Naim preamp and Linn LK2 - cabling

[danieljnolan]

Hello!

I have an old hi-fi here with Linn and Naim bits on it. I’ve taken apart/put back together dozens of times and never had so much trouble as this time..

It’s a Linn LK2 power amp wired up to a Naim pre-amp and power supply (sorry name eludes me here - SNAPS?). Couple bits plugged in (LP12, tuner)

I can only get sound out of one or the other of the speakers, no matter what I try.

In the most conventional set-up (red and black speaker cables to positive and negative slots on back of amp respectively, the DIN plugs running from the left and right of the amp to the corresponding left-most or right-most of the two inputs on the back of the preamp) I can get clear sound out of one speaker. Swap everything around and the sound comes from the other speaker.

I have tried so many different combinations and simply cannot get sound from the left and right simultaneously.

What’s weird is when both of the DIN cables are plugged in to the power amp, they make the usual contact noise when plugging them in. Neither seems ‘dead’.

Balance dial makes usual crunching sounds either way but makes no difference. Cranking volume makes no difference.

Any obvious problems here?

[ChrisSU]

Hi, a couple of comments re. cables:

One of the DIN cables in your first photo seems to have a thick layer of tape wrapped round it. Is that to cover a damaged cable, perhaps with a connection that has worked loose?

Have you tried swapping over the two XLR cables on the amp inputs? They are not wired the same.

[danieljnolan]

Thanks for the reply

Yes I have swapped the cables around, but have never inspected for damage on the one you refer to.

I was handed down the system as a whole so previous work is not all known to me.

Maybe it is time for new cables if that is the likely culprit

[danieljnolan]

Got it!!

Not quite sure what did it but checked all the cable connections, pressed along those taped bits, and has now kicked into life.

So, cables. To be replaced I reckon if it doesn’t hold

Thanks mate!

[Skeptikal]

Those sockets and plugs are very old and obsolete now might just be tarnish on connections I’d turn it all off and give the plugs and sockets a good in and out session to wipe them clean.

[danieljnolan]

cor blimey!!