DNM Cables

[Ninanina]

Can anyone using DNM cables, both interconnect and speaker cable, tell me their experience

I am currently using cables from the mad man (NVA!) and I'd like to stop using them so I can clear myself of NVA completely

DNM always seemed to get good reviews and is not that expensive

Thanks for any help

Bev

[walpurgis]

Hi Bev, I'm curious to know what they sound like too. I was toying with the idea of rewiring my speakers internally with DNM, as it should be easy to work with.

[Ninanina]

I've never heard DNM but all the reviews are sooooooo goood ;)

I really want to clear out my NVA stuff, for fairly obvious reasons i guess


:stalks:

[realysm42]

Can't you find someone to give you a home demo? Proofs in the pudding in this hugely subjective hobby...

[Effem]

I had the DNM Reson interconnects a few years ago and I found them rather lightweight sounding to be honest with not a lot of power in the bass registers so I stopped using them. Fine if you have a bass heavy system I suppose.

In other systems and other listening preferences they may appeal but wasn't for me and my tastes.

[Andrew B]

Hi there. I'm new to the forum but sadly not new in any other sense (getting too many grey hairs lol). I'm also not new to DNM cables, having tried interconnect and speaker cable in a number of systems over the years.

In all honesty, I've never had an acceptable sound from them. They are very clear but just have no rhythm or drive.

I've been reading the forum for a few months and I really like the items you've had (and I'm still looking for a pair of Klipsch La Scalas), so I'm guessing we have similar tastes. I'd bet on you disliking the DNM too.

I can understand your wish to get rid of the cables but the NVA interconnects in particular are amongst the best I've heard and they work well in a range of systems. A reasonable alternative is Rega Couple (actually nothing more than Klotz instrument cable) but it does sound good.

As for speaker cable, NVA is very different to most other cables in its sound and I could never get away with it, despite hearing many good qualities. Audio Note cable is good but I feel it's too expensive for what it is. There is a cable on EBay hat's being sold cheaply, which I really like. It's made by an American company, Tulsa. They made the "Hurricane" interconnects which you may have heard of. Anyway, the seller is shedding their last stocks for peanuts. The cable is called "Arrow" and it has been praised on other forums too. I've had great results with my Krell and Puresound amps driving Audio Note and Impulse speakers, so it seems to have wide efficacy. It's also beautifully built and very cool looking. You can even use it bi-wire or single.

Sorry if I've rambled on. Only my third post and I'm past he 1000 word mark so I'll shut up now :)

[DSJR]

What the fugg is wrong with proper universal screened cables from the likes of Mark Grant and others here?

DNM are just as wacko in their own way as NVA/Naim etc is in theirs. In other words, you're buying into yet another "philosophy" with the designer's "vision" as to how he can best make money out of you. The thing with MG and others here is that they don't make a fortune out of you and offer a return if you don't like them.

One final thing. DNM interconnect cables are not shielded and I have worries about taxi's etc breaking through, LOUDLY, if you're unfortunate - been there and experienced it :) I wouldn't say the sound quality (or lack of "sound") is any different to a better quality screened interconnect with decent plugs on!

As for the speaker cables, I didn't mind solid core if the runs were short, but go more than 5m each and into 4 ohm speaker loads and all sorts of things start to happen to the speaker frequency response.

[Ninanina]

Andrew

If you are looking for a pair of of Klipsch La Scalas I would totally recommend them

I had a pair in my front room and they are simply superb, BUT they need room to breathe

My front room at the time was just not big enough to show off the La Scalas and I changed to a pair of Hereseys instead

If you have room for a pair of La Scalas you are in for a real treat !! they are simply superb ;);)

The most REAL speaker I have ever heard. I heard them in a giant warehouse with a 300b amp (which was falling to bits!!!) but they were simply superb

[julesd68]

There is a cable on EBay hat's being sold cheaply, which I really like. It's made by an American company, Tulsa. They made the "Hurricane" interconnects which you may have heard of. Anyway, the seller is shedding their last stocks for peanuts.

This is the seller that normally has these on ebay but nothing available right now - I was looking at the interconnect which seems very good value and I think was also a favourite of Jerry's -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/babyjackal/m.html?_ipg=50&_sop=12&_rdc=1

[Ninanina]

David

I've never heard of Mark Grant cables, should I consider them as a replacement for the NVA's ?

Thanks

Bev


:)

[DSJR]

Yes - loads of info here (he's a member) and he has a website too. Marco uses them, as do I (the basic £50 ones in my case and a custom set of the Neutrik ones - Marco's gone all posh and uses fancy plugs on his :)). The other sellers here may have something too in your budget - Paul (RFCC) for example and MCRU, although I don't have any personal experience of their cables at all. I do now have an Epiphany Acoustics Atratus interconnect coming my way and I'm eager to try this, since I understand the "flavour" is subtly different to the MG cables..

[Andrew B]

Andrew

If you are looking for a pair of of Klipsch La Scalas I would totally recommend them

I had a pair in my front room and they are simply superb, BUT they need room to breathe

My front room at the time was just not big enough to show off the La Scalas and I changed to a pair of Hereseys instead

If you have room for a pair of La Scalas you are in for a real treat !! they are simply superb ;);)

The most REAL speaker I have ever heard. I heard them in a giant warehouse with a 300b amp (which was falling to bits!!!) but they were simply superb

I completely agree. They are utterly gorgeous. I really need a bigger room first, but I do have an unused (attached) double garage that I'm going to convert to a listening room. I'm both dreading and looking forward to doing it in equal measure. La Scalas are rare and expensive, so I may have to wait until an affordable pair come up.

On the subject of cables, at least you have some decent ones to make comparisons with. Why not ask forum members if they have any spare interconnects and speaker cables you could borrow. Cables are cheap and easy to post, so very little risk on either side. It may save you blowing hundreds on something that's unsuitable. Just an idea :)

[NRG]

I've had great performance from DNM interconnects, really is baloney to say the designer is 'wacko'...in fact that's down right insulting. Just because a personal experience has not been positive does not give anybody the right to rubbish the design or philosophy. :rolleyes:


[

[YNWaN]

I have to tell you, I have strongly disliked all the DNM cables I have ever heard/tried and feel their 'subtle and delicate' presentation is largely a result of being severely band limited and lack of macro dynamic.

In addition, The interconnects are entirely unshielded.

Personally, I wouldn't dream if requiring my speakers with it.
------
Just to clarify, I don't in any way think the designer is 'mad' or crazy - he is just following a design path that does not give me the results I want. I should also add that, despite disliking the cables, I really rather rate the DNM pre-amps.

[The Black Adder]

David

I've never heard of Mark Grant cables, should I consider them as a replacement for the NVA's ?

Thanks

Bev


:)

Absolutely... NVA IC's are good but MG's are the best I've tried. Build quality is second to none too... Enjoy! :)

[walpurgis]

I've not had difficulties with unscreened interconnects. I don't use them all the time, but my Nordost unscreened cables work just fine. I tend to route cables away from power supplies and power leads where I can anyway, so hum pickup has not been a problem.

[julesd68]

Just for another perspective I have tried both Mark Grant and NVA ic's.

Both look similar from a distance but the cable is thicker on the MG's. In my system both sounded exactly the same. The plugs on the Mark Grant were more solid IMO.

[DSJR]

I've had great performance from DNM interconnects, really is baloney to say the designer is 'wacko'...in fact that's down right insulting. Just because a personal experience has not been positive does not give anybody the right to rubbish the design or philosophy. :rolleyes:


[

Wacko, wacky, "different philosophy to established thinking," - what's the problem. I wasn't dissing his products, which I used to know rather well, although they weren't priced quite the way they are nowadays... But some of these people are rather off the wall and apart from Naim, who got there on the back of Linn in the mid 70's, marginalised accordingly IMO.

[NRG]

Wacko, wacky, "different philosophy to established thinking," - what's the problem. I wasn't dissinghis products, which I used to know rather well, although they weren't priced quite the way they are nowadays... But some of these people are rather off the wall and apart from Naim, who got there on the back of Linn in the mid 70's, marginalised accordingly IMO.

Yes you where! and then in a subsequent post you go on to seemingly recommend a cable from another supplier that you have no experience of! :lol:

DNM are just as wacko in their own way as NVA/Naim etc is in theirs. In other words, you're buying into yet another "philosophy" with the designer's "vision" as to how he can best make money out of you. The thing with MG and others here is that they don't make a fortune out of you and offer a return if you don't like them.

One final thing. DNM interconnect cables are not shielded and I have worries about taxi's etc breaking through, LOUDLY, if you're unfortunate - been there and experienced it I wouldn't say the sound quality (or lack of "sound") is any different to a better quality screened interconnect with decent plugs on!

[YNWaN]

If I may, I hope I can add something constructive...? In many ways Dave (DSJR) and I come from very much the same past. Despite the fact that we seldom agree, I recognise and respect his experience and viewpoint. I know that Dave has extensive experience of Denis Morecoft's designs and I also know that he has heard his designs perform in a remarkable way (as have I). However, this does not mean he has to rubber stamp everything Mr Morecroft has done, or that dislike of any specific aspect denigrates the whole. Denis Morecroft has had a remarkably powerful influence on amplifier design in the last 20 years (much more than most enthusiasts are aware of) and with good reason. However, whilst I enormously respect both him and his work, I don't find his theories regarding cables works within the context of the kind of system I want to own and use.

[Ninanina]

So which Mark Grant cable would be comparable to NVA's SSP, which is the top of NVA's range?

[YNWaN]

The actual cable that Mark uses is the same for most of his cables - the difference between them is down to the connectors used, it's all explained quite clearly on his website.

[Ninanina]

So does anyone know the equivalent MG cable to SSP's?

[The Black Adder]

I'd say the 1500HD's would be a great choice. The 2000HD's have the WBT plugs which piss all over the NVA ones. Best of all to get some Eichman's fitted... :)

[nat8808]

Why not buy some secondhand cables and try things out?

Then you sell them on for the price you bought. DNM is regularly found out there secondhand for example.

DNM might be, for you, the best cable you've ever heard. It might not. You will never know unless you try it.

Thing with taking advice from others on forums is that you'll likely get a polarised opinion with those agreeing with the first strong opinion more likely to post in agreement rather than someone who disagrees posting and then have to go through some kind of potential argument.

Try things out yourself and you'll grow a real knowledge base rather than be thrown around like a bit of driftwood on the tide of opinion (does that work?)..

You might find NVA is good in comparison to other stuff. If you dislike the man, it's too late to get the cash back so might as well make the most of the cables you bought from him.

PS For what it's worth, I've used and do use many unshielded cables without problem. DNM, Silver Arrow, some DIY silver stuff for example.

[DSJR]

Why not buy some secondhand cables and try things out?

Then you sell them on for the price you bought. DNM is regularly found out there secondhand for example.

DNM might be, for you, the best cable you've ever heard. It might not. You will never know unless you try it.



Great advice and something I've done very recently with a couple of "our" well known sub £50 cables, with excellent positive results in my case - apologies for me not suggesting this in the first place.

[YNWaN]

So does anyone know the equivalent MG cable to SSP's?

There isn't a direct equivalent - you are asking us to tell you which apple is most like the pears you used to buy.

[Audioman]

Bev. If you like the cables why get rid of them because you don't like Richard ? I believe they are pretty unique in design so equivalents aren't easy to recommend. Same goes for DNM cables. I have heard the later long ago and they have got great recommendations in the past. I would look for cables that are recommended matches for your particular equipment. So basically you should be asking advice on speaker cables for Klipsch. I would be a little wary of using DNM interconnects with valve amps though (unshielded?).

[YNWaN]

To be honest, if your only reason for wanting to change is to spite the manufacturer I recommend you take a deep breath and live with it.

[synsei]

I am not a fan of Richards amps but his cables are another matter entirely, they are excellent. I am seriously considering pulling the trigger on a set of his speaker cables in the very near future, I need a four metre run.

[Ninanina]

Yes I also like NVA cables, but do I want to keep them ? well NO, if I can find something of equivalent sound

Mark Grant seems to have quite a following

[Ali Tait]

Try TQ cables.

[Ninanina]

I think TQ interconnect is beyond my budget. They seem to be about £285 for Tellurium Q Black Interconnect 1m

Way too much for me

:doh:

[icehockeyboy]

As much as I Totally agree with all of the comments about RD, I have to say for very little money how good I reckon his entry level Sound Cords are.

I found a pair under my bed that I had long discarded, and out of curiosity stuck them back in, and was more than pleasantly surprised at how good they are/were.

If however I was in the market for a new set of ic's I would not send my money his way (RD)

It would go to Mark Grant who has a well deserved reputation for quality of his stuff, and I have personally found his after sales service (despite not buying the stuff from him! ) absolutely second to non!

If Simon Cowell were recommending MG, I'm sure he'd say........"it's a yes from me!" :eyebrows: