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Naim 5i: How important are Naim NACA Cables?

I'm thinking of buying a NAIT 5i integrated amplifier for my Jordan JX92s single driver speakers. I've heard from some that it's essential to use the NACA cables with this amplifier, and that anything else is a marked detriment to the sound. And yet I read a review of the amplifier on Positive Feedback where the reviewer strongly preferred his reference cables.

What is people's experience with trying different cables with the NAIT 5i or other Naim amplifiers? Were the NACA cables a strong advantage?

Thanks, Peter
peter_s
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
Have you looked on the Naim forum?
afranta
180 posts
 
Unlike earlier Naits, the 5i doesn't require NACA5. If you check the Naim forum, though, you will be told that NACA5 is essential for the best performance. A few dissenters might recommend Chord Odyssey 2. I ran mine with each (although I used the NACA5 for just a week and it was 2 meters than the recommended 3.5 meters a side) and now use Blue Jeans 12 gauge (Belden 5000). To my ears, all three are just fine.
kbarkamian
647 posts
 
I don't own a Nait, but a very good and trusted Naim dealer recommends the NACA5. He sells far more expensive cables, so it's not a sales pitch. He feels there are better speaker cables out there, but with the Nait/NACA5 combo, you have to spend a ton of money to get a true improvement. Different cables will sound different, but the NACA5 is hands down the way to go in his opinion.

I know this because I was very close to buying a Nait, and have spent a lot of time in that shop. He's a very down to earth guy who thinks system synergy is the most important thing (other than the music).
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