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
jsbach1685
I don't think you're going to find many Naim lovers here.  I was heavily into it back in 2005 or so and I think it's great stuff.  At that time, they only had the standard grey DIN interconnect, but when the HiLine came out it was a revelation.  I remember the dealer had my whole system set up at the dealership and the only thing we swapped out was that IC and it was incredible.  I always used NACA5 speaker cable, so I'm not familiar with others.  I will tell you, adding a Flatcap to the CD5x will improve the system amazingly.  The HiCap is also great, and adds a lot of bass weight if that's what you're after.  But an external PS is everything with Naim.  Good luck. 
Wow chayro, you weren’t kidding. I guess it’s off to the Naim Forum...
I’ve heard the hi line din is really good. And yes, the plan is to go with flatcaps someday.
All I can say is, you will be shocked at the degree of upgrade the flatcap makes with the CD5x.  IMO, it should be your first investment and then the Hiline.  IMO, you should leave the speaker cables until last, if at all.