Having a balance control is the only way that some of us realise that we have wired up the speakers the wrong way round 
6 Likes
Volyme pots generally consist of wound resistive wire. More attenuation requires the signal to pass through more of this resistive wire. I agree that higher vokyme leads to better sound quality. Drawing conclusion about the independant effect of either is therefore diffucult.
Hans
Potentiometers may have one of a number of different types of resistive element. My question was because I’m not sure that the Alps unit used in Naim preamps is wirewound (I suspect it isn’t, not least because I would expect a wirewound type to have more consistent pairing of resistance at all positions including close to one end, so not exhibit the imbalance often reported with Naim units, but I could be wrong).
Online search suggests you are right, on the Hifi Collective site they refer to metallised conductive plastic.
It is a long time since I have taken anything apart, my recollection of the ones that could be bought at Tandy was a carbon film on SRPB board.
I’m picking up Richard’s point but just to confirm that it’s consistent with my experience.
Prior to joining this community I would always have assumed the centre point was essential but having a) been given the impetus by the comments of others to try and b) being able to use the remote on my 82, I have for some years had this set just to the left of centre, at say the 11.30 position. This has the effect of opening up the sound stage and in terms of the setting, there was a sweet spot that just sounded better.
As I’m using 135s I have checked this isn’t down to the equipment but rather room acoustics.
I suppose if centring the balance was optimal there’d be no need for the function at all. It helps that the 82 does have markings. My Nait 1 balance control doesn’t have markings or an detent and it took a while playing with it before I realised I needed an ear-driven solution!
first time I have this explanation, that helps understanding the concept, and actually it makes sense. Now I know , thank you!
Whilst I understand that individual users may find the balance needs to be off centre, I don’t see why indicating the centre position would prevent anyone from setting it as they see fit.
and if you a bit ocd like me (aren’t we all?)… I was constantly squinting at the knob twitching it a little back and forth trying to get the marker exactly vertical 
ISTR even using a set square to try and get it exact.
3 Likes
There is no signal going through the volume pot. It’s not wirewound either.
1 Like
I hear that!
2 Likes
Though having it off centre is sonically better and it will stay off centre for that reason, it still annoys me. I don’t know why. I’m not annoyed by the position of the volume control.
Presumably that’s not the reason why some knobs have no markings or detents, but just in case I was wondering about my OCD level……
2 Likes
It makes every sense for a volume control to indicate its position visually so ut can be set about right before playing music, e.g. after switch off or when changing sources.
The only logic I can see for a balance control to be marked or with a detent would be for initial setup purposes when other things are being adjusted for balance.
Just be thankful you have one! Neither my DAC which feeds my power amp direct has one, nor the preamp I insert when I want to connect an analogue source, and the power amp doesn’t have gain controls, so an imbalance I have is impossible to adjust. (When I was actively driving, the active XO was adjustable for gain individually for every amp channel, so there wasn’t a problem then).
I have an XS3 which does not have a balance nob and I rarely get above 07:30 on the volume pot. There is an imbalance at my listening position, so I am forced to use Roon to alter the speaker gain by a few db to correct. A bit cheaper than upgrading to SN3!
1 Like
That’s one reason why I like having an analogue preamp in my streaming DAC so I can adjust (lower) the input signal without SQ loss - in this way my SN3 is usually around 9-10 unless I use the phono.
1 Like
Naim really ought to reduce input sensitivity (preamp gain) on their inputs to enable volume controls to be used over a wider control range for better control and avoiding the imbalance towards potentiometer extreme.
In my view good practice would be normal listening levels with knob near vertical (say 11-13 o’clock, depending on speaker sensitivity and listening distance). Quiet would be perhaps around 9 o’clock and below, and loud 15 o’clock and above.
That is more of less what my preamps have done, and it allows good control.
2 Likes
Naim should stick to their philosophy of optimising sound…
1 Like
The balance knob isn’t always centred anyway, though if the various supernaits are any guide they’re getting better. The 282 and 552 I’ve bought both had uncentred knobs.
Naim do things their way. I disagree with a lot of their choices. But Naim does these things to create the Naim Sound and they aren’t going to change. I do like my Muso II though .
As far as potentiometers go most if not all will have the most flaws at their lowest setting. Such as channel imbalances etc. I find it peculiar that on the 552 an Alps pot is used.
2 Likes
Indeed, but where possible also improve usability and user fruendliness…
1 Like
This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.