Buzzing/humming sound on connection to amplifier.
Answered
I have just bought a Node 2i and Upon connecting it to my Naim Nait XS2 get a buzz/humm over the speakers. I have tried connecting it to different inputs on the amp...still the same...I have tried 2 different sets of cables other than the supplied ones...still the same.
Is this problem only manifested with Naim products? which are excellent and I have never had any other issues whatsoever.
I have never had any backgroung buzz/humm with any other connected peripheral to the amplifier...any solutions?
Many thanks.
Ian.
-
Official comment
The solution the hifi shop gave me which worked was a grounding plug. If you look at the back of your NAIM unit, you should find a grounding plug/point. What the hifi shop did was create a new power plug with just the earth and a UK plug at one end with a hook clamp at the other end to connect to the NAIM amp. With this installed no buzzing or hissing was found at all. Hopefully this solves your issues too.
-
Aled,
Many thanks for the response.
Have I understood correctly?
A single wire, running from the ground screw on the rear of the amp connected to the earth pin on a normal UK mains plug, then plugged into the wall/socket bar to the mains?
0 -
I contacted Naim and they responded as below, I hope this might be of assistance to others considering combining the Bluesound with Naim products.
Hi IanThis sounds like an earth hum to me. The Node 2i is a double insulated product, and thusly doesn't require the earth pin on the product end of the power cable. Due to our keen attention to earthing everything in our products, 3rd party products that are double insulated often don't get along with ours due to the difference in earthing techniques. The best way around this would be to invest in a ground loop isolator. This would sit between the XS 2 and the Node 2i, plugged into both, and essentially provides a common earthing point for the two products, which should eliminate the hum.Also if you have anything like a mains conditioning block or a surge protector which the products are plugged into, then it would be worth trying the setup without it, as this can sometimes be the cause of the issue.Kind regards0 -
Well that was a very nice way of suggesting we had an issue that doesn't exist. The NODE 2i simply doesn't require grounding according to our engineering team. Grounding is however why we have the third pin in the POWERNODE 2i.
0 -
I have no idea who the issue reflects badly on (if anyone). All I know is that I have an annoying humm which I have never had from any other peripheral connected in the same fashion to the amplifier....and the only similar issue reported on here was by someone also with a Naim amplifier.
I have looked online and researched ground loop isolators online and people suggest they cause more harm (decrease in quality of music) than good (removing the humm) and the feedback from many that were purchased was that they did nothing whatsoever.
I am new to this ‘streaming lark’...perhaps it’s me! 🎼😃
1 -
Thanks Ian
Grounding issues can be difficult to find. The last time I moved, I spent way too long (weeks/months) chasing one. It turned out to be the RCA connectors from the turntable to the phone pre-amp. Nothing to do with power what so ever...
...and I do this for a living...0 -
Thanks Tony, but due to that and other issues concerning the app and lost wi-fi connections I’m going to speak with the dealer it was bought fromwith a view to it going back.
Life is too short (at my age) to spend lots of time rebooting, turning off and on wi-fi and trying to work out why the app works one minute only to find for some reason it’s all change the next.
I appreciate your efforts.
Ian.
0 -
Ian
Before you do that, I am escalating your issue. You will hear from one of our Support Crew Members via e-mail today. They can help you troubleshoot.
0 -
Hi Ian
let me take a photo tonight when i get home and i'll upload for you what the shop made for me. Works a treat. No sound quality loss that my ears can detect. I genuinely think it's a NAIM thing rather than a Bluesound thing as per what the store said to me... It was something that the store already had for demoing their NAIM equipment but not for other makes. I'm in Oz so just bear in mind that when i say 'tonight' it might be different to yours.
0 -
Hi Aled,
It appears you are right re being a Naim thing and Naim have said that due to differing approaches to earthing some peripherls don’t like being paired with their products.
Naim suggested an earth loop suppressor (no particular one though) but from what I can see online they are at best poor and just decrease the whole signal and at worst, do nothing whatsoever (or maybe that should be rhe other way round.)
I appreciate the effort.
Ian.
0 -
Aled,
This was the response Naim sent me.
“This sounds like an earth hum to me. The Node 2i is a double insulated product, and thusly doesn't require the earth pin on the product end of the power cable. Due to our keen attention to earthing everything in our products, 3rd party products that are double insulated often don't get along with ours due to the difference in earthing techniques. The best way around this would be to invest in a ground loop isolator. This would sit between the XS 2 and the Node 2i, plugged into both, and essentially provides a common earthing point for the two products, which should eliminate the hum.Also if you have anything like a mains conditioning block or a surge protector which the products are plugged into, then it would be worth trying the setup without it, as this can sometimes be the cause of the issue.0 -
Hi Aled,
I hope you read this before going to too much trouble.
I collected some new Spendor A4 speakers from my dealer today and mentioned the issue to him (he is also a Naim dealer).
He showed me a plug with wire attached he uses as you described.
Bought the necessary stuff on the way home and am now enjoying humm free music on the new speakers via the Node 2i.
Many thanks for all the effort and advice.
Ian.
0 -
Good evening gents,
I've just signed into this help center because of similar problem as described above. Well, I think... since not being a native speaker I'm not sure if I would describe the noice I can hear as BUZZING/HUMMING. It reminds me rather the sound/noise of a turntable between the songs. Whatever...
I'm using my Node 2i since nearly a year... less and less due to this issue. It happens only when streaming Tidal (Hi-Fi). No troubles with internet radio for example. My Node is connected via wifi to my NAD C 356BEE. Originally via cinch cable, now via optical cable (yes, I've purchased the DAC MDC module because of that). No difference really. Btw. you can notice the noise only between the songs (or in a quiet breaks).
Do you think I should try what's described above?
Thank you very much for any help!Marek
0 -
Hi Marek,
Annoying isn’t it?
However, it doesn’t appear to be the same issue as I had. My amp ‘buzzed’ all the time when used with the Node 2i. As soon as a it was connected up and the volume increased to a usable level the buzz/humm was audible, regardless of the source of the broadcast, or even whether I was actually using the 2i or not!
I believe Naim equipment doesn’t like being connected to some other non Naim equipment....see my previous but one post for the explanation Naim gave however.
Sorry, but I am unable to assist further.
Good luck.
Ian.
0 -
Hi Ian,
Thank you for your message. I've just contacted the Bluesound support, so let's have a look if they have any experience with this. Next week I hope to have some more time to play a bit around again...
I'll keep you up to date.
Regards,
Marek
0 -
Its not just Naim equipment, I'm having the same issue with a Rega Brio amp. I can physically hear the noise disappear when I unplug the Node 2i. I've changed cables, inputs, sockets, moved it as far away as possible but just the same. I now just have to find a rubber mat and try that. Don't know what to do next...To be fair to the support team they have been trying.
1 -
Simon,
Read previous comments and see what worked for me and someone else...see if that is of any assistance.
Good luck.
Ian.
0 -
Hi...I don't have Naim amp so don't know about the wire but have tried the rest. thanks
0 -
Simon,
I saw you don’t own a Naim. However, no harm (I wouldn’t think) in trying the same solution as I did. After all, all it is is only a standard UK 3 pin plug and a length of wire stripped from a standard 3 core flex. I am assuming you are in the UK.
Anyway... best of luck.
Ian.
0 -
Just looked at some pics of the rear of the Brio amp and it appears you don’t have an earth binding post/screw.......forget my previous...Sorry.
Ian.
0 -
I understand NAIM Amps require at least one source component to be a grounded design i.e. it must have a three pin plug.
I understand all NAIM Source components (i.e. CD's and DAC's) adhere to a grounded design - however this can result in HUM issues with non-NAIM amps.
What's the solution?
- if the source component has an unused output socket
- ---- I make a grounding lead using a plug to match that socket...
- --------- solder a wire to the neutral side of that plug only
- --------- connect the other end of the wire to the ground pin ONLY of a mains plug
- --------- insert the mains plug into an unused mains outlet
- If the source component DOES NOT HAVE an unused output socket
- ----using the same method as above, simply use an unused input socket on the amp
- ----This works for NAIM amps. Other brands may not respond favourably
In my case - I had a Panasonic DVD with a two pin isolated power supply that caused the same hum issue and the second method worked.
I use a very good DIY power bar that has it's own ground terminal and all source components are plugged into it and the amp is grounded to the power bar ground terminal
I now have a Node 2 in my system AND a grounded Simaudio Moon Phono stage
- I do not have any hum issues with the amp turned up to full volume
- ----- as long as the phono stage is connected.
- If I disconnect the phono stage
- ---- the hum returns and I have to install the ground lead
This may not be an ideal solution for ALL amps, but it does work for my NAIM
I have used this solution for a couple of years with the amp powered on 24/7 and there was never an issue.
I have read of other solutions, such as "lifting the ground pin", which I did try, but it was not successful and it can also be dangerous, because electronics that have a grounded design should never have the ground disconnected.
The issue of grounded vs. isolated designs has been around for many years and is likely to continue.
Hope that helps
1 -
Just wanted to say that I have been dealing with hum issues on my Naim Nait 5i for many years. Every now and then I've tried to find a fix, even emailing Naim, to no avail. I had been thinking about replacing the amp as I'm sick of the problem but I figured I'd take another look around the internet for a fix. Discovered this thread, tried grounding an unused DIN input on the Naim per the instructions above and ... it's fixed! The hum is completely gone!
Very grateful for this thread and your clear explanation Stephen.
0 -
Randomly I came across this old thread and thought I'd give my hum on my Rega Brio another go. I did as suggested above, took a simple usb cable, cut one end, took a bit of wire off, connected it to the earth pin of a plug and removed the other two pins, plugged the USB in the Node and plugg in the wall. It worked perfectly, the difference is amazing!!
1 -
I had this exact same issue when trying to connect the Node 2i with my Naim Nait5 amp. An annoying hum that increased along with volume increases. I first tried lifting the ground on my Naim with a cheater plug. This helped, but did not solve the issue. I also tried using an RCA ground loop isolator, which didn't work at all. What finally DID work was grounding the Node 2i. Plug the Naim in normally (i.e., get rid of the cheater plug). Then get a plug that only has a ground or take an existing 3-prong plug, open up the casing, and cap off the hot and neutral wires. Then attach the ground wire from that plug to a USB or another type of cable that can go into one of the ports in the back of the Node 2i. We used an RCA audio cable, cut it open, attached the ground to it, and plugged it into the Coax port on the Node 2i. Worked perfectly!
0 -
Tim
We do NOT recommend this in any manner. For an easier and more practical solution without having to void your warranty or open the casing, simply look at a quality PowerBar as suggested here from one of our other posters further up this thread;
https://support1.bluesound.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/360028076813/comments/360009694954
As eluded to, this is not an uncommon issue with NAIM products and not limited to the Bluesound NODE.The Bluesound NODE is not a kit but a finished goods product and has no user-serviceable parts.
0 -
Tony, I think you may have misunderstood me. I did the same thing as Stephen above and did not have to do anything to the Node except plug the ground wire into the Coax port. I did not open up the casing, and my warranty should still be good to go.
0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
26 comments