Out of Balance NAC 52
Posted by: ChrisM on 12 December 2003
I recently asked for comments regarding an NAC 52 right channel louder than the left resulting in the balance control needing to be set at 10.00 oclock.
I have found that by slackening off the CD interconnect locking ring (at both ends) the NAC returned to perfect balance.
Furthermore, (as discussed many times before in this forum) the sound changed significantly. The soundstage is now much wider and the sound more dynamic. On the downside some of the smoothness has been lost but the music is certainly much more exciting and, to my ears, more life like.
The interconnect locking ring is locked but only just (ie just beginning to find resistance).
Would welcome comments from anyone else who has either a channel imbalance or a lack luster sounding amp.
Regards
Posted on: 12 December 2003 by Rasher
So much can influence balance: furniture, reflective surfaces, the door. It really shouldn't matter where the balance is set, after all, that's what it's for.
Interesting about the locking ring. My dealer was quite specific about making sure I left them loose when I bought my CD3.5.
Posted on: 12 December 2003 by Martin Payne
Chris,
I'd be interested in your comments how it sounds with the rings undone completely.
cheers, Martin
E-mail:- MartinPayne (at) Dial.Pipex.com. Put "Naim" in the title.
Posted on: 13 December 2003 by sean
Chris,
You really must try undoing ALL locking rings in your system, apart from the burndy obviously. Try it and post back your findings.
Sean.
Posted on: 13 December 2003 by ChrisM
Martin / Sean,
Unlocked all the rings as requested. Below is a summary of my findings:
Rings locked:
The sound is smooth but compressed. I noticed that the soundstage is very narrow and the trebble curtailed. This is probably the reason why the sound is lifeless. (I also suffered from the right channel louder than left). I thought that my amp was defective basically.
Rings unlocked but just engaged:
Dynamics and soundstage much improved (understatement). The sound is more lifelike and bigger. Detail is improved. The sterio image is good.
Rings unlocked and disengaged:
Similar to just unlocked above. Sterio image a tad vague but this is probably me just being over critical. Dynamics appear to be the best of the three. The trebble (high notes) very clear.
Summary.
From now on I shall be leaving the rings unlocked. For me the sound is much more enjoyable and my foot tapping has returned. I had just purchased the 52 and was not impressed. Even a service did not help. Unlocking the rings is a revelation and I am only now beginning to realise the potential of the 52.
I tested all the interconnects with locking rings and can confirm that the CD Player is the one that benifits the most. The one for the digital supply does not appear to benifit. The one to the 250 appears to be better unlocked but I cannot easily quantify the difference. The Burndy unfortunately cannot be tinkered with.
All the tests were carried out on equipment that had been left on for over a week and well isolated.
Dare I suggest that Naim appears to have devised a way of allowing the listener to adjust the sound of the system! Exiting - rings unlocked, Smooth and lifeless - rings locked.
Hope you find my findings interesting.
Chris
Posted on: 13 December 2003 by London Lad
The locking rings don't actually provide the shield connection so it can’t be that.
I wonder if the rings in the locked position exert pressure on the contact pins and push them very slightly out of alignment reducing their contact pressure?
Be kind, what goes round comes round.
Posted on: 13 December 2003 by David Dever
Try a different interconnect; also, it may be worth trying a different source with the original interconnect plugged in (badly-wired pins inside the DIN socket, for example).
