Issues with channel separation

Hi ,

Need some advice on channel separation. I tried using a test record to test L and R channels. Somehow, both test comes out more from the Left channel. However, I tried the balance function on the remote and it’s working fine. If I turn it to the right, I can hear the R channel more. If I turn it to the left, I can hear the L channel more. Just that with the test record, I can’t hear the R channel separation that clearly.

I checked my connections and all are correct. I am using a snaxo 362 with 282 and 2 x 250. Kudos 707 speakers.

Not sure if it’s due to my speaker placement. Can anyone advise?

Do u have same issue when playing music other than test recorded?
Maybe your balance knob on 282 is misaligned…. When u rotate balance knob does it finish symmetrically both left and right?
David

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Hi. When I played other music, seems like it’s more towards by 11 to 12 o’clock direction.

Balance knob is fine when I rotate left and right

Do you have reflecting furniture or something more close to the left speaker?
Sometimes a small move of the listening position can make a noticable change also.

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Might want to check the gain levels in the snaxo

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You could try some simple checks, to see if it’s your system or your room.

Did you try switching your speakers around, to verify them?
If there’s no change, then the speakers are ok.

Then, similarly, switch left and right channel speaker cables around, to verify output levels of left and right channels (so left channel comes out of the right speaker and vice versa)

If none of these checks show a difference, it’s probably your room/speaker placement, etc….
I had a room with this problem once.

One last thought is that some Naim amps are known to sound a little off-set, in balance, at low listening volumes, from what I’ve read on here.

But, I’m not sure if you’re saying this issue is only audible from your turntable and not from other sources?

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I recently had a small balance issue. After disconnecting the speaker cables, cleaning the connectors and re-connecting, everything was fine again. My Nait 5si does have a small imbalance at very low volume.

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You’ve checked phase presumably, both amps.

When a tweeter died on one of my NBLs the image migrated to the other speaker, spacial cues seem to be influenced most by the tweeter.

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A couple of questions regarding the front end:

  • Is the cartridge likely to be old, past it’s best or damaged?
  • Which phono stage are you using? Does it have adjustable gain and loading by channel? If so are both channels set identically?

I hope you find a solution soon.

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Hi all,
I did some further test on my system.
The issue here is that I was using a test record to test for L and R channels, it seems like I am unable to hear the R channel separation clearly.

To further test my point, I removed the RCA interconnect to my 282 R channel and switched off the 2nd amp that is powering the mids.

When I played the test record again, when testing for the L channel, both speakers’ tweeters are playing the sound at equal vol. When testing for the R channel, both speakers are playing the sound at a very very soft volume.

I was under the impression that going active, the speakers should still be separated by R and L channels. However in my test, it does not seem to be the case.

When testing for the L channel on the record, both speakers’ tweeters (L +R) are playing the same sound at the same vol. Bearing in mind i have disconnected the RCA R channel input to my 282 and switched off the amp powering the mids.

Am i right to assume that the Snaxo 362 does not split the L and R channel but rather split the Highs and mids only?

are 707 two way speakers?if so you need a snaxo 242 not a 362

Hi. Kudos mentioned that 362 is for the 707 and 808.

ah, so they do, my apologies

Despite being a long time active user of Naim kit, with Naim speakers, without full detail of your system, it is not easy to advise. So cartridge, phono, forwards.

Immediate thoughts

  • Do you have any other source?
  • While Snaxo 3-6-2 is correct for K707s, iirc there are three Snaxo versions - please confirm which you have by reference to the rear panel?
  • Connections - ‘all correct’ - details!
  • The test record - how have you established its credence?

I have 2 sources. One is turntable and the other is streamer.
Snaxo 362 label at the back shows 707.
Test record is from Denon pcm recording 45 rpm.

Still only part info - tt, phono stage, i/c et al and how you have the active set up wired.
To answer your question re treble, the snaxo simply acts as a powered crossover - so if it doesn’t receive an input correctly, it won’t change it.
If you have a streamer - useful to know which, if you are asking for advise - then there are plenty of on-line sound checks in one form or another - worth checking how one or more of these play out.

If you have a non-name streamer, you could try unplugging one of the phono plugs. If you have Tidal/spotify etc, there are some good test sounds available that will do a L/R sweep.

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