Hi guys, I remember to have read a topic where people discussed about the possibility to introduce some problem connecting at the same time more sources (CD player, blu ray, streamer e.g.) in the integrated amplifier. At the moment I have a SN2 with CDX2.2 and I noted that when only the CDX2.2. is connected, the sound seems clearer and with a better soundastage rather than when all my sources are connected at the same time. I’m getting “crazy” or there is something true in what I hear?
May be that interconnect cables between different sources give noise each other?
Thank you in advance for your opinion 
Damiano
Posted on: 15 November 2016 by CharlieP
A Naim system is designed to have only a single point of signal ground (earth) for best audio performance (where signal ground is connected to the case and power ground). This is likely in your CDX2. If other components you connect also have their signal ground connected to their case, then you will have ground loops and the Naim star ground will be compromised. This can be heard - so, no you are not crazy. You can easily measure the DC resistance between case ground and signal ground with an Ohmmeter. I think it will be near zero if grounded and about 10 Ohms if floating. But maybe someone, more knowledgeable than I, will comment or correct me.
Charlie
Posted on: 15 November 2016 by Richard Dane
Charlie is right. You should avoid having more than one source as signal ground reference. Luckily not many sources have signal ground connected to earth, but Naim CD players do (and some other makes) and other sources such as the streamers, DAC etc.. have a switch to choose between connected or disconnected/floating signal ground. Also some sources, particularly those of an AV nature that may be linked to screens or eventually linked in some way to cable systems etc.. can be noisy and can be dumping floating currents down the grounded Naim amp. For example many inexpensive electronics float at half mains voltage and just connecting via a regular interconnect to a Naim amp, you can sometimes cause a drop in overall performance across all sources.
Posted on: 15 November 2016 by Loki
Is this just regarding integrated amps?
Presumably battery operated kit such as an ipod don't affect it. But I'm now wondering about the airport express.
