I would have to say that I’m simply not sure. It stands to reason that if it is receiving the proper signal and responding to resolutions and other source cables, then I cannot see how the DAC is faulty.
@NeilS or @Richard.Dane ? Any guesses or suggestions? Otherwise I’ll be making a trip to a dealer with the 252 and CHORD. I’m all out of things to try.
@Simon-in-Suffolk has the Ndx2 with Chord Dave. He should help maybe.
Chrissu also before.
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Unless it’s output stage has gone grumpy
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Might be stating the obvious but can you do a factory reset?
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That seems to be a last resort at this point. I did one when I first unboxed it when setting it up, but who knows?
You read my mind @frenchrooster .
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AI has suggested the following:
The unit’s display provides diagnostic feedback: after power-up, it should scroll “Chord,” then display the selected input source, phase mode, RAM buffer setting, and finally the input selected. Once a digital signal is locked, the display will briefly show “LOCK” followed by the sample rate (e.g., 44K, 48K, 88K, 96K, 176K, or 192K). If the display shows “LOCK” but no audio is heard, the issue is likely within the output stage or signal path after the digital-to-analog conversion.
The CHORD does exactly what it should as illustrated here, save for the output. I suppose it could well be the DAC.
Sorry to hear that - but it sounds a bit coincidental to me
If your not using the phono inputs on the 252 how are you connecting the analogue output of the Chord to the Naim box?
I assumed it was RCA
@ryder uses the same Dac, maybe he can help if he sees this?
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Connecting the Headline to the 252 RCAs won’t work, as they are inputs to the preamp.
If the analogue connection between the DAC & 252 is via RCA - have you mapped the input button accordingly?
Regards
Neil.
You’ll get no sound from the Headline connecting to the RCA phonos on the 252 - they are inputs, not outputs.
Richard, the problem is here:
As Neil has suggested above, I would first be checking the input mapping is correctly configured on the 252 for the DAC input.
Now I’m totally confused. Other Chord DACs I’ve tried didn’t necessitate using RCAs from DAC into a preamp; just the coax going from NDX2 or ND5XS2 to the DAC. It then outputs the signal from there.
Thank you, Richard. I have tried that, but will try again to ensure it worked.
Surely the DAC outputs the converted Digital input via its analogue output (RCA or XLR)
The analogue outs are connected to a preamp input - via cable (RCA-Din) or (RCA-RCA)
Could we have a photo of your current setup and connections please? A picture is worth a thousand words 
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Here are some pics. I have also tried what NigelA10 is saying, connecting a pair of RCAs from the CHORD to the 252, but still nothing, even after reprogramming inputs…
I’m starting to deduce that the RCA inputs on the 252 are possibly the culprit. I have nowhere else to point to.