Naim 300 Series - The latest addition to the Naim New Classic Series

Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer, Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier and Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier, this is the line-up of the new Naim 300 Series.

Naim Audio Ltd has named the new Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer, Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier and Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier systems the Naim New Classic Series, representing the new Naim 300 Series, which is designed to provide solutions with cutting-edge innovation, elegant design and exceptional sound quality. True to the company’s philosophy, this is intended to bring music to life in its purest form.

This also applies to the phono preamplifier, which is also presented, namely the Naim NVC TT Phono Stage and the matching Naim NPX TT Power Supply.

Naim 300 Series – from streaming to phono preamplifier

It is interesting to note that Naim Audio Ltd is focusing on streaming and recommending the new Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer as the start of a musical journey. It functions as a flexible streaming system that can play back hi-res audio content specifically via UPnP and various streaming services.

Interestingly, Naim Audio Ltd. also describes the Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer as a central interface for controlling not only the streaming client itself, but also the entire Naim Audio Ltd. product range via the Focal & Naim App for Apple iOS and Google Android.

The Naim NAC 332 preamplifier, on the other hand, is intended to act as the analogue interface, which in turn can be served as an optimal playing partner by two Naim NAP 350 power amplifiers, as recommended by Naim Audio Ltd. The mono blocks are said to provide sufficient power to control even the most demanding speaker systems.

To round off a hi-fi chain based on the Naim 300 Series, the Naim NVC TT Phono Stage can be used to its full potential with the Naim NPX TT Power Supply, according to the renowned British hi-fi company Naim Audio Ltd.

Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer

The Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer uses Naim Audio Ltd’s latest streaming platform, the Naim NP800, which initially uses the industry standard UPnP, but also supports Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast, as well as Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect. A USB port also allows direct access to corresponding storage media and, of course, the new Naim NSS 333 music streamer is designated as Roon Ready.

Network connectivity is via either IEEE 802.11ac WiFi or an RJ45 Ethernet port, and to enable streaming directly from a mobile device, the Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer is also equipped with Bluetooth, supporting SBC, AAC and aptX.

In conjunction with other streaming solutions from Naim Audio Ltd, multi-room audio is also available via the Focal & Naim app for Apple iOS and Google Android.

The signal processing is carried out by a DAC from Texas Instruments, namely a TI PCM1791A DAC based on two particularly precise master clocks with fixed frequencies of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, so that extremely low jitter values are guaranteed.

The converter can process signals in Linear PCM with up to 32 bit and 384 kHz, as well as DSD up to DSD128.

The converter is also ready for external sources, which can be connected via two optical or two coaxial S/PDIF interfaces. It should be mentioned in this context that one of the coaxial S/PDIF interfaces is designed as a cinch, the second in the form of a BNC socket.

Analogue signals are output via a pair of Cinch sockets or a pair of XLRs, and a DIN is also available. To output digital signals, the new Naim NSS 333 music streamer has another BNC on the rear panel. Here you’ll also find Remote Out and connections for so-called Burndy cables to optional PSU upgrade via Naim NPX 300.

Apart from the aforementioned app, the Naim NSS 333 music streamer features a generous display with a row of buttons directly on the front, and a remote control based on the Zigbee RF protocol is also included.

With dimensions of 43 x 2 x 31.75 x 9.15 cm, the Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer weighs in at 11 kg.

Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier

Naim Audio Ltd. is convinced that the new Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier is an uncompromising analogue preamplifier that, as the central interface in the hi-fi chain, should guarantee nothing less than the best possible sound quality.

To achieve this, Naim Audio Ltd. relies on a discrete, balanced Class A circuit, single-ended transistor input buffers and Class A filter circuits with hand-soldered polystyrene capacitors, a volume control architecture with reed relays and a reed relay input circuit. Other features include freely configurable inputs, with three pairs of RCA unbalanced inputs, two XLR balanced inputs, one 8-pin DIN and two 5-pin DINs.

In terms of outputs, the Naim NAC 332 preamplifier offers a pair of RCA sockets for unbalanced signals and a pair of XLRs for balanced signals, plus an integrated headphone amplifier accessible via a front-mounted 6.3 mm stereo jack.

Two Burndy cables are also provided for optional PSU upgrade via the Naim NPX 300, and a ZigBee RF protocol-based bi-directional remote control is included.

The Naim NAC 332 preamplifier measures 43.2 x 31.75 x 9.15 cm and weighs 11 kg.

Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier

The Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier is a state-of-the-art mono power amplifier, a so-called monoi block, but with a very slim design that is rather unusual for this class of equipment. The Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier measures no more than 43.2 x 31.75 x 9.15 cm and weighs 16.5 kg. Even if you have to put at least two mono blocks in the rack, the space required for this is limited.

The Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier is based on a newly developed output stage with a double driver and double power transistor to achieve improved performance as well as sound quality. The Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier delivers 175 watts into 8 ohms or 345 watts into 4 ohms in Class A/B, according to the manufacturer. It also promises to deliver a particularly high current output for dynamic reproduction, so that with peak values of 1.7 kW at low impedances, even the most demanding loudspeakers are always kept fully under control.

In addition to various connections for central control with other Naim 300 Series components, there is an XLR input on the rear panel and, of course, screw terminals for connecting speaker systems.

Naim NVC TT Phono Stage and Naim NPX TT Power Supply

The Naim NVC TT Phono Stage is said to be a great sounding phono preamplifier that is also flexible, according to Naim Audio Ltd. It is based on a design used in the Naim SuperLine and the Naim Statement, so this is a truly landmark solution.

The Naim NVC TT Phono Stage has separate inputs for MM cartridge and MC cartridge drives, each with a discrete, dedicated amplifier. These inputs are in the form of RCA sockets, and the outputs are also in the form of a pair of RCA sockets. Small rotary encoders on the rear panel can be used to adjust the terminating resistor and impedance, and for MC cartridge systems the gain can also be switched between high and low.

The Naim NPX TT Power Supply is intended to provide the optimum power supply for the Naim NVC TT Phono Stage, and can be connected via the appropriate connectors for burndy cables.

Prices and availability

The new Naim 300 Series systems, an extension of the Naim New Classic Series, are expected to hit the shelves within days. The Naim NSS 333 Music Server is priced at € 9.000,- the Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier at € 9.000,- and the Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier at € 14.000,- per pair. The Naim NVC TT Phono Stage is priced at € 4.000,- and its Naim NPX TT Power Supply at € 3.000,-.

Getting to the point

It heralds a new era in hi-fi, says Naim Audio Ltd. of the Naim 300 Series, which it sees as part of the Naim New Classic Series alongside the Naim 200 Series. The Naim 300 Series is said to be the latest generation of a range that, since the company’s inception in 1973, has always offered the best of separate hi-fi components, a task now assigned to the Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer, Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier and Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier solutions. For vinyl lovers, there is also the Naim NVC TT Phono Stage and matching Naim NPX TT Power Supply.

PRODUCT	NAIM 300 SERIES
Price	Naim NSS 333 Music Streamer € 9.000.- Naim NAC 332 Preamplifier € 9.000,- Naim NAP 350 Power Amplifier € 14.000,- per pair Naim NVC TT Phono Stage € 4.000,- Naim NPX TT Power Supply € 3.000,-