XLR cables to sweeten treble

Hi-Fi Corner
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In an act of despair and a lack of faith for a fix, I’ve decided to experiment with alternative XLR cables (between my 222 and nc250) to try to sweeten an overly sharp treble caused by the new firmware upgrade.

I’ve searched older threads but they are locked and don’t answer my specific question.

Does anyone have any recommendations for XLR cables that would help with my issue but without sacrificing the Naim PRaT and general energy/punch/musicality?

(If I could please ask that it doesn’t turn into a speaker or speaker cable discussion - many thanks).

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I use cardas clear beyond which is very neutral

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Just for extra info, I currently use the standard naim xlr cables that came with the nc250.

And my budget would be around £600 max but preferably less.

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Is that the one that costs £5900?

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$4500 here in the US :slightly_smiling_face: expensive, yes, but no more upgrades from here for me and fantastic sound. I bought half of my cardas cables second hand on Audiogon/US Audiomart at 35 to 50% discount and built up a complete cardas wire loom over a few years.

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If you don’t mind ordering from the USA. The AV Options AVO Interconnects are spectacular. They are designed by Chris West former Naim Employee

I use them with my 222/300/NC250 and have had no harshness with the new update

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Still a bit expensive for me at 1600 usd. But thanks for the recommendation

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Currently I am experimenting with the Mark Grant xlr cables.

I had them to hand because I bought them some time ago but decided that I preferred the standard naim interconnects.

However, now that my 222 has the new firmware, the Mark Grant cables are sounding much better than Naim’s. My system is sounding the best it has so far since the update. Still a bit of sharpness on the HFs but it has reduced to a noticeable degree. Also pretty much every other SQ aspect is better for me using MG XLR.

I’m really impressed so far. They do require a good burn in time though before they really sound good, which may explain why I passed on them when I tried them for the first time.

Any more recommendations?

The HF is still an issue for me but I now have a bit more confidence that it could be possible to ‘tune’ it out without drastic and expensive system changes.

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I’ve always used Tellurium Q XLR Black II cables which are extremely neutral but even better are the Ultra Black cables which are more expensive but give more detail. See if you can arrange demo or borrow to try at home.

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Thanks for the recc, David; I think they must be worth a try.

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I use Telluriumq ultra black’s between my NSC222 and NAP250.No harshness after the update.Bought them used.

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Hi Beer, were they a significant improvement over the standard naim xlr cables?

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Well I don’t.I used the standerd cables for only for a few hours.The standerd cables are made from what looks like ordinary lamp wire.My audio set is in a cabinet with closed back,so I can’t quickly chance my cables.

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I ment,I don’t know

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Fair enough. Yeah you’re right, I think they are made from basic mains cable, which seems a bit bizarre. Not bad cables though, but there are better options for sure.

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Cardas Golden Reference XLR cables would fit the bill.
I use them between my NSC 222 and 250 as well as in my second system.

Used in US is around $400 for a 1m pair.
Over $1000 new.
.5 M may work, too.

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I found the Neotech Nemoi 1220 sounding full and round with body all the way up in the hf. In my Naim system and Gold Note system I would go for something with a bit more bite so maby the 1220 will fit your system? It still retains the edge with its flat pure OCC silver conductors and teflon insulation. Compared to the Hiline it’s smoother, more fluid sounding and has more body.

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Standard Naim i/cs in use here with NSC222 + NC250 - no issues, terrific combo and sounds great. Interested to know your source for the cable comment - was that i/c or main’s?
Worth a try with power lines, which are not listed on your profile.
Speaker positioning may be a factor - whatever any restrictions, see if just a slight movement makes a change.
Naim and Spendor is a good combination, also enjoyed previously here, so as you say, no need for comments on changing units. Worth a try to take out any cable extras, then add bit by bit, with any positioning you can make.
If you really think this is post the latest firmware, best hang fire, Naim will likely wish to have all owners satisfied and they are aware of a few comments. However adding non standard cables at any stage, including network, may change perceived sound quality which can never be remotely covered in sound quality testing.

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If you unscrew one of the plugs on your standard naim xlr cables (free with nc250) you’ll see that the cable inside appears to be basic mains cable, i.e. blue, brown and yellow/green.

There is nothing wrong with this in my opinion because they sound very good and seem perfectly suited to bringing out the Naim sound. But I find it a bit surprising when so many other xlr hifi cables use fancy custom conductors and insulation. But it’s SQ that counts at the end of the day.

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You can borrow Vertere Redline cables from a dealer to give them a try - I moved to them 5 months ago as there was so much more space in the sound than the Naim ones.