Greetings to all,
I just installed the new boxes, now I have completed my full naim system:
Unitiserve + DC-1
ND5-XS2 + DC-1 + powerline
nDAC + powerline + XPSdr + powerline
252 + SCdr + powerline
NAP 300dr + powerline
Ovator S600 + naca5 6m
the cable between ndac and 252 is standard and I would like advice for an improvement, what to expect from a hi-line cable? or higher?
What do you think of the WH Morgana cables between 252 and 300?
Thanks in advance for the answers.
As a long time Naim enthusiast I have always been very happy with the bog standard cables that come with the kit. That and some healthy lengths of A5. Cables for me are more for fine tuning than absolute quality of your system. As such I tend not to have much interest in them.
I post this only to point out that it’s not always the way to go with cables, but many here will be big fans.
You have an awesome full Naim system,
The single most musical / astonishing enjoyable upgrade that you could do is replace the XPSDR on your nDAC with a PS555DR,
I have done this with ND5xs2/DC1/nDAC/PS555DR it’s just so foot tappingly musical, you’ll beat yourself for not doing it sooner.
It’s consistent with Naim’s source first benefit, and it will sound like you’ve upgraded every component in your system,
You won’t get the best performance out of your Naim system using the stock cables, so yes, Naim Superlumina, Witchat and Chord are all good options.
Trial a Vertere Redline DIN-DIN. Less fragile than a hiline and cheaper than a superlumina. Dealers will lend you one for a week.
I changed out the standard cables out for WH Morgana and was very impressed. Hard to remember the specific uplift qualities after a few years but at the time I do recall a bit of a wow moment. I’ve no desire to upgrade any further from them so that’s a good sign I suppose.
Should have clarified, that’s between pre and power so WH DIN>XLR
Morganna was good, shame WH went to the wall.
One SuperLumina to rule them all, One SuperLumina to find them,
One SuperLumina to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of Naim where the Shadows lie.
Keep the standard DIN-XLR cables between SC and 300, but reduce the torque on the screws on the XLR end. I remember Jason Gould did this to mine. He used a torque screwdriver so undoubtedly set them to a specific figure, but it was a very noticeable, free improvement.
I have since upgraded the cables, but I’m not sure there’s been an equivalent sound improvement.
I thank everyone for the advice.
252 and 300 are the latest additions to the system. I installed them last week and now I’m optimizing the setup.
A pair of WH Morgana din-xlr cables between 252 and 300 was “gifted” to me by the previous owner, I’m waiting a few days to get used to the sound of the standard cables and then replace them and understand the improvements.
The din-din cable between nDAC and 252 will be the next step. A dealer in my area has a used superline that I could buy (they don’t lend it for trial). I looked for Vertere cables but unfortunately they are not available in Italy. To try it I would have to buy it abroad.
Those WH Morgana will be all you need.
I have the WH Morgana DIN-XLR for my 252/300. I went back to the std Naim cables. I decided the latter sound better. Maybe I’ll try the Morgana again, since I haven’t heard them with all my recent changes otherwise to sources.
I want to echo what @Dugby said.
Swapping the XPSDR for a 555psdr will likely be a bigger upgrade than cables. I did it last year on my ndx2 and I couldn’t quite believe the difference just from changing the power supply.
For cables. I used to have a Chord Signature X from NDX2 to NAC252. It was alright. I think I kidded myself it was better than it was if I’m honest. Last year I acquired a full superlumina loom (2nd hand but still pricey for wire!). It is a really good lift over the chord/nac a5/standard xlr combo, but not as obvious as the power supply.
For what its worth, 2 dealers have told me the move to a 555dr on a ndx2 is bigger upgrade than ndx2 to nd555. Best bang for your buck one said.
I’ve never tried a ND555 at home but the NDX2/555 is so musical I doubt I’d be tempted.
Same here. Especially from my ripped cds off my nas.
Hi lines are great!
Presumably you mean a bigger upgrade than from NDX2/555DR to ND555, otherwise there is something very wrong with the ND555?
Not everyone agrees. HiLines are one of the worst Naim products ever, IMO. So fragile. Good riddance to the two I had. They caused me far more grief than joy. One had to be repaired three times, but FNA lost it before they could fix and return it. They replaced it, but I never used it thereafter.