When do I know it’s time for a service …?

[Camphuw]

All my kit was serviced in 2012. The amps and preamp I have had since the 90’s.
I had them serviced on the advice of my dealer, but if I recall correctly I had not noticed a deterioration in sound.
I am now wondering when I should get my kit serviced. Which items should I do first, or should I do them all? I’m assuming that my NAT02 is fine, as are the 52, Snaxo and supercaps are ok for a while.

[Jaybar]

@Camphuw I believe Naim has guidance for when service is needed. Also you should check to see if an item can be serviced. Is your dealer still in business? That might be a good place to start.

[HungryHalibut]

It’s definitely time for the things with big power supplies, so the 135s and the Supercaps. Get them off to Class A asap! Your profile says NAT02 but you mention an 01. The head unit is fine all the time it’s working ok, but not sure about the PS. Maybe ask Darran.

[Bluesfan]

Our NAP135s really benefitted from a service every 7 years and yes, we heard a noticeable benefit each time. The Supercap and 52 also benefitted greatly from a service after 12 years.

Hope that helps, BF

[Blackbird]

I understand PS for power amps can be very beneficial to service. But how about 555PSDR powering an NDS. Is that as sensitive? My 555 is 10 years now.

[Richard.Dane]

The FAQ might help;

When should I service my Naim equipment?

According to Naim: “This is a question often asked, and the Naim Service Department recommendations are as follows: for the Chrome bumper (circa 1975 to 1989) and Olive (circa 1989 - 2000) range products, we recommend every 8 - 10 years and for the newer Black products (2000 - present), every 12 - 15 years.” When asked about wear rates, component degradation and servicing on current equipment, Steve Sells commented as follows;

[Camphuw]

Sadly my dealers (all three of them over the years) are no longer trading. I’m in the market for a new dealer!

[Camphuw]

Thanks for pointing out my error - that will be a trip to Sheffield then! My friends will be warned.

Thanks @Richard.Dane - I overlooked the obvious again.

Call me a sceptic, or just reluctant to open my wallet, I tend to distrust recommendations about service times be they for a car, dishwasher, heating systems or hifi; hence my wondering about any signs in deteriorating sound quality. Then again, my ears may not be able to detect any decline in sound quality.

I am also aware of false economy in not getting things serviced in time - looks like I will have to break open my piggy bank.

[Bluesfan]

@Camphuw

Then again, my ears may not be able to detect any decline in sound quality.

I suspect that they really will after the service!

[Innocent_Bystander]

@Camphuw

I tend to distrust recommendations about service times

I had a Musical fidelity P270 serviced by MF at about 30 years old. I didn’t notice any audible difference, though of course comparing sound a couple of weeks apart is pretty difficult. They didn’t replace the power supply capacitors as apparently they still measured within spec. Last year I had my subsequent MF370 serviced at 40+ years of age, by MF’s former chief service engineer. Many caps were replaced, and I’d say it did sound distinctly better, with greater clarity than I remembered - but I’d had it fine tuned at the same time not just serviced. Bryston guarantee their amps for 20 years, with no mention of any service need - indeed many manufacturers don’t specify servoce intervals (MF didn’t).

Against that, many on here report improvements in sound after having Naim kit serviced, some even at shorter intervals than Naim recommends, though how anyone can be certain is another matter, given that the hifi normally seems to sound better when you cone back after a break from it.

[PaulDavies]

@Camphuw

hence my wondering about any signs in deteriorating sound quality.

When the reservoir caps in my active 250s degraded after about 12 years, the clipping distortion was unmistakeable.

[Thegreatroberto]

Did you have the work done by JS?

[Innocent_Bystander]

Yes, that’s him!

[Thegreatroberto]

Ive used him a number of times with MF kit. His forte is stuff with large capacitors.
My NV 300 power amp had been previously " fine tuned " by MF. Most of which was complete nonsense. Eg,putting copper foil over the large caps. JS claims MF started fine tuning in response to his services.

[Innocent_Bystander]

JS didn’t call what he offers “fine tuning” though I used that term not recalling what he called it. Might have been “upgrade”? IIRC MF’s offered fine tuning, which I had wanted on my 270 when it went for service but they discontinued on that range even as it was on its way to them, included matching some things like transistors, but it was a while ago.

[Dan_M]

When I had some items serviced by Darran at Class A a few years ago, we discussed service intervals. XPS2, Supercap 2 every 10 years. 52 every 15. 135s every 10.

So it’s different from some general advice as some kit he says 10 and Naim say 12 to 15, andother kit vice versa.

I would get angthing with big caps done. So your Supercaps 135s and any power supplies used heavily.

It’s also being aware that Darran won’t be servicing for ever so maybe get the 52 done too. I would try to get it all done in one hit.

Sounds like it’s needed!

[Thegreatroberto]

The service from MF went downhill from 2010? onwards. JS offers a resonable, if not premium priced service. Ive always found him unclear/illusive when you ask what he actually does for his quoted cost.

[Innocent_Bystander]

I suspect he’s not wanting others to copy him. But anyway I was very happy with the result of what he did for me on the 370. I was also interested in what he said about that model being one of the very best things MF ever made, and he as well as the sound quality (it was the key Tim de Paravicini design) it is extremely reliable - he considers it “bulletproof” but for all I know he may say that to everyone about their amp!