Has anyone had a HiLine config. for connecting to 250? I saw a thread where someone used Chord Indigo and had very good success with it. I have not seen any threads re: HiLine for 250-preamp connection. Anyone tried it?

I'm one of the people who've been experimenting with Indigos. Right now the din->xlr Hiline is still being investigated by Naim.

I believe Indigo din->xlr is a big improvement over the supplied cables, but I am very keen to hear what the Hiline version sounds like when it becomes available.

Graham.

quote:

Right now the din->xlr Hiline is still being investigated by Naim.

first time i am hearing this? is this definite?

enjoy
ken

I am waiting for a flashback cable to compare it to the one which comes with the 250.2 amp. This cheap cable have good reports that I want to check in my system. I think that Hiline full potential need an din-xlr upgrade to be reveiled. I based this speculation in a very simple fact (subjective to my ears, of course): Hiline made a bigger effect with my Naim 5i than with a 282/250 combo when I demoed it.
I would like to try a Hiline din-xlr version but in the meanwhile I think it is worth experimenting with something like Chord Anthem-2 o even better cables.

I have been experimenting with cables on the DIN - XLR leads between my 552 & 500.

Goldfinch I have tried a Flashback lead and found it sounded quite good. It seemed to open out the sound and make the std lead sound heavy and a muddy in comparison. Will be interested to hear if you think the same. Allow 2-3 weeks of use to get to the 'final' sound of the cable BTW.

I also have a 'silver' cable supplied by the local Naim (amongst other's) dealer near me. It is his 'own' cable which has a bit of gold alloyed into it. He let me try out his lead at home before digging in my pocket and I have to say though it was a tad expensive it is excellent and brings crystal clear sound with a nice sense of balance and dynamic punch, which improves on the Flashback significantly.

I would equate that to Graham's experiments with Chord Indigo which is probably in the same class.

I think it is becoming clear that Naim need to improve the DIN - XLR signal cables between the preamp PS & the power amp. What I hear with my bespoke cable is not a trivial improvement and well worth having. This is emerging as an area that needs attention and I would hope that a HiLine version is imminent from Naim.

Maybe worth waiting for rather than using the money on the likes of Indigo.

regards
Geoff

I too have recently tried both the Chord Sig. and Indigo, RCA-RCA, phono stage to 52. The Sig. was a bit of a disappointment especially after all I read. The Sig. sounded more like the Odyssey spr. cable (w/o the loss of timing). I had some Sig. speaker cable to try at the same time. The spkr. cable was much better than the interconnect. Then I was given the Indigo. WowWeeWowWow! I lost just a tad of mid bass but lost the top treble hash, edginess I have had for years. I gained some transparency, silkiness, and the music had a more relaxed quality w/o loosing any of the timing. Seducttive sublimeness. My TT never sounded so good, a new lease on life.
My dlr. is getiing some HiLine RCA-RCA in so I can give them a spin next. If only Chord could put Indigo in a spkr cable (though it would cost way toooo much).
I then read Graham's post re: Indigo DIN-XLR. I am trying to get my dlr. to get one I can try out.
Also, based on Naim USA's suggestion, I resoldered new Naim plugs to my NACA5 and it sounded very close to some new NACA5 my dlr. lent me.

Gerard

Yep the combination of Signature speaker cable and Indigo interconnects is indeed excellent. I also tried Signature interconnect once and found like you did that it doesn't work well.

I have a RCA - DIN Indigo lead between my phono stage and the 552. That is also excellent. I tried a HiLine RCA - DIN in it's place but gave the HiLine back. It is strange but the Indigo wins as a TT interconnect whereas the HILine wins as a CDP DIN - DIN. It maybe the DIN to DIN connection vs RCA - DIN but I am not sure that explains it.

let us know how it turns out for you.

regards
Geoff

Hello Geoff P,

I tried the Flashback cables between my Snaxo and NAP 250's and the differences (which were many) seemed to be all positive. Reverting back to the Naim standard cable resulted in much disapointment.

So for a very reasonable outlay the gains in sund quality were quite substantial.

Bob

While I did not have an Indigo RCA-DIN to try do you recommed it over the RCA-RCA for phono input? I had Naim replace my BNC's with RCA's so I can go either way.

Gerard

I happened to have the chance to try both an RCA - RCA and an RCA - DIN Indigo lead. This comes down to the belief that as Naim claims a DIN connection should be audibly better. I have yet to pin that down TBH. If there is a difference on the 552 it is very small. Personally I would not hand over money for an RCA -DIN indigo lead if I already had an RCA - RCA lead.

regards
Geoff

Has anybody ever tried a non-Naim lead between a non-burndy preamp and power-supply? (ie, something other than a Naim SNAIC between, for example, a 202 and hicap)

Flashback seem to have some sort of alternate cable arrangement advertised on their website and just wondering if anybody has heard it or any others.

Recently ordered a hiline which got me thinking about replacing the rest of my standard Naim leads...

I am using a Flashback cable between my 82 and 250; my impression is that it is more detailed and dynamic than the stock "mains wire" one, but perhaps slightly leaner too.
I will be going back to the stock one for a while, some time, to see if I miss anything.

Comparing the standard naim XLR/Din cables to flashback on my 135’s I found similar result to increased detail just like prowla said, but the standard naim cables do convey the music noticeably nicer, imo.
My flashback cables came included with the standard naim cables with my pre-owned 135’s. I tried them for about 6 weeks and after going back to the standard naim XLR/Din I definitely prefer the naim cable so I sold off the flashback ones.

It’s been said before… naim-audio cables are very well designed for compatibility and synergism.
(They usually come free of charge with the component too!)
Personally I would say money would be better spent on servicing costs or buying more CD’s/Records… or saved for a later more expensive upgrade : )

nymph

quote:

Personally I would say money would be better spent on servicing costs or buying more CD’s/Records… or saved for a later more expensive upgrade

The Flashback cables are so priced asto be insignificant compared to the costs of servicing or upgrades.

Bob