Hello,

I recently acquired some second hand naim gear. One of the pieces is a NAIT3 with the NAC92 conversion applied. Does anyone know what is involved with this conversion?

I have a black plug at the back. But inside I also have what appears to be a severed wire on the connection between the two circuit boards. Is this part of the conversion as well?

Are there any other parts to the conversion?

Is the conversion reversible? If so, how?

I have a picture at http://members.shaw.ca/plz/nait3_3.jpg. The plug is directly above the white circle on the picture.

Thank you for any help.

-Peter

Peter,

The severed wire is the 24V feed from the internal NAP(90) section to the NAC(92) preamp section.

You can then connect an external PSU to feed the preamp.

This is unconventional though, the Naim way would be to add the additional 4pin DIN socket on the NAP PCB (located just above the circle to the right) and then use a 5pin SNAIC to feed the NAC section, a 4pin to take the signal to the power amp.

If you re-connect the link you can use it without a PSU.

Andy.

Peter check the main website for the manual. It shows a converted NAIT but does not show it back to NAIT operation.
Perhaps an E-mail to NAIM would help, they are very swift and helpful. Give them the serial number and they will give you any history they have on your unit.
What other pieces did you pick up?

Howard

Thank you for the informative replies.

I didn't mention that I also got a NACD3 and NAP90/3 (along with some Kef Q70 speakers) with this bundle. The CD3 connects to the pre with a 5 pin SNAIC and the pre connects to the NAP90/3 with a 4 pin SNAIC. That all seems to work fine.

However, I was puzzled at recieving 2 pairs of speaker wire with this lot. Each wire has Naim bananas on one end and bare wire on the other (the wire is not NACA5).

Initially I thought I had gotten some sort of bi-amp setup. So I hooked up the 4 wires so that one pair went from the NAP to one set of terminal on the speakers and the other pair went from the pre to the other set of terminals on the speakers. This didn't sound bad. I guess that means the only connection in the NAIT that was severed is the power lead. The two speaker leads are still connected and that's why I was able to get decent sound with the 2 pairs of speaker wires connected as I described?

I have since learned that it's not really possible to use the NAIT3 and NAP90/3 as a bi-amp system. I obtained some NACA5 and connect the speakers only to the NAP (1 pair of wires only).

The reason I am asking about undoing the NAIT3-->NAC92 conversion is that I wouldn't mind getting a NAC92R (I'd like the remote) and use the NAIT3 for a second system.

Is it safe to assume the original conversion was carried out by a Naim dealer? Or would they have only done the conversion in the manner Andrew stated?

Any further insights greatly appreciated.

-Peter

Peter have you contacted NAIM yet?

quote:

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Originally posted by BigH47:
Peter have you contacted NAIM yet?

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Yes, just sent off a query. We'll see what they say.

-Peter

We do not keep records of work done outside the UK to export items. Dimex may have a record.

Yours is a slightly non-standard modification. It appears that the intention was to allow the power amplifier section of the Nait to continue to take signal from the preamplifier AND the preamplifier section of the Nait to be powered by the NAP 90 - while also supplying signal to it.
This arrangement draws power for the preamplifier FROM the NAP 90. The link wire is snipped to prevent the two power amplifiers attempting to provide power to the same place.

Given the use of links and a SNAIC - the outputs from the two power sections will not be exactly the same.

To restore (PROVIDING THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS ALL MODIFICATIONS) re-solder across the broken link but ensure you do not try to employ the NAP 90 and its power out to preamplifier supply. You will have a NAIT 3 again ... and a NAP 90.

Slightly confused - well, the mod is not "as God made it". It will almost certainly lead to difficulties if passed on to the unwary as a standard Naim unit.

I promise i haven`t done this mod. I systematically refuse not to do "as god made it".

The right way to use the Nait3+NAP90 as a biamp system is with an external power supply (flatcap to match the look), 2 SNAIC4 and one SNAIC5 with the amp and preamp inside the NAIT completely separated. BUT, this configuration is not really recommanded as the amp's PSU inside the NAIT will interfer with the preamp side.
So IMO, revert the NAIT3 to it's original condition by doing what Adam suggests, and use it with great satisfaction as a second system. If you feel uncomfortable to do it, i'll be please to help. Send me a PT.

Emmanuel
Euphonie

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.

Thanks everyone for the excellent information. I think I have learned a few things from this thread:

1. My conversion is non-stanadard (at least according to Naim standards). The puzzle remains as to who did it this way and why.

2. It does appear to be an attempt to use both power amps simultaneously, as a sort of poor man's bi-amping set up. This perhaps explains why there were two pairs of speaker wire supplied with the equipment.

3. If and when I find a good used NAC92R, I will have a very good NAIT3 to use with a second system. I will have to re-connect the severed link between the NAP and NAC sections of the NAIT.

4. If in my current setup I am only using the outputs from the NAP I believe I can turn off the NAIT (ie. the NAC92) and thus avoid the interence Emmanuel alluded to (although his exact example involved a more complex setup that what I presently have). The NAIT used as a NAC gets its power from the NAP and thus the NAIT's power supply becomes redundant, even in my simpler setup. I have tried this and indeed everything still works fine.

The last point makes me wonder...is the interference between the NAIT power amp's PSU and its preamp always a problem or just with this partcular conversion?

Or is this why a separate power supply upgrade has such a huge impact (according to most things I've read)?

Thanks again for the great info!

-Peter

If the NAIT 3 is 10+ years old a visit to Salisbury will do the amp the world of good and make sure every thing else is all right and no other non-standard mods.
Did you not bid on the 92R on ebay yesterday?
I pulled out at £200(cheapskate).

Howard

quote:

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Originally posted by BigH47:
Did you not bid on the 92R on ebay yesterday?

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I live in Canada so have to consider the shipping from the UK. Plus the taxes etc.

You folks in the UK have a lot more selection of used Naim gear than we do, that's for sure.

-Peter

OK I didn't know you were in Canada.
Are you 240V 50Hz there?

Regards

Howard

We are 110v 60Hz.

Peter,
All Naim Preamps need an external PSU (from the amp or *cap). Tranformers are a big source of EMI and vibrations. They are better out of the preamp box.
To use your NAIT as a preamp only, just remove the severed links, do not plug the NAIT's mains. The power will come from the 90. When you'll want to revert it back to normal, you'll just have to redo the 4 links.

Emmanuel
Euphonie

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.

Hi Emmanuel,

Thanks for the clarification.

I knew the preamps do not have their own PSU. And the NAIT3 has one to power its NAP90 section only.

But it wasn't until I read your earlier post that I realized the PSU in my converted NAIT is now redundant. I have since switched it off. Will pull the mains later today as that's a little more involved. I'm using a Wiremold and want to make sure I keep all the other plugs in the right sequence.


Howard,

Naim preamps don't care what voltage because they have no internal power source. So that NAC92R on ebay was a suitable candidate for me. Just too much $$$ to ship here from the UK. At least when considering the final selling price.

Oh, and I updated my profile to show my location

Thanks again folks!

-Peter