Today Naim launches its first ever network-connected streaming preamplifier, the NAC-N 172 XS. The NAC-N 172 XS is the ideal proposition for those wanting to take their first step into the world of high-end streaming, combining all of Naim’s expertise in designing and building world-beating preamplifiers with the convenience and choice of the digital revolution. All you need is a separate power amplifier to form an elegant two box solution that can produce truly sensational, audiophile quality sound.
More music than ever
The NAC-N 172 XS offers high-resolution (up to 32bit/192kHz) UPnP™ streaming, allowing you to listen to music stored on your network in higher resolution than has ever been available before. Tens of thousands of internet radio stations are available through a wired or wireless internet connection, giving you access to a world of new music. The Naim’s Choice menu highlights a selection of Naim’s favourite stations, chosen for sound quality and the eclectic range of music on offer, providing easy access to top quality stations. A front panel USB can play memory sticks, iPad/iPhone/iPod audio and MP3 players while five S/PDIF handle audio from sources such as games consoles, set-top boxes and CD players.
A journey of musical discovery
You can control the NAC-N 172 XS via the front panel buttons and digitally controlled analogue volume knob, the standard remote control handset or the newly updated n-Stream app for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Using the n-Stream app is a uniquely liberating experience, allowing you not just to control and play your music with ease, but to explore your collection and broaden your horizons with new music from the new expanded music information feature delivered by Rovi. Full system automation means you can also control a Naim CD player directly from the app.
The best of both worlds
The NAC-N 172 XS defines a point at which worlds collide – the traditional world of separate pre and power amplifiers, and the new world of network streaming. It’s a conventional preamplifier, perfectly at home in a Naim separates environment where, partnered by a Naim NAP 155 XS power amplifier perhaps, it can reproduce music from CD or vinyl in a way that stirs the soul and quickens the pulse. But the NAC-N 172 XS also opens the door onto the new sphere of high resolution audio, internet radio and streamed music. It’s a sphere that has just the same soul stirring potential as conventional audio sources, but that’s effectively limitless in scope and content.
Liberation in control
The NAC-N 172 XS can be controlled via the front panel buttons and digitally controlled analogue volume knob, the standard remote control handset or the n-Stream app for iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch. Using the n-Stream app is a uniquely liberating experience, allowing not just easy control of music playback, but the possibility to explore a music collection and find new music from the expanded music information feature delivered by Rovi. Full system automation means a Naim CD player can also be controlled directly from the app.