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Naim Audio

Naim Classic NSC 222

Regular price $8,999.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $8,999.00 USD
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NSC 222

Sleek design meets audiophile quality

NSC 222 is an easy-to-use streaming preamplifier with multiple functions, offering uncompromising sound quality. With its high-precision engineering and exclusive British design from Naim, this product brings you a world of streamed music and radio, handling vinyl and audio headphones, as well as creating a high-performance analog preamplifier. Combine it with the NAP 250 power amplifier for an exceptional assembly: just add loudspeakers

 

OVERVIEW

Begin your New Classic musical journey with the highly versatile NSC 222 preamplifier. Access a wide range of music streaming platforms (Spotify, TIDAL, Qobuz, etc.), a very large number of online radio stations, handling bitrates of up to 32bit/284kHz.
Want to enjoy vinyl? The NSC 222 has a MM phono input. Do you like headphones and want to dive into a world of solo listening? NSC 222 is also equipped with the full Naim technology for headphone listening, which is inherited from the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition: our amplifier-DAC, the recipient of several awards all around the world.

 

 

A unique streaming platform

NSC 222 incorporates the very latest Naim streaming platform. Made by our experts in Salisbury, it sets new standards in terms of its prowess, functionality and ease of use. It is designed to offer true Hi-Fi performance, with the legendary Naim sound. Play all your favourite radio stations non-stop, as well as any music you choose from Spotify Connect, Apple Music, TIDAL, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, UPnP™ servers, USB key, Roon Ready, and more.


 

Easy App control – in one room or many

The Naim App – available for Apple and Android devices – makes it simple to control your NSC 222, and even link up other music systems around your home into a stunning multi-room set-up. Use the App to access all your music, including your favourite radio stations, streaming services and playlists, and explore artist discographies and biographies.

 

 

Simple and enjoyable to use

 The NSC 222 is very simple to use – you can easily control it using the Focal & Naim app, available on iOS and Android, but also with the Zigbee smart remote control supplied. Of course, you can also access many features via the NSC 222 itself, and its backlit volume button. For your listening pleasure, the 5.5” colour screen displays the tracks being played. 

 

 

Naim know-how

Under the guidance of our Technical Director, Naim’s engineers have developed simple but elegant circuits, combined with our acclaimed and high-performing DR technology, guaranteeing the stable and fluid power supply so essential for superior performance. Our teams opt for the highest-quality components and perform ultra-precise measurements for an uncompromising result.

 

 

 

A timeless design

Naim products are designed to be both contemporary and timeless. Our creations forego any unnecessary decoration that does not contribute to performance targets or add to the sound quality. The design of the NSC 222 streamer and preamplifier combines extreme precision, impressive functionality, sleek design and innovative materials to make it easy and enjoyable to use.

 

 

 

The story of Naim and aluminium

Our founder, Julian Vereker, immediately understood the many benefits of aluminium as a material for wrapping Naim electronic components. He knew that delicate audio components are very sensitive to the effects of magnetic fields, unstable temperatures, unwanted vibrations, etc. While other manufacturers were bending thin sheets of steel, Naim used thick plates of aluminium.

The Naim Classic range maximises this highly technical and durable approach, with aluminium housings rivalled only by Statement, our flagship product. Naim chose a superior-quality aluminium, which optimally combines thermal and microphonic properties. The front panels are treated with solid 20mm-thick aluminium billets; heat sinks frame the side panels and 5mm plates cover the top and bottom surfaces of the products. The aluminium is brushed, sandblasted and anodised to guarantee unalterable beauty throughout the product's life. The New Classic range can be immediately distinguished with one look and one touch, before the first note of music even plays.

 

REVIEW & AWARDS

Naim NSC 222 review - Read More 

"If you are after a product that offers the performance of quality separates hi-fi but without much of the clutter and fuss then this Naim is definitely worth investigating. That applies regardless of whether you are already a fan of the brand or not." - What Hi-Fi? 

 

Naim New Classic and the rhythm divine - Read More 

"I think it’s safe to say that Naim has got its mojo back with the first fruit of the New Classic range. Not only have they made their core products more attractive, more fully featured and easy to use but they sound more like the Naim products that put the brand on the map. The introduction of more conventional connections with a wide range of inputs both via cables and over the aether gives the NSC 222 the flexibility to adapt to any likely changes in the future of hi-fi, while the onboard preamplifier, streamer and DAC are of a calibre that you wouldn’t get from separate boxes at this price. The Naim New Classic NAP 250 is a chip off the classic pace, rhythm and timing block that has power reserves to drive all but the most demanding of speakers and a musicality that eludes a lot of the competition. Naim New Classic feels like an affirmation of faith for both the faithful and those in the wilderness who have yet to discover what truly great electronics can do for their music." - Jason Kennedy 


SPECIFICATIONS 

Audio Inputs

USB 2 x USB Type A socket (front and rear - 1.6A charge)
Digital (S/PDIF) 2 x Optical TOSLINK (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 Input
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

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
Digital level 2.1V at 0dBFS volume at 0dB
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)
Crosstalk 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
Analogue Pre-amplifier at max volume 15.5dB
Phono stage MM 40dB
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
Frequency Response MM: -3dB at 10Hz, RIAA +/-0.1dB
Line: 3Hz to 40kHz -3dB
Digital: 3Hz to 27kHz -3dB

Connectivity

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

Formats

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

Physical

Weight 24.25lbs (11kg)
Dimensions (HxWxD) 35/8x17x121/2" (9.15x43.2x31.75cm)

Power

Mains Supply 115V or 230V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption Typical use consumption: 25W
Network standby mode consumption: <2W
Standby mode consumption: <0.5w

Product Type

Type Preamplifier

User Control

App Control App control (iOS and Android), bi-directional ZigBee remote and front panel
Optical 3.5mm output for synchronised control of compatible products