Another NAPSC Question

I would direct this to Naim.

The changes to the NAPSC are not clear to me but they have not been as significant as the other power supplies. My current model NAPSC into a 282 runs completely cold to the touch.

Warm should be fine.  Too hot to touch would be a concern.

Chris, no, I don't think so - there's not the same need for a thermal trip as there is in something like a power amp.

I also gained a performance improvement from lifting the Napsc off the carpet and putting in on the main rack.  Its contribution is underestimated. 

Okay, it can be touched, not that hot. Just concerned about it progressing through the night to an unsustainable point.

Given that it just powers the digital circuitry, will the performance of the 82 be robbed if I unplug the NAPSC's from my strip when not listening to music and reconnect a few minutes before a listening session?

Unfortunately I'm out of space on my Fraim (will resolve this soon when I move) so the NAPSC will have to remain off the Fraim for now. However, I can potentially put it atop one of my LP shelves in the corner of the room - looks like both of its leads are quite long and I might be able to make the stretch. But if I do this, the power feed will be off the dedicated circuit. 

I will try putting the 5XS onto the strip and see if this helps as you suggest.

I'd not worry - there is not a lot to go wrong inside the NAPSC (it's only the regulator that is chucking out a bit of heat). One thing to do would be to put it on a small board, just enough to allow it to stand on its feet without sinking into the carpet and that should keep it a bit cooler if you are concerned about it.  

On my 282 I have experienced three ways of lifting the performance through the Napsc.  The biggest was putting a Powerline on the Napsc (if you have the older sort of Napsc with a captive mains lead I know that tip won't be of value to you). Second, powering the Napsc from the dedicated rings-main that serves the rest of the system.  Third, putting the Napsc on the rack.

A friend with an 82 has had a similar experience. Indeed, I think he got a newer Napsc so that he could put a Powerline on it, such was the benefit to the performance of the 82.

MDS,

Yes, I have researched NAPSC threads and have seen your comments on this over the years. Mine is a Gen 1, so has the captive lead, and as you say, cannot upgrade to Power Line. I had reviewed your (and others) comments regarding attaching to dedicated circuit, which was counter what earlier recommendations assumed (i.e. connect to ring mains). 

I would be curious if you denote any performance detriments if you have any experience disconnecting the NAPSC, allowing to cool, and then reconnecting immediately prior to listening - all while the rest of the system stayed energized? 

The two immediate things to do are: plug the CD5XS into the power strip to ensure all Naim boxes are in close proximity and then lift the NAPSC onto some MDF to ensure feet are in firm contact, allowing better ventilation under the unit. 

p.s. - I have updated my profile to include a somewhat systematic view of how my system is configured. The Fraim is in between the ATCs. Duplex 2 and Duplex 3 are behind each of the ATCs (conveniently). The right ATC's duplex has the Wiremold power strip. The left ATC duplex has the CD5XS plugged direct in. 

I'd keep it on the floor if I were you, away from the Fraim: it has a long lead for a reason. Just cut a piece of wood to size and place it underneath, which will enable a little air circulation. You can even use a spare paperback book. 

+1   I noticed (I think) a slight improvement in sound when I fashioned a small wood "shelf" and placed it under my NAPSC (for 282).  This was located on a wood floor (no carpet) a few feet away from the rack.  The small shelf sat on dome nuts.  (The NAPSC was previously sitting directly on the wood floor).  So my situation was different from yours.  Experiment a bit.  When you change anything, allow some time for things to settle in - then change back (assuming you are assessing the effect on sound quality).  Ventilation is another matter - your NAPSC was not likely designed to sit on carpet...

Charlie

Aric - I can't really advise on your second point about disconnecting the Napsc and allowing it to cool because has never, ever got as much as warm, let alone hot.  The case has always been cool to the touch.

Mike

Okay, thanks Mike.

The PSC has been on all day now and appears to have reached its maximum temp, which while warm, is certainly able to have my hands wrapped around it without being uncomfortable. 

I did move the 5XS off the left duplex and so all Naim boxes are connected in close proximity off my strip. 

Tomorrow I will move the PSC further away and play with the separation between its two leads. Meanwhile, as HH suggested, I have used a book as a stop gap to raise the unit off the floor for better ventilation. 

Thanks to all for your help!

Aric

Hi, I would keep the NAPSC off the floor. Naim NACs are sensitive to the grounding and require just a simple grounding point to sound optimal.

The NAPSC has a floating ground from the pictures I can see, and the mains earth (with captive mains lead) simply connects to the metal case.

Therefore by having on the ground, you may be slightly capacitively coupling the DC 0volts to ground and causing a very slight earth loop.i can see how this might affect audio.

I followed up on the actions I stated several days ago. To bring the thread to a closure, yes, when elevated up (off deeper carpet) the NAPSC has cooled somewhat. Still warm, but I've been advised by Chris West this is perfectly acceptable.

One other thing to note, system performance degraded when moving the Power-Line directly from left wall duplex to my Wiremold strip. One would have thought the power lead from the Wiremold to my right duplex (which in this direction, one moves closer to the dedicated circuit) would be a better lead than the Romex cable connecting left Duplex to right Duplex, and thus the sound would have improved. After several days of listening with this setup, I switched back and plugged the Power Line into the left duplex and the soundstage immediately improved, with better bass presence and definition and more rythmic drive. In addition, after several hours of use in this arrangement, I did not notice any further heat in the PSC, so appears the lift off the carpet played the major role.

Interesting that the Power-Line into a daisy-chained duplex gives superior performance then into the strip.

Aric