HELP! The Refurb Blues!
Posted by: Gerard on 18 June 2003
I should probably wait a week or two before I post this but I’m in “panic mode” and need a bit of chat to cope. A bit of history first. In “95-96” I upgraded my 32.5/HiCap/ (2) 140’s to a used 52/52PS and demo 250. The 52/52PS was an early vintage and because it was used it went to Naim for a “refub.” Since the 250 was 1-2 years old it was not sent to Naim. The improvements made from this upgrade were huge as to be expected. The added bass from the 250 required a speaker readjustment but not too much as I recall.
I just received them both back from a “refurb” and now I am having significant changes that I cannot get under control. Two things I noticed right away. Playing either LP’s or CD’s is fine till one or two things take place. If I adjust the volume past a certain volume level, 10-11 o’clock on the dial, things start to unravel, especially if the music becomes dynamic or complex, but especially loud dynamic swings. The soundstage collapses to the center and the upper frequencies become very harsh and congested. Now I did not have this problem before and I am at a loss as to what/why it’s happening, The second problem is that the bass is now really boomy, and overpowering. I expected an increase in bass but nothing like this.
Nothing in the system changed before or after the gear went in for service. In fact, after the gear came back I had a chance to use it for a bit before I had to send he NAC 52 back again cause the remote vol/bal was not working. I did not spend to much time with it but I do not remember it doing what it is doing now.
I massive sinus infection that still has not left my ears 100% is playing some part in the mid-low bass problem but I do not think it has much affect on the first problem.
I have changed speaker placement, VTA changes, cable inspections, etc. The cartridge is only 2 yrs. Old so it should be fine.
I know Naim had to replace the entire front end, logic boards (?) that are related to the display and remote with a later version. Amazingly, and by accident, this change cleared up a right channel ground hum from the tonearm/cart. that seemed incurable. It also reduced overall noise from the inputs in general.
It’s the harsh sounding, collapsing soundstage, dynamic unraveling that really has me worried. I cannot figure out why is happening. ANY IDEAS?
Thanks.
I just received them both back from a “refurb” and now I am having significant changes that I cannot get under control. Two things I noticed right away. Playing either LP’s or CD’s is fine till one or two things take place. If I adjust the volume past a certain volume level, 10-11 o’clock on the dial, things start to unravel, especially if the music becomes dynamic or complex, but especially loud dynamic swings. The soundstage collapses to the center and the upper frequencies become very harsh and congested. Now I did not have this problem before and I am at a loss as to what/why it’s happening, The second problem is that the bass is now really boomy, and overpowering. I expected an increase in bass but nothing like this.
Nothing in the system changed before or after the gear went in for service. In fact, after the gear came back I had a chance to use it for a bit before I had to send he NAC 52 back again cause the remote vol/bal was not working. I did not spend to much time with it but I do not remember it doing what it is doing now.
I massive sinus infection that still has not left my ears 100% is playing some part in the mid-low bass problem but I do not think it has much affect on the first problem.
I have changed speaker placement, VTA changes, cable inspections, etc. The cartridge is only 2 yrs. Old so it should be fine.
I know Naim had to replace the entire front end, logic boards (?) that are related to the display and remote with a later version. Amazingly, and by accident, this change cleared up a right channel ground hum from the tonearm/cart. that seemed incurable. It also reduced overall noise from the inputs in general.
It’s the harsh sounding, collapsing soundstage, dynamic unraveling that really has me worried. I cannot figure out why is happening. ANY IDEAS?
Thanks.