Best "laid-back" speaker cable & interconnects for all Naim system?

5i owner's manual states naim cables sound best, but you can use a wide range of cables without causing damage to the amp. 

I have a Naim 5i mkII - and the best commercially available cables I have reviewed comes from KLE Innovations (KLEI).

The gZero3 IC is very good starting point for the price, but what I consider their "best value" is the gZero20 IC (which I settled on) - superb detailing, bass, image and clarity

I currently have the gZero2 speaker cables on my AV system connected to a Blusound Powernode 2 and they sound superb - with a sub
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-klei-gzero2-sc.html

On my audio system (Naim) I use the gZero6 speaker cables because they provide much more depth and bass control than the gZero2’s did
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-klei-gzero6-sc.html

My speakers are Gershman Sonogram’s - a full range floor standing unit

The KLEI TOTL models are expensive and as always, you get diminishing returns, but they also offer improvements over the gZero20 IC’s and gZero6 SC’s - it is just more difficult to discern improvements and justify the additional expense - i.e. for me

You can read my KLEI reviews here (see menu on the left side of the screen)...
http://image99.net/blog/index.html

The reviews are also posted on the KLEI site along with reviews from other people.
https://kleinnovations.com/category/reviews/

Please Note: I am NOT a professional reviewer and I completed that many reviews simply because as I received each subsequent product I could hear improvements right off the bat - my curiosity got the better of me :-)

But as you will see - other reviewers also seem to agree with my findings.

I have tried several different cables from a few brands and the KLEI cables are the best I’ve tried, not only with my Naim but also on a much more expensive Arye system.

Ayre amps also has an issue with high capacitance speaker cables, but the KLE products provided no hint of those issues - just clean, dynamic sound.

The only negative thing about the KLEI products
- they require a long burn-in period to sound their best - from new, upwards of 400 hours.
- they also require about 20 hours re-seating time, so even just moving a cable between components requires time for them to be at their best.

However, their best is pretty amazing!

KLEI also offers power cables, which I have not tried - Yet :-)

But based on their other products - they are probably very good also.

BTW - good power cables make a huge difference to the SQ on Naim amps - their stock cables are better than most, but still leave a lot to be desired

Regards, Steve

As I recall, unlike the other Naim amps, the Nait will work with any cables because of the built in zobel network, or something to that effect.  That aside, as a former Naim junkie, IMO the cables are not your problem.  If the sound is that objectionable, you need to change the amp.  

That aside, as a former Naim junkie, IMO the cables are not your problem.  If the sound is that objectionable, you need to change the amp.

Bad synergy between amp and speakers. That's why you should ask at Naim owners forum.

chayro,

I agree... I think the issue is the amp. It wasn't an issue when I had the 4330SE, and things only changed when I introduced the 5i. Not that the 5i is awful... hardly. Just isn't the right fit.

So this begs the question: What should I get? Of better put: What can I get with a max budget of $675 that is slightly laid back like the 4330SE, but still has really good low bass response (punch).

Rega Mira 3? Options from Musical Fidelity or Arcam? Simaudio Moon iL/250i? Another Creek perhaps? Any of the Evo's similar to the older Creeks? Exposure 2010S? Classe CAP-101, CAP-150?