Comments on Naim preamp & amp Components with Wilson Duetts

Posted by: jGolf53 on 20 April 2018

Background: replaced my Levinson 326 PreAmp with a Naim NAC 272; added Uniti Core; upgraded all cables with transparent; kept Levinson 432 amp.

Problem: When powering up or off the ML amp; horrid loud pop and crackle thru Wilson Duettes; did not exist before when controlled by my ML 326 preamp. Does not matter if NAC 272 PreAmp is off first or not; once preamp is powered up; loud pop and crackle.  This is worrisome!

Hope to test out Naim 250DR or 300DR amp to see if there is a difference and to assess how they will power and sound with my Wilson Duettes.  N/A distributor has been fairly unresponsive and my local Naim dealer has been working at this for 2 months......a bit frustrating.

Looking for feedback and comments on experiences with Naim amps with Wilson duettes or issues with other manufacturers amps with the NAC 272 preamp. Thanks in advance

Posted on: 21 April 2018 by Huge

Hi jGolf53,

Yes, running equipment with balanced inputs from unbalanced outputs is unpredictable; usually it works fine, but sometimes it just doesn't (it depends on the design of the balanced input).

Trying the 272 with the grounding switch set to 'floating' may sort the problem, but there's no guarantees, and it may cause other problems instead.

In any case the 250DR is a cracking power-amp (if you'll excuse the expression - this side of the pond cracking is slang for 'excellent' - not producing cracking noises!  ).

Posted on: 21 April 2018 by jGolf53

Thank-you...We watch enough BBC mysteries and I have been forced to watch Dowton Abbey without subtitles .....I have heard that term..."cracking"...but heard pronounced slightly different....thanks so much for helpful advice and comments....will keep forum posted on progress.

Posted on: 09 May 2018 by jGolf53

Update for all those tips and suggestions:  I am now testing out a replacement Amp....the Naim 250DR.  My dealer worked hard to get the Naim NA distributor to ship a test unit for me.  We changed the interconnects to banana plugs.  So now my Naim 272 preamp is connected to 250DR...driving my Wilson Duettes.  Only a few hours of testing but a few major differences:  minimal pop on startup, crackle gone and the sound is just fantastic.  Great depth and separation, very fast....a very pleasant surprise.  hard to believe that this little 80 watt 250DR can produce sooooo much better sound than my Levinson 432 with 450 watts per channel.  The Uniti CORE is a amazing source; excellent sound and interface.  Tidal HiFi sounds terrifc.  My Classe SACD player...is quickly losing it's luster in comparison.

thanks to all for the feedback....now I'm dreaming about the 300DR.....