Naim NAP 500, NAP V145, NAP 300, NAP 250, NAP 200 User Manual

Reference Manual – English

POWER AMPLIFIERS

NAP 500 • NAP 300 • NAP 250 • NAP V145 NAP 200 • NAP 155 XS • NAP 100

Contents

Section	Page
Introduction	E1
1. Connections	E1
2. Mains Power	E1
3. General Installation	E2
NAP 500	E3
4. NAP 500 Installation and Operation	E3
5. NAP 500 Connections	E4
NAP 300	E5
6. NAP 300 Installation and Operation	E5
7. NAP 300 Connections	E6
NAP 250	E7
8. NAP 250 Installation and Operation	E7
9. NAP 250 Connections	E7
NAP V145	E8
10. NAP V145 Installation and Operation	E8
11. NAP V145 Connections	E8
NAP 200	E9
12. NAP 200 Installation and Operation	E9
13. NAP 200 Connections	E9
NAP 155 XS	E10
14. NAP 155 XS Installation and Operation	E10
15. NAP 155 XS Connections	E10
NAP 100	E11
16. NAP 100 Installation and Operation	E11
17. NAP 100 Connections	E11
18. Specifications	E12
19. Diagram Icons	E12
20. Declarations of Conformity	E13
21. Statutory Safety Warnings	E13

Introduction

Naim Audio products are conceived with performance as the top priority. Careful installation will help ensure that their full potential is achieved. This manual covers all power amplifiers. It begins with some general installation notes. Product specific information begins in Section 4.

Note: Please read the Statutory Safety

Warnings found at the end of this manual.

1. Connections

It is important for both safety and performance that the standard cables supplied are not modified.

1.1 Interconnect Cables

If options are available with your equipment and installation, DIN interconnect sockets should be used in preference to RCA Phono sockets. One end of each Naim interconnect cable is marked with a band to establish its correct orientation. The band denotes the end that connects to the signal source. Naim Hi-Line interconnect cable will provide the best results.

Interconnect plugs and sockets should be kept clean and free from corrosion. The easiest way to clean them is to switch off the equipment, pull the plugs out of their

sockets, and push them back in again. Contact cleaners and “enhancers” should not be used as the film they deposit may degrade the sound.

1.2 Loudspeaker Cables

Loudspeaker cables are vitally important. They should each be at least 3.5 metres long and of equal length. The recommended maximum is normally 20 metres although longer cables may be viable with some Naim amplifiers.

Some Naim amplifiers are designed only to work with Naim loudspeaker cable and using alternatives may degrade the performance or even damage the amplifier. Other Naim amplifiers can be used with any high quality loudspeaker cable although we recommend that Naim loudspeaker cable is used. Naim loudspeaker cable is directional and should be oriented so that the printed arrow points towards the speakers. The Naim loudspeaker connectors supplied are designed to comply with European safety legislation and must be used.

Contact your local retailer or distributor for further advice on loudspeaker cables and connectors.

2. Mains Power

Use only the mains leads and plugs supplied or the Naim PowerLine mains cable.

Where fused plugs are used 13 amp fuses should be fitted. Fuses of a lower rating will fail after a period of use. Do not wire voltage dependent resistors or noise suppressors into mains plugs. They degrade the mains supply and the sound.

2.1 Mains Plug Wiring

In some territories a mains plug may need to be fitted to the supplied mains lead. As the colours of the wires in the mains lead may not correspond with the coloured markings identifying the terminals in the plug proceed as follows:

The wire coloured GREEN-AND-YELLOW must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked by the letter E or by the safety earth symbol or coloured GREEN or GREEN and

YELLOW.

The wire coloured BLUE must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter N or coloured BLACK.

The wire coloured BROWN must be connected to the terminal in the plug marked with the letter L or coloured

RED.

2.2 Equipment Fuses

Mains powered Naim Audio equipment is fitted with a mains fuse on the rear panel adjacent to the mains input socket. Replace it if necessary only with the spare fuse supplied or with an identical fuse. Repeated failure of the fuse points to a fault that should be investigated by your retailer or Naim itself.

2.3 Non-rewirable Mains Plugs

If a non-rewirable plug is cut from a mains lead (for whatever purpose) the plug MUST be disposed of in a way to render it totally useless. Considerable shock hazard exists if the cut-off plug is inserted into a mains outlet.

2.4 Mains Circuits and Cables

A hi-fi system usually shares a mains circuit with other household equipment some of which can cause distortion of the mains waveform. This distortion can in turn lead to mechanical hum from mains transformers. Some Naim transformers are large in size, making them relatively

sensitive to such distortion, and it may be necessary to take account of transformer hum when siting your equipment.

Transformer hum is not transmitted through the speakers and has no effect on the performance of the system; however, a separate mains circuit may reduce it. Such a circuit (ideally with a 30 or 45 Amp rating) will also generally improve system performance. Advice on the installation of a separate mains circuit should be sought from a qualified electrician.

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3. General Installation

Naim equipment is designed to offer the finest performance possible avoiding compromise wherever practical. This can lead to circumstances that may be unfamiliar. The notes that follow contain advice specifically related to Naim equipment as well as more general warnings about the use of domestic audio products. Please read them carefully.

3.1 Siting The Equipment

In order to reduce the risk of hum audible from the loudspeakers, power supplies and power amplifiers should be located a reasonable distance away from other equipment. The maximum separation distance for connected equipment is that allowed by the standard interconnect lead.

Some Naim equipment is extremely heavy. Check the weight of the equipment prior to lifting and if necessary use more than one person so that it can be moved safely. Ensure that your equipment rack or table can easily support the weight and is stable.

3.2 Switching On

Source components and power supplies should be switched on before the power amplifiers. Always switch amplifiers off and wait a minute before connecting or disconnecting any leads. Always use the power switch on the product rather than a mains outlet switch.

A “thump” may be heard from the loudspeakers as power amplifiers are switched on. This is normal, will not cause any loudspeaker damage and does not point to any fault or problem. A mild “pop” may also be heard shortly after equipment is switched off.

3.3 Running In

Naim equipment takes a considerable time to run in before it performs at its best. The duration varies, but under some conditions the sound may continue to improve for over a month. Better and more consistent performance will be achieved if the system is left switched on for long periods. It is worth remembering however that equipment left connected to the mains can be damaged by lightning.

3.4 Radio Interference

In some circumstances, depending on where you live and the earthing arrangements in your home, you may experience radio frequency interference. Controls on broadcasting in some territories allow very high levels of radio frequency radiation and both the choice and exact

siting of equipment may be critical. Susceptibility to radio frequency interference is related to the wide internal bandwidth necessary for high sound quality. A radio frequency filter kit is available for some Naim equipment but sound quality will be progressively compromised as more elements of the kit are fitted.

3.5 Lightning Precautions

Your Naim hi-fi system can be damaged by lightning and should be turned off and disconnected from the mains when there is risk of lightning strike. For complete protection all mains plugs and any aerial cables should be disconnected when not in use.

3.6 Problems?

Consumer protection varies from country to country. In most territories a retailer must be prepared to take back any equipment he has sold if it cannot be made to work satisfactorily. A problem may be due to a fault in the system or its installation so it is essential to make full use of your dealer’s diagnostic skills. Please contact your local distributor, or Naim Audio directly, if any difficulties cannot be resolved.

Some Naim equipment is made in special versions for different territories and this makes it impracticable to arrange international guarantees. Please establish the local guarantee arrangements with your retailer. Contact Naim Audio directly for help and advice if necessary.

3.7 Service and Updates

It is essential that repairs and updates are only carried out by an authorised Naim retailer or at the factory by Naim itself. Many components are custom made, tested or matched and appropriate replacements are often unobtainable from other sources.

Direct contact to Naim for service or update information should be made initially through Customer Services:

Tel: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Please quote the product serial number (found on its rear panel) in all correspondence.

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NAP 500

4. NAP 500 Installation and Operation

The NAP 500 and NAP 500PS should be installed on a dedicated equipment stand intended for the purpose and should be in their final location before connecting cables or switching on. Switch on the source and preamplifier components, with the volume turned down, before switching on the NAP 500. The NAP 500 power button is located on the front panel of the NAP 500PS Power Supply.

Care should be taken when siting the NAP 500 to ensure that the top and bottom ventilation grids are not blocked.

The NAP 500 and NAP 500PS are very heavy and care should be taken when lifting or moving them. Make sure that the surface they are to be placed on can support the full weight.

4.1 General Connections Notes

The mains earth (ground) should always be connected regardless of what other equipment is used in conjunction with Naim power amplifiers. This only grounds the case and the electrostatic screen within the transformer, and is not connected to the signal negative. In order to avoid hum loops, the signal negative of the whole system should be connected to the mains earth (ground) in one place.

Note: Each channel of the NAP 500 is a “bridged” amplifier, so none of the speaker outlet sockets (+ or -) are at earth potential. Avoid connecting mains powered equipment such as electrostatic speakers, sub-woofers and headphone energisers that do not have a floating earth. No plug which is connected directly or indirectly to earth potential should be attached to any speaker outlet (+ or -).

4.3 Loudspeaker Cable and Connectors

Only Naim Audio speaker cable should be used to connect a loudspeaker to the output of the NAP 500. Custom Naim Audio loudspeaker connectors are supplied to make the connection and in order to comply with current European safety regulations these should always be used.

DAMAGE TO THE AMPLIFIER MAY RESULT IF “HIGH DEFINITION” CABLE OR ANY OTHER SPECIAL CABLE IS USED TO CONNECT THE LOUDSPEAKERS.

Ensure when connecting speakers that they are “in phase”. That is, the positive and negative connection orientation at both the speaker and amplifier ends of the cable is the same for both channels.

4.2 Protection Notes

In the NAP 500 the fan speed is increased in response to an increase in amplifier dissipation. If the amplifier reaches 70°C due to prolonged running at high level or to airflow being blocked, the output will be interrupted and the fan will run at full speed until it has cooled down. This may take a few minutes.

It is not necessary to switch the amplifier off, but it may be advisable to mute the preamplifier or turn the volume down to avoid surprises when it comes back on.

OPERATION OF THE AMPLIFIER’S THERMAL PROTECTION SUGGESTS PROLONGED USE AT TOO HIGH A VOLUME LEVEL. YOUR LOUDSPEAKERS MAY BE AT RISK IF THIS IS THE CASE. THE VOLUME SHOULD BE REDUCED.

E3