I found an older topic along these lines, but it only answered half of my query (this is it: https://forums.naimaudio.com/t...ply=4804681817438059).
I've just bought a set of GoldenEar Triton One speakers. They're active with a 1600 watt built-in amp. They just connect to the amp with a regular speaker cable, and then there's a power cord that connects to the wall. When unplugging the power cord (there's no on/off button on the speakers), it takes a while for them to shut down.
So, when I switched off my system last night I expected the usual "pop" that I've had with two different sets of Audiovectors in the past, but I was shocked at the EXPLOSION that almost occured. Seriously. I then had to switch the system on again to check if everything was okay (which it was), but I'm still in shock.
So my question is:
Is it okay to unplug the speakers from the amp, and is it also okay to plug them into the amp, when the amp is switched on?
I would, obviously, like to avoid any damage to both amp and speakers. In the link above, someone said it was no problem to unplug the speakers from the amp while it's on (which is also my experience), but it's nice to know if it's also okay to plug the speaker cables in when the amp is on.
My amps are NAC 202 and NAP 200 from around 2008 I believe.
And please, no comments like "but Naim recommends that you never switch off the system", because I already know that :-)
Thanks for any help.
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by Richard Dane
Board, it appears that the Goldenear Tritons are not active, but instead passive with a built in powered subwoofer.
The NAC202, when powered from a NAP200 does have a reputation of giving a slightly louder pop from switch off compared to when it's powered from a dedicated supply such as a Hicap. The earliest units were worst here. Naim made a modification that improved matters a bit a few years after launch. It may not sound so nice but it should not damage a speaker.
I don't know what Goldenear recommend, but I would try switching off the speaker subs first before switching off the amp.
p.s. so long as you're using the supplied SA8 speaker plugs, then there's no problem unplugging the speaker cables from the amp when the amp is on. Just remember to plug them back in though when you want to listen to music - it will avoid a head-scratching moment as you frantically try to figure out why the system isn't working properly (yes, I've done that).
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by board
The pop I heard when switching off with my two previous sets of speakers was tolerable, but this one here was really shocking, so I prefer to not switch off the amp with the speakers plugged in. This simply sounded like a potential disaster in the making.
So, you think this would be way to go?
1: Pull out the power cords from the speakers.
2: Pull out the speaker cables from the amp.
3: Switch off the amp
When I switched on the system this morning, the pop when switching on was not as bad as I remembered it from switching it on yesterday, so I can plug the speaker cables into the amp first, then switch it on, no problem, although it would still be nice to hear if anybody has an opinion on that particular matter. But that thundercrack that occured when I switched the system off I won't endure again :-/.
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by Eloise
Simple addage I’ve always worked with is turn the “closest” to the speaker power off first. So with any form of active spear that’s turned off first, then power amps, pre amp and then sources last.
Power on in reverse (sources first; speakers last).
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by board
I'm not using the Naim SA8 connectors - I have other speaker cables with regular banana plugs. But do you think it would still be safe to follow that three point agenda I mentioned or, alternatively, follow it in a different order, as Eloise suggested?
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by Richard Dane
I agree with Eloise. However, the problem you have with a NAC202 powered by the NAP200 is that when you switch off the NAp200, you also switch off the NAC202 at the same time - hence the pop/crack you get through the speakers.
I would recommend you fit the Naim SA8 speaker connectors that came as standard with your NAP200. There's no better speaker plug for a NAP200 and it will not only probably sound better but will also allow you to disconnect and reconnect the speaker cables from the amp both easily and without fear of mishap.
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by board
I don't have that speaker plug. I bought my amps used, and they didn't have the plug.
So, I'll just unplug the speakers first, then switch the amp off afterwards. Then when I switch on the system, I'll plug the speakers into the amp before switching the amp on.
And seriously, you might think that it's just a light pop when I switch off my system, but it was really a sound that made me think "did I just blow up my brand new speakers?!" (I bought my amp in early 2014 and have never had that feeling before).
