Hello, it’s been a while. I’ve been enjoying my NAIM 152/155 XS stack for a few years, but since we recently moved, an old issue has come up again: I can’t fully insert the SNAIC cable into the power amp. As a result, I’m unable to lock the cable collar in place.
I bought the stack new over four years ago and honestly can’t remember if this issue was present from the start — but it’s been that way for as long as I can recall.
It doesn’t seem to affect the sound; the power and preamps have always worked fine. Still, it bothers me that I can’t plug in either the original SNAIC that came with the units or the aftermarket Design-a-Cable SNAIC I bought later, thinking my OEM cable was at fault.
After inspecting the jack with a magnifying glass, I noticed a small piece of metal protruding into the socket from the amp above the alignment slot, which prevents the plug from going all the way in. Is this intentional — perhaps NAIM designed it this way so the plug doesn’t seat fully — or could it indicate a damaged or misaligned jack?
The little piece of metal you mention is part of the DIN socket, it’s a leaf intended to make an electrical connection between the outer bodies of the plug & socket. It can sometimes become deformed & block the gallery around the black plastic centre.
You may be able to manipulate it back into shape using a suitable implement, otherwise a replacement socket will be required.
@robert_h Of course! I only got third party cable to see if my original cable was the problem.
@NeilS Good to know. I’m adding the picture where you can barely see a piece of metal visible in the slot at 6 o’clock. That’s what not letting the plug seat fully. I was was to “shape” it, do you recommend trying to push it up so the plug ring can slide under?
Oh definitely! I use the locking rings (finger tight) too, so the Snaic4 cannot be accidentally pulled out from my 155XS. Thus no possibility of potentially damaging (so the forum tells me) squeaks and screeches.
It looks like a small screwdriver inserted and then twisted might do the lifting.
Okay, I got it fixed with the help of a small piece of plastic-backed paper - I used it as a guide to push the clip inside the socket down (it’s spring-loaded), then slide the plug in and pull the paper out (this is where plastic backing helped to keep the paper for tearing). Total McGyvering! Now I need to remember not to unplug the power amp, unless I want to perform the same trick again
