Naim NAC 42

Posted by: JamesN on 02 August 2016

Hi all,

i have just ( this afternoon) acquired a very cute little NAC42 for a second system..absolutely immaculate cosmetically, to go with a NAP110/140 when I eventually buy one.

i hooked it up to my NAP200 in place of my NAC202 to see A. Whether it works, and B. How it sounds.

Well, after fiddling around, I seem to have an issue. I only seem to be getting sound from one channel when the toggle switch is on 'normal' but I get both channels when the switch is on 'monitor'. Is this normal?

This issue only arises on the tuner input, and on the tape input I only get one channel regardless of the toggle switch. So in summary the only way I get both channels is if I am on tuner and monitor.

Any ideas? Definitely not cables, sources or power amps as the NAC202 is fine!

I guess that so what happens when you buy something manufactured in 1984! 

Cheers!

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by Bart
JamesN posted:

 

I guess that so what happens when you buy something manufactured in 1984! 

I guess after 32 years, some dust can settle in those switches!  It won't cost you much to open it up and blow some compressed air at those switches perhaps.  I don't think you'll void the warranty.  

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by JamesN

Hi Bart,

I did did that actually, whilst I was cleaning up the whole unit and it didn't help. I may just have to live with one input, though it is a bit odd that it only works on 'monitor' not 'normal'.

Sounds as great as it looks though. I've been tempted by the looks of chrome bumper for a while!

Carole King is sounding rather lovely.

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by hungryhalibut

I'd send it to Class A in Sheffield for some TLC. It should work normally on normal, which is somewhat tautologous. 

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by Andrew Everard
Bart posted:

I don't think you'll void the warranty.  

And anyway, that Naim 40-year warranty is usually pretty flexible on these things

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by fatcat

I suspect the internal wiring has been re-routed due to necessity. IE, the balance or source switch has failed with little chance of obtaining spares. When my balance pot failed, it failed on one channel. The only input that should work when monitor is selected is tape.

Selecting monitor should bypass the balance switch.

Does the balance switch work, is the output stereo or mono.

 If you only need one input, and it sounds OK use it as is.

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by JamesN

Ah that may be it. It would make sense that the inputs and balance control have been bypassed, as I've just discovered that the music plays through both inputs at the same time (rendering the input selector useless) and both channels work on monitor which would indicate a faulty balance switch. 

So I basically don't have a balance control or a second input, which is fine by me because my NAC 202 doesn't have a balance control and I only use one input..so all fine!

Do pre's benefit from a service the way power amps do? And in experience is a 42 worth servicing? It sounds great as is.

Thanks again!

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by Christopher_M
JamesN posted:

......which is fine by me because my NAC 202 doesn't have a balance control ......

It does. It's on the remote. The green dot on the vol knob flashes when balance is centred.

C.

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by JamesN

Thanks Christopher, 

Missed that. I don't think I'd ever use it though!

 

Posted on: 02 August 2016 by Foot tapper

Hi James,

Yes, the pre-amps certainly do benefit from regular servicing.  My 3.25 was in dire need of a service after 18 years without one.  It certainly came back from Salisbury with a spring in its step after its last service!

Once again, HH offers wise counsel - send it to Darran at Class A for some proper TLC.

Best regards, FT