Linn K20,Naim Naca5, Avondale Black Link
- Thread starter Rushboy
- Start date
2ManyBoxes
pfm Member
I've compared the Avondale cable with NAC A5 and I thought it was better in every way except PRaT. It wasn't as bright as the Naim, although it's difficult to remember now, it was decades ago. It's certainly worth a try, your priorities might be different to mine.
YNWOAN
100% Analogue
I presume this is a typing mistake because it’s the opposite way round. NacA5 is clearly the brighter, tighter, drier sounding (very oddly and clearly so in fact). Depending on your viewpoint the NacA5 is hard and bright or the K20 is soft and dull.
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DirkDiction
Member
I’ve just swapped my K20 for some used (so run in) A5. The A5 is crisper and tighter, with a little more frequency range at each end. An improvement for me, but subtle rather than night and day, and proves my point that at its current cost of about £5 a metre K20 is the best £ for £ cable by a mile...........
Craig B
Re:trophile
As well you shouldn't, Wilson.
Linn K20 and Naim NACA4 are electrically identical, and the published specifications of these differ from NACA5 by a barely worth mentioning inductance difference of 0.07µH. Regardless, this difference can be made null by making a given length of NACA4/K20 7.5% longer than that of NACA5. Naim obviously didn't think it worth compensating for, as their recommended lengths for A5 are exactly the same as those that were previously suggested for A4.
No doubt, someone will be along shortly to explain to us how the dielectric constant of the insulation makes all the difference in the world at audio frequencies (as opposed to at radio frequencies and/or WRT HT electrical transmission).
DirkDiction
Member
As my system passes some warmth through the A5 there’s definitely greater bass extension
rough edges
Sapere Aude
I run two separate set ups, one digital and the other analogue. I use NACA4 in the digital system, and NACA5 in the analogue set up. The cables are interchangeable, with the ends being dressed the same, so I have tried them the other way around. There's not a lot in it, but the 4 does seem a bit "softer", and the 5 more "distinct" sounding, tighter, if you will. These are not drastic traits by any means; they are quite subtle. I ended up using the NACA4 where I needed a more flexible cable, and the NACA5 where I could get away with the stiffer insulation. That's what decided it for me...
Same here and I’d include Exposure’s own cables in that, all sound the same to me.
MarkC274
Member
Admittedly it has been some years since using Linn K20 cable but from memory definitely more open and brighter than the opaque NACA 5. In my opinion anyway...
They are more than electrically identical, they are identical. As in they are made by the same company (BICC) to the same spec on the same lines. They may be stamped differently.
Come on, copper cables do not "run in". This implies a physical change made to a cable by using it to conduct electricity. It doesn't. If you hear a difference, this is your mind "running in" and that definitelt *does* change. In all of us.
Craig B
Re:trophile
Thanks Steve, I included the word 'electrically', as the insulation colour and flexibility are different.
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
Indeedy. Interesting to see claims for more or less treble or bass from different cables when this isn't even possible....
Arkless Electronics
Trade: Amp design and repairs.
But not if you buy the new Arkless Electronics "Theile Box" which allows any length of any cable to be used with Naim, Exposure, NVA and other such unstable amps! A hand built in the UK bargain at only £80!
