Yes, Naim now use as much SMT as possible too, like any manufacturer who wants to stay in business. It's just a pity that the basic amplifier designs they now build, have only a hint of the original sound quality that once made them so popular, regardless of their other crazy conceptual products they were more infamous for. In my book at least, Naim amplifier designs have now diminished almost to textbook quality sound so while they still ask some of the highest prices out there, this tends to make them look uncompetitive. Anyways, I prefer the sound that originally put Naim in the spotlight. It's still rather good and exciting to listen to.
Hi Ruwe,
I agree completely with your points regarding component types.
I only have two concerns with smt parts. One is temperature rise, the other is voltage gradient (per cm). smt parts simply run hotter for the same power dissipation, some heat is drawn into the copper traces but the part does run hotter.
Another concern has to do with layout. It is common to allow higher parts density, but that concentrates heat buildup and this is an extreme problem and has been since the start. While this has nothing to do with the parts themselves, it is a designer training issue that has not (apparently) been addressed in schools yet.
Your last point. Bad design and layout is solely responsible for poor sound quality and not the parts, assuming the proper types are used for each application.
-Chris
I agree completely with your points regarding component types.
I only have two concerns with smt parts. One is temperature rise, the other is voltage gradient (per cm). smt parts simply run hotter for the same power dissipation, some heat is drawn into the copper traces but the part does run hotter.
Another concern has to do with layout. It is common to allow higher parts density, but that concentrates heat buildup and this is an extreme problem and has been since the start. While this has nothing to do with the parts themselves, it is a designer training issue that has not (apparently) been addressed in schools yet.
Your last point. Bad design and layout is solely responsible for poor sound quality and not the parts, assuming the proper types are used for each application.
-Chris
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Joined 2009
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I've used SMT in my Naim clone and haven't noticed a heating issue at all. I think if you design right, you use appropriately sized parts for the power they need to dissipate and I generally use through hole where any real power is anticipated, SMT should not be an excuse for reduced sound quality. On the contrary, there are two advantages to SMT that I like, one is that the layout can be easier to optimize because you can get signal path lengths down tight and secondly is that despite their reputation they are easy to solder with no lead bending and clipping etc. I use 1206 sized resistors minimum so they are easy to see, easy to handle, large enough to read their values and I guess this helps too with self-heating concerns. I avoid SMT for components with more than 2 legs as they are just too difficult to remove if you get it wrong - the 2-lead components can be removed with a soldering iron in each hand! This means that I use through hole transistors in most of my work.
Hey Gareth!
How are you?
Agree generally, but resistors and transistors will run at a higher temperature. I use smt ICs without trouble. They aren't hard to remove, but the risk of losing the darned things can be high! lol! You haven't lived until you had to remove 80 + pin ICs and use them on another PCB like I had to in the late 80's and 90's!! No hot air station then either, but I could do it. It was a PITA!!
How are you?
Agree generally, but resistors and transistors will run at a higher temperature. I use smt ICs without trouble. They aren't hard to remove, but the risk of losing the darned things can be high! lol! You haven't lived until you had to remove 80 + pin ICs and use them on another PCB like I had to in the late 80's and 90's!! No hot air station then either, but I could do it. It was a PITA!!
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Joined 2009
Paid Member