Hi again, all. I hope everyone's been enjoying a happy and very musical holiday.
I've encountered a problem I hope is insignificant -- but not being even remotely a techie, I'm not sure what to think about it.
First, my system: Supernait, Rega Apollo, Dune HD server, REL sub, and Fidelity Acoustics RFM-2 transmission line two-way speakers connected to the SN by NACA purchased with the amp new in 2007. About two and a half years ago, the SN appeared to die (off warranty), even though it had not been ill-used in any way. I sent it off to Naim, who apparently agreed with me. They replaced a main board that had failed, at no charge to me, and shipped it back with some added warranty time. I was very impressed -- that's Paul in action.
The amp continues to work beautifully, and there's generally music playing all day long. I turn things off at night. Being a mildly OCD kind of guy, I turn off the amp first, then the CD or server, then the REL. All is quiet...except that for the last three or four days, I'm consistently getting some soft static/crackle from one speaker that fades after about ten to fifteen seconds, as if aimless power were still "leaking" to it somehow, before shutting off completely. I get none of this on start-up, and everything performs beautifully during actual use, regardless of volume level. There have been no changes to the system and it's been performing wonderfully since our move into our present home a year ago.
Has anyone encountered a similar problem? Ideas on possible causes, things to try, etc?
Thanks in advance...and Happy New Year!
Steve
Posted on: 27 December 2015 by David S Patterson
Hi Steve, first if it's a new phenomina then something has changed for sure. If your Rel is connected direct to your speakers I would suspect this may be the culprit, any discharges fizzes thumps if they exist etc from switch off should be on both channels equally.
Try your switch offprocedure but with the Rel never being on.
David
Posted on: 27 December 2015 by Flatpicker
Thanks for your responses, guys -- much appreciated. In no particular order...
It's either a new phenomenon, or I've never hung around long enough after shutting down to have detected it before. I suppose that's at least possible....
On the advice of my Naim dealer (and REL also), the sub is hooked to the speaker plugs on the SN -- the wires sort of wrapped in there around the NACA posts. That's worked beautifully since 2007, and in fact, some recent position experimenting with REL has actually improved SQ even more. Despite the odd shape of the room, the sub has effectively disappeared, with the bass (both tighter, and simultaneously more open and airy) appearing to originate from the musical source.
If the noise is indeed a normal thing -- the capacitors discharging -- that's great news. As I say, performance hasn't been affected, and there's no trace of the sound while things are up and running.
Now then...lol...as to why I shut down nightly. Ahem. First, I'm one of those paranoid characters who worries about electrical system malfunctions. The building we're in is 500 years old, and while we modernized the electrical systems when we bought the place in late 2007, the apartment is so big (250 square meters) that we have two separate panels (one for each half the apartment). We've found that the system sometimes behaves oddly, and we do seem to get a fair number of electrical storms at this time of year. Result: I habitually turn everything off at night. Guess I'll try leaving it on...lol... 
Graeme, David, Steve, Dayjay -- thanks again! Further developments as they happen.
Posted on: 27 December 2015 by hungryhalibut
While it may have worked happily for eight years, Naim's advice is that you connect the REL to the terminals at the back of the speakers, and not to the amp. I would do that if I were you. I'd also leave the system on all the time. It will sound better, last longer (most failures are at switch on) and won't make funny noises.
Posted on: 27 December 2015 by yeti42
My 250 has always (since I bought it in 2010 anyway) made a noise through the speakers as the caps discharge, its how i know I can turn the rest of the system off, don't worry about it.
Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Flatpicker
Thanks, Yeti42 and HH. I'm going to disconnect the REL today until I can find a solution that a tech-challenged character like me can implement. If the crackle continues, I'll put it down to cap discharge as long as everything else continues to work properly.
I've looked through various threads where the question of connecting REL subs to Naim amps has come up in the past, and I gather that somebody, somewhere (REL, or third parties) produced a neutrik/speakon cable specifically for use with Naim amps. I gather there's also a version out there that's set up to attach to the speakers' binding posts without additional fiddling around. Any current info on these options gratefully accepted. I've done a bit of searching, and will do a lot more, but I haven't located either of these solutions as yet.
Thanks....
Steve
Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Flatpicker
The plot thickens.
I disconnected the REL sub, and then turned on the SN and left it to warm up. When I came back, it was happily buzzing quite audibly, with the volume turned all the way down. Fiddling with the volume didn't change the buzzing at all. It's definitely coming directly from the SN and not the speakers. In fact, the speakers are actually sounding a little better without the REL connected -- but what to do about the buzzing?
I'm running the system for bit to see if things settle down. Further developments as they happen, news at 11, etc.
Steve
Posted on: 28 December 2015 by hungryhalibut
The buzzing is mechanical vibration from the transformer. It's very likely being caused by something in the house, such as a fridge or hairdryer. Turn everything apart from the stereo off and then turn things on one at a time. Hopefully you can pin it down.
Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Flatpicker
The buzzing is mechanical vibration from the transformer. It's very likely being caused by something in the house, such as a fridge or hairdryer. Turn everything apart from the stereo off and then turn things on one at a time. Hopefully you can pin it down.
Thank you, HH. Weird, for a couple of reasons. The amp is at least 20 meters away from the nearest home appliance, apart from system-related devices that have been present all along (eg., a Devolo Powerline device, source components, etc). Also, after about ten minutes of normal play at respectable volume (I'm an Allan Taylor fan), the buzzing has stopped. As in, completely. No clue how/why.
Obviously, I'm going to keep checking to see if the problem recurs. If not, I'll leave well enough alone. In the meantime, I've sent a nice note off to the folks at REL to see if they have any current info to share on the whole REL/Naim amp connection thing. If I learn anything new, I'll post it.
Thanks again -- I appreciate your willingness (and everybody else's) to try to help out a tech-noob.
Steve
Posted on: 28 December 2015 by Flatpicker
Steve,
The appliances etc don't need to be in close proximity to your system, they're causing the effect through your electric circuit. I assume you don't have a separate supply for your hifi.
Steve
Hi, Steve. Nope, no separate supply for the hifi -- should have done that when we revamped the electrical systems here. I did ask about that, if I recall, but the additional cost was going to be nuts (digging through centuries-old walls has that effect).
Didn't know that the other stuff doesn't have to be close. Maybe my wife had just cranked something up, like the dishwasher in the kitchen. I'll be be keeping my ears open...
Thanks 
Posted on: 05 January 2016 by Flatpicker
Final note (I hope): problem solved. The cap discharge noise is no longer present if I do power down -- but I'm no longer powering down. In addition, I've now got the REL Neutrik cable connected to the speaker binding posts.
Over the last few days, I've had the system running at least eight hours per. Result is marked improvement in clarity, staging/imaging and sheer ease, while the REL has made the bottom end tight and seamless, unifying the presentation effectively and unobtrusively. Better. Definitely better.
Thanks again, all. I'm a happy camper.
Steve
