Salisbury Monday 16th February 2015. Naim today confirmed the arrival of a new product in its core range: a performance upgradeable preamplifier including full network audio and zero S/PDIF jitter DAC.
Combining the qualities of a Naim preamplifier and a Naim network audio player in one Naim classic non-magnetic aluminium case is not easy. It has taken time and significant engineering skill to preserve the intrinsic performance of both and create a compelling sound.
The NAC-N 272 streaming preamplifier will be available from Naim’s specialist retailers in March.
Invalid Displayed Gallery
The 272 Customer
Existing Naim customers and potential new ones are asking for this combination; but only without the sort of compromise that is often delivered by competitors. Naim’s customers are not easy to satisfy: the product’s performance must deliver that ‘draw you into the music’ character that has been part of Naim for over 40 years.
Naim envisages that many customers of the NAC-N 272 will be upgrading from SuperUniti, or NaimUniti 2 if they are already enjoying network audio or from an existing pre-amp like a NAC 202 if they are not. In both cases the likely matching power amplifier would be the NAP 200 or NAP 250. These combinations deliver a very serious system capable of working with most loudspeakers to bring a superbly musical and enjoyable performance. The NAC-N 272 will also bring new customers to the Naim brand possibly initially as a front end to their existing power amplifiers or for someone looking for an extra degree of performance over a Uniti solution without losing out on convenience and functionality.
Inputs and music sources include: UPnPTM hi-res streaming, Spotify® Connect, Bluetooth® (aptX®), iRadio, DAB+/FM, 6 digital, 3 analogue and one USB input for iPod or USB sticks. A combination that should be ideal for music lovers.
DSD64 Compatible
The NAC-N 272 is the first Naim product to be DSD64 compatible. This new feature simply adds to an already rich feature list and allows customers to explore more music from different sources and in different formats.
DSD files can be played back on the 272 via the UPnPTM, electrical S/PDIF or USB inputs. The DSD audio routing is kept as pure as possible. The digital header information is stripped out by the DSP leaving only the audio, which is optimised for the DAC by integer resampling the stream at 40bit/705.6kHz, using Naim software to maintain the high sample rate and accuracy. This adapted DSD stream then enters the 24bit DAC, bypassing the DACs internal digital filter.
Performance Engineering
The S/PDIF inputs on the NAC-N 272 utilise Naim’s proprietary zero S/PDIF design using the powerful SHARC processor to buffer the incoming S/PDIF signal and clocking it out of the buffer utilising a precision quartz crystal.
The SHARC runs unique Naim-authored software to create an ultra-high precision 40-bit floating-point filter. The filter over-samples by 16 times on 44.1kHz data and provides stop-band attenuation of -156dB. The analogue output includes Naim’s classic discrete five-pole Sallen Key filter.
The analogue and digital sections of the 272 are isolated to reduce noise and communicate using fast opto-isolators. Four separate secondaries from the transformer ensure the optimum power supply isolation and also the ideal voltages and regulation for the Analogue, DAC, and two digital rails. The circuit boards are float-mounted to reduce microphony.
The NAC-N 272 features a traditional Naim preamplifier section with high-quality hand-matched components. All of the critical components in the signal path are discrete thru-hole analogue parts matched by Naim to within 1%.
The 272 volume control is derived from the design featured in the flagship Naim Statement NAC S1 preamplifier. It uses hand-selected, through-hole analogue components which are isolated from their digital controller using optical chips.
All the analogue inputs, outputs and mutes are relay switched and completely disconnected when not in use. The relays, in traditional Naim engineering practice, are fed from constant current sources for the lowest interaction and lowest noise.
The moment headphones are plugged in the output current drive is automatically increased by five times to give dynamic drive for all headphone impedances. The amplifier runs from a high voltage power supply so has the ability to drive high impedance headphones with the voltage swing they require for open and dynamic sound.
Performance Upgradeable
The NAC-N 272 can be upgraded by adding an external power supply. These bring benefits of a lower PS impedance, lower noise, more regulation as well as disconnecting the micro vibrating internal transformer from the preamp. A demonstration is of course suggested but the differences in performance are not subtle. Compatible power supplies are the XP5 XS, XPS and 555PS.
NAC-N 272 – Summary Feature List
Playback features
- High quality preamplifier including improved version of Naim hybrid volume control
- UPnPTM-enabled to allow streaming of audio files at up to 24bit/192kHz resolution from Naim hard disk servers, network-attached storage (NAS) devices or any home computer
- Supports a broad range of music formats: WAV, FLAC, Apple Lossless, DSF64, DFF64, AIFF, AAC, Windows Media-formatted files, Ogg Vorbis and MP3
- Spotify Connect built-in to stream millions of songs from the world’s most popular streaming service
- Six digital inputs (S/PDIF) for sources such as diverse as CD players, TVs, laptops and games consoles
- Bluetooth connectivity with high quality aptX audio codec
- vTuner 5* full-service internet radio
- Optional DAB+/DAB/FM radio module
- Multiroom & Party Mode compatible
- iOS and Android Naim app and supplied remote control for intuitive control
Performance and engineering features
- Unique Naim electronic design combining award-winning digital and analogue technology
- Powerful 40bit DSP with unique Naim software authored to achieve optimum sound quality and eliminate S/PDIF jitter
- Naim single-ended Class-A headphone amplifier
- Large toroidal power supply with four separate windings for each section of product
- Performance-upgradable with XP5 XS, XPS and 555 PS power supplies
- Hand-matched, discrete analogue components selected through listening tests
- Inputs individually hand-wired and relay switched to decouple from interference
- Non-magnetic anodised aluminium casework to reduce resonance and reduce eddy currents
- Engineered and hand-built by Naim in Salisbury, England
Specification
Outputs Preamplifier (2 x DIN, 1 x RCA), Line (1 x RCA), Digital S/PDIF (1 x BNC), Headphones (1 x 6.3mm)
Preamp Output 775mV
Line output 275mV
Frequency Response 4Hz – 40kHz
S/N Ratio 87dB (measured at 2V in, 775mV out)
Analogue Inputs 3 ( 1 x DIN, 2 x RCA)
Analogue Input Sensitivity 275mV
Analogue Input Overload 34dB
Digital Inputs 6 (1 x BNC, 2 x RCA, 3 x TosLink)
Digital Input Sample Rate Max Coaxial – 192kHz, Optical – 96kHz
Other Inputs DAB/FM, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
iRadio Service vTuner 5* full service
Audio Formats WAV and AIFF (up to 32bit/192kHz), FLAC (up to 24bit/192kHz), ALAC (up to 24bit/96kHz), WMA (up to 16bit/48kHz), Ogg Vorbis (up to 16bit/48kHz), MP3, M4a (up to 320kbit/s), Playlists (m3u, PLS), DSF64 and DFF64, Gapless playback supported on MP3, M4A, AIFF, WAV, FLAC and ALAC.
Internet radio formats supported: AAC, Windows Media™ formatted content, MP3 streams, MMS, Ogg Vorbis, Spotify® Connect: Ogg Vorbis (up to 320kps) Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX-LL
Upgrade Interface mini-USB
Wi-Fi Compatibility 802.11b, 802.11g
Idle power consumption 21W
Mains Supply 100V, 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz
Power Supply Options 555PS, XPS, XP5 XS
Dimensions (H x W x D) 87 x 432 x 314mm
Weight 12.5kg
Finish Black anodised aluminium with brushed and black anodised fascia
no images were found
