Hello everyone. I wanted to reach out to the community and ask a question.
I have a NAP300DR and am trying to use a different brand preamp ahead of it, but am experiencing high levels of buzz and distortion when hooking it up. I have looked at the manual and I believe I have pinpointed the issue due to how Naim wires the XLR inputs on the NAP300. Take a look at this image:
Based on this image, I do not believe this is wired like a typical amp would be, with the Right and Left XLR being the same pins. For example, on Input 1, the hot pin appears to be the left pin, on Input 2, the hot pin appears to be the bottom pin. I am not aware of any other manufacturer that would have the two XLR inputs be different. Is there a reason for this, other than to lock people into using Naim gear?
The DAC and Preamp I am using is an Aries Cerat Incito S and Helene. I am using the XLR out of the DAC, and then XLR again out of the Preamp.
When using my NAC552, no noise issues. When using the Incito S, TONS of very loud noise issues, at the risk of damaging speakers.
Am I looking at this correctly? Do I HAVE to use the Naim preamp with the NAP300 due to this unique wiring design?
Thank you, are there any solutions for this other than replacing the amp with a different one? Seems odd they would lock you into the Naim ecosystem when the amp should be fairly universal.
If you are using a non-Naim preamp, you will need to make sure that the XLR output from the preamp is single-ended and not balanced, as the NAP 300 DR’s XLR inputs are designed for single-ended connections.
This is very odd, as the Incito S uses single ended XLR connections. Only two of the XLR pins are connected inside the Incito S. But I do not see this working, as the wiring on the two inputs are very different on the Naim.
Exactly, as I have never seen an XLR input be different between input 1 and 2. I have to believe this design was done to lock into the brand. I see no reasons why this would be done to improve sonics.
If you have the original supplied din - XLR cables for the 300 you will see they are marked right and left . That is for a reason .
All Naim preamps of the classic era and previous use a set din pin configuration for left right earth output . It’s the mono input power amps of classic and previous eg,300,135 .that then make sure that right and left are not switched incorrectly ,to do so they basically made sure they would not work at all by using the different pin config at power amp input . To stop numpties connecting incorrectly and having channels switched.
Nothing odd at all, Naim power amps are designed to be used with Naim pre-amps. I’m not saying it can’t, or indeed shouldn’t be done but a bit of research before taking the plunge might have been beneficial. Further, even if you weren’t having the wiring problems the 2 brands might not work well together.
If the XLR plug unscrews, it should be possible to pull the hot 1 pin out the back and insert it into hot 2. If the pins are not removable, a quick job with the soldering iron can also swap the hots.
Most preamps I’ve seen have a hot 1/2 swap switch.
I have the Ear 912 tubes pre, and previously used it with the Nap 300 dr. My pre has both RCA and XLR. With the 300 dr, a cable dealer made me 2 cables to connect to the 912: 2 separated cables, RCA to DIN/XlR.
I guess you have to do the same, by a cable specialist.
Naim use Cannon XLR sockets here but they are not balanced but single ended. You will need to have the supplied DIN-XLR cables re-terminated with RCAs at the DIN end or else have some appropriately wired custom cables made up for you in order to connect a non-Naim pre-amp. Note though that Naim power amps are designed to match best with Naim pre-amps.
I understand that yes, technically I should have read the manual, and saw on the printout that the left and right XLR wiring was different, but my point is that I should not have to. If that is the case, then they should use a proprietary connector, and not what on the surface (and what any other amp would have) appears to be normal XLR. I get that people on the internet can say “its your fault” but you should not have to read the manual in what exterior wise appears to be an industry standard connector. I can’t imagine I am the only person that has discovered this, and I was lucky enough that it did not damage a set of $30K speakers.
To those that have been helpful instead of insulting/degrading audio snobbery, thank you for your input.
I am going to switch the NAP300 with a CH Precision amp, and be done with it. Everything in the front end besides the ND555 have been switched already. May switch it to an Oladra at some point.
Where most manufacturers adhere to more or less standardised connections, sensitivities etc, Naim indeed has been quirky and dong their own thing. Apparently all in the name of sound quality, added to which the official line seems to be tge pre and power amps are designed as two halves of the amplifier and you will only get the maximum benefit by using both from Naim. But then they would say that wouldn’t they! Whilst I’ve never had a Naim amp, I have in tga past thought that a 500 or possibly 300 might drive my speakers well, but I absolutely don’t want or need to add a box of electronics modifying the output of my DAC which is well capable of driving a power amp directly. IIUC their “new classic” range now has standardised connectors, and on paper the 350 “sounds” like it is Naim’s most capable amp yet, and if I were looking for a new amp and could afford them I’dbe interested in auditioning a pair.
Why would anyone use AI for this? If someone wants the facts they need to be sure the info is correct, and Naim manuals are most likely best paced for the info, otherwise experienced Naim users who ave done similar, rather than unintelligent AI..
