THE NAIM NEW CLASSIC RANGE CELEBRATES A NEW ERA IN SOUND 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING

Celebrating 50 years since the Naim Audio launch in 1973, the British HiFi brand has launched the Naim New Classic range which incorporates the NSC 222 streaming preamplifier; an all-new iteration of the NAP 250 power amplifier; and the  NPX 300 power supply upgrade.

NAIM NEW CLASSIC RANGE

There are features such as balanced connections and eco-friendly elements. The New Classic products use less than 0.5W in standby. There are also a range of ways to integrate these new products with existing Naim models.

Naim New Classic Range

NAIM NSC 222 STREAMING PRE-AMPLIFIER

The Naim NSC 222 is a streaming pre-amplifier that is designed to keep things simple, streaming Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, a world of internet radio and more, with support for bitrates up to 32bits/284kHz.

The NSC 222 has an integrated MM phono stage and Naim’s latest headphone technology as featured in the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition.

Everything you’re enjoying listening to is displayed on a larger, 5.5″ full-colour screen. Control the NSC 222 via the Focal & Naim App, the smart Zigbee remote-control handset (no line of sight required) or via the unit itself with the illuminated volume control.

Naim NSC 222 streaming preamplifier

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 synchronised control of compatible products

Network: Ethernet (10/100Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac)

Typical use consumption: 25W

Network standby mode consumption: <2W

Standby mode consumption: <0.5W

Mains Supply: 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz

Dimensions (HxWxD): 35/8x17x121/2″ (9.15×43.2×31.75cm)

Weight: 24.25lbs (11kg)

NAIM NAP 250 POWER AMP

The perfect partner for the NSC 222 is the Naim NAP 250 power amplifier. In continuous production since 1975, the NAP 250 has gained iconic status. Featuring trickle-down technology from Naim’s flagship Statement amplifier, the new sixth-generation model delivers, say Naim, “more power, even better performance, and greater system-matching flexibility”.

Naim NAP 250 power amplifier. front and back

The new NAP 250 is a 100W per channel dual-model design, with full power regulation. Its heatsink reacts as the volume increases, keeping things cool. Other enhancements include the addition of true balanced XLR connections, plus a range of trickle-down technology from Naim’s flagship Statement amplifier, including an eddy-current circuit breaker between the speaker outputs.

The heatsinks

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

Passive consumption: 26W (idle)

Standby consumption: <0.5W

Mains supply: 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz

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

Dimensions (HxWxD): 35/8x17x121/2″ (9.15×43.2×31.75cm)

Weight: 37.04lbs (16.8kg)

NAIM NPX 300 POWER SUPPLY

The Naim NPX 300 power supply is an instant upgrade for the NSC 222 streaming pre-amplifier. It disables the internal power supply, reducing the noise floor and providing cleaner power.

The Naim New Classic power supply

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 NEW CLASSIC RANGE PRICING

The Naim New Classic NSC 222, NAP 250 and NPX 300 are available to order now, with a suggested retail price of £5700/ $8999/€7000 each. Naim has also created a range of cable options that allow easy integration of the new models with earlier Naim products, to ease the upgrade path.

HiFi Pig Says: A very happy 50th anniversary to Naim, the Naim New Classic range is a great way to celebrate!