NSC222 Left Channel dropping out

Hi-Fi Corner
1

Hi all

Wondering if anyone has experienced this problem which cropped up yesterday afternoon ?

My system is NSC222 + ATCSCM50ASL purchased new in November last year.

Left channel on the 222 drops out after a few minutes playing.

If I pause music then I can hear a crackling noise from the left channel.

If the volume is adjusted up or down, the left channel comes back (but drops out again after a few minutes)

I swapped the XLR cable connections at the rear of the 222 and the problem then showed up on the RHS speaker. This seems to clearly indicate the 222 left channel is the problem and not the speakers or cables.

I’ve tried complete system power down and factory reset of the 222 without success.

Also the problem seems to only occur above a certain volume (around 40%) ie typical listening levels.

Any thoughts or similar experiences ?

I’ve taken the unit to my dealer and have a Linn Select DSM Organik (whatever that means … ) as a loaner meantime. Just fired up the Linn and it is sounding pretty damn good, fortunately I cannot do a back to back comparison with the 222 …

Cheers, Nick

2

I have a 222 and yes, occasionally after adjusting volume the left channel drops. Adjusting again usually brings it back, and there’s no crackling noise. A bit annoying but not enough to send away. There have been other threads where users have had similar (but different) issues with 332 and 222 channel drop out or noise. No easy fix IIRC it’s back to dealer/ Naim.

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3

If you switch the cables round and the problem moves with them, perhaps it is a cable problem, though the volume change issue points to the 222.

Could you borrow a set of cables to remove that possibility?

If it is a bad connection in the cable, that could be a quick/cheap fix.

Good luck with it. :grinning_face:

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4

Thanks Fueller - that’s interesting to note. My issue started suddenly and was happening all the time. I think my unit may be going back to Naim.

5

Hi - thanks for the feedback.
I didn’t fully switch the cables round, I just plugged the lhs xlr cable into the rhs xlr socket and vice versa - the problem then moved to the rhs speaker. This eliminates the cable as an issue. Also the loaner Linn unit is using the same cables with no problem.
Hopefully dealer/Naim will diagnose and fix the issue.

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6

Yes, definitely send it back. Completely unacceptable at this price level.

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7

Really? You should ask for a replacement immediately

Martin

8

Did you not say purchased new last November?. Under warranty and therefore straight replacement or am I missing something?

9

Unfortunately not after 30 days according to the Consumer Rights Act. But thanks for the prompt.

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10

Quick update

Unfortunately the dealer has not been able to replicate the problem, however they have ordered a brand new replacement unit ! I think this is fantastic customer service as they were under no obligation other than to have the unit repaired by Naim. 2-3 week lead time at the moment as Naim are apparently back-ordered on the 222.

Illustrates the advantages of using a good dealer. Hats off to HiFi Corner Edinburgh !

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11

When you get the new one make sure once you unpack it to let it sit and get up to room temp before hooking things up and firing it up. I also like Kontack cleaning solution making sure everything is nice a clean.

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12

Yes I certainly will. When the dealer delivered the previous one with the ATCs it had become very cold in transit and there was significant condensation on the casing. It was left overnight to acclimatise before firing up, in case there was any condensation internally - very frustrating, but better safe than sorry.

13

It’s always worth repeating this. Years ago I sold my CDS3 to a Gentleman in Germany. It was delivered during a cold snap and the buyer couldn’t wait to unpack it and connect it up, with calamitous results from condensation forming inside from being a cold CD player suddenly in a warm and humid room.

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