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Problems with my Naim Audio system

jules68leo said:
Hi there,

I'd have to agree, there is a wealth of knowledge on the forum and common sense says that the amps will need recapping.

From past experience just out of curiosity I had my 250 and hi cap recapped after 18 years of ownership whilst waiting for a new pair of speakers.

The difference was jaw dropping I had never ever heard my system sound that good, I cancelled the new speakers and continued to use my Kans which had a new lease of life.

Over time you really don't notice the sound 'degrading' there was nothing wrong with my amps no buzzing hissing or any odd sounds but still obviously they really did need doing and whatever you can get them done for go for it, it wont' hurt and maybe you'll be kicking yourself you didn't do it sooner.

I have recently bought 135s and will be getting them recapped in the next few months, they haven't been done since 2009 and were used in an active system with another pair although I don't know if they were for bass or treble duties.

Good luck
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thanks for your advice!
 
£4.6k is still a huge sum of money. I'd contact witch hat and see what it'd cost to get your shipped and 135s serviced. Mark seems certain that's where your issue lies, he's an ex Naim engineer so I'd trust he's right. Worry about getting other components serviced in due course, unless you have the funds to get it all done at once... I'd still go to witch hat for a full system service, it's not going to adversely affect the value of your kit.
 
linnfomaniac83 said:
£4.6k is still a huge sum of money. I'd contact witch hat and see what it'd cost to get your shipped and 135s serviced. Mark seems certain that's where your issue lies, he's an ex Naim engineer so I'd trust he's right. Worry about getting other components serviced in due course, unless you have the funds to get it all done at once... I'd still go to witch hat for a full system service, it's not going to adversely affect the value of your kit.
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Yeah it is quite a lot and not something I would do at the moment as I need my money for other stuff. Is anyone selling re-capping kits? I thought I‘ve read something a while ago somewhere..I know a few electro engineers and I am sure with the right components they could do the recapping with the help of the great 135 recapping post on PF
 
Gabrijel said:
Yeah it is quite a lot and not something I would do at the moment as I need my money for other stuff. Is anyone selling re-capping kits? I thought I‘ve read something a while ago somewhere..I know a few electro engineers and I am sure with the right components they could do the recapping with the help of the great 135 recapping post on PF
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You could get it done locally. I'm not sure about re-cap kits, you just have to identify the bits you need and order them. The art is in ordering the best quality/suited parts for the application and of course good workmanship. An unknown/poor tech may use bargain basement parts which will work, but not optimally. And a really poor tech could damage traces etc.

I'd ideally send the 135s to witch hat, they will come back perfect and will retain their value properly.

I do understand money issues though, a catastrophic flood caused by a faulty boiler and a burst water pipe under my driveway have really hit me hard over the past few weeks.
 
Gabrijel said:
6k Swiss Francs...thats 4.6k £
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Hope this http://www.hifi-repairs.com/naim.htm would be helpfull,they are on facebook now so you can contact them.Much less as I can calculate than 4.6k.They are naim oficial service.I will check them for my 250 service,easy for you to check via facebook or mail.As you have simlar problems with other sources you can eliminate CD for now ,and get focus on amp and SC servicing.I think it is 135's that makin you problems.
 
That’s good advice in the last post.

Personally I’d not consider having the CD player or preamplifier serviced unless they display any faults. The NAP135s and SuperCap absolutely will benefit from a service. While kits are available:

http://intuneaudio.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=39_73&product_id=235

I’d counsel ‘biting the bullet’ and getting Naim, Darran at Class A or Mark and the team at Witch Hat to go over them. They know this equipment well - and the SuperCap in particular isn’t much fun to work on!

Other companies offer Naim servicing, but these are ones I have had first-hand experience of and am happy to recommend.
 
anotherdom said:
he SuperCap in particular isn’t much fun to work on!
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It doesn't look too bad to me, just a bit tedious as you have 5 or 7 similar or probably identical boards. Then a pile of reservoir caps, which are dead easy if not especially cheap. But its all conventional through board full size stuff. Most technicians will recognise this as being no more complex than a Mk2 Escort and just as easy to work on.
 
Indeed - once you’ve got access to the components it’s relatively straightforward (and monotonous).

But each of those 7 regulator boards (one of which is not identical) is individually heatsinked to the chassis, and tightly loomed with 6 soldered-pin connections with limited access. This is especially the case in a 52PS, with its second transformer and double the reservoir caps. I’m speaking from experience here! Worth it though, for the transformation LesW’s Avondale TPR4 Regulator Modules bring...which is, of course, another option the OP could consider...
 
Gabrijel said:
I am in Basel..do you mean help with finding the problem in the chain or help with recapping? Cheers, Gabriel
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Both :)

I'm occasionally in Basel to visit friends. I'd suggest following approach;
- Confirm swapping in your brother's NAP90 fixes the problem (assuming it does, it means it is either the 135s or the interconnects)
- I schedule a visit and swap out the power supply board caps for you (or fix the interconnects in the very unlikely event it is both of them)

I can also do a full recap, but would want everything sent and left with me for this...it's not a 5 minute job :) I'd just fix your initial problem as a first step, then decide what you want to do.

Send me a PM with your email address if you want to progress.

Richard
 
I usually use Class A in Sheffield for servicing, and a quick look at their website shows that they would service an 82/Supercap/135s for £1000. I would have suggested that you use him, but unfortunately he only takes work from UK and EU customers. Still, that is a clear indication that your Swiss dealer is taking the ****.
 
Dowser's offer sounds good!
135s and 250s suffer early failure of some small and inexpensive electrolytic capacitors on the power supply regulator boards which is possibly where the idea of recapping Naim amps every 10 years originated.
Replacing those may be all you need.
 
Gabrijel said:
6k Swiss Francs..thats about 4.6£ ..he said thats the official Naim price..
As I bought my system second hand he didn't seem very interested in helping me and seemed rather annoyed by my call. Unfortunately, there's only one Naim dealer here so no other place to go.
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Could be that is the official Naim price. This is a guy you don't want from the sound of him.
Is there another, more helpful Naim dealer or service agent in CH you can use ?
There is also better kit at lower prices you can get hold of....
 
£4600 for a "recap", Seriously? Id sell the lot for whatever I could get and get a naim atom if you want to stick with the company who want to hairy ape you with the recap rip off.
 
Recap them as they are worth less to sell without having them done and you're seriously doing them and yourself an injustice by not getting them done, not sure what you paid for the 135s but if you get them done they will be as new and last years before needing to be done again, as mentioned before I bought my 250 from a friend in 1992 it was 10 years old then and originally came from Sound Advice in Loughborough. It wasn't until 2007 that I had it recapped and as far as I know it had never had the lid off or been touched/serviced.

I think many would bet you their wages that the difference will be amazing once done.

Not sure of cost of living etc but if you can afford it it will be probably be the best most worthwhile investment you'll make in your system for ages and get you back to enjoying it and appreciating it for what it is again.

All the best.
 
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