'Loose' Nait 3 speaker sockets
Posted by: Nick Case on 31 March 2003
During a recent 'unplug everything, plug it all back together session' I noticed that my speaker connections are now very loose with the Naim plugs almost able to just slide out on their own.
I have noticed a reduction in the depth of bass too.
My unit was ex-dem when it came from the dealer and a close look inside the sockets shows some scoring which surely must have increased the internal diameter of the sockets.
Therefore does anyone know if Farnell has replacement sockets in its catalogue (I am pretty confident with a soldering iron) or is this a back to Naim job?
Or could the drop off in bass be due to the recent addition of a flatcap to the CD3.5 which roadtested excellently with classical but seems to lack a bit of oomph with some lively drum & bass which I like to spin now and then.
Cheers
Posted on: 31 March 2003 by Craig B
I've experienced the same loose fitting speaker sockets with various used Naits over the years. As to sourcing replacements, I haven't seen the particular sockets that Naim use on any of the usual electronics suppliers sites or in their catalogs. If yours are very loose then your cheapest option would be to attempt to order a set directly from Naim service.
Not sure why you would be experiencing a drop off in bass depth but if you think that the addition of the Flat-cap to your CD3-5 has something to do with it then surely it is a simple matter to disconnect it and replace the jumper plug in order to compare. IME the addition of the Flat improves certain types of music at the expense of others.
Craig
Posted on: 31 March 2003 by RAM
Hi,
The problem occurs when the banana plugs are repeatly plugged-in and out. OR, to much torsial force has been applied (heavy and stiff speaker wire) to the printed-circuit-board connections on the NAIT. If you insert a single banana-plug into each socket seperately, do the female banana jacks wiggle when you move the banana plug (gently) back and forth. If this is the case, the female banana-jacks have broken loose from the PCB. The fix is to remove the PCB, and re-solder the loose female banana jacks onto the PCB. I have repaired two NAITS with this problem. Hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Rob
P/S: Don't attempt to remove the PCB to make this repair unless you are very electronically and mechanically inclined...
To prevent this problem in the future, dress the speaker wire ( NAC A5) carefully so that it doesn't put to much stress on the mechanical connection. Always use Naim double banana-plugs.
Posted on: 01 April 2003 by Andrew L. Weekes
The Naim sockets are mad by Hirschman(sp?), and are the RS parts 738-547 and 738-531 (Red / Black).
I would not recommend fitting them yourself though, unless you know what you are doing. It involves removal of the Nait PCB and you have to be careful not to damage the mica insulators used under the output transistors.
Upon refitting it's important to ensure these are insulated from the case, or your power amp section will self-destruct!
Andy.
Posted on: 02 April 2003 by Nick Case
Close examination of the sockets reveals they are securely attached to the PCB.
Which is nice.
Unfortunately I believe that this leaves me with a socket replacement job.
Not so nice.
I'll see what the dealer will do about taking this problem off my hands.
Cheers
Nick
