I noticed that the speaker-cable connection on one of my (passive) Ovator S600 is slightly loose.
If the cable is disturbed while music is playing (even strong bass has caused that a couple of times), the connection can be interrupted, and then I have to give it a little nudge to re-connect. When it reconnects, there are no thumps or cracks, playback just continues normally.
I’ll have a service person check it soon, but I’d like to know:
Is this risky for the speaker and/or the power amp (NAP135)?
Can I do anything myself to improve that connection?
The cable looks a lot like the Naim Nac A5, the terminals are gold banana plugs that can be “widened”. Should I try widening them myself?
It’s a common problem with the spring leaf type plugs. They aren’t very good. They either go loose on you or the opposite and are hard to extract. In both cases, the contact area is small.
If you replace them with Z plugs, Deltrons, or the Naim plugs they will fit nice and snug.
I agree with FZ, I really don’t like those Z plugs. Better to use proper bananas. Better again, use the bananas Naim designed specifically for the Ovators. They are silver plated to match the socket materials, and were supplied with Ovators. Look around and you’ll probably find a Naim dealer who can still supply some.
All this is assuming that the plugs themselves are the problem of course.
Today I was hearing some very slight buzz from the BMR during music, and I played with the cable connection at the speaker which made it sound perfectly clean again.
Still, I decided to have a better look at the terminals to find out what could be causing this. So I turned the power amps off, waited a bit, and disconnected the cable.
And I had a little accident. One end got detached from the cable. I also noticed that the inside of the contacts look quite dirty. You can see the attached pictures.
I’d appreciate some good advice from any experts. Perhaps @Richard.Dane knows somebody that could answer the following?
Is it safe for the speakers to simply re-fit the cable by hand and use it, or does it need to be soldered back in place?
In general, is it safe for the speakers and amps to operate when the connection isn’t perfect? Or should I avoid using the system until a technician comes over?
How could I clean the dirty insides? Can the connector port be removed from the Ovator S600 for cleaning?
Don’t put the plugs back on without solder. Get some proper Ovator speaker plugs soldered onto your cables.
Those sockets look quite battered. You can clean banana sockets with a cotton bud soaked in a little IPA, taking care not to pull the cotton tip off the stick. Not sure those sockets don’t need more than just a clean though.
The sockets look corroded to me. Maybe worth asking Naim support for advice. Maybe @NeilS has some suggestions?
I’m not a fan of those Z plugs you have, it looks like maybe the harder metal they are made from has removed the silver plating and gouged the copper underneath.
The sockets certainly look like they’ve had a hard life! I’d guess some “blind” connecting from the front of the speaker perhaps?
Almost looks like rust on the contacts inside.
Definitely recommend replacing the plugs, as for the sockets - not sure, start with something light, like a cotton bud & IPA. You may need to find something more abrasive if that doesn’t cut it.
Small, brass bristled bottle brush perhaps, but you’d need to be mindful of lost bristles though.
Here’s a shot of the rear of the socket on S600s - I’ve not assembled, or disassembled these before though.
I’ve used a small round brass bristle brush in situations like this,
but I also recommend using a vacuum hose in one hand, and the brush in the other, hold hose under hole.
Start small working inwards, pull brush completely out every stroke, once you think you got it all, stick the hose over the hole to make sure you have not missed abit, then clean with IPA and cotton bud, hopefully be good to go,
Yes the picture paints a picture of a lot of crud etc but I’m sure it can recovered. Have just used the ear buddy idea on the terminals of my 200, and wow the crud that came out was mind boggling. Took several changes of bud to end with a clean socket
Took the opportunity to do the same with our Intro’s and not as bad but now clean. Polished the Naim speaker/ amp plugs withe same metal polish I have always used, wiped off with alcohol wipes
Did it make a difference, probably but I have a current ear problem that is being caused by an infection in the gum, so will have wait till cleared up! Typical!
