XS 2 speaker hum

Posted by: Iconoclast on 23 January 2016

Not the classic Naim transformer buzz but...

I'm getting a slight hum/buzz from my speakers when amp is turned on. This happens no matter which input is selected or if mute is activated or not. Also noticed that when TV STB is turned on I can hear the TV through the speakers even with mute activated. I tried disconnecting all sources (STB, DAC, etc) but the hum remains until I turn the amp off. 

Haven't touched cables lately so I doubt it's a question of cable rerouting.

Posted on: 23 January 2016 by Richard Dane

What if nothing is physically connected to the Nait xs?

Posted on: 23 January 2016 by Iconoclast

Hi Richard,

Just tried unplugging everything (except speaker cables of course) and the buzz is still there. Also tried unplugging all wall warts in nearby outlets.

At one point I had a ground loop issue when my DAC was plugged in but this was resolved some time ago and the system has been dead quiet ever since - until now.

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by Richard Dane

Ok, thanks. Have you tried it elsewhere? Perhaps take in to your dealer and try it out there. If still humming through speakers it may indicate a possible fault.

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by Iconoclast

I'll try it in another room for starters. A new tenant just moved in downstairs. I'm wondering if there's a link.

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by Iconoclast

Tried it in another part of the house and the hum is still there. I hate the idea of having a new amp serviced.

Posted on: 24 January 2016 by J.N.

I had a similar problem with my XS2 (speaker hum) and discovered that it was being caused by NAC A5 running behind ferrous racks. Re-routing the speaker cables away from the Sound Org steel racks cured the problem.

My XS2 is currently doing duty on Fraim, pushing the music through Super Lumina cables. Not a whiff of hum from the speakers - just the very subtle hiss of quiescent circuit noise. So it would seem to be a screening issue with cables and what's in their proximity - in my case at least.

HTH.

John.

Posted on: 25 January 2016 by Hal

Strange.. This sounds like a ground loop issue but apparently isn't.

When I was toying with the idea of having SBT as an additional source into XS2 (via RCA i/c), there was an irritating hum/buzz through the speakers like a low flying hornet at full pelt. Introducing an outboard DAC to SBT  cured the problem.

Have you put any electrical device nearby the speaker cables recently? Maybe one last thing to do before taking it back or sending it for check is trying new speaker cables.

Posted on: 25 January 2016 by Iconoclast

Nothing was moved/changed in my setup. I doubt new speaker cables would solve the problem. When I unplugged it and moved it to the kitchen I used a different set of cables and the buzz was still there. Like I mentioned the buzz is not deafening, I need to stick my ear within inches to hear it. What bothers me is that it appeared out of nowhere, for no apparent reason. If the amp is, in fact, defective then it may be off specs as well.