The right hand channel of my system has just packed in. However, because of the single Naim connection lead between the pre and power amp I’m not sure if it’s the pre-amp or the power amp. How do I ascertain which it is?
Also, what’s the likely component that has failed?
If you swap the speaker connections at the rear of your NAP200, what happens?
(It’s not the answer to your questions but will establish if both speakers are working).
- Check the source into a different amp.
- Try a different Naim SNAIC
- Borrow either a Naim pre or power (not 250 or above)
You should have your answer … Good luck.
AH .. you use a QUTE … hadn’t noticed. Remove the 200 and connect the speakers directly … that should answer it.
Could be a relay
I do use a Qute yes. I’m not at home until later this evening so not had chance to try any of the above yet but I’ll do so tomorrow at some point. I can listen to both channels through the Headline amp/NAPSC though.
Not sure what you mean. The Qute2 has RCA speaker outputs therefore I’d be bypassing both NAC202 and NAP200 so I still wouldn’t be able to ascertain if it’s the pre or power amp at fault.
Headphones working OK has eliminated the Qute / any other source. Connecting speakers to Qute would eliminate speakers and speaker cables. If Qute pre out into 200 works - it’s the 202 Pre, the interconnect to the 202 or the 4 pin SNAIC. If not it’s (at least) the 200. (BTW Is the fault present on all 202 inputs?)
I have no idea about any Qute. You didn’t mention it in your first post. You attributed the loss of sound on one channel to your 202/200. I thought it worth ruling out the speakers first.
Yep. The fault is on all inputs to the 202. I swapped the speaker cables over on the 202 and the dead channel swapped to the other speaker so speaker and cables are OK. I’m not sure how to connect the Qute2 to the power amp. I used to have a Naim connectivity user guide knocking around but can’t find it online anymore.
Hi Christopher. Yes I’ve ruled speakers and cables out. See my reply above.
You’ll need a twin RCA to 4 pin DIN interconnect ffrom Qute Pre-Out to NAP200 input. Maybe your Naim dealer can lend you one. However I’d start by checking out your existing SNAIC first. Then start substituting other bits in a logical order. Or take it all to a dealer for checking.
I’ll dig out a SNAIC this evening and try that but hard to see that a cable would fail as it’s not been disturbed but you never know. An easy check. I have a DAC-V1/NAP100 upstairs. Can I safely connect the NAC202 to the NAP100? If I can do that and it restores the channel it’s the 200. If not then it must be the 202. Without the RCA?DIN cable (nearest dealership is 80 mile round trip) or a substitute amp I won’t be able to establish which unit is faulty.
That’s a perfect solution … you should have mentioned 
.. yes .. substitute the different bits and that should answer the question. Good luck.
It was an afterthought. I wasn’t sure if it was OK to connect a NAP100 to the NAC202. I’ll try another SNAIC cable first as the easy check but as the headphones work through both channels of my Headline/NAPSC then as that’s fed from the 202 it’s looking most likely it’s the power amp. I should be home in a few hours so I’ll know later on.
So jumping the gun a bit, if the 200 is knackered, then is it worth gettng it repaired by Naim or not. I’d say not. They have a flat pricing structure set by type of unit for servicing/repair, which I think is £600 (or was last time I had one done). Now I’m not au fait with current second hand prices but suspect the 200 might not even be worth £600. That means I’ll be in the market for a replacement. If that transpires then would a 250 be an obvious upgrade or should I just bin the 200 and sell the 202 and get maybe a 282 and 250? I do have a Hicap sitting in a box which I really should have pressed into service.
Haha love it .. a spare Hicap as well. Wonder what else? I want to live in your house … I’d contact Class A servicing .. Naim approved and usually more economical … a simple repair might cost less than a full service. But I wouldn’t consider upgrading the 200 at this point .. a 282 with the Hicap into the 200 would be a very nice upgrade. As would a ND5XS2 to replace the Qute. Do both of these if you can, or try the NC range if funds allow, but in fairness I haven’t heard these yet. Any change to poweramp without first upgrading further up the chain will likely prove disappointing IMHO. Why not get a service on the 200 while it’s in dry dock anyway? (Always assuming it proves to be the culprit).
I had a 200 serviced at its 10 year point - it made a tangible difference. If you feel the need to upgrade; from my experience I would do this and get a 282.
Another vote for 282/200 here, I’d get the 200 fixed by Class A (assuming the OP is in the UK) and keep it. 202/250 is a mismatch.
More importantly, a source upgrade is in order here. If the 1st gen streaming platform is enough there are some real bargains out there - such as an NDX - or maybe move to an NDX2. I would prioritise this over a preamp upgrade.
Yes, the HiCap wasn’t put into service when I got it back from Naim due to lack of rack space. It didn’t go back to Naim for repair as such. The faschia developed a slight purple hue and so it was replaced under warrantee as a QA issue. Something was said at the time about a nearby factory fire that may have contaminated the air when it was being anodised.
Anyway, that’s digressing. I’ll post my findings separately below.
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Well chaps. I’ve completed my investigations.
I replaced the SNAIC between the 202 and 200, as one end was looking a bit crabby with the plastic cable protector pulled out from the metal locking ring. Made no difference. Still no left channel. I’d previously check speakers and speaker cables OK.
I took out the 200 and plumbed in the NAP100 and that was a failed experiment. It wouldn’t handshake with the 202.
I then took the route I didn’t want to and ask my mate if I could borrow his 200 (knowing how much messing about that involves) but after much puffing and blowing he agreed so that got plumbed in eventually. I was fairly certain that would restore things to normal. Wrong. Still no left channel.
Conclusion: The NAC200 preamp is the culprit. It cannot be the Qute2 because I have a CD player connected via RCA into the 202 (no left channel) and also a NAT04 through a DIN into the 202 (no left channel) so pretty conclusive. Both monitor channels are working because I have a Headline/NAPSC driven off the 202.
So, with all that said it looks like I either get the 202 repaired (yes Chris I am in the UK) or go on the upgrade path. Don’t know whether to take the first option 282/200 (my 200 is the DR version) and push the HiCap into service alongside and/or maybe a source upgrade with an NDX2.
That of course leaves me with a knackered 202. Not sure what to do with that. Again second hand value may make it non-economically viable to repair, but a full service would be a working spare and something to gauge any upgrade option to.
Anyway guys, thanks for your suggestions regarding upgrades. The 282 seems the most straightforward upgrade but I suspect the improvement won’t be fully realised using the Qute2 as a source which I use mostly for Spotify and Tidal although I do have a Unitserve connected up too networked with a 16TB server (RAID10 so really only 8TB) so still way more than enough.
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