Adding a second amp
Posted by: Big Jo on 24 July 2017
Hi all,
My kit is as follows:
282, SC2, PSC2, 200, NDX, Hugo, Fraim, and Credos.
I currently have my kit in the dining room and my main speakers in the lounge, connected with NACA5 under the floor between rooms. I have just purchased some preloved SBLs which should be here in a week or so, these will replace my Credos in the lounge, and am planning to move my Credos to the dining room, I see that the SC2 has output for 1,2 or 3 amps, could I connect a second amp to the SC2 and power my Credos as well as my SBLs in different rooms. I understand that both rooms would play at the same time and volume etc. Are there any other downsides to doing so? Thanks.
Jo,
your main issue will be that the Supercap won't effectively drive a long i/c - the more so since it will already be driving the SNAIC 4 for the NAP200. Performance will suffer.
A better bet might be to use an integrated amplifier (such as a NAIT) and run from the tape out of the main system NAC282 to an input on the integrated amp. Although the i/c may need to be slugged with resistors (IIRC Naim used 100R for their long sub i/cs), that way, you'll have no just local power but also local volume control too. One other thing is that you won't need to have both rooms playing at the same time.
.......or just stick in a Uniti of some sort, and have full multiroom control of both systems.
ChrisSU posted:.......or just stick in a Uniti of some sort, and have full multiroom control of both systems.
Yup, a Uniti or Unitiqute would be an even better idea if all your sources are streamed.
Fab - thanks both, sounds like a Uniti might be the answer.
Despite my suggestion of a Uniti, I can see the attraction of using a better source for both systems, especially as it is already in the same room as your second system, so may not need a long interconnect. I guess this would allow you to run, say, a Supernait off the 282 tape out, as opposed to a Superuniti for a similar ballpark cost - on paper, you might expect the NDX/Supernait to sound better.
It's actually in the same rack, so the interconnect would be normal length. As my rack is in the dining room, and my main speakers are in the lounge. Thanks for the responses. So I guess a SuperNait connected to a DAC'd NDX is bound to sound better than a Uniti or Unitiqute. Like you say, any upgrades to the main kit (planning on adding a 555PS to the NDX) will also benefit the SN.
If the second amp for the dining room is in the same rack, in the dining room, there seems no problem in doing what you originally suggested. Richard's concern only arose from the issue of a long interconnect, which you won't have.
The question is more about whether you want to control the volume separately, or play different music in the two rooms. How often would you use the dining room setup? Might a Qb be all you need?
Taking Tape Out from the 282 to Line In on your SN, or whatever second amp, will simply work better than taking a split off the NDX into a second DAC.
Nick
Hungryhalibut posted:If the second amp for the dining room is in the same rack, in the dining room, there seems no problem in doing what you originally suggested. Richard's concern only arose from the issue of a long interconnect, which you won't have.
The question is more about whether you want to control the volume separately, or play different music in the two rooms. How often would you use the dining room setup? Might a Qb be all you need?
A Qb is probably all I need, as listening to music in the dining room will be only for dinner parties etc. and at low volumes too, just wanted to utilise the Credos, as they're a great speaker but don't hold much favour these days, so didn't want them to go for a pittance.
A unitiqute would be a possibility - a used one of those might be similar in price to a Qb and able to utilise the credos?
Jo, have you done much research on setting up the SBLs? Loads of info if you search, but do invest some time getting them working properly.
Stu
stuart.ashen posted:Jo, have you done much research on setting up the SBLs? Loads of info if you search, but do invest some time getting them working properly.
Stu
IIRC there was a site that had info on SBLs, but it's no longer, there, initially I was going to set them up as carefully as I could, but ultimately I was going to get my dealer to do it, I am a bit ham fisted at times.
Big Jo posted:stuart.ashen posted:Jo, have you done much research on setting up the SBLs? Loads of info if you search, but do invest some time getting them working properly.
Stu
IIRC there was a site that had info on SBLs, but it's no longer, there, initially I was going to set them up as carefully as I could, but ultimately I was going to get my dealer to do it, I am a bit ham fisted at times.
Jo - Garyi (of this forum) built that SBL site and very good it was too. Perhaps he may be able to help if he sees this thread.
It could even be a thread in the FAQ, if Garyi is willing.
From what I remember it was a great resource.
I have a Nait-2 (2nd amp) running off a Supernait. The Nait gets its feed from the Supernait record out; this output is buffered meaning its isolated from & does not load the Supernait's various inputs. The Supernait tape output is 75mV & 600ohms so is able to drive long amp to amp interconnects - mine is 14m in total. With this set up I can independently select the source for the Nait from the Supernait record bank buttons, by independent I mean both amps can be on the same or different sources.
The only downside with the Nait is the input sensitivity was too high for a CD/Streamer 2V output & to a lesser extent the NAT-05 600mV, I've installed 15dB attenuation in the IC path, not the rubbish plug in types, but my own L-Pad made with high grade precision resistors, this gives a healthy in room volume between 9 & 10 "o'clock", compared to the first notch up from volume off position without the attenuation.