I have recently acquired a NAT 02 tuner which may or may-not have a fault. So please if anyone has, or has owned a NAT 02 perhaps they would be kind enough comment on this issue. I've had a NAT 03 for several years and never encountered this problem. I always switched off the 03 after I've finished listening to it, and on switching it on, it retained the last tuned-to station and perform faultlessly. However the 02 needs at least an hour warm-up before it will lock onto a signal, during which time it will drift off the signal several times and need re-tuning until after an hour, then it behaves itself. Is the answer to leave it permanently switched on, allow it an hour to warm-up or perhaps return it to Naim for servicing (it was serviced by Naim 6 years ago) ? Incidentally the 02, to my old ears sounds significantly better than the 03. Any comments gratefully appreciated.
Posted on: 16 October 2018 by douglas
Can't comment directly on the O2 and 03. I have an 01 which I have never turned off in 10 years plus of use except for domestic cleaning/holidays etc. I wouldn't turn it off. Mine might take a few minutes to settle on tune but its then fixed and so far never goes off tune. It should not go off tune whether its on all the time or turned off.
I think its back to Naim for investigation. All of their kit seems to benefit from being powered up permanently.
Tuners are a niche item these days due to possible FM shut down. Shame as all three are really nice products.
Douglas.
Posted on: 16 October 2018 by hungryhalibut
If you leave it switched on, which is how it’s nearly always used, and it locks to stations happily once warmed up, I’d leave well alone.
Posted on: 16 October 2018 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Yes I agree with HH, many of Naim’s tuner designs drift a little until fully warmed up... but then should be stable.. after all they use an AFC to keep the oscillator locked on the centre frequency.. if however it’s drifting after being fully warmed up.. say after a day.. then as a Richard suggests it probably needs a service and some care and attention.. the Naim earlier FM designs are quite traditional and so won’t be as tight as say a modern PLL tuner.. used in more modern FM receivers and DAB receivers.
BTW who ever said that FM is being ‘switched off’ is totally incorrect, especially in the UK... the spectrum is protected under UN agreement.. what might happen is state funded broadcasters such as national BBC stations might switch from FM in the future and be replaced by more local and community FM radio stations.. and some of these will appreciate better tuners and from my experience some of these new local low power community stations have some great live local music broadcasts... a real boon for the music lover.
Posted on: 16 October 2018 by Johnny M
Hi Simon, Your comments are very reassuring and thankfully after leaving the tuner "on" overnight the problem of drifting has gone away. Even old Naim tuners command a high price and I guess I panicked when I discovered it was losing broadcast signals and immediately thought that I'd bought a faulty item, phew panic over ! I can say it's certainly the best sounding tuner I have owned. I don't how it compares with the NAT01, but it a large step-up from my NAT03 in terms of musicality (if that's such a word ?)
Thank you and other members who took the time to reply - much appreciated.
