The problem is mostly caused by the Naim having far too much gain.
The Naim pre-amps have a gain of x13 in the line stage, after the volume control. So full power at this point only needs about 70mV rms.
In the days of analog-only sources, we rarely had this issue arise, as signal levels were typically very low (Naim gear was - and is - designed around a signal source nominal output level of 70mV). However, the issue we have today, and raised here, is created by the need to manage the higher level signals (around 2 volts) coming from modern digital sources such as CD players, DVD players, etc, etc.
This seems to be confirmed with my 82 (with the CDI playing), where the volume control usually sits between 7.30 and 8.00 o'clock for gentle background music, and 9.00 o'clock to start it moving (somewhat). So I waste most of the volume control range because the usual operating range (in my case) is heavily compressed (ie small angle of rotation), caused by the volume having to be not far off its minimum setting.
This also adds to the difficulty of using the remote control to adjust volume to the optimum setting because of the sensitivity of the volume control because of the range compression. Also, as 7.30 is not far off the minimum volume setting (7.00 on mine), it only needs a whisker of a volume change to go from low to off, further adding to the remote adjustment difficulty.
Naim has now addressed this issue by allowing adjustment of each input source level to a normalised setting. Unfortunately, my 82 doesn't have such a feature.
However, the (logical) answer (for me) seems to be to reduce the gain of the line stage (from 13x) back to say, 2 or 3, or even unity. (This is done by changing a single resistor in each channel). It will get the volume pot positioned further clockwise, ease the remote volume adjustment by being much less sensitive, especially at the lower volumes, as well as lower any noise produced by the line stage. Seems a 'perfect' solution.
Of course, signal sources with low outputs will need the volume control set to still higher settings, where hopefully the desired sound levels can be achieved. Herein lies a compromise.
I'll try it. Hopefully I can find a compromise in the line stage gain setting which suits my listening needs across ALL my signal sources, and eases the remote volume setting problem!
(Note to Moderators: I presume Naim or their dealers would be prepared to undertake this non-standard component change, if so requested, on the basis of the REAL problems it addresses, as described above. After all, Naim now provides the means to do exactly this (functionally) in their recent preamps).
Nice idea PigletsDad.
