TECHWEEK
This year, the British company Naim Audio is celebrating its 50th anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, the firm has launched the Naim New Classic line of electronic components , which includes the NSC 222 mains preamplifier, the NAP 250 stereo power amplifier and a new version of the NPX 300 external power supply .
The Naim NSC 222 preamplifier is capable of streaming popular network services such as Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music in resolutions up to 32bit/284kHz . It also features a Moving Magnet (MM) phono stage and the latest headphone amplifier, first seen on the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition . For control, you can use the joystick on the front panel, the Zigbee remote control , or the application for mobile gadgets Focal & Naim . All relevant information, including album art, is displayed on a 5.5-inch full color display.
Naim NSC 222 preamp specifications:
- Analog Inputs: 1 x Phono, 1 x 8-pin DIN (compatible with 5-pin DIN cables), 1 x RCA
- Analog Audio Outputs: Analog balanced XLR, analog unbalanced RCA, 6.35mm headphone jack
- Digital Inputs (S/PDIF): 2 x Optical (up to 24bit/96kHz), 1 x Coaxial RCA (up to 24bit/192kHz, DoP 64Fs), 1 x Coaxial BNC (up to 24bit 192kHz, DoP 64Fs)
- Audio formats: WAV up to 32bit/384kHz, FLAC and AIFF up to 24bit/384kHz, ALAC (Apple Lossless) up to 24bit/384kHz, MP3 up to 48kHz, 320kbps (16bit) AAC up to 48 kHz, 320 kbps (16 bits), OGG and WMA – up to 48 kHz (16 bits), DSD – 64 and 128Fs, M4A – up to 48 kHz, 320 kbps (16 bits). Gapless playback supported for all formats
- Analog Gain: Preamp at Max Volume 15.5 dB, Phono Stage MM 40 dB
- Frequency Response: Phono: -3dB @ 10Hz, RIAA +/-0.1dB, Linear: 3Hz to 40kHz (-3dB), Digital: 3Hz to 27kHz (-3dB)
- Signal to Noise Ratio: Phono: 80dB ref 5mV A-wtd Loudness @ 0dB Line: 104dB ref 2.2V A-wtd Loudness @ 0dB Digital: 102dB ref 0dB FS Loudness A-wtd @ 0dB
- THD: Phono: < noise floor, Line: 0.0025% @ 2.2 V input level @ 0 dB, 1 kHz (Line: 0.015% @ 2.2 V input level @ 0 dB, 20 kHz), Digital: 0 .0035% @ 0 dBFS @ 0 dB, 1 kHz
- Channel Separation: Phono: 90 dB @ 1 kHz, Level 0 dB, Line: 90 dB @ 1 kHz, Level 0 dB (Line: 70 dB @ 20 kHz, Level 0 dB), Digital: 90 dB @ 1 kHz, Level 0 dB
- Network : Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 43.2 x 9.15 x 31.75 cm
- Weight: 11 kg
The ideal partner for the NSC 222 is the Naim NAP 250 power amplifier , the first generation of which was introduced back in 1975. The Naim New Classic Series is the sixth generation powerhouse that inherits many of the solutions developed for the flagship Naim Statement amplifier.
The new amplifier NAP 250 is implemented in the concept of “double mono”, works in class AB and develops up to 100 watts in each channel. To connect to a pre-amplifier, balanced XLR inputs are provided.
Naim NAP 250 Power Amplifier Specifications :
- Output power: 2 x 100W (8 ohms @ 0.1% THD), 2 x 190W (4 ohms @ 1% THD)
- Gain: +29 dB
- Inputs: 2 x XLR
- Frequency response: 1.4Hz – 100kHz (-3dB)
- THD: 0.013% (at 2/3 full power, 8 ohms, 1 kHz)
- Signal-to-noise ratio: 91dB (1W 8Ω A-weighted), 111dB (100W 8Ω A-weighted)
- Channel separation: 60 dB
- Damping factor: 36 (8 ohms)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 43.2 x 9.15 x 31.75 cm
- Weight: 16.8 kg
The Naim NPX 300 external power supply is designed to work with the NSC 222 preamplifier. It cuts off the internal power supply, reducing noise and providing cleaner power.
Naim New Classic NSC 222 , NAP 250 and NPX 300 are available to order now. Suggested retail prices are £5,700 / $8,999 / €7,000 for each component. Naim also offers a range of cables that make it easy to integrate new models with older Naim products.
