Help please! Introducing a NAP 90 alongside NAC32.5/SNAPS.

Posted by: iray on 03 June 2018

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and have been trying to educate myself with posts about psu, pre and power amp connections, but would much appreciate some help with my particular configuration. The manuals I've found online are helpful but I'm still pretty confused.

I have a NAC 32.5 running single rail from a SNAPS. The 32.5 has been modified by the previous owner to give it RCA inputs. I have, up to now, had the 32.5 connected directly to an Arcam Power Amp with good sound so far.

I'm hoping I can leave as-is this direct connection from the 32.5 to my Arcam Power Amp and use this to supply the High Frequency to my speakers (Jamo Concert 8's). I'd then like to add a recently purchased NAP 90 to supply the Low Frequency to my speakers.

I believe I should connect the NAP 90 to the SNAPS for both 24v power input and the 2 channel signal.

The SNAPS has 4 sockets of the 'larger diameter' (older?) kind. Sockets numbered 1 and 4 are 3 pin and sockets 2 and 3 are 4 pin. Socket 2 (4 pin) is currently connected to the NAC 32.5. All good so far.

The description on the rear of the SNAPS is confusing to me. It reads as follows:

ONE AMP: Socket 1 to Amp, Socket 2 to Pre-Amp

BI-AMP: Sockets 1 & 4 to Power Amps, Sockets 2 & 3 to Pre-Amp/Crossover

TRI-AMP: Socket 2 to Crossover, Socket 3 to Pre-Amp. Link sockets 1 & 4 (or link internally)

So, finally to my questions:

Can I connect the NAP90 directly to the SNAPS for BOTH power supply and signal? I think so.

If so, do I use Socket 3 (the other 4 pin socket) ? On the above SNAPS description there is no mention of using Socket 3 to feed a Power Amp. I suspect Sockets 1 and 4 are supposed to feed 2 x Power amps (one each Channel) but I want to feed a single NAP 90 so how do I connect please?

If the SNAPS is providing 24v power to the NAP 90 do I still need to connect the NAP 90 to the mains (there is a 'kettle style' mains socket on the NAP 90)? Perhaps the mains lead to the NAP 90 only serves as an EARTH when there is a SNAPS 24v power feed?

If it IS possible to connect the NAP 90 to the SNAPS and to use this to feed the Low Frequency to my speakers, is it really OK to take the High Frequency feed from my other (Arcam) power amp, or will there be a volume imbalance? Perhaps both amps must match precisely in a 2 Power Amp setup so I would need a second NAP 90?

THANKS for bearing with me and reading my long, drawn-out query. Please excuse my lack of understanding. Your responses will be greatly appreciated.

Ray

Posted on: 03 June 2018 by Richard Dane

If you're trying to (passively) bi-amp then it's best to use amps that are at least from the same maker. I wouldn't advise mixing makes, you will end up with a very odd result. Better to stick with just the one amp - go for the Naim NAP.

Posted on: 03 June 2018 by hungryhalibut

The 90 does not take power from the snaps. The snaps powers the 32.5. You’d be far better with a single 250 than two 90s. I certainly wouldn’t mix Naim and Arcam.

Posted on: 03 June 2018 by iray

Thanks Richard and HH. I guess I really shouldn't mix the Arcam and Niam Power amps so will look towards another complete Naim solution and will live with the single NAP 90 in the short term.

Thanks for pointing out that the NAP 90 will not receive its power from the SNAPS.

However I intend to keep using the SNAPS for the 32.5 as a Naim manual I've found online makes it clear that a SNAPS is not 'required' but 'optional use of the SNAPS 24v supply offers the benefit of a larger and quieter power source'.

It goes on to say: 'When the 90 or the 140 are used with a SNAPS or HICAP to power preamplifier, the SNAIC 4 takes the signal from the power supply rather than the preamp', and there is a diagram showing this configuration. It specifically refers to a SNAIC 4 from SNAPS to NAP 90 for this purpose.

As per my original post, which socket on the SNAPS do I use? The remaining spare 4 pin (Socket 3) or do I somehow utilise the 3 pin sockets 1 and / or 4? The description on the SNAPS (see post) does not indicate Socket 3 as feeding a power amp. I guess if I use the wrong Socket / connector power may wrongly be supplied from the SNAPS to the NAP90?

The SNAPS sockets seem to be all XLR. When I know which SNAPS socket to use I guess I'll need to have an XLR to DIN lead made up?

Thanks again!

Ray

Posted on: 03 June 2018 by hungryhalibut

This is a picture of the label on the back of a snaps. It shows that you use sockets 1 and 2.

The sockets should be 4 pin Din. If you have XLRs it’s been modified over the years, so the internal wiring may have been changed.

A Hicap power supply would be much better than the snaps. It provides a bigger dual rail supply. The original 32 was upgraded to 32.5 to enable a Hicap to be used, rather than the single rail Snaps. If you could end up with a 32.5, Hicap and 250 it would be a brilliant classic system.

Posted on: 03 June 2018 by Perol

You should be able to use 32.5/90 with a Snaic 4 if you can't get the snaps working, a 90 power up the pre

If I recall there were three version of the little 90

Posted on: 04 June 2018 by iray

Thanks HH & Perol.

Looks as though my 32.5 and SNAPS have been seriously modified (DIN Sockets to RCA Phono's and XLR's) by the previous owner(s) so without some form of expert 'post-mortem' I'll never know exactly what has been done!

I'll ponder my options but I've been so impressed with the difference the 32.5 / SNAPS made to my system (another level of clarity and 'body' to the music) that I think I'm catching the NAIM bug.

Thanks all...

Posted on: 04 June 2018 by Richard Dane

Perol posted:
...If I recall there were three version of the little 90

Correct. The original and NAP90/2 came in the shoebox extruded casework, whereas the NAP90/3 was in slimline 3 series casework.