I think you can probably use any flatcap with the CD5s, The flatcap, unlike the Hicap, has 2 outputs, so you can probably upgrade both, but I got out of the Naim game before your integrated came out. My guess though, is that you might find more of an improvement using the flatcap exclusively on the CDx5, but you should experiment.
Poll: Naim owners, what cabling are you using? DIN? RCA? NACA5? Other?
Loving the sound of my recently acquired XS-2 (60wpc version) and CD5x. Currently using Mogami W3082 speaker cable and Mogami W2549 RCA interconnects. Speakers are Vandersteen 2C's. I know... Vandersteen, right? But the combo actually sounds really good together. I know too I can post this on the Naim forum (which I might do someday soon) but wanted to post here first on A-gon to see what if there is a consensus. I'm curious as to what cabling other Naim owners ended up going with, and if they went through "the comparing phase" of cabling when first getting their components?
I've been reading and getting feedback that DIN is the best connection method for Naim gear. I did pick up a used original Naim 5-pin DIN to DIN interconnect (gray color) to start my own comparisons. I then heard the later Lavender interconnect is the better of the two. I should have the cable by week's end.
As for the NACA5 speaker cable, it seems folks either love or hate it. There is a company called Witch Hat Audio that makes naim-specified cables and interconnects and is reportedly very good. In fact, this company is owned/ran by ex-Naim engineers. Anyone have any experience with their cables? Seems a lot of owner's use Chord as well.
Even looking at the technical specs of the NACA5, the Mogami W3082 I'm using is much higher in capacitance (253pF/m) vs. the Naim, which is 16.5pF/m. I realize the speaker cable requirement isn't an issue with the newer Naim components, but I was curious to see if there is a Mogami cable with closer figures. W3103 for example, has a capacitance of 93pF/m at 1kHz, and 83pF/m at 10kHz. That's a pretty big drop from W3082. W3103 is a pretty popular cable, along with W3082 and W3104. Also, I'm not that tech savy, so I'm not sure what all this really means.
JSB
I've been reading and getting feedback that DIN is the best connection method for Naim gear. I did pick up a used original Naim 5-pin DIN to DIN interconnect (gray color) to start my own comparisons. I then heard the later Lavender interconnect is the better of the two. I should have the cable by week's end.
As for the NACA5 speaker cable, it seems folks either love or hate it. There is a company called Witch Hat Audio that makes naim-specified cables and interconnects and is reportedly very good. In fact, this company is owned/ran by ex-Naim engineers. Anyone have any experience with their cables? Seems a lot of owner's use Chord as well.
Even looking at the technical specs of the NACA5, the Mogami W3082 I'm using is much higher in capacitance (253pF/m) vs. the Naim, which is 16.5pF/m. I realize the speaker cable requirement isn't an issue with the newer Naim components, but I was curious to see if there is a Mogami cable with closer figures. W3103 for example, has a capacitance of 93pF/m at 1kHz, and 83pF/m at 10kHz. That's a pretty big drop from W3082. W3103 is a pretty popular cable, along with W3082 and W3104. Also, I'm not that tech savy, so I'm not sure what all this really means.
JSB
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@chayro - here’s a link from the NAIM community forum https://community.naimaudio.com/t/speaker-cable-for-naim-power-amplifiers/87 So the lack of Inductance in the outtput stage of NAIM amps requires a certain inductance to be present in the cables for the amp to perform correctly, but the high capacitance can destroy amps Having exchanged emails wil NAIM support when I first got my 5i MKII amp - they stated categorically it is the capacitance element that drives an amp into oscilation not the inductance. But for best sound, cables with similar ratings to the NACA5 cables should be used Here’s a link to a similar thread in another forum https://www.canuckaudiomart.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=29391 Here’s what QED has to say about it... Another factor to be considered with speaker cables is amplifier stability. In some cases, a little extra capacitance at the output can make an amplifier oscillate, overheat and even self-destruct. Or it may oscillate momentarily at high radio frequencies during operation and show no obvious symptoms.From their web site: https://www.qed.co.uk/qed-genesis-report#capacitance_versus_inductance On the practical side - A friend actually did destroy both his Ayre and Gryphon amps (both high current designs) using high capacitance speaker cables. Once he got them repaired he changed his cables and now all is well The interesting thing about this particular topic of conversation is... - the amp companies know about this issue - the speaker cable companies know about this issue - very few technicians seem to know about this issue - retail outlets know NOTHING of this issue - AND no one warns the consumer about it There used to be a page on the NAIM web site warning about this issue, but it appears to have been removed.. PLEASE NOTE - it is ONLY high current SOLID STATE designs that have any type of issue with High Capacitance speaker cables Tube amps are just fine - i.e. to my current level of knowledge Regards - Steve |
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