Naim Audio has introduced the NAC-N 272, which boasts a high-quality preamplifier, digital streamer, and headphone amplifier. According to the company’s press release on February 15: “The 272 is a high-quality Naim preamplifier. Its fundamental electronic design is inspired by the NAC 552 preamplifier, which is bettered only by Statement in the Naim performance hierarrchy. The volume control design is derived from the flagship Statement NAC S1 preamplifier. The preamp uses quality, hand-matched components and great care has been taken to protect the sensitive analogue parts from the power supply and digital circuitry.
“Alongside this performance, the 272 boasts an impressive array of inputs. This includes high-resolution (up to 24-bit/192kHz) UPnP streaming, Spotify Connect, iRadio, Bluetooth (aptX), USB, multiroom and an optional DAB/FM module. Six digital and three analogue inputs cover integration with a wide range of sources from CD and games consoles to phono stages. It’s also performance upgradable with the addition of a Naim XP5 XS, XPS or 555 PS power supply.”
Like Naim’s other products, the NAC-N 272 is hand built in the company’s factory, located in Salisbury, England. According to information on Naim’s website: “All analogue input sockets on the 272 are individually hand wired to the main board to enhance mechanical decoupling. The board itself is mounted on a system of shoulder bolts which releases any tension which can adversely affect sound quality. The sound-critical resistors used arrive at Naim matched to within 5%. This already high tolerance is improved before assembly by hand-matching to within a margin of just 1%. We then go even further by introducing a slight mechanically compliant bend in the legs of each one during assembly. We take this care and attention because we know it can help to make the difference in producing the incredible sound on which we’ve built our reputation.”
The NAC-N 272 is priced at £3300 (without optional DAB/FM tuner). It will make its public debut at Sound & Vision (The Bristol Show), held February 20-22 at the Marriott City Centre Hotel, located in Bristol, Scotland.