Yesterday we suffered a short power cut. That’s not at all unusual where we are; it happens every couple of months. I do nothing - the power is restored and everything comes back to life as if nothing had happened.
Except yesterday it didn’t. The nDac is dead. The Naim logo is illuminated but the right hand side - where the Sync and HD lights and the selection buttons are - is dark. It’s not the external power supply. I have 2 XPS’s and swapping them doesn’t help; the PS from the nDac successfully powers the streamer and the one on the streamer doesn’t revive the DAC. I even tried disconnecting the external power supply, fitting the plug thingy and running it off mains power only. No luck.
Is there a fuse anyware I can check/replace? A reset sequence? Or is it time to consider a new DAC? I’m slumming it with the NDX2’s built-in DAC for the time being but I can tell the difference. All suggestions gratefully received.
The nDAC haas one transformer but 3 windings. Effectively three separate power supplies. Some things like the master clock are always powered by the internal PSU, not the external one.
It’s impossible to guess for most of us but I suspect it is repairable. But you’re going to need to take it to a Naim dealer for them to send off for repair.
It could be anything from and internal fuse to something unrepairable but be optimistic.
there is a fuse on the AC input socket to the nDAC, probably worth checking that, they are usually glass case so you can see the fuse wire if you don’t have a multi-meter or similar means of checking the fuse
Thanks - but I’m sure that’s ok as the Naim logo on the front panel is illuminated. That goes off after a few seconds if I switch the mains power off at the back.
Which is a bit of a shame in this instance, as the issue could well be in the power supply….Darran is more than capable of fault findingthat I’m sure. I’d be giving him a call……
Your profile lists a power supply for the Naim DAC (an unmentionable one too - not recommended at all). I would check the inlet fuses on both items as one may not be powering up.
Otherwise, try the DAC on its own (remember to refit the link plug) and see whether it works ok.
No - in my original post I mentioned that I had swapped supplies. Both power the NDX2 fine. I’d also tried the nDac on mains only with the link plug reinstated. So I’m sure the fault is internal.
The pukka Naim XPS-DR was attached to the nDac. I figured some time ago that the DAC would have a bigger influence on the sound than the streamer so it should have the better power supply.
@NeilS and @Halloween_Jack - you’ve done it! Step 1 of the update process - holding the Dock button while switching on - has rebooted the machine and it’s working fine again. I didn’t need to go through with the rest of the steps (I didn’t even need to use the USB stick with the firmware files on). That was the reset sequence I was looking for in my original post. Thank you both for your advice - and to everyone else who contributed their suggestions.
I’m so happy for you! I hated to read your nDAC was giving you troubles (I have a nDAC as well and love mine to death). Glad the fix was just a reset…. Now you can have your Proacs singing again!
