I have tried researching everywhere on this and cannot find a solve. I had to pack away my system for a bit because of travel and some work on the listening room. When I set it all back up, meaning have all of the right connections in place from my NAC252, SuperCap, XPS and NDX2, all I get is music on a very low, faint volume on the speakers. This is from Internet Radio stations, Qobuz or Tidal. The NAC252 physical volume control or remote has no effect. All outputs within the Naim/Focal app system settings are correct: Volume Fixed, DIN (I use a HiLine from the NDX2 to the NAC252 and other DINs, nothing else).
Reading other topics, it points to a defective relay? I suppose I’m unsure. But here’s the new thing: the music plays no matter which input on the NAC252 I press. It doesn’t matter that I have the HiLine plugged into the AUX1, CD, Tuner—whatever. How can this be?
At this point I am at a complete loss. HELP anyone!!!
Thank you @Sinewave for that. I remember reading this fairly recently, but I do not think they’re quite the same. I do not use SA; I just keep volume fixed and either physically use the NAC252 volume dial or its remote, which both have worked just fine in the recent past.
I just find it odd that suddenly after unpacking everything and reconnecting the system according to how it should this occurs. The low/faint volume is bad enough, but now even though I have the Naim HiLine from the NDX2 going into the AUX1 socket, or even CD, I can press any of the input buttons on the front of the NAC252 and the music, faint as it is, doesn’t skip a beat; it just keeps playing like it’s unaffected. Normally you cannot press another input without the music stopping because you are not on the correct or matching one the DIN cable is in. I’ve never heard of this.
Try replacing the Hiline with the standard lavender cable……disconnect then reconnect the burndy between the 252 and Supercap…..make sure you have removed the mains power cable from the NDX2.
… from which I would suspect the 252 rather than the NDX.
If the level is very low, it could be that you are hearing crosstalk from the tape loop, which could indicate relay problems, although that could (maybe - I don’t know enough about the 252) be caused by power supply connection issues.
This sounds rather as though the NDX2 is outputting on RCA rather than Din, despite it showing Din in the app. Have you tried turning the XPS off and leaving it for a few minutes, then turning on? Then switch between RCA and Din and see if it comes to life. The preamp may alternatively be stuck, and I believe there is a reset procedure for it.
Thank you @thebigfredc , @AndyR and @HungryHalibut ! I have tried all of these suggestions but to no avail. I figured out how to reset the NAC252 and tried that (ensured it was on ‘Pre’, then held on ‘Prog’ until the volume knob and inputs started blinking, then pressed ‘Disp’…that resets the preamp). Now I have no idea if it’s the SuperCap (connections), NDX2 or the NAC252. I am setting my TT back up this weekend, so can hopefully eliminate one or two of these, but who knows? I’ve never encountered anything like this with Naim gear in all my years. UGH!!!
That may have to be the way I go with this. I’ll probably have to box all of these up and head there if the TT setup can’t deduce whatever the issue/problematical Naim box is.
@Richard.Dane , do you have any thoughts or experiences with this? Anything is appreciated.
I think I’d disconnect everything, and start again from scratch, maybe referencing the manuals rather than memory - I know you know what you’re doing, but everyone gets a ‘how did I miss that’ moment sooner or later…
Another thought - and I don’t even know if this is physically possible - have you swapped the SC and XPS Burndies?
This would seem to indicate that it could either a pre-amp issue or a reverse wired interconnect. Try a different interconnect - the grey one it came with would do. Otherwise I would defer to the expertise of @NeilS who services these things and has probably come across a similar issue before…
I did start from scratch and reconnect everything. The SC and XPS Burndys are different; there is no physical way one could fit into the other, but thank you for going through the process with me.
Will do @NeilS . I should know more, hopefully, by this weekend when I get the turntable set up. I spoke with a friend who is going to let me borrow his Supercap to switch out as well. Thank you!
The SuperCap was the culprit. I switched out mine with my buddy’s, reconnected everything, and it works. Now, the unfortunate part is sending mine back to Naim, but it’s a small price to pay…wait, large price to pay…for music again. Thank you everytone who contributed. You were a huge help!
