My NDS makes a clunking noise. Normal or not ?

its fine. Leave it alone.

Perhaps moving it creates the noise in the first place, in which case, don't move it.

Drewy posted:

its fine. Leave it alone.

So yours is similar Drewy?

kevin J Carden posted:

I’ve just got my NDS back from Salisbury. I’d sent it back to them because I’d noticed it made a nasty rattling clunking noise whenever I lifted and moved it (gently of course). I assumed something must have gone amiss with the suspended brass plate inside, so off it went 5weeks ago. I got it back yesterday. Apparently, they could find no fault, but replaced the suspension springs for the brass plate as a precaution. They tell me they’ve tested the unit and all is well. However, the clunking noise is still exactly the same as before. Straw poll time: can anyone else tell me if their NDS feels or behaves like this when you move it ? Mine feels like there’s a heavy chunk of metal moving very slightly from side to side and there’s an associated slight rattle/clunk. A movement in the centre of gravity can also be felt in my hands. Can’t be right surely?

Why do you move it?

All the suspended circuitry Naim kit does this unless transit bolts are tightened. I get the same when gently carrying my CD555 or 552 pre-amp. 

John. 

J.N. posted:

All the suspended circuitry Naim kit does this unless transit bolts are tightened. I get the same when gently carrying my CD555 or 552 pre-amp. 

John. 

Thanks John. That’s reassuring. Though I have to say that my 552 does not feel remotely the same as my NDS at all. I can feel the 552 moving slightly, but it feels ‘sprung’ . The NDS goes clunk to the left if the left side is lower, clunk back to the right if tipped slightly the other way.

 So there must be another reason why it sounds awful. The only other thing that changed just before I sent it back to Naim was that I installed 4.6 Firmware. I had Naim install 4.6 again while it was at HQ just in case I’d done it wrong somehow. Seems maybe I’m having the same problem/reaction  as Ken C over on the 4.6 thread... oh dear. 

kevin J Carden posted:

......suspended brass plate inside......Mine feels like there’s a heavy chunk of metal moving very slightly from side to side.....

Isn’t that what you would expect?

kevin J Carden posted:

Drewy posted:

its fine. Leave it alone.

So yours is similar Drewy?

Exactly the same. It’s only been moved twice in the last year. The last time was to take it upstairs to my mac to update the software. I couldn’t have been more gentle with it.

kevin J Carden posted:

Thanks John. That’s reassuring. Though I have to say that my 552 does not feel remotely the same as my NDS at all. I can feel the 552 moving slightly, but it feels ‘sprung’ . The NDS goes clunk to the left if the left side is lower, clunk back to the right if tipped slightly the other way.

Kevin - IIRC, the 552 has one large brass sub-chassis plate whereas the NDS has two. Perhaps that's why they feel 'different' when lifted and moved around ?

James

I have my system on a Fraim on a suspended floor. Even walking by the Fraim, admittedly leaden footed, will cause the Fraim to move and a clunk from the NDS. Tip-toeing past, all is quiet. Certainly wouldn't dream of moving the NDS unless necessary. If you need to move it any distance I would put the transit bolts in as a precautionary measure.

I lift and move mine as little as possible. It does clunk and rattle. It sounds just fine when the internals have stopped bouncing and it's back to playing music.

Ah, the NDS the Gerald McBoing Boing of naim streamers.

Sounds wonderful playing music though.

The mind boggles! Are you all constantly moving your components in some everlasting attempt at sound optimisation? 

I don’t know whether my 552 or NDS would go ‘thunk’, because I never move them.

That is perfectly normal - there are actually two suspended, brass boards inside an NDS. Trainsit bolts hold them in place during transportation. 

SuperLine is the same, 552 is the same...

Let's see if the ND555 clunks in a more tuneful way than the NDS.

I experience clunk and wobble with both my NDS and NAC552. I think it's quite normal.

Out of interest is it possible to insert and tighten the NDS transit bolts while the unit is in situ on the rack? I’d assume you’d have to lift it up and turn it or somehow get access to the base to insert them; assuming they are positioned underneath the unit?

Mine was also knocking when walking past the rack or moving it (on the rare occasion when needed). Two friends who live locally and have an nds each don’t have the issue. I also thought mine seemed way over sensitive as the 552 never knocked or rattled when walking past the rack, or even stamping in front of the rack. So the nds was returned to naim for investigation and repair. That was a couple of years ago now and I’ve never heard it knock again, no matter how heavy footed I walk past the rack.

I think much depends on the springiness of your floor. Mine is a very old property and the floor boards and joists move a lot when you walk on them. Might also have something to do with the weight of the walker! Sprung chassis on solid floors should not exhibit clunking or knocking.

Naim found no problem with Kevin's NDS but apparently did something to Mr Happy's. Strange.

S3 posted:

Out of interest is it possible to insert and tighten the NDS transit bolts while the unit is in situ on the rack? I’d assume you’d have to lift it up and turn it or somehow get access to the base to insert them; assuming they are positioned underneath the unit?

You insert them upwards into a horizontally level player with two feet supported on a flat surface and the other two dangling over the edge, while you support that end of the unit with a hand. The OP box is sturdy enough to support the weight of the unit while you do this. Tilting it is not advisable, although a don't suppose a slight, gentle tilt will hurt it. Once you have the first bolt in, you can move it around some more. I can't remember how many bolts there are. Four IIRC.

Thanks to all for your comments. Reassuring that it’s normal. I have to say that I never noticed it before, but then it’s not that often that one moves these units around I guess. I was also thrown off track by borrowing my dealers NDS for a 4.4 vs 4.6 direct comparison. His unit did NOT rattle or clunk ( isn’t that a U2 album of yore ) and made mine feel very odd in comparison. Thanks again. Kevin

kevin J Carden posted:

Thanks to all for your comments. Reassuring that it’s normal. I have to say that I never noticed it before, but then it’s not that often that one moves these units around I guess. I was also thrown off track by borrowing my dealers NDS for a 4.4 vs 4.6 direct comparison. His unit did NOT rattle or clunk ( isn’t that a U2 album of yore ) and made mine feel very odd in comparison. Thanks again. Kevin

Let's just conclude Kevin that we have highly sensitive and highly tuned NDSs.

I assume the guys and girls in Salisbury remembered to insert the transit screws when they returned it to you?  

...in which case I think I'd be worried if mine stopped doing what you describe, Kevin.

Harry posted:

S3 posted:

Out of interest is it possible to insert and tighten the NDS transit bolts while the unit is in situ on the rack? I’d assume you’d have to lift it up and turn it or somehow get access to the base to insert them; assuming they are positioned underneath the unit?

You insert them upwards into a horizontally level player with two feet supported on a flat surface and the other two dangling over the edge, while you support that end of the unit with a hand. The OP box is sturdy enough to support the weight of the unit while you do this. Tilting it is not advisable, although a don't suppose a slight, gentle tilt will hurt it. Once you have the first bolt in, you can move it around some more. I can't remember how many bolts there are. Four IIRC.

Embarrassing... it is indeed four bolts Harry. Guess how many I removed after getting it back on Friday. Yup, three.. Might explain the poor sound I’ve been experiencing. 

Interestingly;

1. It still clunk’d like before even with a bolt still in.

2. The sound had been clearly improving in the last 24 hours and was sounding downright wonderful late this afternoon - before removing bolt #4 ! I haven’t had a chance yet to listen with all bolts removed.. 

DOH!!!

Very honest of you Kevin.

Aren't Naim peculiarities such fun!