Nait 2 (chrome ***pers) and CD inputs

John,

Unfortunately this is normal behaviour for a Nait - the volume pots often show channel imbalance at low volume (even my Nait3 showed this problem, despite using the better ALPS pot).

The spec for the ALPS pot's is for channel balance within 2dB, from 0 to 60dB of attenuation. At low levels the effect of this potential 2dB difference is exacerbated.

The Nait used a carbon pot, I'm not sure about the NAIT2.

In my NAC42 I've modified the gain of the pre-amp (which will have the side effect of limiting maximum volume - not an issue in the circumstances) to overcome this problem when listening at low levels at night.

I obviously cannot recommend you modify your Naim kit though

A.

Andrew L. Weekes

John,
My friend also using Nait 2 and have similar problem especially in the night when you listening at low volume. The channel inbalance seem to be normal. Some other amplifier like Arcam Alpha 8 also have similar problem. But if you willing to modified the pot (not recommended by Naim) it will solve the problem. My friend ask me to modify his amp and I change the volume pot using high grade Alps Pot (I think 50K log...I forgot now) you can buy from HiFi World or Wilmslow Audio for about 11 pounds. The problem is the foot arrangement is different. Nait 2 using 6 pin inline and the new pot using 2 parallel 3 pin arrangement. If you are handy with the soldering it will be no problem because this change is reversible. Actually I like to use the pot that Naim use in the 72 preamp for example but you don't have enough space to install this type of pot in the Nait 2.
When i returned the amp to my friend, he said the sound is much better in low level even his wife can notice it. I think at higher level will be no different if not better. That is my opinion. May some other members disagree.

Thanks.

John

I too observed this phenomenom with my old Nait 2. Cleaning the pot with electronic contact cleaner may help a little. ALternately, just play louder!

Your other option (aside from gain mods within the preamp, or replacing the pot altogether) is an attenuated interconnect on your CD player. I have a diagram somewhere, e-mail me if you're interested.

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

I also had the same problem with my old-style Nait-2. It's a well known Nait-2 fact.

My more recent "New-style" Nait-2 doesn't have the channel-imbalance at loe volumes.
(well, not nearly as much as the old-style that is..)

I also tried a Nait-3r. The Nait-3r didn't have the channel-imbalance problem at all.

So,...you could look for a s/h "New-style" Nait-2 on www.loot.com or at you local
Naim-dealer. Then you can try out the old- and the new-style,,side by side.

Greetings,
Alco.

I have to disagree with Alco's contention that the channel imbalance probs are solved with the later model Nait 2. I have lived with a late model Nait-2, and found the channel imbalance approx equal to my 'chrome bumper' model. As such, buying a new one in favour of your old one might well be a complete waste of time and effort.

I will also note that after the factory service, channel imbalance was as near perfect as I would expect (or ask) - I had requested that this apect of performance be looked at when it was serviced. Mark & Sheila worked miracles with my diminutive Nait, and it was with heavy heart that I sold it on - it was sounding fabulous.

Rico - all your base are belong to us.

Hi Rico,

I'm sorry, but I meant to tell my experience with the Nait-2's so far.

My first Nait-2 was an old-style one. It had the cummon -imbalance at low level- problem.

About a year later I could try a new-style Nait-2 at the dealer. It didn't had as much imbalance-problems as the old-style one.

The new-style Nait-2 that I own now, is one I bought s/h for peanuts,from a guy who lives in my neighbourhood and wanted to try it with some Quad's ESL-63 (yep,I mean it)

Also this Nait-2 doesn't have as many problems with the low-level imbalance as my first,old style Nait.

Now, ofcourse this could be just examplary,but it's just my experience with Nait-2 so far.

That's all

Greetings,
Alco.