Naim Nait 3
Rotel RA-04
Rega Brio3 initially
It proved way too easy with the Rega so we reverted to the Rotel from there on in.
All budget stuff with the Nait 3 coming in at roundabout twice the price of the other 2 amps.
Small room 3.5m square with furnishings, this room is quite direct sonically, the sound is immediate, the sound was quite low too for the tests, I felt it better this way to prevent fatigue setting in. I would say, if anyone knows the Nait 3, it was set to 8 0 clock, the Rotel a tad higher, it's all that is needed in this small space.
One friend switched the cabling while the rest of us waited outside the door, sometimes he did nothing, sometimes he changed it, as basic as this. We had been drinking, maybe this helped us zone out from over concentrating, I don't know.
There was a cloth placed over the stand to hide the amp in play, mainly for the reason of the Naim switch as the test wasn't regarding this.
I have no idea how many times this was carried out, it's been years ago when I had any interest in this area, I now listen to music not cabling.
It was clear when the belden was in place, it really was, as stated earlier, the sound was improved in the areas mentioned, we all heard it, even tough the rest of the gang couldn't give a toss if it did or not.
The Naim sounded best, at twice the price you would expect this I suppose, though my friends didn't enjoy the sound of the Nait, even though they could clearly hear the improved detail & openness of the sound when compared to the Rega & Rotel. They found it a little too real, too warts n' all, which is how I like it.
The cables (which now includes a 5m extension lead since added) have been sitting in any system since, gathering dust, I have a couple of Russ Andrews Yello cables I purchased from Russ for £7.50 a piece many years ago in another system. Never tested these in this manner, I also have a 5m extension of this cable to my system in my other room.
It wasn't a scientific test, it started out as a bit of fun, something I suggested I wanted to try for myself, mainly to see if it was working or not.