SNAXO Questions

Posted by: Paul B on 07 December 2002

I have just moved to active and was wondering...

...why there is a power switch on the SNAXO when power is provided by a Hicap/Supercap which has its own power switch. Is the SNAXO power switch redundant or does it serve some higher purpose of which I am not aware?

Does anyone have pictures of the interior of a SNAXO and/or can explain how it can be adjusted. The manual contains no instructions for adjusting settings using whatever is inside the SNAXO (not that I intend to do any right away).

Paul
Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Thomas K
Hi Paul,

I once asked the same thing -- the switch is only there so you can turn the Snaxo off (for plugging and unplugging Snaics) without having to power down your PSU.

If you're ever unhappy with the tonal balance, there are four little white pots (treble left and right, mid/bass left and right). The factory settings will not be the same with every unit, which is why Naim mark the flat setting with a pen.

Thomas

Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Paul B
Thanks Thomas.

Paul
Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Naheed
Have you adjusted your snaxo settings or left them flat ?

I'm still struggling with the 250s ilo of the 140s, the former just seem slow, and lack any real leading edge attack or slam - could this be cured by screwing the pots . . . or are the 250s just plain shite frown

naheed...
Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Naheed
Did you go active with the 250s or lesser amps (180s, 140s, etc...), as the Snaxo (flat) was spot on with 140s, i guess the 250s are digging a lot deeper which maybe highlighting room issues

naheed...
Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Paul B
Naheed:

Not sure how long you have had the 250s but they are slow when warming up/breaking in. My original 250 replaced a 140 in a passive system and seemed slow to begin with. Not any more!! The passive 250 leaves the 140 dead in the water. From new a 250 needs several weeks and does not completely "cure" for six months IMO (same for Supercap too).

I had a similar experience with my second 250 when first installed in a passive system (but running them as mono "125"s). The second 250 made the system sound very slow but after about two weeks was fine (it was not new).

Paul
Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Naheed
I have persevered - and have been running the 250s in for over a month, at one point on a constant playback for a week !!! - their still not delivering - setup/etc is fully optimised

naheed...
Posted on: 08 December 2002 by Manu
The switch on the SNAXO is a mute. It doesn't unpowered the unit, it just mutes outputs.
This switch is there mainly for aestetics reason, to keep the same front panel look as the hicap/140.

Take Tom advice seriously (dealers like good wine ), before playing with these pots.
Mark the factory settings, if they are not already, before changing them.

Emmanuel

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.
Posted on: 09 December 2002 by Thomas K
No, I've never altered my Snaxo settings ... always seemed fine.

The 250s should really present an improvement. I've heard of people being put off by a 250 because it's simply too clean compared to a 140 or a 180 (remember that distortion can sometimes be mistaken for slam and excitement). But perhaps they just sound a bit too baroque in your room, so trying something with the Snaxo settings may be the answer.

Thomas
Posted on: 09 December 2002 by Naheed
Spoke to the guys at Naim - who think a 250 recap is required, bummer i'd just started to run in the system

naheed...