Link plugs...

Posted by: Judge on 22 June 2017

I use a Flatcap XS with both a CD5XS and Nait XS2.  Currently the digital output on the CD is connected to a network player (as an experiment) so the CD player is acting only as a transport.  As I understand it the Flatcap provides power for the CD's DAC.  So it occurs to me that if all the internal power supply is doing is spinning the disc and powering the digital bits, disconnecting the Flatcap would have no effect.  With that thinking, in my mind at least, the link plug would not be needed if I disconnected the Flatcap in this "mode".  

Shortly I am borrowing a pre-amp, and will need to use the power-amp section of the Nait, for which I will use the AV input (as it's currently used to integrate with the AV sound system). Using similar thinking as above if the Flatcap is not needed, and the internal power supply is not required for the pre-amp, I could disconnect the Flatcap, but not fit the link plug.  The Nait would then only be a power amp.

I'm not sure if I am over interpreting what is powering which bits, and I am aware that this could be slightly mad so I haven't actually tried it...

Could it be that powering the unused circuitry makes no difference to either unit in their transport and power-amp roles and I should stop thinking, remove the Flatcap for the duration of the loan (there is a space on rack issue) but fit the link plugs?

Posted on: 22 June 2017 by hungryhalibut

I'm pretty sure that if you remove the flatcap, neither the CD player or amp will work without a link plug fitted. Just try it and see - it won't break anything. 

Posted on: 23 June 2017 by Judge

As an update, I have discovered there is a power-amp mode for the Nait.  It is set be turning it on without the link plug and pressing and holding the mute button (which will be flashing to indicate there is no link plug).

Posted on: 23 June 2017 by Huge

I'm not so sure on that, the power amp mode may only apply to the Nait XS, not the Nait XS 2.

With the XS2, I found that to use it as a power amp only, the preamp stages had to be energised.  It appears that the first (buffer) stage of the poweramp is powered by the preamp voltage rails.

All is not lost however, I think this should work (although I can't discuss how I actually did it as that would violate the forum AUP)...
Use one output of the Flatcap to power the pre and use the signal out to connect to the the Nait poweramp.
Use the other output of the Flatcap to power the Nait pre (don't connect the signal out from this one).

Posted on: 23 June 2017 by Judge

CD Works fine, badge lights, remote controls responded to and digital out still live.

In the XS2 manual, it says, "The link plug should be removed... [when]...an alternative pre-amp is to be used with the Nait XS2 power amp".  So actually I'd expect that to be fine too.