Hi everyone,
I'm currently facing an issue with my (beloved) Naim Nait 5i from 2005.
When in Bypass mode I have noises coming up on the speakers.
My setup:
When in A/V mode through the HT pream (optical f and unity gain) I'm picking all noises from the PC, hard disks, mouse movements..
So far I've tried different things:
While looking for a solution I realized that I had quite some "Humming" in A/V mode with no inputs plugged. (Ground loop ..?)
And while checking I also noticed a strong odour around the power supply capacitors in the amp. Could they be dead? No bulging on these BHC 10000uF and 4700uF
MANY thanks for any help or insight.. !!
I'm currently facing an issue with my (beloved) Naim Nait 5i from 2005.
When in Bypass mode I have noises coming up on the speakers.
My setup:
- Naim Nait 5i amp
- Audio-GD 3.32 Dac
- HT Preamp Emotiva UMC-200
- Computer is connected using optical fibre to the Emotiva, and coaxial to the DAC
- Synology NAS connected to DAC with USB
When in A/V mode through the HT pream (optical f and unity gain) I'm picking all noises from the PC, hard disks, mouse movements..
So far I've tried different things:
- Changed the PC power supply to a gold X-650 Seasonic
- Plug the Naim 5m away from the PC
- Add some ferrite cores on the PC and amplifier power supply lines
While looking for a solution I realized that I had quite some "Humming" in A/V mode with no inputs plugged. (Ground loop ..?)
And while checking I also noticed a strong odour around the power supply capacitors in the amp. Could they be dead? No bulging on these BHC 10000uF and 4700uF
MANY thanks for any help or insight.. !!
Bulging is only an indicator of how some old types of electrolytic capacitors fail. I see lots of plastic covers on the ends of caps that bulge yet it has nothing to do with the cap itself. In most modern caps, it is due to the repeated heating and expansion of air entrapped between the PVC sleeving and the aluminium case. The metal cases of the actual capacitor now have special cuts to relieve dangerous internal pressure, should it occur.
After 15 years, you might only expect a few components to fail, regardless of the alleged quality, brand etc. I replace the main power supply electrolytics in my even older Naim amp, at roughly 10 year intervals and it never comes close to showing signs of cap. failure, as your Nait possibly could. If you decide to service it, remember that there are quite a few tantalum capacitors in there and these have a much worse reputation for failure. A professionally serviced Naim amp will consume a lot more of these than normal electrolytics and at quite some expense. You can buy your own caps and DIY the sevicing but don't assume it is ok to just ignore it.
After 15 years, you might only expect a few components to fail, regardless of the alleged quality, brand etc. I replace the main power supply electrolytics in my even older Naim amp, at roughly 10 year intervals and it never comes close to showing signs of cap. failure, as your Nait possibly could. If you decide to service it, remember that there are quite a few tantalum capacitors in there and these have a much worse reputation for failure. A professionally serviced Naim amp will consume a lot more of these than normal electrolytics and at quite some expense. You can buy your own caps and DIY the sevicing but don't assume it is ok to just ignore it.
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Regarding the PC noises, many people have problems with the compulsory grounding of mains powered PCs but not with laptops that are usually powered with batteries or isolated SMPS power bricks. Use or borrow a laptop that has a facility for optical fibre coupling to test whether this is the problem.