classic, all say 3.5m minimum, as does Richard’s FAQ post here, so if anything I would be more inclined to heed that than a forum post.
For those of us with partners understanding enough to allow it or houses large enough to accommodate dedicated music rooms having 10-20m runs of Nac A5 looped or in figures of 8 is fine but in reality it just isn’t possible as for hiding Nac A5 there have been whole threads just on that alone.
So for most of us 3.5 to 5m runs are more practical my partner an extremely patient and practical woman who loves music as much as me has a particular dislike for Nac A5’s physical appearance and inflexibility and it was only talk of pulling up skirtings and floorboards or drilling holes through fireplaces but mostly her patience with me and my hobby that allowed Nac A5 to stay partially in view.
So I have always placed my systems in such a way and bought the correct lengths so that the cable can be hidden enough. So I’ve had 3.5m, 5m, 7.5m and even a 3m left 6m right runs of Nac A5 and all have sounded the same which has been excellent and so why it is fantastic to have Julian’s advice available to us I think it’s also important to have real world experience.
A 10m stereo set of Nac A5 is £800 these days not an insignificant amount and a large outlay for many of us so another consideration.
Not explode potentially but get unusually hot possibly resulting in some damage in certain conditions.
I think the newer amp designs are more tolerant and stable now, so I believe it’s less an issue than it once was, though I never had issues at all with NACA5 at 3+3 on olive and classic amps.
Of course we are talking speaker cable, this equally applies to speakers (as the amp sees these as a combined reactive load of course) and there are a few speaker designs that are not recommended for older Naim amps I understand … again the newer amps are more tolerant so I understand. I believe its speakers with electrostatic drivers say as treble drivers, or certain multiway speaker designs with specific cross over designs that can be too capacitive for the amp.
Yes they do get hot. I was using short runs of non naim cable (from a well respected naim dealer !!? with naim plugs) and my Uniti 1 used to hit thermal cut off on regular basis after a couple of hours. I came here and NACA 2x 3.5m solved this issue after helpful advice.
You really dont want to know. However two 1m QED supplied with Naim plugs by dealer. There was a thread on old forum which I recall Ricard been very helpful and kind. Cannot recall if at that stage I was using it line out to Nait 2 or stand alone. I have come a long way since then
My Linn K20 cable arrived this morning. It’s in perfect condition and the banana plugs are secured very well.
So that was a great start and I now have the correct cable which won’t unnecessarily stress the Amp.
How did it compare with the QED ?
The Linn K20 provides a much warmer timbre to the sound. The bass is deeper , more controlled - just better. Overall it improves the sound. It’s like it has suddenly become a proper grown up Amp - if you know what I mean.
I haven’t yet been able to really push the Amp but I didn’t want to once I realised my QED cable wasn’t quite fit for purpose.
In about a week’s time, I should be able to do so and will report back. I am looking forward to comparing the Nait 3 to my Valve Amp - that is Class A and SET , so as pure as can be in the Valve world. The Nait will be more visceral and have more grunt I would expect. A big difference between the two Amps would be ideal. I have come to realise that often you don’t listen to “better” but just “different” and that’s perfectly fine.
I am enjoying being a fully paid member of the Naim community albeit having not spent a great deal …..
That is great news because that is exactly what was supposed to happen. On the subject of not spending much I’m enjoying my Nait 3 that cost me a little of £200 as much as I enjoyed the 282/SuperCap/300 that cost me close to £7000 eight or nine years ago, does it sound the same of course it doesn’t but the pleasure of listening to music on both systems is the same for me.
That’s because I’m a music lover not an audiophile and Naim amps are made for music lovers and to make listening to music a fun first experience. All of my hobby money now goes on buying records not hifi.
Exactly you don’t need very capable hifi to appreciate music… a cheap little smart speaker would be fine. (A guess the modern day equivalent of a little tranny radio)
However when it comes to appreciating and responding to audible stimuli then hifi can come into its own.
I have just posted about this here..
Probably old news here but not to me. I found a rather unflattering review of the Naim Nait 3 back in 1994. It doesn’t ring true to me so far at least. What are your thoughts ?
Let’s face the facts a Naim integrated amp that can be bought in very good condition regularly for between £200 - 250 these days isn’t going to beat a Naim pre/power of the same era that would cost 10 times that now but it will 100% give you an exceptionally enjoyable taste of that pre/power and offer what it was supposed to.
Hifi reviews can vary much on the same item the Naim Nait 3 is still offering enjoyment to thousands which is the important thing.
