Bypassing Naim preamp's Balance Control ?

Posted by: JosephR on 07 October 2001

I don't know if this has been discussed before, but I find the balance control useless on the Naim preamps I've used (i.e. I don't use them at all, unless my kid messes up with them). Is there a reason for having the balance knob, maybe in active systems ? Wouldn't it be sonically better just to bypass it completely, or am I wrong ?

TIA

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
I never use mine either, except to check I have 'speakers connected correctly.

I've heard reports that removing it can bring about a worthwhile improvement, but I never did try it on my 42.

Ideally you should replace it with fixed resistors giving the same circuit impedance at that point.

Andy.

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by Alex S.
How much fine Italian food do you charge for this service?

Regards

Alex

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by BrianD
Andy

....or cans of Stout?

Brian

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by JosephR
quote:
Originally posted by Andrew L. Weekes:
I never use mine either, except to check I have 'speakers connected correctly.
Andy.

I always use a test LP or CD, so it really is not needed ... just wondering, since many other "high-end" preamps don't have them ... could be useful for weird rooms, probably...

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by Arthur Bye
The installation of balance controls, like the mono switch has been mandated by the FEP police.

To understand how it works:

Press the mono button (to make it lit)

Now turn you balance control to the far left or far right(depending on your politics.)

Now listen to several hours of music.

If you don't understand this, then it's time to sell your Naim kit and get some tubes

Arthur Bye

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by JosephR
quote:
Originally posted by Arthur Bye:
The installation of balance controls, like the mono switch has been mandated by the FEP police.

Well, I must say the mono switch is a good inclusion, and rarely found on other brands' preamps (and their users would love to have one). Not found on my old NAC72, though.

Just remembered another use for the balance control. We used it as a fast check on which DBL's tweeters blew up (turned out to be both anyway).

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by Andrew L. Weekes
What I intended to do on my 42 was to replace the balance control with fixed resistors, and fit a toggle switch to the vacant front panel hole to allow switching between L, R or both channels.

I'd have to take a gaze into your 32.5 and see what happens when the mist clears!

Andy.

P.S. Cans of stout are fine, but I highly recommend you give them to me after I wield the soldering iron wink

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by Craig B
A one-time client of mine had the balance control bypassed in his original Nait. Like me he couldn't get past the effect that the 'one sided control' had on the performance of the left(?) channel.

I actually went through 3 different original Naits here at home, including a late green LED'd model with the ridged knob (oh! baby). I ended up going for a Nait 2 for a number of reasons, one of which was that it has a typical balance control that affects both channels (albeit a minor reason for me).

I don't know whether or not a particular resistor value was sutstituted for the pot, but the sonic difference was quite noticable. The only downside was that he lost the ability to compensate for low volume channel imbalance when he eventually went CD. Unfortunately his wife never let him turn his wick up enough to satisfy himself (oh God! I did mention that he was a former client didn't I?).

As far as the 42-5 and 32-5 go, I believe that they have a better quality Alps pot that, may or may not, have better tracking at low volumes. Not sure what the case is with the originals though, or if it would matter to anyone with two bollocks.

Craig
PS. Andrew, I would be most interested in hearing what the mod actually entails.

Posted on: 07 October 2001 by Steve Toy
My Densen pre comes equipped sans balance control - which may explain why it performs (nearly) as well as an 82 for less tham half the price, IMVHO.

It's always a nice day for it, have a good one wink
Steve

Posted on: 08 October 2001 by JosephR
quote:
Originally posted by Steven Toy:
My Densen pre comes equipped sans balance control - which may explain why it performs (nearly) as well as an 82 for less tham half the price, IMVHO.
It's always a nice day for it, have a good one wink
Steve

Really ? That is something then... I was shopping for amps once, and found the Audiolab 8000A better than the Densen Beat B-100... and found it close to the B200/B300, Shakti-stoned even (definitely better with the Shakti Stones on top, these Densens are sensitive!). Ended up buying the Audiolab 8000A ... wanted the Naim integrated, but at that time, I wouldn't dream of spending much ...

Well, we all have different preferences ...

Have a nice day too ... cool

[This message was edited by JosephR on MONDAY 08 October 2001 at 10:09.]