NSS 333 connection to NAC 332 - DIN or XLR?

Yes Naim recommends din output. Anyway setting up a 333 you will find that the default audio output is XLR.:thinking:

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In the past they provided this explanation as to why DIN. I never quite got the argument that they recommended them because they supplied them, they could equally have supplied RCA or XLR cables and charged accordingly.

Naim have in the past stated that on a performance level a Cannon XLR is potentially on a similar level to the DIN. Of course the main issue was that XLRs were usually used balanced (Naim being an exception with their single ended use with the big power amps) whereas DINs were single ended. Now that the New Classic amps and pre-amps have moved to balanced operation balanced XLRs are a natural choice.

I wonder whether @110dB can give any insight here as to the recommendation of DIN instead of balanced XLR between the NSS333 and the NAC332?

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At the price levels youĀ“re talking about, surely your dealer can lend you the cables and you can simply make your own mind up which you prefer.

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Thanks @Richard.Dane , it will be great to hear the Naim response.

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Yes - I spoke with my dealer and I can lend the Chord Din-Din and Chord XLR cables to make a comparison

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For added fun get someone else to connect the cables and swop them over (blindfold optional.
Iā€™d be curious to hear if you can actually perceive any difference at all, although you probably will note certain differences.
I would also add that those cables will probably give you the best representation of their presentation when left for a few days and used.
I found that when I did an extended home test of Chord Signature and Epic vs stock Naim for both speaker and XLR ICā€™s.
The ones I had on loan from Chord had been well run in as well and werenā€™t fresh off the reel.

:+1: Thanks for your advise.

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I did the comparison between the Chord XLR and DIN cables and my conclusion is that the XLR cables provide a quieter (less sharp) sound stage and more detail. So I will continue with the purchase of the XLR cables.

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Hi @110dB , @Richard.Dane , any update on this?

I would guess that Steve is busy on R&D projects at the moment. Iā€™m sure heā€™ll see it and make some comment in due course when he has a spare moment.

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Thanks for reopening Richard. I thought this topic was left hanging a bit.

Iā€™m using basic Mogami XLRs balanced between 333 & 332:300. Iā€™ve absolutely no reason to think of changing from this, other than to test the assertion that ā€˜Din remains bestā€™.

Iā€™ll try a Lavender later in the week and report back after a few days (fwiw).

G

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Plugged in the Lavender today. Changed output to ā€˜Dinā€™ in the appā€¦and silence. Tried all the inputs on the app, still silence.

Hmmmā€¦

G

You need to make sure input 7 is selected, for Din, as long as it has not been reassigned.

Ah haā€¦Is that presently Qobuz then? I donā€™t use Tidal or Spotify, so could swap Qubuz around?

Thanks!

If the 332 is in factory set conditions, and you are using the Din input. The Din input should be set for input 7, when Stream input is selected.

Any joy? :blush:

Thanks for your help @NoNaim - I need to work out how to reconfigure my inputs.

G