Naim annouinces new cables

[james]

http://www.stereophile.com/content/naim ... na-cabling

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Naim's new Super Lumina range of high-end interconnects and speaker cables was developed in parallel with its new, ultra-expensive Statement amplifiers. Designed to complement the Statement, 500 Series, and Classic products, the cables feature an advanced version of Naim's patented Air-Plug technology, and silver-plated over copper conductors, connectors, and terminations. Optional gold terminations for fitting with non-Naim equipment are available. Although US prices are not set yet, UK RRP prices including VAT for the source-to-preamp interconnects are from £1750/pair for RCA up to £3000/pair for XLR. The amp-to-preamp interconnect cost £3000/pair, and speaker cable goes for at £1800/3m pair.
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https://www.naimaudio.com/product/range/super-lumina


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The Super Lumina interconnects feature an advanced version of our patented Air-PLUG technology first introduced for the Hi-Line. All DIN and XLR connectors have the Air-PLUG connector which is designed as a decoupling device to minimise microphonic interference and preserve the integrity of the audio signal.

The new Super Lumina Air-PLUG features multiple individual aluminium rings which form the rear of the connector. These are screwed together to form an articulating section which inhibits the passage of unwanted energy, the choice of aluminium as a material enhances this process. The connector pins on DIN terminated cables also float within their sockets, extending the decoupling effect right to the point where the signal enters the product.

Each Super Lumina cable is hand-assembled at Naim in Salisbury to the customer’s specification of length and termination and goes through a proprietary de-stressing process to relieve the materials of the inherent stresses which are a result of the manufacturing process. This means the cables reach optimum performance with minimal run in time.

Source to preamplifier interconnect: Available with DIN, RCA and XLR connectors.

Power amplifier to preamplifier interconnect: Available with DIN or XLR connectors.

Speaker cable: Available with 4mm and spade connectors.

Super Lumina pre to power interconnects ship as standard with all Statement systems. The rest of the range is scheduled to enter production in February 2015 and will be available from select Naim specialist retailers.
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This is a big change for naim -- until recently they just had one speaker cable [naca5] and it was not madly expensive ..

[Diapason]

Audio manufacturers have no cred now unless they make super duper expensive stuff for the far east and Arab markets. The uber high end is getting ridiculous, so against that backdrop this doesn't even seem that mad...

[Aleg]

These cables were developed to go with the new S1 Statements series which have been developed during a 10 year period with a "money is no objection" project charter.

Funnily enough they (cables and S1) do seem to make a noticeable and appreciable difference for those that have heard them.
Whether one wants to spend that sort of money is for each person to decide for him/herself.

It's just I don't belong to the money is no objection category. ;-(

Cheers

[james]

naim used to be sane about cables. They argued that their amps etc were designed with their own cables in mind and that best results would be got with naim cables. In particular they recommended their speaker cable as required for amplifier stability. Their pre/power cable is apparetly unscreened 10amp flex [they say they tried other options but this gave the best results]. The rot stated with their £1000 interconnect a few years ago.

[Aleg]

naim used to be sane about cables. They argued that their amps etc were designed with their own cables in mind and that best results would be got with naim cables. In particular they recommended their speaker cable as required for amplifier stability. Their pre/power cable is apparetly unscreened 10amp flex [they say they tried other options but this gave the best results]. The rot stated with their £1000 interconnect a few years ago.

They used to require a minimum a 3.5 meter but preferable 5-10 meter of their NACA5 loudspeaker because they needed the capacitance of the cable to get the amp stability as they didn't use any cpacitators on their output connectors.
I believe the current Naim amps no longer require these lengths or are no longer as sensitive on this part. I'm not sure what changed in the modern amps if anything.

The HighLine interconnect is £675 listprice today (which is more than at introduction) and not a £1000. And if you have a friendly chat with your dealer and have a good relationship with your Naim dealer you will even be able to get it for less.

Again this Highline interconnect has had specific R&D development esp. in the (lousy plastic where the new Super Lumina has a better metal construction) Airplug which needs to be recuperated from a much smaller population of customers as most will stick with the interconnects that are delivered as a standard and which are no cheap stuff either, they are rather good quality wise.

Indeed the Highline does make a very good improvement and again at a cost. Each person has to decide if that is VFM for him. One can get even much more expensive interconnects than the HighLine or SuperLumina. Check out the Tuned Array IC's from Chord and again they do work better/differently than the standard ones but at a price.

I think it makes no sense to complain over the costs of Hifi cables etc as they need to be developed, tested and sold and the manuf. still has to make a profit.
Some of these cable are whoooo-ed by some and others don't like them in their system and room and after all every change is a matter of personal preference.
I do appreciate the effort made by Naim to develop every component in their range to sound great and better and that they give the opportunity to upgrade within their brand maintaining a coherency in type of sound.

Cheers

Aleg