I believe that journey with SN1 started in 2019. Before that I also had 5i (italic) and XS2. I love the journey though
Alright, so Iāve come to the conclusion that naca5 stays and to my system and ears and preferences it is the best allrounder given what I have compared them against. I have cables that bring forward more details, Iāve had cables that add more bass but in the end they actually to my taste colorise the music more. I have never for a second experienced naca5 as bright, hard, harsh so those having such issues I believe must have other issues causing this. Short length, bad soldered connectors, bad connectors or such. Naca5 to me is a pretty balanced cable leaning towards the warm side. It does not offer the most details, it does not offer the most detailed bass but the overall performance is so relaxing and allround that I just enjoy listen to music more and for longer. And thatās what Iām looking for. Will keep my eyes on Spector when released though.
To be honest most amps do not like high capacitance, I had an example that my friendās high speed kenwood monoblocks died when using with Martin Logans, it has been said that the Martin Logan are quite high in capacitance. He was using the ascent 2. But some amps like mine, their service manual stated that to test with 0.1uF capacitive load to confirm itās stability, quite funny to tell you to force the amp into oscillation to check. So thereās that, amps designs are very interesting.
Wowā¦ Wellā¦
Didnāt think we would get to this. But - I commend @Blackbird for his efforts in comparing cables - and for his conclusion. Which is his. Others may not agree, as always.
Just dropped a set of used Naca5 and just re terminated by my dealer with Naim plugs, and while itās less detailed than phantom and probably less hifi it seems to be more of an easy listen. Itās only been in an hr so one Xmas is done and itās been running radio in the background over Xmas Iāll evaluate properly but certainly seems excellent with my SCM11s.
What a thread thread - starts with a challenge that suggests the OP completely disbelieved the guidance on the cable requirement for Naim amps, and ends with him finding that on balance Naimās own recommended cable sounds best!
A real Christmas story, right
I believe the original ask is still relevant and the summary of that seems to be more or less none have had issues, at least none of all forum members looking in to this thread (3200 views)
If we focus on what cables to use I have never to my knowledge questioned the performance of naca5. It has not been what Iām asking about. But my curiosity for how it performs in my current system set me off in what came next. And it is a great performer and absolutely for the price paid. Is it the best? Iām not so sure but this thread might push others to explore the market and not be super afraid of things exploding and eventually reach their audio nirvana be it with or without naca5.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas @Innocent_Bystander The world would be much better if everyone could accept they can change, stand up for being wrong and move on
A lot of folks over the years have experimented with other manufacturers cables, only then to return to NAC A5 - the key requirement being here is to have them properly terminated by someone who really knows their onions.
A small update incoming. Since this post I have added a 555PSDR on my NDX2 (wow experience!) and even though naca5 is a great allround performer and does some things great I find the lack of inner detail and bandwidth and the added warmth/low end hump bit too much for my setup and room. The Oephi Ascendance bring out so much more from the music and the bass, timing, speed and with the sense of ease the notes release from the system is just breathtaking. It just sounds right to my ears. No coloration anywhere. The better the source became the better Oephi delivered. I can fully understand those finding naca5 to be a great match and who knows, I might plug them in again in the future but the feeling that came over me over and over again is that they blocked to much āmusic flowā out from my 552/NDX2/555PSDR/300DR.
Oephi Ascendance
It might be yours bass reflex ported Tannoyās,that are causing the problems
Totally open for synergy between components. Itās puzzle we are all part in trying to solve No matter the speakers the naca5 do hide away more details. Many have moved to KS-1 and Phantom for similar reasons Not saying one or the other is right or wrong. I could also add Iām a jazz fan. Limited playtime with pop/rock etc. I found the naca5 worked better with such music. Mainly since itās not that good recording quality as with most jazz meaning a transparent cable show the bad stuff in a recording more than naca5 does.
If you think itās sound better in your system
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