I will keep this short because I am getting a little tired by reposting the same thing over an over in a hundred imbalance threads:
The variable low-level imbalance exists in some (not all) pots. There are variations between pots and Naim tests and grades them.
There is a variability that is considered acceptable but it should be limited to low volume levels that are normally not used.
If it starts at a level that impacts reasonable low-level listing, talk to dealer/distributer/Naim. (On my new 252 it started at 8 oāclock with normal-sensitive speakers, which is not all that low, and the distributor put in a better one, no problem)
Thanks, saw some of your previous posts and understand points 1 & 2 wellā¦point 3 seems the way to go, if that doesnāt work prob move to a different ampā¦so fingers crossed.
However, still disappointed by it.
And hey, chill out manā¦if itsā tiresomeā¦donāt postā¦listen to some music on those nice new speakers !
So true and good luck. I understand your disappointment. When I installed the 252, I also had this āreally? ā moment. The dealerās demo that I had tried before didnāt have the issue at all and was balanced down to essentially zero, so no way for me to know. The dealer and distributer were great and I had mine back within a week with the problem solved (and interestingly getting even better over time), but it shouldnāt be necessary at this level, be it 552 or 252.
I think I would be troubled by all whatās been reported so far.
My amp has no balance control and it has never crossed my mind that one was needed.
In fact , by the nature of the naim job not being notched at centre - and with such a variance - to me it would make me feel the same as if I was scatting blindfolded on thin ice.
The balance control here seems to be a solution to a compromise.
Looking at the results itās still not of huge importance to Naim to centre the blighter, close enough is good enough and let the punters use their ears to set the balance.
I think on the 252 you can pull off the knob, but you need to take care of the LED cable, and when you put it back on make sure that the cable has enough freedom for the full rotation left and right. But I havenāt had to do it, so not sure of the details. There are posts about it
Just pull gently on the knob using 2 hands(ooerr matron!) and it will come away from the shaft of the pot. You can then reposition as required. I found using 2 hands gave better control whilst removing. Be careful on a Fraim rack that the glass shelf doesnāt move. As others have mentioned be aware of the leads to the led!
and good luck. I understand your disappointment. When I installed the 252, I also had this āreally? 
ā moment. The dealerās demo that I had tried before didnāt have the issue at all and was balanced down to essentially zero, so no way for me to know. The dealer and distributer were great and I had mine back within a week with the problem solved (and interestingly getting even better over time), but it shouldnāt be necessary at this level, be it 552 or 252.
