Naim designed the 52 and 252 to send the audio signal back to a Supercap or 52PS to have to boosted before sending it back to the preamp. This creates a unique problem whereby the audio line is vulnerable to interference from the power signal. To combat this, we designed a cable that has an additional line of shielding between the power and audio lines.
This has a very revealing effect on your system; if it’s in good working order you’ll experience crisper highs, a more fluid mid range and a fuller bass. One customer described it as freeing up the amp so it can do what it was designed to. However, our cables have also been known to highlight problems which are often fixed by servicing.
Additionally, you’ll find that our cables are a lot more flexible and better looking than Naim’s standard range, allowing you to organise your system better without needing to wrestle with cable ties and keep your system far away from the wall.
This is a great alternative to the 52PS or Supercap Burndy and works in any instance, including cases where a 17 pin Burndy would be used. This is down to how our engineers have designed and wired the cable. If you’re looking for the accompanying SNAIC, we also offer the Hatpin 5 for the discounted price of £100 if you buy these together.
admin (store manager) –
“The sound is a lot cleaner and crisper as you’d expect. You can follow the notes much more easily and the stereo imaging (I know I sound like a tosser saying that) is much improved.
This is actually really obvious as well as a no brainer.
The cable is well made and is a significant upgrade in Naim applications.” Ewen1970 /PFM
Roy (verified owner) –
Purchased and received this cable 4th May 2017.
As usual with any signal cable I initially checked for any difference in musical presentation with direction and I found/heard a distinct difference. One way round the stereo sound was a little thin and very spaced out between the speakers, reversed the sound focused more centrally between the speakers and lost that thin sound, to a point where I considered it a little dull. I marked one end of the Burndy with electrical tape.
From experience I know cables dull down as they burn-in, so I opted for the first presentation of the more spaced-out open presentation. The sound certainly changed during the first few weeks & months, but after 6 months was still too wide sounding with little central image, this is where the speakers can disappear and there is just a wall of sound with instruments and performers all in their place & with front to back depth. This was not where I was really enjoying the music, it was good but I’ve had better!
So, last November I reluctantly reversed the Burndy, knowing I was in for another horrible burn-in period. Glad I did. As of April 2018 the soundstage, definition, central imaging and clarity of the music is portrayed better than ever before, and this Burndy now has a permanent place in my active system. Congratulations to Witch Hat for an excellent Burndy product – but mine was directional!
Jamie Garven (verified owner) –
Bought one of these and a hatpin5 about 6 weeks ago. From the start I was aware of a lessening of noise, in my system that was a kind of glare or glassiness.
Now there is more of everything good-a richer fuller tone and better resolution.
However I agree with Roy, both these cables are directional. One way favours the wall of sound the other allows much better stereo imaging.
I’m finding music a lot more inviting and pleasurable with these cables, it seems more present and more coherent. Good product! Looking forward to trying Phantom. Jamie.
bupjin –
I bought this cable years ago. This cable considerably outperforms the original NAIM BURNDY cable in all aspects: clarity, musicality, tone color. Strongly recommended!
Werner (verified owner) –
After one week of burning in the Hatpin 18 stays in home for sure. Like a view behind the curtain music sounds relaxed and clear, not spectacular, but in a way “as it should be”. Congrats to WitchHat for this masterpiece.
Duncan Race –
Very striking how clear and articulate thus cable is. And at half the price(ish) of a naim replacement a bargain.