NDS malfunctioning

Posted by: Richard Choong on 29 April 2017

So just wanted to report my issue with a 2 month old NDS. In case anyone else has similar issues.

On Friday night I came back to music cutting in and out (Been running my system almost 24x7 to run in my system). Initially I thought it was the internet connection so did the usual resetting of the network etc. Turned off my system etc. No joy..Started hearing crackling with music. So started trouble shooting:

1. flipping ground switch

2. changed interconnect

3. changed digital inputs

4. tried using USB

5. tried with UPNP

Basically nothing worked. Discovered that when muted no crackling but otherwise there was crackling regardless what I did.

So today, I borrowed additional components from the distributor here in Singapore. They only had a NDac and Qute to lend me. So I connected the NDac with the XPS and...no crackling! All was good. Next added the Qute to the mix. Still all good. Next tried the NDac without the XPS. All good.

So it is with sadness I am reporting that there is something wrong with the NDS. Next week the NDS will go back to the distributor for further testing and if necessary to UK. Sad...

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by james n

Richard - If you've not done so already then it's worth pulling the link plug in Burndy socket 2 out and pushing it back in again just to make sure it's seated properly (with XPS turned off of course) .

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Richard Choong

james n posted:
Richard - If you've not done so already then it's worth pulling the link plug in Burndy socket 2 out and pushing it back in again just to make sure it's seated properly (with XPS turned off of course) .

Noted. Thanks.

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.

If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Richard Dane

Unlike the earlier Philips DAC chips it's very rare for the Burr Brown chips to fail - but it is still possible. Do try what is suggested above though first.

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by james n

Just one more thing to try Richard (C) - cycle the analogue outputs a few times i.e. switch between RCA and DIN via the setup menu. This will exercise the relays in the output path.

Hope you manage to get it sorted ok.

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Richard Choong

Adam Zielinski posted:
Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.
If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.

So err...stupid question...how do I run it in digital out mode? I know there is a digital out but when I connected it, there was no sound. What other step do I need to take?

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.
If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.
So err...stupid question...how do I run it in digital out mode? I know there is a digital out but when I connected it, there was no sound. What other step do I need to take?

Settings (wrench on your remote) > Analogue Output: disable /// Digital Output: enable

It's all in the manual as well.

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Richard Choong

Adam Zielinski posted:
Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.
If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.
So err...stupid question...how do I run it in digital out mode? I know there is a digital out but when I connected it, there was no sound. What other step do I need to take?
Settings (wrench on your remote) > Analogue Output: disable /// Digital Output: enable
It's all in the manual as well.

tried that...didn't work. Manual isn't really very helpful...

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.
If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.
So err...stupid question...how do I run it in digital out mode? I know there is a digital out but when I connected it, there was no sound. What other step do I need to take?
Settings (wrench on your remote) > Analogue Output: disable /// Digital Output: enable
It's all in the manual as well.
tried that...didn't work. Manual isn't really very helpful...

Which part did not work?

The manual is very clear on how to enable the digital output: page 15, section 4.6

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Richard Choong

Adam Zielinski posted:
Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.
If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.
So err...stupid question...how do I run it in digital out mode? I know there is a digital out but when I connected it, there was no sound. What other step do I need to take?
Settings (wrench on your remote) > Analogue Output: disable /// Digital Output: enable
It's all in the manual as well.
tried that...didn't work. Manual isn't really very helpful...

Which part did not work?
The manual is very clear on how to enable the digital output: page 15, section 4.6

Like I said...I did try it and it doesn't work. Perhaps there is a step I missed? If so, the manual doesn't say..so....?

Posted on: 29 April 2017 by Adam Zielinski

Richard Choong posted:
tried that...didn't work. Manual isn't really very helpful...

Which part did not work?
The manual is very clear on how to enable the digital output: page 15, section 4.6
Like I said...I did try it and it doesn't work. Perhaps there is a step I missed? If so, the manual doesn't say..so....?

Few questions - if some of them appear to sound stupid, apologies in advance:

1. I take it you are using a BNC-BNC digital cable to test with your nDAC (example: Naim CD-1). Have you connected the cable to the 'DIGITAL OUTPUT' on the NDS? This is the bottom connector - easy to miss as there is a similar digital input just above it

2. Have you set your nDAC to a correct input? Do you get a green 'sync' light on when both NDS and nDAC are connected?

Posted on: 30 April 2017 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Richard Choong posted:
Adam Zielinski posted:
Also disconnect the burndy from the NDS and the power suppy and re-insert again, making sure pins allign properly and that the locking ring actually does lock.
If you have an nDAC can you try running your NDS in a digital out mode? This will test if it's an analogue output stage (or DAC) that is failing.
So err...stupid question...how do I run it in digital out mode? I know there is a digital out but when I connected it, there was no sound. What other step do I need to take?
Settings (wrench on your remote) > Analogue Output: disable /// Digital Output: enable
It's all in the manual as well.
tried that...didn't work. Manual isn't really very helpful...

Which part did not work?
The manual is very clear on how to enable the digital output: page 15, section 4.6
Like I said...I did try it and it doesn't work. Perhaps there is a step I missed? If so, the manual doesn't say..so....?

Ok if the digital SPDIF out is not working (once you have it enabled) that suggests there possibly is a fundamental issue, perhaps with the Analog Devices DSP processor (SHARC) as opposed to the Texas Instruments ( née Burr Brown) DAC chips. Either way it sounds like it needs to go Naim.