Interconnect fries channel on DAC V1

Posted by: Crispin_Hill on 29 November 2017

My blood drained from my face as I “tested” a 4-pin DiN to 2xRCA cable (chord chrysalis) between my DAC-V1 and NAP150x.

The smell of electrical burning! Argh!! Turn everything off.

This was test two. Test one was Naim Snaic 4-pin-DIN to 4-Pin-DIN. Both channels working - I was testing that my NAP was okay. Then I plugged the offending cable. Only one channel working... then the burning small..then masses of feedback... OFF!!!

I had no idea an interconnect (good quality i thought) could do so much damage?!?!

why did I get this cable? Because I wanted something to connect my UnitiQute2 (no DIN socket) to my NAP150x (4 pin DIN only). This test yielded only one channel working. I assumed problem with amp, so brought it upstairs to test in my DAC. Big f@@£&ing mistake!

Let me guess... shipping DAC back to Salisbury for 3-4 weeks is my only option?!

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by Richard Dane

I'd get in touch with the dealer who supplied you with the Chord Cable. It sounds like it may have been either faulty or more likely maybe for one for some other gear (IIRC Quad is possibly different pin outs?) so the wrong pins on the Din were connected, possibly the one that supplies 24v DC for a pre-amp. I'm surprised though, but it does sound like someone supplied the wrong interconnect here.

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by Crispin_Hill

Thanks Richard. The cable purchased used from EBay and being returned.

Why did I embark on this venture? My objective: Connect my UnitiQute to my NAP150x. How: Preamp Out (RCA) to 4-PIN-DIN on NAP. Result: only one channel working. Assumption: either cable or Nap are faulty. Move to test 2. Re-connect NAP150x to DAC-V1 ((this is where the NaP originated. Both DAC and Nap have DIN connections so Naim cable was used))

Test 2: reconnect Nap150x to DAC with naim DIN cable. Result: 2 channels working just like before. Conclusion: NAP150x is not faulty (phew!)...maybe it’s the cable...

Test 3: swap cables. Connect “new” (new to name) Chord Crysallis RCA from DAC v1 ‘analogue out’ to NAP150x. Result: one channel working...smell of burning electrics...loud HUUUMMMMM!!!... action: switch off. Curse. Think about crying. Man up. Onto Naim forum.

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by james n

Whoops - it does sound (smell) like 24v has gone where it shouldn't have gone. If it's wired the Quad way then pin 3 will end up connected to the 24v output from the 150 (rather than n/c as per Naim way for a DIN to RCA cable) which could damage the right channel on the V1...

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by Crispin_Hill

Umm... so what cable / brand SHOULD I buy to connect my UnitiQute2 to my NAP150x?

I’m assuming ‘Preamp Output’ on the UnitiQute is correct??

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by Crispin_Hill

james n posted:
Whoops - it does sound (smell) like 24v has gone where it shouldn't have gone. If it's wired the Quad way then pin 3 will end up connected to the 24v output from the 150 (rather than n/c as per Naim way for a DIN to RCA cable) which could damage the right channel on the V1...

James - exactly as you say! Could this be as simple as replacing a transistor... or sound like something more expensive?? I’ve no idea. What cable SHOULD I be getting to connect RCA “Preamp Output’ to the NAP’s 4PinDIN?? This is a rather expensive error I’ve just made

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by Richard Dane

Well, a Chord Chrysalis 2 x RCA Phono to DIN4 is fine, so long as it's wired for Naim.

Otherwise, there's Naim's own 2 x RCA Phono to DIN4 interconnect as pictured here:

Posted on: 29 November 2017 by james n

Your Naim dealer should be able to help and they will make sure they will be wired correctly for what you need to do. You just have to be careful with the Naim amps that supply power from the 4 pin DIN connector that the DIN connector on the cable you are using is wired correctly - see Richards post above.

As for possible damage - hard to say. I'd get it to your dealer, but i suspect it will be a trip back to Naim to fix.

Hope you get it sorted Ok.