I have a Supernait2/HiCapDR that I’ve been using non-stop for 8 years now. It’s always on and unmuted. It’s working in conjunction with NDX2, NAP250DR, Ovator S600s.
Well it has now developed annoying persistent cutting off the right channel on both of the Tuner and CD inputs where I have had my NDX2 connected to. It happens predictably every morning after the NDX2 has been off for a while. Eventually, after some 10-15min, the right channel kicks in.
My understanding is this is most likely caused by sticky Reed relays that I may, or may not, have accidentally caused arching in over the years because of leaving the SN2 on and unmuted and which might cause small arching across the relay contacts due to a small DC surge happening every time the NDX2 is powered on. Had I always put the SN2 on mute ahead of turning the NDX2 on, this arching could have been avoided.
Does this sound plausible or did I just get a bad SN2?
I now have an opportunity to get an NAC252/SCDR that’s just been recapped. The Reed relays were not replaced, so these are about 10 years old now.
Should I worry about this and can I prolong their lifespan by being more mindful about putting the 252 on mute ahead of turning the NDX2 on?
My 252 failed with the mute relay issue, but it never came back again on it’s own. At the time Naim fixed it free of charge (I was a 2nd owner) within a month, but that was when Audio Plus (I’m in the U.S.) had Naim in North America, before Focal Naim took them over.
It’s been fine in the 5-6 years ever since.
I wish you the best luck getting it resolved. It is frustrating, but you might need an official repair for that.
I have a 2018 (just recapped) 252 and, to start with, I’ll point out that you’ll experience a substantial upgrade if you proceed as you suggest.
I too leave everything powered up all the time except when I go away for more than a night (lest there be thunderstorms). The only difference is that I leave my NDX2 permanently on (System Settings/Standby Settings = Never). I don’t know if this will help but it might be that once the relay has worked it might stay closed if the NDX2 doesn’t go into standby.
I can’t help with your question on muting. I’m not sure whether the mute function mutes the inputs, by opening all the relays, or mutes the output somehow.
The longer term solution is obviously a repair. Class A did my recapping of the 252 same-day. Not sure if they do relays.
Separate question for anyone: of the 6 inputs on my 252 I am only using one (the CD one, for my NDX2). If I get a relay problem with that input, can I just work through the others … by which I mean are they all identical electrically? I guess that they are.
@JosquinDesPrez How do you “power cycle” your sources and pre-amp? Do you keep them on all the time or do you let them go to Standby or deliberately turn them off and on as needed?
@Bubble I like that idea of keeping the NDX on permanently. I’m trying this for a few days to see if the CD and Tuner inputs come fully on in the morning (after the NDX’s been cookin’ all night.)
As for your question about the inputs, I can only answer about the SN2 and which has only 4 inputs. But all 4 can be used. I just can’t make myself use the two inputs, HDD and AV, because they also have output pins even though it’s safe because those two pins are unused on the CD and Tuner inputs and not connected to anything at the NDX end.
There is no standby mode on my Naim. I have a 252/SCDR/300DR. They only have the power buttons on the front. They are completely off or completely on. I keep them on most of the time. If I am leaving home for a bit I power them off and unplug them from the wall.
My phono-stage has a standby mode. When I am done with a listening session, I use that.
