Naim New Classic Range – First Look
All Image Credit: Naim
British Hi-Fi company Naim Audio has announced a refresh on its Classic Range that was originally launched back in 1973 with the introduction of a ‘New Classic Series’ with the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier that can be upgraded by the addition of the optional NPX 300 power supply and a new generation of NAP 250 power amplifier.
Naim NSC 222 Streaming Pre-Amplifier
Keeping things simple the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier offers an integrated MM phono stage, Naim’s latest headphone technology inherited from the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, their own amplifier DAC that is built around the TI PCM1791A DAC and is a streaming platform to include; radio stations, Spotify Connect, Apple Music, TIDAL, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP™ servers, USB key and it is Roon Ready. All with support for bitrates up to 32bits/284kHz.
Control is simple using either the; front panel controls, the Focal & Naim app available on iOS and Android, or the Zigbee smart remote control supplied. While track information is displayed on the front panel 5.5” color screen display.
Specifications:
- Audio inputs:
- 1 x moving magnet phono, 1 x 8-pin DIN (compatible with 5-pin DIN cables), 1 x RCA stereo pair Line level inputs (RCA/DIN): Impedance 47k, 2.2V typical, 7.5Vrms Max. 8 pin DIN has +/-18V for compatible external phono stages such as Solstice NVC TT. Compatible with 5 pin DIN. MM phono: 47k/470pF, 5mV, 23dB overload (75mV max)
- Audio outputs:
- Analogue 1 x XLR pair (Stereo XLR balanced impedance 7Vrms max), 1 x RCA pair (Stereo RCA 7Vrms max), 1 x 6.35mm headphone jack (Headphone 1.5W into 16)
- USB:
- 2 x USB Type A socket (front and rear – 1.6A charge)
- Digital inputs (S/PDIF):
- 2 x Optical TO SLINK (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/384Hz, ALAC (Apple Lossless) – up to 24bit/384Hz, MP3 – up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit), AAC – up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit), OGG and WMA – up to 48kHz (16 bit), DSD – 64 and 128Fs, M4A – up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit). Gapless playback supported on all formats
- Analogue gain:
- Pre-amplifier at max volume 15.5dB Phono stage MM 40dB
- Digital level:
- 2.1V at 0dBFS volume at 0dB
- Frequency response:
- MM: -3dB at 10Hz, RIAA +/-0.1dB Line: 3Hz to 40kHz -3dB, Digital: 3Hz to 27kHz -3dB
- Signal to noise ratio:
- MM 80dB ref 5mV A-wtd volume at 0dB, Line 104dB ref 2.2V A-wtd volume at 0dB, Digital 102dB ref 0dBFS A-wtd volume at 0dB
- Distortion:
- MM: < noise floor Line: 0.0025% @2.2V input volume at 0dB 1kHz, (Line: 0.015% @2.2V input volume at 0dB, 20kHz), Digital: 0.0035% @0dBFS volume at 0dB, 1kHz
- Cross talk:
- MM: 90dB at 1kHz, volume at 0dB, Line: 90dB at 1kHz, volume at 0dB, (Line: 70dB at 20kHz, volume at 0dB), Digital: 90dB at 1kHz, volume at 0dB
- Control:
- App control (iOS and Android), bi-directional ZigBee remote and front panel Optical 3.5mm output for synchronized control of compatible products
- Network:
- Ethernet (10/100Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac)
- Mains Supply: 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 35/8x17x121/2″ (9.15×43.2×31.75cm)
- Weight: 24.25lbs (11kg)
Naim NPX 300 Power Supply
The addition of the Naim NPX 300 linear power supply is an instant upgrade for the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier. It disables the NSC 222 internal power supply thereby reducing the noise floor and providing cleaner power.
The NPX 300 incorporates a new toroidal transformer that drives six exclusive Naim power regulators and includes a number of innovations used in the flagship Naim 555PS DR power supply, such as the separation of the digital and analog power supplies via dedicated Burndy cables. Its very low (<0.5W) standby power is created by a small switched mode supply.
The NPX 300 is also compatible with the NDX2 or the NAC-N 272, all you just need are the specific cables.
Specifications:
- Standby Power Consumption: <0.5W
- Power Supply Output: Type 3, Type 4
- Other Connectors: Micro USB (update only)
- Naim Logo: White illuminated
- Mains Supply: 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 35/8x17x121/2″ (9.15 x 43.2 x 31.75cm)
- Weight: 31.75lbs (14.4kg)
Naim NAP 250 Power Amplifier
First appearing in 1975, the NAP 250 is the ideal partner for the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier. The balanced XLR-equipped NAP 250 features; separate discrete regulator technology, eight Naim NA009 power transistors which are mounted on ceramic insulators to reduce capacitive coupling and eddy-current circuit breaker between the speaker outputs, all of which were developed for Naim’s flagship Statement amplifier. This new sixth-generation model delivers 100 watts of class A/B power per channel into eight ohms from its dual mono circuits and features a new triple transistor constant current source that is said to help improve sound quality.
Specifications:
- Power output: 100 Watts 8 @0.1% THD+N (100W @0.1%) 190 Watts 4 @1% THD+N
- Gain: +29dB
- Inputs: 2 x True balanced via XLR, 47k, 34k singled ended via legacy adaptor lead
- Frequency response: -3dB @ 1.4Hz to 100kHz
- Burst power: 2 (1kHz for 20mS, repeat 500mS IHF) 300 Watts 2 @1% THD+N
- Peak current into 1 (1kHz 1mS): +/-28 amps peak (780W peak power)
- THD+N at 2/3rds full power 8 @1kHz: 0.013%
- Input signal for clipping: 1V RMS
- Signal to noise ratio ref 1W 8 A-weighted: 91dB
- Signal to noise ratio ref 100W 8 A-weighted: 111dB
- Cross talk: 60dB
- Damping factor into 8: 36
- Mains supply: 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 35/8x17x121/2″ (9.15×43.2×31.75cm)
- Weight: 37.04lbs (16.8kg)
MSRP (US/UK/EU):
- NSC 222: $8,999.00/£5,700.00/€7,000.00
- NAP 250: $8,999.00/£5,700.00/€7,000.00
- NPX 300: $8,999.00/£5,700.00/€7,000.00
For more information visit the Naim web site.
