Naim NSC 222 - New Classic Streaming Preamplifier
Details
The Brains Behind The New Classic Range
The NSC 222 is a versatile streaming preamplifier design to elevate your listening experience. With its cutting-edge engineering and elegant British design, it will deliver impeccable sound quality.
Playback Possibilities
The Naim NSC 222 allows you to stream music and radio seamlessly, while supporting vinyl playback as well as connectivity for Head-Fi listening.
The Perfect Pairing
To build an exceptional system, simply pair the NSC 222 with a Naim NAP 250 power amplifier and your favourite speakers. To take it even further, connect a NPX 300 power supply.
Highly Versatile
Embark on a delightful musical journey with the versatile NSC 222 preamplifier. Not only can you access a vast array of music streaming platforms like Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz and a host of online radio stations with ease. The NSC 222 preamplifier can handle bitrates up to 32bit / 384kHz, ensuring that you experience the best sound quality. If you're a vinyl lover, you'll be pleased to know the NSC 222 has a MM phono input. Additionally, it's equipped with Class A technology for headphone listening, derived from the award-winning Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amplifier / DAC, providing you with a world-class solo listening experience.
Focal & Naim App
The streaming platform on the NSC 222 is state-of-the-art and has been created by the team of experts in Salisbury. It delivers unparalleled performance, functionality and ease of use, all whilst providing a true Hi-Fi experience with the renowned Naim sound. Compatible with iOS and Android devices, it simplifies the control of your NSC 222 and allows you to connect other music systems in your home, creating a stunning multi-room setup. With the app you can easily access all your music, including your preferred net radio stations, streaming services, and playlists, and explore artist discographies and biographies.
Simple And Enjoyable To Use
The NSC 222 is designed to provide a seamless and pleasurable experience to its users. Whether you're using the Focal & Naim app, or the ZigBee smart remote control that accompanies the device. It's equipped with a backlit volume control and a 5.5" colour screen that displays the currently playing tracks, enhancing your listening experience. It was Naim's Technical Director who guided Naim's engineers in developing simple yet elegant circuits, coupled with DR technology, to ensure a stable and fluid power supply, resulting in exceptional performance.
The Latest Network Streaming Card
The NSC 222 uses Naim's NP800 streaming card with LVDS (Low-Voltage Differential Signalling) balanced digital signals for incredibly low noise. On top of this, the Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) diversity antennas are built into the heatsink, perfect for situations where you cannot connect directly via Ethernet.
No Line Of Sight Not Needed
With the supplied ZigBee RF bi-directional remote control, the NSC 222 can be controlled without line of sight between the listener and the preamplifier. What's more, any volume changes are reflected on the remote control, as well as on the preamp.
Easy Control Over NAP 250
The NSC 222 features dual optical 3.5mm inter-product communications for synchronised standby and lighting - perfect for combining with the NAP 250 power amplifier.
Twin Fixed Frequency Master Clocks
The NSC 222 utilises twin fixed frequency (44.1 and 48kHz based sample rates) master clocks for ultra low jitter. It runs in clock master mode for streaming services.
Connections Made Simple
To connect to a power amplifier, the NSC 222 has a balanced impedance Class A output amplifier, perfect for long and regular length cable runs via XLR. What's more, a second set of RCA outputs allow you to bi-amp or make a subwoofer connection.
High End DAC Implementation
The NSC 222 utilises the highly regarded PCM1791A DAC, however it's not just the digital to analogue converter that has the largest impact on a preamplifiers sound, it is instead the implementation that truly matters. This is why custom polystyrene, ultra low dielectric absorption Post DAC filter components are utilised - they simply make the difference that necessitates their use.
Upgradable PSU For The Ultimate Performance
To take your NSC 222 to another level, you can utilise an extra external power supply. In this case, you can upgrade to the NPX 300 and connect it to your streamer / preamplifier via two Burndy cables (one digital and one analogue).
Low Standby Power
0.5W standby power is achieved by utilising two internal power supplies; one is a high quality audiophile linear type, based on a large toroidal transformer. The other is a highly efficient SMPSU for 0.5W power consumption in standby mode.
Specifications
| Type | |
|---|---|
| Component Type | Preamplifier / Streamer |
| Analogue Inputs | |
| Moving Magnet Phono (RCA) | x 1 |
| 8-Pin DIN | x 2 (47kΩ, 2.2V typical, 7.5Vrms max) |
| RCA Pair | x 1 (47kΩ, 2.2V typical, 7.5Vrms Max) |
| 8-Pin DIN | Compatible with 5-pin DIN |
| 8 pin DIN has +/-18V | (For external phono stage e.g. NVC TT) |
| MM Phono: | 47kΩ/470pF, 5mV, 23dB overload (75mV max) |
| Analogue Outputs | |
| XLR Pair | x 1 (balanced 7Vrms max) |
| RCA Pair | x 1 (7Vrms max) |
| 6.35mm Headphone Jack | x 1 (1.5W into 16Ω) |
| USB | |
| Front Panel | Type A socket (1.6A charge) |
| Rear Panel | Type A socket (1.6A charge) |
| Digital Inputs (S/PDIF) | |
| Optical TOSLINK | x 2 (up to 24bit/96kHz) |
| Coaxial RCA | x 1 (Up to 24bit/192kHz, DoP 64Fs) |
| Coaxial BNC | x 1 (Up to 24bit/96kHz, DoP 64Fs) |
| Audio Formats | |
| WAV | Up to 32bit/384kHz |
| FLAC & AIFF | Up to 24bit/384kHz |
| ALAC (Apple Lossless) | Up to 24bit/384kHz |
| MP3 | Up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit) |
| AAC | Up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit) |
| OGG & WMA | Up to 48kHz (16 bit) |
| DSD | 64 and 128Fs |
| M4A | Up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit) |
| Analogue Gain | |
| Preamplifier Max Volume | 15.5dB |
| Phono Stage | MM : 40dB |
| Digital Level | |
| 2.1V at 0dBFS | Volume at 0dB |
| Frequency Response | |
| MM Phono | -3dB at 10Hz, RIAA +/-0.1dB |
| Line | 3Hz to 40kHz -3dB |
| Digital | 3Hz to 27kHz -3dB |
| Signal To Noise Ratio | |
| MM Phono | 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 | |
| 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 |
| Remote Control | ZigBee remote control |
| Optical | 3.5mm output for synchronised control of products like NAP 250 / 350 |
| Network | |
| Ethernet | 10/100 Mbps |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n/ac |
| Power Consumption | |
| Typical Use Consumption | 25W |
| Network Standby Mode Consumption | <2W |
| Standby Mode Consumption | <0.5W |
| Mains Supply | 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz |
| Dimensions | |
| Height / Width / Depth | 91.5 x 432 x 317.5mm |
| Weight | 11kg |
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