This is the one that I mentioned and has so far given me the best all-round balance in particular retaining the tone and texture of “classical” instruments. Trialling the WireWorld ad Sablons at the moment anday give the BJ solid wire Belden and Supra Cat8 a go, too, though I’m beginning to wonder why bother… Hopefully it’s OK for me to mention and post the link. It is RJ45 to RJ45:
This uses 24 AWG copper bonded pairs whereas the BJ has solid wires. This, however, is a CatSnake “tactical” cable, designed to be flexible and robust with a very thick sheath (but not shielded). This may make a difference… or not
Thanks - I’d wondered if it was that one you were referring too.
Although I’m getting good results with my present cable I’m always willing to check-out another, especially when not super-high priced.
The ND555 has shown itself capable of a lot more with these changes in cables, set-up attention and music data-storage devices and their careful set-up that it has been and still is a learning journey, if now a quite enjoyable one once a certain threshold of playback, for me, is attained.
Why not try the Sarum for longer runs (where Music becomes to crazy expensive)?
I used it for years and to these ears it beats Vodka and his friends every day of the week.
I do know that Alan doesn’t like Chords Ethernet cables but I disagree.
I must admit I don’t like the way any of the Chord cables that I’ve heard are voiced, especially for classical music. These Sablon cables I’m trying are very impressive. They are certainly very superior to the Vodkas and WireWorlds, though I need to burn the latter in. The Sablons take forever to burn in, so the jury is still out, but I would advise keeping your money in your wallet for a few days. It looks like they could be something very special
Michaelb, I have had the Beldens delivered today and really like them on first listen, I know you are trying the sablons now but these really suit my requirements for an open lively sound, thanks.
I, too, was not keen on what chord do to the sound.
You’ll find these Beldens improve quite a bit over the first week to ten days, with the biggest changes being in the first two, when the bass really tightens up and the mids become more alive. Glad you like them.
The jury is still out for me on the bass and instrumental textures, but I’m increasingly impressed after a rocky start: they take a while to burn in. You can find them at Salon Audio. In many ways they’re typically high end cables: fat, stiff and heavy with a braid sheath and they have a big, smooth sound with a wide soundstage on a low noise floor… except they’re also very musical and good value. The 1m cable (Panatela Reserva LAN/Ethernet) is 325 dollars shipped. But they’re based in the UK. Drop Mark a line and he’ll give you the up-to-date price in sterling.
The site is somewhat eccentric, but the descriptions are at least straightforward and largely unpretentious.
I suspect many if not perhaps all the cables are hand wrapped in possibly foil insulation under the sheaths, or at least were originally, hence the cigar product names… but I could be completely wrong. I haven’t asked him…
Thanks Michael.
I am loving the Belden Ethernet now so will leave it for the time being. I would recommend DB have a try of them. At only £10 you cant go wrong. I much prefer the full live music sound they give to most others I have tried. Its amazing how on a statement system a £10 ethernet cable is the best I have tried. Mind you its not the first time I haven’t like what expensive cable do.
Glad to hear it. So far, I’ve not heard anything better, though my curiosity has got the better of me. Nothing so far has the bass extension, texture and live feel of these things. It certainly suggests to me that the so-called high end cables are just shaping the noise floor and introducing artefacts, which may of course float many people’s boats, but a good cable with no faff will simply let the info through…
I recall S Hopkins mentioning Belden cables as worth trying in a Naim system… but of course this wasn’t suggesting that this was the only ethernet wire recommended – just worth listening to in ones system context
Love to hear what you think DB.
I am seriously impressed. Very big soundstage top to bottom but left to right could get wider, I hope. Timing is the best I have heard, like a swiss watch.
Mid and treble just how I want it. Deep bass but I hope it tightens up a fraction. If this happens with run in, I cant imagine better.
It’s totally amazing how anyone could dispute that ethernet cable making big differences. I know it’s fine tuning but it’s the all important final bit.
Michaelb
Do you recall the running in journey of the Belden cable please, I am curious as after a day I am enjoying them very much I am wondering if they will be the one.
Thanks
Rich
Have gotten a decent offer for getting a 2nd ps on my ND555. Would be interested on the opinions on this forum about potentially such a move and the alternatives.
Accepting the offer and for that also add a Naim Frame level.
Instead of 1 replacing my Audioquest Vodka with a Chord Music Ethernet Cable. More or less half of the cost of 1.
Wait for a better offer, which might not come.
Leave it as I am already on a magical level.
I would of course be happy to receive your opinions. And also your description of what you think will change in my sound in case I decide for one of the options.
Are they directional or have a way to determine a direction?
Usually I’d use any writing on the cable and try both ways and decide which I like if there is any difference at all - all I’ve tried so far had a preferred direction, which once changed after run-in, so worth re-checking.
Mine are on the 5-day delivery so I’ll report next week.
Only ‘2’ if you have heard it and like it.
Cables can be personal like-hate results and you can’t depend on another person for guidance.
So ‘1’ is a definite upgrade - and ‘4’ keeps your money.
If you do go for ‘1’ and the Fraim level for it consider using a Medium level to space it from the other 555PS as it does sound better with more of a gap between them.
Medium level doesn’t work as I have to replace a larger slot with two smaller ones. Could only have the 2nd ps in the spot of the 552 spot which is bigger.
How would you describe the change in sound with adding the 2nd ps ?