Naim connection

Posted by: beginner's love on 09 September 2009

I have a set-up consisting of 552+500 with a Linn CD12 for stereo music connected to the 552 and attached an AV2+V175 for HT, using a Denon DVD player connected to the AV2.

Two front speakers are in phantom mode (no central speakers), a pair of surrounds, and an active subwoofer connected to the front speakers binding posts (the only way to connect it). So no subwoofer and no center selected on the AV2 speaker set-up.

Question 1 : to play Red book CDs in Neo6 mode, it works on the DVD player (I use coax1 digital input on the AV2 and selected Neo 6 as a mode on the AV2). I tried to do the same with the CD12 which is connected to the 552 using the analog 3 input on the AV2, since I have a Chord interconnect anthem 2 « reverse » allowing in theory the signal to travel back from the 552 to the AV2, but the led on the control knob on the 552 is not lit in AV mode (unity gain) so there is no sound, what should I do to play CDs on the CD12 in Neo6 mode ? should I try to disable unity gain on the 552 or the problem comes from somewhere else ?

Question2 : in order to connect a blu-ray player and the AV2 using the RCA analog in plugs on the AV2, which ones I have to use considering my system ?

Question 3 : my denon DVD player can play SACD and DVD-A but how to connect it to the AV2 to benefit from the multichannels? The AV2 has the analog 1 and 2 which can be combined to render 6 or 8 channels with DIN plugs but the Denon has no Din plugs only RCA, is a custom cable terminated by RCA plugs on one end and Din ones on the other an option ? otherwise I will have to use a set of RCA analog in plugs (and disconnect them each time I want to play a blu-ray...) but which ones considering my system ?

Posted on: 10 September 2009 by Richard Dane

Q1: This is normal. The NAC552 should remain in unity gain mode. The AV2 will take control of volume. However, if you're getting no sound then I suggest you ensure you have the correct rec source selected and correct input selected on the AV2. If still no joy, then try substituting the supplied Naim interconnect for the Chord one. Maybe the lead is faulty or incorrectly configured.

Q2: If you just want a stereo analog connection, then any spare analog input will do. Ideally you would use the 7.1 analog input on the AV2 (assuming your Blu-Ray player has such an output - this means you can take advantage of the latest surround codecs inside your Blu-Ray player), but I see you are already about to use that for the Denon. Maybe best to use a standard coax or optical digital connection. This way, you'll at least be able to take advantage of DD and DTS codecs on the Blu-Ray discs.

Q3: You will need some RCA- DIN cables for this. Either Naim ones or from companies such as Chord. Specify that they are for 7.1 input connection on the AV2.

Posted on: 10 September 2009 by beginner's love

Thanks Richard, a few clarifications needed though:
Q1: the CD12 is connected to the 552, tp play the CD in Neo6 mode, should I use the CD input on the 552 or the AV input on the front of the 552? I am lost. Also, does it matter which rec source is chosen since I am not recording? The RCA interconnect from the CD12 is connected to the maped CD input on the 552
Q2: given my configuration, can I use the analog 7.1 signal from the Blu-Ray player even if I have only 2 fronts (in phantom mode) + 2 surrounds + 1 subwoofer (taking the signal from the front speakers). If yes, which pairs of RCA plugs should I use on the AV2?
Q3: if you can choose between a 7.1 analog signal from the source connected to the 2 AN1 and AN2 combined inputs of the AV2 OR to the RCA analog inputs of the AV2, which connection is better sound-wise?
thanks for your feedback,
Richard