2. amps-preamps
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Inputs shorted in 'standby'?

Hello,

I am having issues when connecting the fixed line out of my M5si integrated amp to an analog input pair on an NAD 316BEE (to have independent volume control for another set of speakers in another room).

All is OK when both integrated amps are powered on, but if I have the NAD in 'standby' and am just listening to the speakers connected to the M5, I hear some distortion.  Is the NAD shorting the inputs when it's in 'standby'?

 

Thank you,
Greg

rhythm5
rhythm5 OP
19 posts
 

BTW, Musical Fidelity is telling me that the problem is caused by the NAD's inputs being shorted when the NAD is in standby.  But I'm not convinced that the NAD is actually shorting the input when it's in standby.  I put the question in to the NAD tech support line, and their response was:

"In standby mode, the amplifiers turn off and the power supply of the unit enters a 'power-saving' mode (<0.5W)".

But that didn't really answer my question, so I asked again about the shorting of the inputs, and hopefully I'll get a definitive answer.

Post removed 
rhythm5 OP
19 posts
 

Well, hopefully the M5 didn't get damaged.  I'm not sure what kind of state the 316BEE inputs are in when the 316 is in standby, so I don't know if the M5 output was completely shorted or not.

 

kijanki's avatar
kijanki
4,453 posts
 

The purpose od "Stand By" is to stop wasting power when not in use.  To do this device cuts off the power from most of the circuitry.  Input stage, that presents higher input impedance when powered, might appear as low impedance when unpowered.  It is just loading the output causing distortion, but I doubt it caused any damage.

erik_squires
16,735 posts
 

Consider putting a 47kOhm resistor in series.  You will need to raise the volume on the NAD but it should keep the impedance high enough at all times.

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