I have read through a number of topics describing the same problem as I encounter. A very hearable “hum” in my speakers when my Sonos ZP90 is connected to my Naim 5si.
I wonder if anybody can share or post pictures of the solution:
“Taking a length of wire from the chassis to the middle pin of an unused DIN socket silenced the nonsense. I have, for the last couple of months, been enjoying my music once again.”
Where exactly do I connect the cable (what type of cable/wire?) and where exactly do I connect it to the main earth?
@Xanthe and @Stringybob I found your names in a topic describing this problem, perhaps you guys/girls can help me out here.
Looking forward to enjoying my music again!
Thanks a lot for any reply and help,
What else (if anything) do you have in the system other than the Sonus ZP90, phono interconnect leads, the Nait 5si, speaker cables and a pair of speakers?
If you use non grounded wall connections then try to change direction on them. This is totally critical in my setup. It goes from humming a lot to nearly silent if I do this correct on all products. I’ve noticed Naim products are not that well protected against DC level on the AC input which you often get into your system these days.
Have you tried the ground wire trick? I would guess it’s being caused by the floating mains of the Sonos finding a root to earth via the signal connection to the earthed NAIT. As such, if you can give it another route, that may help, or it may not. Alternatively, you could use a ground loop isolator on the RCA phono outs of the Sonos. Or, possibly the best solution would be to use a decent DAC and connect via optical between the Sonos and the DAc and then analogue from the DAC to the NAIT.
Hard to say as I don’t know my way around the Sonos unit. I’d be looking for maybe attaching a thin piece of hook-up wire from something like the metal chassis of the Sonos to the earthed screw under the NAIT 5i
I suspect the issue here is a lack of signal to mains earth connection and possibly some leakage current finding it’s way to the Nait from the Sonos. The Nait doesn’t have a signal to ground connection by design and would normally rely on a Naim source component to provide this. The ZP90 / Connect is double insulated / 2 pin connected to the mains supply.
I would make up a length of wire with a phono (RCA) plug on one end and an earthed mains plug on the other (I’m assuming you’re in the UK…). Connect the Earth pin of the 3 pin mains plug to the outer of the phono plug and plug this into one of the spare phono sockets on the Sonos (you should have a spare pair of input sockets). This should cure the hum.
Hi Arnoud - ah ok. I’m not familiar with the mains arrangement there - do the wall sockets provide a safety Earth connection ?
I’d suggest if what i’ve recommend needs further visualisation then i’d seek advice of your dealer. I wouldn’t want you making a wrong connection to a mains socket which could cause damage or prove lethal.
If the metal outer on the DIN connects to the chassis but on the 5Si this isn’t the case as the connectors are mounted to the main PCB - You’d need to connect to a case screw on the 5Si as the 5Si doesn’t provide a convenient earth post.
Richard makes a good point above - use a ground loop isolator (in this case it’s not a ground loop but the method is the same) between Sonos and Nait or even better, use an external DAC - the 5Si is a great little amp and the external DAC would be a big step up on the Sonos analogue output.
Hi Arnoud - The simplest solution would be connecting a wire to mains earth as mentioned above. I had a similar problem with a Sonos Connect and my Naim Nait 1 in a second system i was playing with and made up a cable to cure the problem. I may still have it in my spares box so i’ll take a look later and if i find it take a couple of pics which should give you an idea of what you need…
This could be worth trying. Naim amps are grounded through the source, which could be a CP player or streamer, so if you connect a source to one of the inputs, it could solve your problem. Make sure it has a 3 pin mains connection to carry the ground, unlike your Sonos.
As i said before, if you are still unsure, especially about the mains earth then seek local advice or as Chris suggests. add another source that does provide a signal earth to mains earth connection.