I was Utterly Blown Away by NAX

There are many types of cables used in audio and AV systems—interconnect cables that transmit faint audio signals, digital cables that handle digital audio signals, and power cables that deliver electricity from household outlets. But in terms of how much they ultimately influence sound quality, I’m starting to feel that ethernet cables might actually be the most critical of all.

What triggered this realization was the NA9 ethernet cable released by AIM Electronics about two years ago. The moment I replaced the cable between my hub and network player with the NA9, the sound completely transformed into something richer in volume with a newfound sense of calm. Vocals and instrumental resonance became moist, textured, and pleasing to the ear. It made me wonder if this could really be the same system—it was that drastic of a change.

The NAX is the higher-end model of the NA9, described as AIM Electronics’ flagship ethernet cable, created by concentrating its finest technologies and expertise. Visually, the only difference is that the sheath material now has a more glossy finish; the thickness and stiffness of the cable remain the same, and it still uses Telegärtner RJ45 connectors. As for the conductors, the coating material and shielding method appear to have been modified, though the company’s signature four-layer “Pulshut MU” shield structure remains unchanged.

Can it truly surpass the NA9’s performance? I had my doubts, but once I switched to the NAX, I was utterly blown away by how dramatically the sound changed. The presentation is calm and natural, yet the sound lines are thick and supple. Its approach is to depict everything gently and as it is, reacting crisply to up-tempo rhythms while retaining a sense of stickiness and grip. I became completely captivated by this high-quality sound that combines delicacy with power.