Help! nDAC went kaput
Posted by: JYOW on 14 July 2010
OK it is late at night here and I need help before bringing this baby back to the dealer to have it looked at.
My Naim DAC started acting up tonight. 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.
I then proceeded to turn the DAC off and back on. It did the initialization of alternating between sync light and HD light. Then nothing. Now it would not sync with my Cambridge player, Hiface or USB stick. Only the Naim logo light is up.
I tried the following:
- Cycle the chassis ground switch
- Unplug all digital sources and put each one back on
- Unplug DAC from the 282
Nothing works. It has been working fine since new.
The only change I can think of is tonight I plugged in a DIN to RCA cable from my Cambridge player into the 282, and that of course is full analogue.
Any ideas of what else to try?
Posted on: 16 July 2010 by js
I doubt it's the issue but it will shield and protect from static shock better if earthed. If it sounds worse when switched in, leave in float as it will still have a ground via the pre. If you don't hear a dif, default to chassis. This could be rechecked whenever a new source component is introduced to the pre.
Posted on: 16 July 2010 by DaveBk
quote:
Originally posted by JYOW:
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.
Great news. Enjoy the music.
Posted on: 16 July 2010 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by js:
I doubt it's the issue but it will shield and protect from static shock better if earthed. If it sounds worse when switched in, leave in float as it will still have a ground via the pre. If you don't hear a dif, default to chassis. This could be rechecked whenever a new source component is introduced to the pre.
Your comment is interesting. Come to think of it, the problem started when I inserted a new source (Cambridge 650BD was introduced to my 282 Pre)
Posted on: 16 July 2010 by JYOW
Guess what? The DAC is still sick apparently.
After playing for an hour or two, the DAC went into brain dead mode again. But this time I know the procedure for resetting. Will keep monitoring. Not sure if the dealer knows how to fix this.
Posted on: 16 July 2010 by js
Well that's interesting. Perhaps the Cambridge is adding to this. I doubt it earthing unless there's an odd loop. Make sure it's output is set to SPdif before you try again. It could also have some RF in the stream from it's switching supply if it's not up to snuff. I'd use the Ndac for a while without before reintroducing the Cambridge just to see what happens. Not trying to shift blame here but you need to take away a commonality from both failures to test.
Posted on: 16 July 2010 by JYOW
quote:
Well that's interesting. Perhaps the Cambridge is adding to this. I doubt it earthing unless there's an odd loop. Make sure it's output is set to SPdif before you try again. It could also have some RF in the stream from it's switching supply if it's not up to snuff. I'd use the Ndac for a while without before reintroducing the Cambridge just to see what happens. Not trying to shift blame here but you need to take away a commonality from both failures to test.
Yes the Cambridge is definitely suspicious since it was in the shop two weeks back with a replaced power supply. I dont think the Cambridge is SMPS though.
I will disconnect the Cambridge both analogue and digitally for a while and see what happens.
BTW right now when it happened the Cambridge was off.
I could leave other TOSLINK devices in right? It shouldn't affect the DAC electrically?
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by js
You're doing the right things. Good luck. It's also strange that your cambridge had a similar issue of working at the shop but not your home. Very odd.
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by JYOW
quote:
Originally posted by js:
You're doing the right things. Good luck. It's also strange that your cambridge had a similar issue of working at the shop but not your home. Very odd.
For the Cambridge, they did have the same problem at the store, (pilot light on, but won't turn on), but they just could not reproduce it in the service department.
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by fatcat
Are you using a remote control.
I had a similar problem due to low battery power in my CDS2 remote. The batteries where virtually dead. No problem with the CDS2 but locked up the nDAC. Replacing battery cured the problem.
Posted on: 17 July 2010 by JYOW
fatcat, my problem cannot be fixed with a remote, it would not even respond to any physical buttons pressed. Not even a system turn off back on would cure that.
Are you sure it is the same problem? What was your symptom?
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by fatcat
The problem wasn’t fixed with the remote, it was caused BY the remote. The flat batteries in the remote caused the nDAC to lock up. Didn’t respond to buttons on remote or machine. Leaving for a while powered down, then switching back on cured the problem. Since fitting new batteries in the remote, the problem hasn’t reoccurred.
If you get it working again, use it without the remote. If it locks up the remote can’t be the problem.
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by JYOW
I see thanks.
As I recall, I did not use the remote while this was happening. The second time it happened I tried to switch sampling rate from my PC and found the sync light went out and no sound coming out of the DAC.
Anyway it seems my DAC may be allergic to something, possibly my Cambridge CD player, or the remote. But whatever it is, it is a latent effect.
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
The second time it happened I tried to switch sampling rate from my PC and found the sync light went out and no sound coming out of the DAC
Please explain further what happened here. What media player are you using? Are you using ASIO etc?
I think there is something "forcing" the DAC out of sync until a sufficient reboot (like when you brought it to the dealer and to work).
It worked until you came home again.
Did it fail to work anywhere else besides home?
-patrick
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by Hook
quote:
Originally posted by fatcat:
The problem wasn’t fixed with the remote, it was caused BY the remote. The flat batteries in the remote caused the nDAC to lock up. Didn’t respond to buttons on remote or machine. Leaving for a while powered down, then switching back on cured the problem. Since fitting new batteries in the remote, the problem hasn’t reoccurred.
If you get it working again, use it without the remote. If it locks up the remote can’t be the problem.
Hi Fatcat -
This sure does sound a lot like the issue many have seen locking up their Naim amps. I wonder if the DAC IR control port is equally susceptible to Plasma, LCD and other mysterious sources of interference.
JYOW -
If you are not using the remote for the DAC, it may be worth covering up the NAIM logo (and the IR port) just to eliminate interference as a potential cause of your lockup.
Hook
Posted on: 18 July 2010 by JYOW
Is this remote issue a suspect or proven to be a real problem? It seems a little far fetched.
Anyway I do enjoy the flexibility of switching sources with the Naim remote. The nDAC has sort of become my defacto digital pre
Posted on: 19 July 2010 by Salmon Dave
For those who say they've not heard of this sort of problem with a Naim DAC before - I did post about my DAC going kaput in April or so, after tabbing through tracks on the USB stick. I was advised to take the DAC back to the dealer and Naim replaced it with another. The relevant thread seems to have been removed from the forums.
Posted on: 19 July 2010 by js
Naim doesn't hide these things. I probably missed it because it's in HiFi corner. I'm sure your not the only 2 either LOL but the track record is great for a new product like this.
Posted on: 19 July 2010 by JYOW
quote:
Naim doesn't hide these things. I probably missed it because it's in HiFi corner. I'm sure your not the only 2 either LOL but the track record is great for a new product like this.
Yes definitely. I have owned many pieces of Naim equipment for almost 20 years and this is the first ever hiccup I have had with a Naim equipment.
My very first Cambridge player which I recently promptly failed, and I suspect it may be the culprit for the nDAC failure.
Posted on: 19 July 2010 by DaveBk
Is it still behaving itself or have there been other problems since Saturday?
Posted on: 19 July 2010 by JYOW
So far so good. With the Cambridge disconnected there has not been any incidents. Will keep watch.
Posted on: 20 July 2010 by Salmon Dave
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
quote:
Originally posted by Salmon Dave:
For those who say they've not heard of this sort of problem with a Naim DAC before - I did post about my DAC going kaput in April or so, after tabbing through tracks on the USB stick. I was advised to take the DAC back to the dealer and Naim replaced it with another. The relevant thread seems to have been removed from the forums.
https://forums.naimaudio.com/ev...702913137#1702913137
Thanks - I guess I was looking in the wrong place.
Posted on: 20 July 2010 by pcstockton
salmon,
Care to update what ended up happening with your DAC?
Did you figure out why you were having issues and/or is it fixed?
-Patrick
Posted on: 20 July 2010 by js
he got it replaced with another.
