Genuine speaker cable question

[nak]

I'll be honest I have very little technical knowledge regarding electronics.
Yesterday, based on a comment in a thread about mains blocks I made a change in my system that made a noticeable improvement. This got me thinking.
I've read comments in the past regarding cables and the effect they can have on amps and I was wondering if this would apply to my amp in any way. I have a Consonance Cyber 10 valve amp. I'm using Naim speaker cable that I've always used and never tried anything else.
So is this technically ok for my amp or should I be looking at alternatives?

 

[Tazzo]

How much are you willing to spend? I use generic cheap wire with my system with no probs.

 

[Lawrence001]

Naim speaker cable is designed to be stable with Naim amps, I think it has low capacitance but I could be wrong. It might be that there are better options out there if you don't use a Naim amp, you can't go wrong with good quality decent thickness OFC (non silver plated). Van Damme Hifi 4mm is a good starting point you won't need 6mm with your amps.

 

[TIU]

Naim speaker cable is designed to be stable with Naim amps, I think it has low capacitance but I could be wrong. It might be that there are better options out there if you don't use a Naim amp, you can't go wrong with good quality decent thickness OFC (non silver plated). Van Damme Hifi 4mm is a good starting point you won't need 6mm with your amps.

How close will he need to have his speakers - 6mm?

 

[bigrod]

Depending on your budget there are literally thousands of audio cables to choose from most of them do what it says on the can .. I personally use SUPRA
It’s middle of the road cable , but sufficient for the quality of equipment most people connect up ..

 

[Psilonaught]

I've never been able to hear any difference between speaker cables. None.

 

[dave]

So is this technically ok for my amp or should I be looking at alternatives?

Technically it should be fine Personally I prefer low inductance (high capacitance) types, but they can be more technically challenging to some amplifiers, but probably not yours.

you can't go wrong with good quality decent thickness OFC (non silver plated). Van Damme Hifi 4mm is a good starting point you won't need 6mm with your amps.

Yes sure it will work, but it may not be the best sounding. It is my feeling that tube amps maybe more sensitive to cable type. There are a lot of variables.

 

[karlsushi]

I suspect you are already acutely aware, but needless to say there are very much mixed views regarding the impact of cables on sound.

Rather than just splash cash on trying some out, my recommendation would be to try and set up a bake-off or invite wammers over to try different cables in your system if you are open to the idea.

I see you are based near Mansfield, so there are a fair few not too far away from you.

I'd offer to bring my own round for you to hear, but I use Naim cables too!! (bought them with my amp about 20 years ago and have never felt the need to change - but that's just me).

 

[bigrod]

I’m just down the road from you Junction 27 of the M1 in Eastwood.. I’ve lots of cables you can borrow to try from budget to quite esoteric stuff ..You’re more than welcome to pop down and pick some up or listen to various ones I use in my own systems ..
Kindest regards Julian

 

[bencat]

First things first how long a cable do you need ? If they are fairly short then you could try out a couple of different types for very little money and see if you hear any difference . If you do then you would be well advised on considering a bake off and asking all those attending to bring different speaker cable to try out then you get a good idea over a range of designs which one you like . Then you have to decide if the cost of this cable is acceptable to you for the sound quality you achieve.

If on the other hand you do not hear much if any difference then clean up the Naim cable connectors and the binding posts and sockets connect them up and forget about them .

My post crossed with the above from Julian and as i know from meeting him Julian is a really great gentleman who always wants to help . I have no doubt he has more different cables than you can shake a stick at and more than enough to get you at least to decide if they make a difference . Good luck and let us know how you get on please . That includes if you find no difference as it is important that we all make our own minds up and not be shouted down be either side of the debate.

 

[Lawrence001]

Technically it should be fine Personally I prefer low inductance (high capacitance) types, but they can be more technically challenging to some amplifiers, but probably not yours.

Yes sure it will work, but it may not be the best sounding. It is my feeling that tube amps maybe more sensitive to cable type. There are a lot of variables.

Good point I should have mentioned Dueland tinned copper in oiled cotton.

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/wi...istrand-copper-wire-cotton-oil-insulated.html

 

[rdale]

Good point I should have mentioned Dueland tinned copper in oiled cotton.

https://www.hificollective.co.uk/wi...istrand-copper-wire-cotton-oil-insulated.html

I use Duelund DCA16GA for speaker cable which is a bit thinner, but is fine for systems with a low powered valve amp. You can get dual versions within a single sleeve now, which is a bit tidier.

 

[rabski]

It is my feeling that tube amps maybe more sensitive to cable type. There are a lot of variables.

That's roughly my experience as well. And even more so with single-ended designs for some reason. I suspect it's the effect of the load reflected through the output transformer. That's only a guess, but it would explain why OTL designs (including 'normal' solid state) don't seem as greatly affected.

I'm not into mad-money cables, but I've tried a few and to my ears in the context of my system (single-ended triode and relatively sensitive speakers) it's different types of construction that seem to have most effect, in terms of solid core, stranded or litz type. The Van Damme HiFi is a decent recommendation and the Mogami Quad stuff is good as well. I still use the Van Damme sometimes for reviewing/testing as it's 'neutral' in most ways.

It's worth trying a couple to see whether it makes a difference for you (the OP). Don't get carried away though, and try and be critical when listening. You may end up convinced something makes a big difference, only to find later when you swap back that you actually can't hear anything change. Above all, it's a balance. No cable can add anything, it's electronically impossible. The differences are small, so there is no point spending too much.

 

[nak]

I’m just down the road from you Junction 27 of the M1 in Eastwood.. I’ve lots of cables you can borrow to try from budget to quite esoteric stuff ..You’re more than welcome to pop down and pick some up or listen to various ones I use in my own systems ..
Kindest regards Julian

That's a very kind offer Julian thank you. I'll message you.

Thanks everyone. I know cables can be a touchy subject.
So long as technically they're ok and not causing any obvious issues I'm happy with that. I'll consider trying different cables at my leisure.
Cheers

 

[lazycat]

I've never been able to hear any difference between speaker cables. None.

I heard a slight difference between NACA4 and 5. So I bought the 5. Well I was a Naimee at the time.

Tried a few, cheaper cables with my Exposure, nil difference.

With my Denon however.. For whatever reason I decided to try some NVA LS5. Not cheap, for me, for 4m. With the intention that it would probably go back.

Oh dear, what an improvement. After 4 years I still don't believe it. Put back the Van Damme, nah, NVA it is.

That said, I tried it with my Exposure amp before selling... no difference.

So, it depends. On what, I have no idea, but in the past few years I've certainly had some of my dearly held hifi views challenged. Decided to just go with the flow and enjoy improved music reproduction.

 

[DomT]

Great idea to take up the kind offers to try wammers cables. I have Atlas, Chord, Mogami, QED and Tellurium cables here and they all affect the sound in different ways.

You need to try cables in your system. If you can hear a difference then great and if you can’t then that also great. Places like Futureshop will allow returns if you don’t like the cable you have bought. Futureshop will ask you if you want a burned in cable or not. Some will say that’s a crazy idea but Futureshop told me that their return rates fell dramatically when they started to burn in some cables as standard without telling the customer.

 

[Lawrence001]

How close will he need to have his speakers - 6mm?

No as that includes the bare ends.

 

[Mr.Ian]

What length/termination do you need? I am nearby next month if you want to try something different - see if you you can here any difference

 

[antonio66]

I'll give you a couple of recommendations, you would need to buy whatever plugs/spades your require:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233751446278?hash=item366cac0306:g:zrc -If you want a 3m pair you only order 3m of this.

https://zenmarket.jp/en/rakutenproduct.aspx?itemCode=audio9:10004923 - 50% of the price on eBay, worth it if it is within your budget

 

[Tim F]

I've never been able to hear any difference between speaker cables. None.

If you’re in this position and still open minded (budget permitted), try some chord odyssey versus qed silver spiral. I tried these on a super bright, cheap system over 25 years ago. Differences were huge as one blew my ears out with treble.