Inputs shorted in 'standby'?

From what I’m reading, I guess that if I want to run a fixed line out to another integrated amp, there’s no guarantee it’ll work when I have the secondary integrated amp in standby - it just completely depends on the particular units that are involved.

So if I want to have independent volume control of a second pair of speakers in another room, is there a better approach than the way I’m trying to go about it?  (If I want a completely wired solution)

Thanks,
Greg

But when the 316 was in standby I never had the distortion issue that now have using the M5.  I guess certain units are just more compatible with others?

It is either designer's choice to leave input stage powered during standby (takes very little power) or different circuitry behave differently.  It is hard to predict what would be the input or output impedance of unpowered circuit.

It depends on how the fixed outs are designed.  if they have a dedicated buffer stage or if the stage feeding it can handle low impedance then no problem

Thank you all for your input so far, I appreciate it.

Question: Are 'fixed outputs' on integrated amps really just meant for going to a recording device of some kind?  It seems like taking them to an analog input of another integrated amp or receiver can be problematic if leaving the 'receiving' integrated amp in standby. 

I guess I can always just turn the 316BEE 'on' even if I don't want to have the music on in the other room, and just turn the volume down.  That way I won't have distorted audio in my main room due to the 316 being in 'standby'.

Strange, though - Before I bought the M5si, I used to do the same thing with my old NAD 7400 receiver.  I'd run a fixed output (tape loop) to the 316BEE.  But when the 316 was in standby I never had the distortion issue that now have using the M5.  I guess certain units are just more compatible with others?

Thank you,
Greg

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes, the distortion stops if no ICs are connected to the M5 Line Out.  There is also no distortion of the M5 Line Out is connected to the NAD and the NAD is 'on'.  But if the NAD is in 'standby' then I hear distortion at the speaker outputs of the M5. 

I hear some distortion.  Is the NAD shorting the inputs when it’s in ’standby’?

I don’t have an answer to your question. I would suggest you disconnect the ICs from the M5 when the NAD is in standby , when hearing the distortion. Does the distortion stop?

FYI, you can short-out inputs but you should never short-out outputs.

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