NAC-N 172 XS Preamplifier And Music Streamer

NAC-N 172 XS

Discontinued
NAC-N 172 XS Preamplifier And Music Streamer

The NAC-N 172 XS defines a creative point at which two worlds collide – the traditional world of separate pre and power amplifiers, and the new world of network streaming.

For a start, the NAC-N 172 XS is a very high performance and inherently musical preamplifier. It combines a mix of analogue and digital audio inputs, a digitally-controlled analogue volume control, and analogue outputs to connect to a power amplifier. And it offers even more besides, because along with its conventional inputs it includes a front panel USB audio interface and a wired or wireless network connection to access internet radio stations, stream from UPnP music servers and streaming millions of songs with Spotify Connect and TIDAL lossless audio streaming. 

Share
Features
  • High quality preamplifier including digitally controlled analogue volume control
  • UPnP-enabled to allow streaming of audio files at up to 24bit/192kHz resolution from Naim Audio hard disk servers, network-attached storage (NAS) devices or any home computer
  • Supports a broad range of music formats: WAV, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, AAC, Windows Media-formatted files, Ogg Vorbis and MP3
  • Six 24bit/192kHz-capable digital inputs (S/PDIF) to support optimum connection to external sources
  • Spotify Connect built-in to stream millions of songs from the world’s most popular streaming service
  • Native support for TIDAL streaming service with free 90 day trial of lossless HiFi tier
  • Bluetooth connectivity with high-quality aptX audio codec
  • Optional DAB+/DAB/FM radio module
  • vTuner 5* full-service internet radio
  • Multiroom & Party Mode compatible
  • iOS and Android Naim Audio app for intuitive control
NAC-N 172 XS Preamplifier And Music Streamer
NAC-N 172 XS Preamplifier And Music Streamer
Technology & Craft

As the first Naim Audio streaming preamplifier, the NAC-N 172 XS introduces numerous innovative techniques for signal processing and isolation to ensure that each audio signal or stream is output with maximum fidelity. It employs a Burr Brown digital to analogue converter chip that offers the same performance as the one fitted to the NDX network player, and it benefits from all the filtering and signal management techniques that have brought Naim Audio to the forefront of digital music in the home. 

NAC-N 172 XS component selection is entirely optimised for sound quality and the XS style case construction helps minimise microphony by providing a rigid, non-resonant foundation for the electronics. Like every Naim Audio product, fastidious attention to power supply noise and regulation, PCB layout and earthing topology, is a fundamental element of NAC-N 172 XS performance. 

The result of all this extraordinary technology is extraordinary music reproduction that lives, breathes and satisfies. Integrate a NAC-N 172 XS in an existing audio system, or build a new pre/power amplifier system around it, and the world of high resolution audio, UPnP streaming, and the vast resource of internet radio can connect seamlessly with your existing world of CD and vinyl.

Product Specification

Audio Inputs
Attribute Value
USB/iPod

1 front panel socket

Sample Rates Maximum

192kHz (coaxial), 96kHz (optical)

Other Inputs

Digital Inputs:
5 x S/PDIF                                                                                                                                      
2 x coaxial RCA                                                                                                                                                -
2 x optical TOSLINK                                                                                                      
1 x 3.5mm front panel (mini-TOSLINK)

UPnP

Ethernet (RJ45) or Wi-Fi

Input Impedance

30kΩ

Analogue Input

 1 x 5-pin DIN, 1 x RCA pair, 1 x front panel 3.5mm jack (combined optical)

Input Sensitivity

200mV

Audio Outputs
Attribute Value
Audio Outputs

1 x variable (4-pin DIN, 1 x RCA pair), 1 x fixed (1 x RCA pair)

Crosstalk

80dB

Other Outputs

Headphones Outputs: Stereo (front panel 3.5mm jack)

Line Outputs Variable (level)

775mV RMS

Line Outputs Fixed (level)

1 x RCA pair

Load Impedance

10kΩ (min.)

Output Impedance

<47Ω (variable outputs), <600Ω (fixed output)

Signal-to-Noise Ratio

90dB

THD

0.015%

Frequency Response

5Hz - 40kHz

Connectivity
Attribute Value
USB

1 x USB Type Mini-B

Remote Output

1 x rear panel 3.5mm jack (RC5 modulated and unmodulated)

Remote Input

1 x rear panel 3.5mm jack (RC5 modulated and unmodulated)

Network

Ethernet (Cat5), Wi-Fi

Finish
Attribute Value
Case

Black powder coated

Front

Brushed and black anodised

Formats
Attribute Value
CD Formats

Audio CD (Red Book, CD and CD-R)

FM Tuning Range

87.5 - 108MHz

DAB Tuning Range

Band III and L Band

Internet Radio Formats

Windows Media-formatted content, MP3, ACC, Ogg Vorbis streams and MMS

Internet Radio Provider

vTuner 5* full service

Audio Formats

WAV (up to 32bit/192kHz) 
AIFF (up to 32bit/192kHz)
FLAC (up to 24bit/192kHz) 
ALAC (up to 24bit/96kHz) 
WMA (up to 16bit/48kHz) must be WMA 9.2 
Ogg Vorbis (up to 16bit/48kHz) 
M4a (CBR and VBR up to 320kbit/s)
MP3 (CBR and VBR up to 320kbit/s)
Playlists (M3U, PLS)

Physical
Attribute Value
Weight

5.65 kg

Dimensions (HxWxD)

70 x 432 x 301 mm

Power
Attribute Value
Supply Voltage

100V, 115V, 230V; 50 or 60Hz

Supplied with
Attribute Value
Supplied with

NaimUniti Remote Control

Upgrades
Attribute Value
Other

Hi-Line, Power-Line Lite mains cable (UK denominations only), any power amplifier

User Control
Attribute Value
Front Panel

Volume control, logo touch-sensitive mute function and nine button matrix

Handheld

Remote handset included and optional Naim app for iOS and Android.

Remote Control

Infra Red (RC5)

Manuals & Downloads

Reviews & Awards

Latest Reviews
Hi-Fi World, Feb 2013
"Whether you are new to Naim or already a user, it's well worth a listen."
What Hi-Fi? Sound & Vision, Oct 2012
"An engaging and high-res-happy performer – and a real star turn at this price level."
Gramophone, Oct 2012
"There’s a directness and honesty about the sound that really communicates a recording very well indeed."
Awards
Queen's Award for Innovation
Hi-Fi World Five Globes
Best Streamer £1000 - £2000

Newsletters Sign Up

Sign up for exclusive news & updates from Naim.

We won't pass your details on to anyone else and you can stop your subscription at any time. For more information read our Privacy Policy