Naim NAC-N 272 Pre Amplifier (2019)

Here we have, in very good condition, a NAC-N 272 Preamplifier from British Hi-Fi specialist Naim Audio. Originally launched in 2015, the NAC-N 272 is actually far more than just a simple pre-amp. It’s a preamplifier with network music player capability that has both digital and analogue inputs plus a choice of fixed or variable-level outputs, and that’s just for starters. For more detail please do continue below. Our example is supplied in full working order, factory packaged, with remote control, manual, mains cable, Burndy plug, antenna plus of course our standard three month warranty. Please note there are a couple of very minor blemishes – please see photographs.
Naim Say….
The NAC-N 272 combines our digital audio technology with classic analogue preamplifier engineering. It samples the best of both worlds to create an immensely musical hi-fi system.
Paired with a NAP 200, NAP 250 or even a NAP 300 power amplifier, the 272 is an ideal choice for those seeking the convenience of a single box streaming system with iOS and Android app control, but that crave hi-fi separates performance. It boasts an impressive array of inputs including high-resolution (up to 24bit/192kHz) UPnP™ streaming, Spotify Connect, iRadio, Bluetooth (aptX), USB, multiroom, TIDAL music streaming support. Six digital and three analogue inputs cover integration with a wide range of sources from CD and games consoles to phonostages. It’s also performance upgradable with the addition of a Naim Audio XP5 XS, XPS or 555 PS power supply.
All this functionality does not come at the cost of performance. The 272 has been carefully designed and meticulously hand-crafted to deliver a completely immersive and awe-inspiring music experience.
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 Audio matched to within 5%. This already high tolerance is improved before assembly by hand-matching to within 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 272 volume control is derived from the design of the flagship Statement NAC S1 control. It offers smooth operation and perfect level matching while a Class-A single-ended headphone amplifier makes the most of high-performance headphones. As soon as headphones are plugged in, the output current drive is automatically turned up five times to give dynamic drive for all headphone impedances.
The NAC-N 272 is a high-performance Naim Audio preamplifier with quality hand-matched analogue components selected after listening tests. Great care has been taken to protect the signal path from sources of interference. The digital and analogue sections of the product communicate using optical isolation chips which minimises the impact of the noisy digital circuitry and power supply on the critical audio components.
The 272’s digital pedigree is formidable. It shares the incredibly powerful DSP (Digital Signal Processor) used by the reference NDS network player and features Naim Audio’s proprietary digital audio buffering and filtering techniques. This helps to eliminate jitter and optimises the audio stream for the best musical performance from any digital source. It also means that the 272 can play back DSD64 files.
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
Performance upgradable with XPS or 555 PS power supply
Supports a broad range of music formats: WAV, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, AAC, DSF64 and DFF64, 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 aptX audio codec
vTuner 5* full-service internet radio
Multiroom & Party Mode compatible
Naim Audio app for iOS and Android
Specifications:
Outputs: Preamplifier (2 x DIN, 1 x RCA); Line (1 x RCA); Digital S/PDIF (1 x BNC); Headphones (1 x 6.3 mm)
Preamp Output: 775 mV
Line output: 275 mV
Frequency Response: 4 Hz – 40 kHz
S/N Ratio: 87 dB
Analogue Inputs: 3 (1 x DIN, 2 x RCA)
Analogue Input Sensitivity: 275 mV
Analogue Input Overload: 34 dB
Digital Inputs: 6 (1 x BNC, 2 x RCA, 3 x TOSlink)
Digital Input Sample Rate: Coaxial – 192 kHz; Optical – 96 kHz
Other Inputs: USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
iRadio Service: vTuner 5* full service
Audio Formats: WAV and AIFF (up to 24 bit/192 kHz), FLAC (up to 24 bit/192 kHz), ALAC (up to 24 bit/96 kHz), WMA (up to 16 bit/48 kHz), Ogg Vorbis (up to 16 bit/48 kHz), MP3, M4a (up to 320 kbit/s), Playlists (M3U, PLS), DSD.
Gapless playback supported on MP3, M4A, AIFF, WAV, FLAC and ALAC.
Internet radio: AAC, Windows Media™ formatted content, MP3 streams, MMS, Ogg Vorbis,
Spotify® Connect: Ogg Vorbis (up to 320 kps)
TIDAL: AAC (96 or 320 kbps), FLAC (16 bit 44.1 kHz)
Bluetooth: SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX-LL.
Upgrade Interface: mini-USB
Wi-Fi Compatibility: 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11n
Quiescent Consumption: 21 W
Mains Supply: 100 V, 115 V or 230 V, 50/60 Hz
Power Supply Options: 555PS, XPS, XP5 XS
Dimensions: 432 (W) x 314 (D) x 87 (H) mm
Weight: 10.3 kg

To read a review from Hi-Fi+ magazine please click here

For a second opinion this time from What Hi-Fi? magazine please click here