Naim Audio NSC 222
From the New Classics series, a thoroughly modern stereo preamplifier with built-in hi-res streaming that draws upon Naim’s 50 year heritage of audio design and manufacture.
$11,999
Buy it today! Normally in stock for purchase.
Available to audition in-store in Winnipeg.
Made in England.
Creative Audio is an authorised Naim Audio dealer.
“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.”
Contemporary Hi-Fi
A true high-end stereo preamplifier with Naim’s award-winning hi-res digital streaming platform built-in. Native support for TIDAL, Qobuz, DSD, and Roon gives you easy access to the best sounding files. An MM phono input as well as multiple digital and USB inputs allows for easy connection to any source.
Upgradeable
Naim has always understood the importance of the power supply inside any audio component. The power supply in the NSC 222 features Naim’s DR (discrete regulator) technology taken from their Statement series products. This circuit is simple, elegant, and made from the highest quality components for an uncompromising result. You can take the performance of the NSC 222 to new heights with the optional outboard NPX 300 external power supply.
Built to last
A Naim purchase is an investment. For fifty years, Naim has been building their award-winning audio components by hand in the south of England. Each component on the inside has been handpicked for its performance. The aluminium chassis is brushed, sandblasted, and anodised for a beautiful and durable finish. The integrated heatsinks keep the internal components cool for a long life of service.
The Creative Audio Review
Demo track: ‘Hey Now’ by London Grammar. A new Naim product is a rare thing. Unlike other audio companies, Naim doesn’t refresh their products often, mainly because they don’t need to. The previous Classic series models were over twenty years old, and yet when we listened to them in our showroom, it was difficult to imagine how they could be improved upon. And then, the New Classics series arrived! We’ll get straight to the point: the Naim NSC 222 is an absolute stunner. Naim Audio’s components have always been well regarded for their sense of musicality, of ‘pace, rhythm, and timing’. It’s difficult to describe in words, but you know it when you hear it, and you can definitely hear it in the NSC 222. After listening for a couple of hours and taking notes for this review, we looked down at the page and it was mostly blank. The Naim NSC 222 is distractingly enjoyable and trying to put its audio performance into words isn’t easy. This might be because it seems its most distinctive character is not imparting its own character on the sound; the NSC 222 doesn’t get in the way of the music but instead just lets it flow. This is a classic Naim characteristic, and it’s nice to hear the new line continue the tradition. When you listen to Naim, you forget you’re listening to a recording…the music just comes alive and you get lost in it. Could there be any better praise? Oh and as for comparisons to the old Classic series models…turns out there was a hell of a lot to improve on, after all. Thanks Naim!
Sound Advice
The Naim NSC 222 will sound great right out of the box but will sound its best after at least 100 hours of use.
While the Naim NSC 222 can connect to your network via WiFi, we always recommend a wired ethernet connection whenever possible.
Technical Specifications
Dimensions (HxWxD):
3 5/8” x 17” x 12 1/2”
Weight:
24 1/4 lbs.
Streaming:
Chromecast
Apple AirPlay
TIDAL
Spotify Connect
Bluetooth (aptX HD)
Internet Radio
UPnP
Roon Ready
Audio Formats:
WAV - up to 32 bit/384 kHz
FLAC and AIFF - up to 24 bit/384 kHz
ALAC (Apple Lossless) - 24 bit/384 kHz
MP3 - up to 48 kHz, 320 kbit (16 bit)
AAC - up to 48 kHz, 320 kbit (16 bit)
OGG and WMA - up to 48 kHz (16 bit)
DSD - 64 and 128Fs
Gapless playback supported on all formats
Inputs:
2x Optical Digital (up to 96/24)
1x Coaxial RCA (up to 192/24)
1x Coaxial BNC (up to 192/24)
1x Phono (MM)
1x Stereo Analog RCA
1x Stereo DIN (8-pin, compatible with 5-pin)
Outputs:
1x Stereo XLR
1x Stereo RCA
1x 1/4” headphone
Network:
1x Ethernet (10/100)
1x WiFi (802.11 b/g/n/ac)
Included:
Remote Control
Power cable
Warranty:
5 years (parts, labour, return delivery)