Naim Nait 1 balance control

[Bobbyj]

But now I don’t know which to keep plugged in; the newly acquired Nait 1 or my faithful Nait 2. They both sound fantastic!

[Skeptikal]

@CalamityJack

I feel I should pause and take a moment. What a manual! I expect that marketing depts and legal would choke on that today.

If you think that’s bad here’s a page from the very early Linn LP12 manual.

[CalamityJack]

I suppose the next question is ‘why did you buy it?’ Ie what’s it for? Second system?

[CalamityJack]

On the contrary - I think it’s brilliant! I’m of an age where I miss that kind of prose.

[Bobbyj]

Got a good deal and I always wanted to own both. And eventually ,a second set-up.

[Christopher_M]

Thanks @Skeptikal , those four pages from the Nait manual are the best thing I have read about my hobby in ages. Quite an insight. Thanks.

[HungryHalibut]

There wasn’t much purposeful materiality or similar twaddle back then, and for that we should be grateful.

[Skeptikal]

You’re most welcome.
I’m glad I could help.

[Bobbyj]

Hi Skeptikal,I just noticed on my Nait 1,that on the tuner input,the music is reverse.In other words,left is right and right is left.On the tape input it is normal.Is this another “quirk” ? Or just the early Nait 1’s? It doesn’t mention it in the manual.

[Skeptikal]

I wonder if one of the inputs is in the wrong way since new.
Seems strange for to be a difference.
Hopefully another Nait 1 owner will comment for advice.
Lovely retro job.

[RichardPW]

Same on my Nait 1 - there are quite a few out there with the channels swapped for the tuner input.

I believe it can be corrected during a service

[Bobbyj]

Maybe just the very early ones then. Mine is a smooth knob red light.

[Skeptikal]

Ooer missus.
Might be a good idea to get it serviced as still workable.

[anon70766008]

Wasn’t there something a bit weird about the balance control on the NAIT 1 - in that it only attenuated the output of one of the two stereo channels and that the user was expected to adjust the balance by ear so that the amp sounded good through both loudspeakers (probably original Linn Kans)?

[robert_h]

The new NAIT 50 Limited Edition

THE FRONT PANEL Only two brief notes are reguired concerning the controls on the front panel. The button labeled “Mains” (which is the British word for A/C Power) is the on/off button. The balance control does not function like the typical balance control. It only effects the volume level of the left channel. It will change the level of the left channel by plus or minus 4db relative to the right channel. In order to obtain the maximum usable range of the control, the electronic “zero position”…

[anon70766008]

Thank you, Robert. I knew that there was some strange quirk with the balance control.

Naim sidestepped that with the limited edition NAIT50 by dispensing with a balance control altogether.

[Christopher_M]

I have just re-read these four pages in the course of sending them to my sister, who is about to have her Nait serviced.

The writing seems blisteringly fresh and confident, as if from a different age. Which of course it was.

[Skeptikal]

I’m very pleased if I’ve helped you make a decision.
New isn’t always better and it would be such a shame to concede a classic but still serviceable unit to recycle.
Get it sorted out and will be as good as new for many more years of pleasure.
If I’ve helped then great.

[Christopher_M]

Thanks, all the decision making has been hers. I’ve just tried my best to point out the plusses and minuses. Assuming she goes ahead (and the Nait is packed and ready for collection) it will be interesting to hear it in her flat when it comes back…