With most Naim DACs getting long in the tooth, what is recommended when picking one to buy? Is there a recommended service interval? It doesn’t seem that getting the DAC serviced is discussed nearly as much as amps.
There has definitely been mention of users who have had nDACs serviced and recapped. But you’re right, it’s not a common theme.
However, I suspect your question is best answered via Naim support. Direct from the horse’s mouth. And then shared here for other’s benefit.
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Dealer & naim advice to us was it didn’t need serviced unless faulty (2011 model).
We chose to service anyway as covered in previous posts you can find via search.
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Did you find a sonic benefit from having it serviced?
Was a dealer purchase (via auction site) and went straight to naim. Didn’t hear it unserviced.
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Fair enough - IMO probably a good idea - making sure it is in tip top condition and performing as well as possible.
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Servicing tier 7 digital device isn’t cheap so it’s a trade off.
We might change DAC at some point, but the nDAC would just move into office. Not going anywhere.
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I’m with you. At some point I may move to another DAC, but it’s doubtful I’d depart with my nDac. I’d repurpose it unless I got a huge price in trading for something like the NSS333.
Not sure they still service the Ndac, as they recently stopped servicing the Nds and Superline.
But worth asking Naim directly.
FocalNorthAmerica does service the nDAC at least they did last time I checked.
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Hi
My Ndac was serviced back in November 24,
at Naim uk headquarters.
Regards
Pieman.
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Why would you choose to service the dac after being told it wasn’t needed? Why ask naim for advice then ignore it?
My dealer didn’t think a Tier 7 service was justified for a nDac and agreed with Naim for a standard analogue item service fee to be charged instead as the service only required reservoir caps replacing (they fitted revised fascia brackets too).
So, for anyone considering a service, it may be worth asking for the same if you have a proactive dealer.
Mine had to go back for a new logo so I decided I may as well have it serviced at the same time.
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Because we wanted peace of mind.
We had no idea of history of the device or how it had been treated since 2011.
We were about to connect it to a very expensive system.
naim checked everything over and replaced some caps.
Money well spent in our view.
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If Naim say the device does not need servicing I can not understand why you needed piece of mind, what possible risk is there connecting an unserviced but correctly functioning DAC to an expensive system? A pragmatist may suggest that the risk of causing damage to a piece known to be functioning by opening it up and checking/servicing outweigh any benefit of such an unneeded tampering.
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Naim official post is not the entire truth. They just discourage people to service it if nothing is broken. Probably due to lack of a big reserve of caps.
Some people had made the service before and observed a little but noticeable uplift in sound.
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What is the cost difference between the two types of service?
Indeed, the reservoir capacitors in the NDAC, which are only used for the digital board section if an external power supply is used, I would expect last 20 years plus.
There is no significant current to heat the internals of the electrolytic capacitors or cause bad ripple due to increasing ESR , and no significant ambient heat in the NDAC.
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Your statement is your opinion qualified by a guess? Doesn’t really justify an unnecessary service and might misinform owners of dacs who otherwise could enjoy continued use without worrying about the need of an expensive intervention
Jonny, rooster also wrote:
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