Help! nDAC went kaput

JYOW,

with the nDAC switched off, unplug the link plug or Burndy cable. Re-fit and then switch on.

Not sure what the reset procedure is on the DAC, but might be worth an e-mail to Naim customer service.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
JYOW,

with the nDAC switched off, unplug the link plug or Burndy cable. Re-fit and then switch on.

Not sure what the reset procedure is on the DAC, but might be worth an e-mail to Naim customer service.

Thx Richard
I did unplug the burndy and refitted the link plug, with unit off of course

I looked for but couldn't find a reset procedure. I am typing in bed with iPhone since it is 2 am

Could you be so kind as to ask support for me

I have packed up my unit to bring to work tomorrow. I may try resetting at work

What are you using the DAC with. If you are playing hi-res files, I presume your are using HDX or computer to source the digital files. Have you tried transfering some music onto a USB stick (Wave files only in the root directory) and plugging that in to the USB input on the front of the DAC. if you are using a PC front end, what software are you using. I had lots of problems with Hiface and J.River Media Center. Switching to Foobar2000 solved this.

JYOW, I have alerted Steve Hopkins at Naim HQ to this thread. Let's hope he can come up with some further help.

quote:

First it was refusing to sync with 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 with my Hiface. But was able to sync 48, 96 and 192.

Sounds like one of the clock generators has failed - the one with 44.1 and multiples. If this is the problem, it will need a return to the factory - not great from HK, so let's hope Steve has some other ideas.

quote:

Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:
What are you using the DAC with. If you are playing hi-res files, I presume your are using HDX or computer to source the digital files. Have you tried transfering some music onto a USB stick (Wave files only in the root directory) and plugging that in to the USB input on the front of the DAC. if you are using a PC front end, what software are you using. I had lots of problems with Hiface and J.River Media Center. Switching to Foobar2000 solved this.

I have tried both Mac front end and other devices.

I tried Hiface/mac-mini, Cambridge 650BD player, USB Stick, HDTV set top box and iPhone. All of the above used to work pretty much 100% of the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Richard Dane:
JYOW, I have alerted Steve Hopkins at Naim HQ to this thread. Let's hope he can come up with some further help.

Thanks Richard. It is 8:30am and I have brought my machine along to work. I have a feeling this repair will take a long time given the newness and complexity of the machine...

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBk:

quote:

First it was refusing to sync with 44.1, 88.2 and 176.4 with my Hiface. But was able to sync 48, 96 and 192.

Sounds like one of the clock generators has failed - the one with 44.1 and multiples. If this is the problem, it will need a return to the factory - not great from HK, so let's hope Steve has some other ideas.

That's what I thought initially. But after I turned the machine off and back on, no clock rate worked. So if this is a clock failure, it is either multiple clocks failure or a "master clock failure"? But I thought the nDAC has one clock each for each frequency?

This feels bad. In my 20 odd years of owning Naim I have not had a single hiccup with any of their equipment. let's hope this is something silly like a system reset.

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
J ,
You should try a Supercap man,Its better than a single Hic-cup.
Sorry for that.
I bet if you take it back home out of the box and plug it back in? all would be ok.
Sods law and all that.
You are just after getting your money back so you can get the new BLACK W DAC 202.

Stu

Hmm, SuperCap costs $ and you think I don't know that it is a lure for upgrade to 252?

Yes Murphy's law indeed. I just had another stubborn failure with my very first Cambridge 650BD player that refused to turn on but played perfectly fine at the shop. Ended up with two trips and almost a month at the shop until they changed the power supply. Don't think I will ever buy a Cambridge again.

It is the same dealer as my nDAC so I guess they'd be sick of seeing me.

And yes DAC202 is tempting, but I think the nDAC is a better deal especially for a Naim system. If only Naim remembered to put in a decent Firewire or USB PC interface.

I can only imagine weeks or even months without the black box. May be I will sneak in a Wyre4Sound DAC2 to hear what all the fuss is about.

LOL didn't get it. Yes this is quite a hiccup.

For me all the more appreciative of the reliability I have been enjoying with naim gears.

Stu guess what, you were right about Murphy's. Just went to the dealer and it turned on and was able to sync right away. Have to go back home and see if this is a one off glitch.

Can the Naim gurus please chime in? What do you think was the problem? Does it have anything to do with power quality? Is there a way to reset everything on the nDAC?

quote:

Originally posted by JYOW:
Stu guess what, you were right about Murphy's. Just went to the dealer and it turned on and was able to sync right away. Have to go back home and see if this is a one off glitch.

Can the Naim gurus please chime in? What do you think was the problem? Does it have anything to do with power quality? Is there a way to reset everything on the nDAC?

We think that the crystal in your DAC did not fire up, I think it needs a little Naim TLC

Bad bad news, took it home and it won't work again. Dealer thinks it is my power quality but everything else is working honky dory.

What should I do, as it is I will probably have to haul it all the way to my dealer and find pout that everything works again, and the dealer will probably not do anything since it works over there.

this is very frustrating

I emailed suppport@naim already

I dont think it is the DAC, that's for sure.

Can you try it in a 3rd location to see if you can isolate the problem to your house?

-p

What did you think it is. I have tried other plugs in my flat with same results. It powers up OK, just will not sync to anything.

no clue.... If it worked fine at the dealer, and there is no reason to suspect the DAC is faulty i.e. it is brand new, something must be going on at home.

Any chance of trying in a third location?

-Patrick

The dealer should stop by with his DAC or lend it for a day. Stuff happens. This is the first I've heard of any problem with an Ndac and I'm not aware of any kit with 100% reliability. What you want is support and so far things are going normal. The Ndac should be able to handle a less than optimum voltages so I also don't think that's it but there's only one way to find out in this situation. You or the dealer needs to try another Ndac in your home and then do whatever is needed from that point on. None of this is bad, bad news. Maybe bad news but it will get sorted. It's been one day and you seem to be very unsettled over this. Of course it shouldn't break but unfortunately, everything does.

If there is a reset, that would be a good thing to try. Something that a voltage spike or static can do is mess with firmware though it's odd that all was good at the dealer. May be something as simple as an intermittent joint. Good luck on a quick turn around and good local support.

I really can't believe this is down to power fluctuations - Clock issues seem more likely. Dodgy crystal, bad load cap, loose joint or whatever. Even with Naim's fantastic care and attention at the factory the odd component or two will fail early and it looks like you have drawn the short straw. I'd pop round with my DAC to double check if you were a bit closer...

agreed.

An update.

Expecting the worst I hauled my unit back to work this morning fully expecting to send the unit back to my dealer for more back and forth debugging.

Checked my email and sure enough an email back fro Naim HQ with a a couple of files and some clear instruction on how to update the files and some self tests afterwards.

The unit did exactly as he said with all the flashing lights. And self test passed with flying colors.

I am unable to try with other equipment, but at least now the source buttons lit up when being pushed. And best of all, when I insert a USB stick with WAV file, the system responds with dock light and recognize the drive.

I am a happy camper now hoping for the best when I get home.

Thanks all for trying to help.

To JS: I understand the type of service to expect if I was elsewhere, but this being Hong Kong everything is commoditized and unless I am buying 6 figure USD components I cannot expect the type of service I'd expect in Canada or the UK.

My frustration was to have a dealer who can assure me that they are willing and capable of getting to the bottom of the problem, and I know I cannot expect that with mine. I just had another incident few weeks back with a non naim CD player that refused to power on, and since it was intermittent I had to go back and forth a few times until they wanted to be rid of me and replaced the power supply as I suggested to them

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As an aside, this firmware update and self test procedure is invaluable. I dont think I a supposed to share it here, but it would be very useful in the FAQ section and/or for the firmware be put into the download section.

From my previous experience with a brain dead Meridian F80, I sort of expected a system reset function would fix the problem. But I had to hunt around for that information. This would have saved me a many miles of hauling that thing around town.

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Anyway, thank you Naim one more time for saving the day for me. Hope it works when I get home.

Good news! Let's hope it was corrupted firmware and you're back up and running. Also good to know the DAC had field updateable firmware.

I am a happy camper once again. Everything is working properly now and I am enjoying lovely music form the naim DAC once again.

Thanks to Steve from Naim for helping out.

Unless it sounds worse, I would keep the ground switch at chassis.

quote:

Unless it sounds worse, I would keep the ground switch at chassis.

I believe it is in chassis, will make sure.

Why that would avoid future problems?