NAP 135 Internal Connections

Posted by: Flex on 18 November 2002

Having spent half my life trying to get the best from my system, one simple thing I have learnt is every 3 months, to unplug and reconnect and the interconnectors, mains leads, etc. to give new clean connections. I’ve found it makes an instant (and sometimes major) audible improvement, and cost you jack.

Now, some years ago, I whipped the covers off the 135’s to do the old ‘bulging capacitor check’, when I noticed (to my surprise!) the circuit boards were connected via push on spade connectors. eek Of course, from instinct, I carried out the unplug/replug routine and was rewarded with great results. I.e.…Faster, cleaner, sweeter, tighter, deeper, etc, etc!!

I would guess that it is the same on the 250 and 180, so for all you lot that let these things bug you, I would strongly recommend you do it now so you can sleep tonight.

A question for Naim is why don’t you solder these leads directly to the boards? It would take out 4 (potentially dodgy) connections on the signal path on each side, which can only help improve the sound quality?

Regards
Flex
(With nothing better to talk about!!)
Posted on: 18 November 2002 by Jens
Hi Flex,

What's this bulging capacitor check you mention, and where were the spade connectors?

Cheers, Jens
Posted on: 19 November 2002 by Flex
quote:
What's this bulging capacitor check you mention, and where were the spade connectors?

Hi Jens
Its a sign of the large (red bull can size)capacitors being on there way out. I have been told to check this after about 8 years, and get replaced if they show any signs of 'bulging'.

Flex
Posted on: 19 November 2002 by rocketeer
Does this unplug/replug routine remind someone of the famous board pulling topic of the 72 preamp? I remember my 72 gaining some sweetness, when i unpluged/repluged all of its boards. I do this on a regular basis now (~ once a year)...

I apologize for not having reported this earlier.

roll eyes

rocketeer
Posted on: 19 November 2002 by Edo Engel
quote:
I have been told to check this after about 8 years, and get replaced if they show any signs of 'bulging'.
I just received word from the service department that they haven't seen my 250 since it left the factory in 197x. Yet, the caps show no sign of bulging whatsoever. My guess is that the bulging check just isn't enough...

Cheers,

Edo