Alternatives to Naim Nac5 cable?

[john howard]

Because of flexibility, I actually hate the stuff, in the next few months I’m hoping to put together a retro linn / naim set up(, and looking for different options concerning cable, I’m reading Linn cable is another choice ? Thank you

 

[Mr Pig]

Linn cable used to be NAC4. I don't know if it still is. Unless you're after the last ounce of performance that'll do fine. NAC4, Linn, Exposure, etc are all the same and not that far behind NAC5. There is a difference but it's not huge. To be honest, any thick multi-strand copper cable I've tried sounds much like any other.

 

[ChrisS]

I’m reading Linn cable is another choice ?

Yes, K20 here. Also have NACA5, but didn’t really compare sound. I just wanted something easier to work with.

 

[hifi-dog]

Tellurium q also and witch hat phantom if you can find any..

 

[kaypeejay]

Kudos KS-1 works well with Naim and the NVA speaker wire also meets Naims inductance and capacitance requirements.

 

[Ptah]

There are no alternatives.
But in the real world, any of the mid-price Chord cables are probably better.

 

[paulbysea]

There are no alternatives.
But in the real world, any of the mid-price Chord cables are probably better.

I'm not sure that the Chord or that matter NACA 5 cables are better, they are definitely different, so which you go for is a matter of personal preference.

 

[Amber Audio]

You need a minimum of a 3.5M pair if using the old Naim kit.

QED 79 works just fine.

Before Naim offered NACA4 and then as an alternative they recomended an RS cable - 357-946, it was 4mm and they said to twist it 4 times per metre, screen cap from old amp manual below.

This is the up to date version

RS PRO Red 4 mm² Tri-rated Cable, 12 AWG, 56/0.3 mm, PVC Insulation | RS

uk.rs-online.com

 

[Roog]

Linn K20 in use here, has practically the same electrical characteristics as NAC A5, but lower cost and easier to bend.

it’s the electrical characteristics that Naim owners are often concerned about, so that box is ticked.

they don’t sound any different.

 

[Mr Pig]

They don’t sound any different.

I think the 5 does sound a bit better, it has more bass weight and is little less thin sounding.

 

[Craig B]

You need a minimum of a 3.5M pair if using the old Naim kit.

QED 79 works just fine.

Before Naim offered NACA4 and then as an alternative they recomended an RS cable - 357-946, it was 4mm and they said to twist it 4 times per metre, screen cap from old amp manual below.

This is the up to date version

RS PRO Red 4 mm² Tri-rated Cable, 12 AWG, 56/0.3 mm, PVC Insulation | RS

uk.rs-online.com

Just an FYI, to match the minimum inductance of 3.5m A4/A5, QED 79 strand must be 5.3m minimum.

At typical prices per metre of £1.99 to £2.45 this is still the best bargain going.

As bonus, the 4mm outside diameter of 79 strand just fits into the plastic insulators of classic Deltron 500-0100/500-0500 plugs. Nothing looks neater than this. Just remember to slide the insulators on before soldering, as the threads are the other way round relative to the 'big barrel' Deltrons.

 

[Amber Audio]

Just an FYI, to match the minimum inductance of 3.5m A4/A5, QED 79 strand must be 5.3m minimum.

At typical prices per metre of £1.99 to £2.45 this is still the best bargain going.

Good point, I have a 6m pair I use with my old Naim kit, much easier to route around the office furniture than NACA.

 

[john howard]

Thank you all for your advice, leaning towards the linn cable, I can see it only comes in grey?

 

[Craig B]

Thank you all for your advice, leaning towards the linn cable, I can see it only comes in grey?

Grey wasn't a bad choice, really, as it tends to blend into one's decor better than does black or white (unless on has white skirting boards and/or carpets). Slightly more flexible insulation than A4 too, this despite these otherwise being the exact same BICC outdoor lighting cable (often seen being nailed up round the village common fetes and trailer parks depicted in such classic Brit television series as Heartbeat, etc.)

 

[pfbaat]

I can see it only comes in grey?

Another equivalent is Exposure in black - probably more rare, not sure which color the Cabletalk edition had.

 

[doctorf]

When I had Naim gear I preferred the sound of Avondale Black Link speaker cable.
It was also much more user friendly.

 

[Dayvan cowboy]

Are the classic power amps as fussy , or are they easy going with cable

 

[pfbaat]

They are not that fussy but sound better the longer the length
5-8 metre is fine.

 

[Craig B]

They are not that fussy but sound better the longer the length
5-8 metre is fine.

5-8 metres of what?

 

[Woodface]

Yes Naca5 is stiff but if you already have it & gone to the trouble of routing it, why bother changing? I don’t really understand what is inconvenient about it. I had it for 15 plus years & never gave it a thought, my XLR cable sits just the same, was easier to handle but it’s not like I’m constantly moving things about.