Hi all - I recently swapped out my SN2 for 282/250DR. I’d noticed a channel imbalance issue but put this down to my vintage speakers that were recently refurbed.
After swapping the speaker cables over and the issue moving from right to left speaker - the problem is somewhere in the Naim chain. The balance needs to be 2 o’clock for a level image.
Question is how to identify whether it’s the pre or the power amp that’s the issue here? Both are 2022 models, one purchased from auction site and a seller I know I can work this out with if needed, 250DR from a dealer with warranty.
Would welcome any thoughts on identifying the source of the issue
I presume the problem arose only after changing amp so not the source?
Does the balance shift with volume control? If so it could be that, not unknown especially over lowest part of its range.
If there’s a balance control on the preamp you could can at least set that and forget it if insoluble.
It’s more noticeable at very low volume simply as one channel is barely “on” at that point, but the sound doesn’t become uniform when the volume is increased. It’s still louder in one speaker.
If this helps …. photos of balance knob at max left and right, and then where it needs to be for a balanced sound, taken at bit-louder-than-normal listening volume.
I’ve done nothing to the cables (WH Phantoms) and the issue wasn’t there til I swapped out the SN2 for the pre/power.
And before anyone asks … I’ve done a full system teardown/rebuild, contact cleaner on all relevant cable ends, sacrificed eldest child on full moon night, and we’re still here.
I’m guessing Richard was trying to determine whether your NDX2 could be the cause of the imbalance. Can I just double-check that this effect is noticeable at any volume - not just (or predominantly) when listening quietly.
@Catcat do you still have the SN2? If so you could
a) use the SN2 in power amp mode with the 282, which would show that the 282 is the problem if the balance issue persists; and
b) use the SN2 as a pre and connect it to the 250 (using bi-amp output socket I believe but please check) which would show that the 250 is the problem if the balance issue persists.
