Issue Connecting Naim Nd5 XS 2 to Vintage Naim & Linn System

Hi-Fi Corner
1

Been into Naim and Linn since the late 70s.

I am retired, living in the US, so I am on a budget.

For streaming I was using a Blue sound Node 3 with the external Teddy Pardo power supply.

Used as steamer only.

The node was fed into a Naim Dac V1, which went into a serviced Naim Nac 72. The Nac 72 fed a serviced Naim CB pair of 135s. Amps drive a pair of Linn DMS 85 vintage Briks. Briks have had the drivers replaced, and the cross overs recapped in 2025.

The above system worked well.

I just purchased a used Naim ND5 XS 2. When replacing the Node with the ND5, I obtain lower output and distortion in one speaker.

Tied the following:

. BNC to BNC cable

. RCA to BNC cable

. Different preamp into the CB 135s

. Tried all volume settings in the Naim app

. ND5 system reset

.Re-down loaded the Focal Naim app

. Swapped speakers cables. The problem moved to the other speaker

None of the above corrected the issue. What did work was running the ND5 into a Rapport Preamp 2, which fed a Linn LK 100.

I now am running two systems. Node 3 into the Naim Dac V1, into the Naim Nac 72, going into the CB 135s, driving a pair of Linn Kan 2s.

2nd system is the ND5 into the Rapport, going into the Linn LK100, driving the Briks.

I like the ND5, and I would like to successfully use with the Nac 72, CB 135s, and Briks.

Any thoughts or recommendations? As referenced, I am on a retirement budget.

2

Have you tried connecting the ND5 directly to the 72, using a standard 5 pin din Naim lead? Thatā€™s what Iā€™d do, and take the V1 entirely out of the chain.

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3

Agree ā€“ first take the V1 out of the chain, with ND5 you donā€™t need it.

Then connect the ND5 with a grey/lavender cable (should had come with the ND5). You got to select ā€˜DINā€™ in output setting (in the app ā€“ or RCA if you use one), and you are all good to go.

Iā€™m using a ND5 and plugged into 32.5ā€™s Tape 1 port. Remember to turn down the volume before playing music to avoid ā€˜surpriseā€™ tho.

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4

Thanks for your response.

Yes. That was the 1st Thing I did.

5

Used the DIN cable. Not sure if that is the cable you reference. Also used an RCA to DIN cable.

Dac V1 was not used in attempting this.

6

It seems very odd. How did you connect to the Rapport (Rappaport?). If you used the RCA out from the ND5, try an RCA to Din cable into the 72, or a different Din to Din cable. Also try a different socket on the 72 - use tape rather than tuner or vice versa. The ND5 canā€™t be faulty if it works into the Rappaport, which suggests a dodgy cable.

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7

Rappaport was RCA to RCA. I tried an RCA to DIN into the Nac 72. This did not resolve. I tried all three NAC 72 inputs.

Appreciate your time trying to help.

8

Was it the right RCA to Din? It canā€™t be a Din to RCA used the other way round, as the RCA must be wired to the Din input pins. It may be worth checking. Other than that, Iā€™m stumped, as the Din to Din should just work. Itā€™s worth checking via the app that the correct outputs are enabled on the ND5.

9

It was a DIN connector cable where you can plug RCA cables into the cable. I believe I have used before, but I will check if I have something else. May try the DIN cable from the Dac V1 output into the Nac 72. At least I know that works. I Adjusted the app output selection with each change.

10

Your point on the DIN to RCA cable was informative , and makes sense.

The Dac V1 cable is 4 pin to 5 pin. So I could not try that.

I have a call with the seller tomorrow night.

I ordered an after market 5 pin DIN cable as a stop gap, to eliminate the cable as an issue.

If that works, I will buy the Naim cable, in the future, if I can find one.

Appreciate your time and support, and will publish the final result(s) as those occur.

11

I hope you get the sorted soon, Naim supplies the correct din-din lavender cable with the ND5xs2.

I initially tested my ND5xs2 connected directly to my 32.5(with 72 cards)/HC/250 and it sounds really good.

Finally I connected the ND5xs2 via a Naim DC1 coax to the Naim nDAC (which has a PS555DR power supply) into my 32.5(with 72 cards)/HC/250 for an even better musical foot-tapping outcome.

Just remember to carefully chose the ā€œSignal ground switchā€ setting on the rear of your ND5xs2 as described in section 2.13 of this Naim PDF

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12

Got it working. Found an old Nait 1 RCA to Din connector, and it resolved the issue.

Latter, I will try the DIN to DIN connector on order, and see if that works.

Thanks!!!

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13

Thanks for the warning on ground selection.

I also did not receive the manual you attached (1st PDF).

I really appreciate your help!

14

Thatā€™s great news, and hopefully the Naim din lead will be even better. Itā€™s a relief to know that the ND5 is working properly.

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