Low watt (SET) amps with long speaker cables?

joeinid

joeinid

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As I have little experience with single digit and low watt SET amps, what’s the consensus regarding long speaker cables and how long is too long?

For example, my Supernait2 requires 3-4 meters at a minimum and as long as 7+ meters (with 5M being close to optimum) for better sound. I know that’s part of the design and probably not typical.

Other moderate to higher power amps I’ve used, I was never concerned about using up to about 6-7M in my own system with great results. I try and stay around 3M depending on system and configuration.

What do you think is the absolute maximum speaker cable length for 2-4wpc and as much as 10wpc? Are the rules a little different with SET?
 
The SuperNait needs 5m of NACA5 cable. Other cables wouldn’t fit this requirement for supernait. Ideally speaker cable should be as short as possible. 3m for a Low power SET is okay.
 
Pani said:
The SuperNait needs 5m of NACA5 cable. Other cables wouldn’t fit this requirement for supernait. Ideally speaker cable should be as short as possible. 3m for a Low power SET is okay.
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AudioQuest also makes special “NAIM’ cables to be used with NAIM amps. That’s what I’ve been using with great results.
 
Pani said:
Btw, what do you think about SuperNait vs Job amplifiers ?
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I absolutely love my Supernait2. Job and Naim are similar in that they have a great open sound, great image placement and sweet vocals. The Job is a little cleaner but not overly so. The Naim is a little thicker with a little more meat on the bone. Depending on speakers, either can shine. I’ve wanted to go up the Naim ladder but along with a hugely expensive outlay, tweaky-ness necessarily increases to maximize performance.

If I had to choose, Naim would be first but I love my Job equally in a different way.
 
With Naim sticking to their own preamp becomes paramount whereas with job you can probably use the ZOTL preamp and add that tube infusion to the sound.
 
Yes, Naim is more of a system play. You really need to stay within its own ecosystem.
 
joeinid said:
As I have little experience with single digit and low watt SET amps, what’s the consensus regarding long speaker cables and how long is too long?
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Joe, I think it would come down to specifics, like what SET amp connected to what speaker. There are a lot of variations in SET and speaker designs in the world of audiophile exotica, so there won't be any hard/fast rules for series cabling. What is connected at both ends matter. "System".

cheers,

AJ
 
Thank you AJ. Makes perfect sense.

Speedskater, I usually don’t like “the truth” or overly critical sounding systems. I’m looking forward to some extra sweetness.
 
joeinid said:
Thank you AJ. Makes perfect sense.
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You're welcome. For the wires to stay out of the way as a series connection, low resistance, capacitance and inductance is good for long runs. The much larger parameters of the speaker, especially say a 8-16ohm HE speaker should swamp the series effect of the wires. To keep your audiophile street cred but not bust the piggy bank wide open, perhaps something like Nordost White Lightning, bit of a sane mans Valhalla. Believe available in 5m.

cheers,

AJ
 
joeinid said:
Thank you AJ. Makes perfect sense.

Speedskater, I usually don’t like “the truth” or overly critical sounding systems. I’m looking forward to some extra sweetness.
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And you like job and ZOTL ?? :-)
Both are very honest.
 
Pani said:
And you like job and ZOTL ?? :-)
Both are very honest.
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The Job is honest with a sweetness to it. Not sterile or dry. I could easily live with the Job.

The MZ2 could be a little sweeter but I replaced the tubes with 12AU7 Mullard and/or Brimars. Definitely gives me more warmth and sweetness but I could honestly use a little more for ultimate satisfaction. Again, depending on speakers or amps, the proper balance is there.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Joe, I think it would come down to specifics, like what SET amp connected to what speaker. There are a lot of variations in SET and speaker designs in the world of audiophile exotica, so there won't be any hard/fast rules for series cabling. What is connected at both ends matter. "System".
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Agreed. I would note however that SETs are noisier so more care needs to be taken on that front - and some speaker cables in long lengths may exacerbate the issue?
 
KeithR said:
Agreed. I would note however that SETs are noisier so more care needs to be taken on that front - and some speaker cables in long lengths may exacerbate the issue?
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Thank you Keith. Didn't think about that.
 
KeithR said:
Agreed. I would note however that SETs are noisier so more care needs to be taken on that front - and some speaker cables in long lengths may exacerbate the issue?
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Hi Keith, must admit I only have limited personal ownership experience with SETs, have one for testing speakers, but not really my cup of tea. Are they all susceptible to noise/interference? Yes, longer cabling may exacerbate and 5-6m is longer than usual. Joe must have a huge room or amp on opposite side of room from speakers or something. If what you said applies to pretty much all SETs (and I honestly don't know), then perhaps something like Mogami W3082 would be the recommendation. Though we would have left the world of audiophile magic "injurneering" and entered "highly engineered", the type of cabling common in studios and thus embedded into the sound of 99% of recordings. I'm unaware of any audiophile brands using that type speaker cable.

cheers,

AJ
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Btw Joe, have you considered monoblocks?
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Right now, nothing is off the table. My only reason for asking about longer cables is because I have been contemplating putting my rack to the left and the speakers in the middle, front. I normally keep the gear in the middle between the speakers and only need maybe six foot cables. I always wanted to move my gear to one side and leave my speakers free and clear.

Depending what happens in the next few weeks (stay tuned), I'll need to figure something out.
 
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