n-Vi - won't power on - any ideas?

Posted by: Rod Carr on 04 January 2014

My blessed n-Vi (never has any Naim item caused me so much grief) is at it again. 

 

After a house move and three months in the box, popped it out and connected it up. Pressed the power button. Waited the obligatory 25 secs for the bar to complete "power up" and then it immediately flicked back to standby. it does the same if you press play, stop, or any other control. Once it has finished the "power up" bar load, it just goes back to standby. 

 

Does anyone have a fix for this? After two trips to Naim, including an expensive screen replacement, this is the last call for it. The skip beckons......

 

Thanks

 

R. 

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by james n

If you've not done so already then power off at the rear switch and leave for 1/2hr and then try again. Brought my old n-vi back from the dead a few times. If not then back to the dealer. 

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by trickydickie

Agree with James, I bought a used one that was prone to this and the power off and on worked for me.

 

If you get it going it is worth checking the firmware is up to date, mine wasn't and Naim supplied me with a CD image that was easy to apply.  This has resolved the problem for me.

 

Richard

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by MDS

Yep. My n-Vi requires a switch-off-and-on using the back switch about every 10 days or so, but I only wait a couple of secs  not 1/2hr.  Also agree about getting the latest firmware update.    

Posted on: 04 January 2014 by Mike1380
With mine, since I stopped putting into standby, the number of "power cycles" needed on the main rear switch has dropped to less frequent than one a month.

Try leaving it permanently on, the standby cycle always was a dodgy moment with n-Vis, irrespective of which variant/firmware.

That said, ensuring your firmware is up to date is important.

Remember, there are two firmware discs, decoder and control.

There are two pairings, for fast and long PCM audio lock-on, and finally there are versions of the control software to suit the replacement OLED display panel.

If you have a mismatch between the display panel, control software, and decoder software it can make the n-Vi a right pig to use. Make sure all the ducks are in a row!



Mike
Posted on: 04 January 2014 by james n

I think all n-Vi's came out slightly differently. Mine was better after the firmware was sorted and the display fixed during a visit back to Salisbury but returned with a different set of issues. Not insurmountable but still a PIA. A lesson to not be an early adopter of complex software controlled Naim products again 

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by GreenAlex
from what i have read here and experienced myself, nVi was a really buggy device which never got sorted properly and was then discontinued.

most suffer from:
- display dying at some point in time for no apparent reason. known issue. cost around 250€
- standby bug where after around 24h of standby the unit will not wake up anymore. same symptons you are experiencing. seems to be no fix, from what users have written here. i myself have tried the newest firmware and didn't help. only fix is hard power down at rear. i have started not using standby nor keeping it turned on but switching it off at the rear every time. it's my second system though. not worth wasting energy by keeping it on.
Posted on: 06 January 2014 by Rod Carr

many thanks folks - will try some persistent rear-switch cycles

Posted on: 06 January 2014 by trickydickie

The other thing that springs to mind is that when I had this issue think it may be more prone when the unit is switched to external inputs.

 

It is possible to change inputs using the remote whilst it is powering on, try the internal DVD player input and see if this helps.

 

Richard

Posted on: 06 January 2014 by Rod Carr

Aha - it seems that the n-Vi works the same way as houseplants - you just threaten, out loud, to throw them in the rubbish and they myteriously flourish.......

 

I left it plugged in, but switched off at the back for 5 mins, then powered on and *voila* it worked fine. 

 

Thanks for the power off tip folks. 

 

R.

Posted on: 06 January 2014 by MDS

Glad to hear it's worked, Rod. Albeit for now.