Some SERIOUS advice please!

[terrybooth]

I've owned a CDI in the past but no Naim Amps (I had Exposure). I ran the CDI with NVA amps for some time. An A50 became P90SA/A70s/A80s over time with some corresponding jumps in cables.

So, If reiterate some of the advice given above, jump in somewhere - interconnects, speaker cables, P20/A20 even. If you don't like them, send them back, but if you do like then, there's an enjoyable journey in trying some new bit and getting more out of your music.

[Malaikat]

I will probably wait until December 2017 and go the 'whole hog' ; but may go with NVA cables first. The problem is, I have an obsession with cable 'direction'. Having read numerous articles in the past about 'all cables being directional, some more than others', I find it kind of reassuring if there is an arrow on the cable! If I remember correctly Doc has said cables (some /all?) become directional after initial use, (may be wrong here though). I can just imagine myself faffing about with SSP wondering which way round is best, before finally breaking it and incurring the wrath of Doc when I send it back for repair! Maybe I should just seek psychiatric help, or stick with Naim!

[Copperblue]

I've owned a bit of Naim in the past. I found that most of it only ever sounded good with a narrow band of well recorded music. If you have an eclectic taste, of lot of music is border line unlistenable with certain Naim equipment. The Nac 202 / Nap 200 combo being the worst offender, it lasted about a month before it was gone.

However a Nac 32 / Snaps / Nap 160 combination my brother had with Epos speakers sounded superb. With an LP12. Really musical, you could play rock, jazz, blues and it was musically satisfying. He had that system for many years. Still has the LP12 but moved on from Naim.

To the OP, I can highly recommend NVA gear based on my personal experience. I use a valve pre with an A60 power amp and it sings.

[Malaikat]

Nowhere, on the internet can one find a negative review of any NVA gear, despite Doc (hilariously), being banned from multiple hi-fi message boards (and even Tai Chi!).
Just brilliant entertainment! (Pure devilment on Docs part, no doubt!).

[Dr Bunsen Honeydew]

I will probably wait until December 2017 and go the 'whole hog' ; but may go with NVA cables first. The problem is, I have an obsession with cable 'direction'. Having read numerous articles in the past about 'all cables being directional, some more than others', I find it kind of reassuring if there is an arrow on the cable! If I remember correctly Doc has said cables (some /all?) become directional after initial use, (may be wrong here though). I can just imagine myself faffing about with SSP wondering which way round is best, before finally breaking it and incurring the wrath of Doc when I send it back for repair! Maybe I should just seek psychiatric help, or stick with Naim!

There is some serious bollocks here, created by other ignorant people probably.

Cable direction is talked about lots in the archive here if you search. NVA cable doesn't suffer from it as it is not of the type of designs that do. I said cable *CAN* bed in one way including nva cables and by reversing one there *could* be a small difference until it settles back again. This only shows with the end game with nva as you need max resolution in the system to show it. This bit of folk law is a classic "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing". You should *NEVER* presume just because it happens with one cable it will always happen because *IT IS NOT TRUE!!!*

Directionality mostly happens with multiple very thin strands twisted within a thick polymer dieletric, both those factors contribute to it. NVA cable has neither of these so use anyway you want.

Now more daftness over breaking cables. That *ONLY* happened with mk1 SSP which is no longer made and was redesigned to stop this problem. Mk2 has *NO* problem.

[Fretless]

I have read discussions where directionality appears to be an effect of usage within the insulation layer - and can be reversed. 'Breaking-in' a cable establishes the oprimum direction and this fades if the cable is unused for 2 weeks or so.

Reversing the cable and using it will set up a field in the other direction.

As the Doc points out - this will be more applicable to cables with specific constructions and materials.

[Fretless]

The above effect is something I have just noticed with my Nighthawk headphones. I had a broken connection on the 'hifi' cable set (a version of Audioquest's Castle Rock speaker wire) and received yesterday a new replacement set. The sound of the headphones has reverted to what it was when I had just got them - a bit too bassy and a slight lack of integration through bass/mid/high. Knowing that this will soon fade, I don't regard it as a problem - but it is interesting to be aware of it.

Also the new OCC digital coax I have recently installed seems to be gaining in smoothness / richness over a period of days. (Oh, No!).

Anyone for a glass of Snake Oil ?

[antonio66]

Sounds like you and George have started the new "Snake Oil Club".

[Fretless]

Well, it helps to pass the time .....

[George Hincapie]

No burn in needed for my Optical