NSC 222 NEW Classic Pre-amplifier

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.

NSC 222
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.

Specifications

Audio Inputs

Digital

• 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)

Analogue

• 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″ (9.15×43.2×31.75cm)

Power

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