Connecting up a Naim system

[Eskay]

Connecting up a Naim system: I need help please.......

 

Hi there, I have purchased a complete second hand Naim system and Fraim support units.

I have been supplied a number of cables and I have no idea how I to connect up. The equipment that I have purchased is:

Naim NAP200

Naim NAC 202

Naim CDX-2

Naim DAC

Naim NAP SC power supply

Naim HI Cap DR

Naim XPS DR.

The cables I have seem to be :

1 Burndy cable

2 x 4 pin DIN

1 x 5 pin DIN

1 x BNC.

Can any of you experts out there advise me which connects to what. I would be very grateful for any assistance with this.

 

 

[joeling]

https://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/files/Connection Guide Amplification Rev 2C.pdf

 

https://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/files/Premplifiers Reference English Issue 1i.pdf

 

Some light reading to kick things off

[Eskay]

Hi Joeling-

 

Thanks for the taking the time to respond.

 

I have viewed those manuals from Naim and it still leaves me unsure how to connect up some key components.

 

For instance- you can use the Burndy cable on the CD player, the power supply and the DAC- I do not know what is the best way to connect them up. Also which is the best power supply for each item?

 

I have reached out to Naim UK and hoping that they will be able to advise.

 

Again- thanks.

[Dingbat]

Given what's been supplied to you, I think this is the most logical way to connect it up:

 

Naim CDX2 - Use BNC to connect to Naim DAC - this is digital connection

Naim DAC - Use what is termed the lavender cable (it looks grey actually) 180 degree 5 pin DIN, analogue signal only, to connect to the NAP202 - you can connect to whichever DIN input socket  you want.

Naim XPSDR - Use the Burndy cable to connect to the DAC. This provides power. Since the DAC is providing the analogue, it gives the most improvement.

Naim NAP SC - It should already have a cable connected - plug to appropriate port on the NAC202.

 

I think you must be wrong with there being two 4 Pin DINS. The 2 black cables with markings on them must be SNAICs. One is a 4 Pin and the other must be a 5 Pin 240 degree. Refer to the Connection Guide for more info. The 5 Pin SNAIC connects from the NAC202 to the Hicap (carries power and signal). Then the 4 Pin SNAIC goes from Hicap to the NAP200 (carries signal only).

 

I would have thought that both the CDX2 and DAC come with the lavender cables, but there only seems to be one. If you have 2, then you could both connect via analogue, and then you could put the XPSDR on whichever floats your boat. If you did have a choice, then put it on whichever source you use more. It only makes sense to connect the XPSDR to a source delivering the analogue signal, it would then improve the sound quality.

[Eskay]

Thank  you Dingbat- I will take your advice and let you know how I go.

 

Cheers.

Edited March 5, 2024 by Eskay

[Eskay]

Connections as recommended from NAIM. UK..

[Dingbat]

I think Naim UK might have misunderstood, unless I'm the one who is wrong.

 

One of your cables is definitely a BNC, right? It looks like it, far as I can tell from the picture. That is digital connection, it would only work for connecting a digital source like the CDX2, to a DAC.

 

For the Naim connection diagram to work, you need 2 DIN signal source connectors. That's the lavender cable. From your pictures, I think I only see one of these cables?

 

For connecting the Hicap, you definitely need 2 cables, one going from Hicap to poweramp, and the other going to preamp.

 

In your cable picture, there are 5 cables. The thickest one definitely looks like a Burndy. If one is a digital BNC, that leaves 3 cables. 2 are to/from Hicap, that leaves one only for DIN signal source connection.

[Eskay]

Hi Dingbat,

 

You are right- I checked their manuals and requires two for the HIcap.

 

I am puzzled by the fact that the CD player does not connect directly to the DAC.

 

Steven

[Dingbat]

If you ask me, it's rather pointless connecting the CDX2 digital output to a DAC. You might as well get a cheap CD transport. There might be some people who dispute that on the Naim Forum, but it seems to me a complete waste of a CD player.

 

You ought to check with who you bought this off what happened to the other lavender DIN signal cable. Naim generally comes with all the starting cables you need. Both the CDX2 and the DAC should have been sold new with this cable supplied.

 

Having said that, although this signal cable is decent, it's not that hard to beat it. I'm using Witch Hat Morgana signal DIN cables now, which are way better than the lavender. If you want to connect both the DAC and the CDX2 up via analogue in the future, find a better signal DIN cable.

 

The 5 pin SNAIC connecting the Hicap to the Preamp would always carry power and signal in every single scenario. The 4 pin SNAIC connecting from the Hicap to the 200 can be used in a couple of scenarios. Going from Hicap, it would carry only signal. You can also use it to connect the 202 to 200 directly, so the 200 actually powers the 202. Then the cable carries signal and power. I believe a similar thing is possible connecting 202 to any of the Supernaits, using that as a poweramp. In your case though, since you have the Hicap, connect through that, it should greatly improve the sound quality of the 202.

[Willco]

3 hours ago, Eskay said:

Hi Dingbat,

 

I am puzzled by the fact that the CD player does not connect directly to the DAC.

 

Steven

You obviously have an early CDX2 without the switchable digital output. If you like what the DAC does, you have the option of getting your CDX2 converted to digital out and using it as a transport. Unfortunately this mod doesn’t allow you to switch between  the analogue and digital outputs-- your decision there.

 

I had the CDX2 and frankly the Player is excellent as a stand alone unit-if as you say your version does NOT have the inbuilt digital out then the Dac is superfluous --unles you go streaming etc.

Burndy to Player remember white tape visible direction CLOSEST to CDX2( No power cord for Player if XPS used as such)

 

Good listening and Kudos on the purchase!

it is a fine home  setup and  well balanced system--I just not fan of those fiddly Naim/din or whatever connectors!

 

Willco

[Dingbat]

If that is an earlier model CDX2, then it won't have the digital output. I assumed it was the later model CDX2. But then, what's the point of the BNC cable? And only 1 signal DIN cable? If you connect the CDX2 via analogue, that leaves the DAC stranded.

 

I agree with @Willco - the CDX2 can sound excellent standalone. It will also depend on how it's supported and what it is connected to.

[Eskay]

I should have bought one of these-

 

[Eskay]

Thanks Willco and Dingbat-

 

I purchased the Naim system over two years ago and have only just taken it out to use it now. Seller long gone.

 

I did check the back of the CDX2 and it does have digital out-so the BNC cable does have a use. Probably will connect it to the DAc otherwise the DAC is superflous.

 

As of last night the CDX2 would not switch on--- so a small delay in getting the system working.

 

I owe you both a beer or 3.

[Dingbat]

8 minutes ago, Eskay said:

I did check the back of the CDX2 and it does have digital out-so the BNC cable does have a use. Probably will connect it to the DAc otherwise the DAC is superflous.

Good, yeah, otherwise, you've just got a new paperweight (DAC). I'm a bit surprised the original seller didn't include the cable, unless they lost track of it and forgot.

 

Anyway, if you wanted to connect both by analogue, you can always acquire a signal DIN cable in the future. I'm running a streamer/DAC (NDS) and CDX2 separately. I don't connect the CDX2 to the NDS. They both have their qualities. The NDS is theoretically better, but I find certain albums come up really nicely on the CDX2. 

[Willco]

Hmm-?

CDX  being a naughty!---no turn --OK fuse ?--unless it's a NAIM specked one as aftermarket units seem to not be able

 

to take the turnon and pop!

 

I'm sure you've checked this.

 

Make sure you S/PDIF button on back is set to this  --for DAC

 

Analogue for PreAmp out.

 

Finally you have ascertained the output you see in NOT the RC5 Input  which is on left of the CDX2 name plate in NON S/PDIF versions .No offence--just checking-ha!

 

That is for External controls /Multi setup /etc.

 

Pardon if my memory seems a tad  hazy--moved my CDX2.2 on a while ago --time for a change

 

Good Luck!

 

Willco

Edited March 8, 2024 by Willco