Problem with using Superunit 1 internal dac

Alexis, how are you connecting your Headphone amp (which model HP amp is it?). 

Just for clarity, Supernait 1 or Superuniti ?

I tried to connect it to each RCA input on the rear panel... i have a hand built amp...

DC71 posted:

Just for clarity, Supernait 1 or Superuniti ?

UUUhhh sorry, it's the Supernait 1...

You probably need to switch on the rca out because only din is active by default.

Great amp, the SN1.

Edit: hmm. I must be confused. Naim Sources have din only active by default, your question is about an Amp.

Which output are you using to feed the headphone amp? Bi-amp out (DIN), subwoofer out (rca) or tape out (rca)?

I believe the first two should be on by default, playing whatever source is currently selected for speaker listening, but using the tape out would allow you to select a different source to listen to on the headamp (using the lower row of buttons to select the 'recording' source).

Mr.Alexis posted:

I tried to connect it to each RCA input on the rear panel... i have a hand built amp...

I assume you mean the TAPE OUT RCA phonos, yes?  Have you selected the correct REC out button on the bottom button row - also ensured that the rec out Mute is off.

n.b. never having used the Tape out functions on a Supernait, I am assuming here that you can route a digital input (via decoding of the internal DAC) to the analogue tape out.  Or maybe not?  Possibly one for others or Naim to confirm, or not.

Sorry for the delay! I'm using the tape out rca and i have select the tape button in the lower row but nothing... instead, if i select the tape button in the above row the music goes out the speakers... but it is possible that the Supernait does not contemplate the use of its dac by connecting another amplifier, in my case a headphone amp?

Ardbeg10y posted:

You probably need to switch on the rca out because only din is active by default.

 

I Need to switch on the rca? Sorry and how?

In the lower row, you need to select the source which you want to play to the headamp, i.e. if you want to play your computer source to headamp then select the corresponding source digital input on the bottom row.

Also as Richard mentioned, ensure that the rec out mute is off.

Yes, the mute is off and as the manual says at the digital input 1 corresponds the tape out but nothing... i also did the reset but nothing!

What about the pre-amp out? Caution here, I don't know the voltage.

Mr.Alexis posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

You probably need to switch on the rca out because only din is active by default.

 

I Need to switch on the rca? Sorry and how?

See my edit.

Ardbeg10y posted:

What about the pre-amp out? Caution here, I don't know the voltage.

Namely?! Sorry but I don't follow you...

Mr.Alexis posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

What about the pre-amp out? Caution here, I don't know the voltage.

Namely?! Sorry but I don't follow you...

Ok. Here, on the image you see the pre-amp out for bi-amp. This is normally used to connect the Supernait to a Nap 200 or so (see manual page E18). It always carries the same signal what normally is linked via the link plug from pre-amp to power-amp (the link plug indicated by 'upgrades').

I have only used this to Naim devices, in my case a Hicap to a Snaxo or as the manual indicates a Nap 200. Have not tried it on non-Naim devices so I cannot indicate voltage levels etc ... I expect it is the same as the tape out, but I'm not sure - expert advice is needed here.

But yours is a hypothesis? Great, because it can be a probable solution... sure, as you said, it's necessary to check the output voltage and also it's necessary to consider that the digital signal it will come pre-amplified twice, one from the Supernait and the other from the headphone amp...

While you are checking things out, ask about the sub out as well. It should carry the same signal and voltage, only on Cinch sockets.

Since you're using an RCA cable, you could first check the headamp is working by connecting it from the sub out sockets on the Supernait (move the rca cables from tape out to sub out).

Already done but nothing!

Have you verified that the headamp works with a different source plugged into the same input? Maybe you could try e.g. with phone/ipod headphone output using a 3.5mm -to- 2RCA cable

I checked with the engineers in Naim's R&D and the Supernait can indeed take a digital input, convert to analogue and output via the tape out sockets.  

Mr Alexis, if you are saying that you also get nothing from the pre-out on the Supernait, it indicates either that;

a) The Headphone amp is faulty

b) The interconnect is faulty or incorrectly configured or connected

c) The Supernait is faulty - however, the fact that it works through the speakers seems to indicate that it's probably OK, so best check a or b first before declaring c.

DC71 gives good advice above.  A simple 3.5mm to RCA lead playing from an iPod or phone or similar should show if it's working or not. You say the headphone amp is "hand built".  Was it built by someone you know?  Probably best have them check it out...

I have not tried yet the pre-out on the Supernait because i don't have the necessary cable DIN-RCA... i've already bought one and when it will come so i can do the test... 

The headphone amp is ok because when connect the cd player or the dac with the laptop it works perfectly...

Meantime thank you very much to Richard, DC71, ARDBEG10Y and the others for the support... as soon as the cable arrives I will let you know!

H guys,

finally we did it!

I received this suggestion from Phil Harris: "I think this is your problem as you can not get the tape selected as tape output as this would cause a feedback loop if you were using a tape recorder to record - you should reassign the digital input for a different input selector or use a different digital input (one that is not assigned to the default Tape input) and I think you'll be fine. "

I reassigned a different input selector and now everything is ok! In practice, I made the procedure blush wrong

Thank you so much for your patience and your availability!

I hope this 3d can be useful for others in the future!

And now space for music !!!

Ciao!