Naim Audio is not a company that likes to do things by half.
They spent 10 years developing their flagship Statement amplifier, and anyone who has ever heard it will know that those were years well spent.
The beauty of a project like Statement is as well as creating a reference piece like the Statement, Naim were also able to develop new technologies that they are now utilising in the rest of their amplification range. One such technology is the Naim DR (Discrete Regulator) power supply technology.
At the Munich High-End exhibition, Naim introduced what they call their ‘new classics’. The current two-channel amplifier range developed to include this technology.
So what is DR technology?
Like most audiophiles, Naim have long noted the importance of a clean, stable, low-noise power supply on audio performance. DR, first introduced to their range of separate power supplies, is the latest progression of that philosophy.
A regulator is an electronic device designed to maintain a constant DC output voltage regardless of fluctuations in supply voltage and in current draw from its output. Naim’s (DR) discrete regulator is a unique in-house design, providing ultra-low noise supply voltage to critical electronics.
The new topology has proven itself to be inherently low noise and capable of fast recovery to transient current demands.
The range includes the NAP200, 250, 300 and 500 DR amplifiers. The NAP200 DR features a single Naim DR module which powers the external NAC 202 or 282 preamplifier, whereas on the 250 DR, 300 DR and 500 DRs it supplies the entire power amplifier.
As well as utilising DR technology, the new amplifiers also feature an updated transistor (similarly developed during the Statement project). The NA009 is an upgrade from the previously used NA007 transistor in terms of sound quality.
It is a custom Naim design using non-ferrous materials and matched internal dies. Using non-ferrous materials dramatically reduces internal mechanical noise by minimising the vibrations created by high levels of current passing each other through the legs of the transistor. The NA009s are also mounted on ceramic insulators.
The new materials used in the NA009 reduce stray and unwanted capacitance by a factor of 9.
Revisiting the design of these classic amplifiers also gave Naim a great chance to pay attention to the details in the layout and componentry. A small improvement in the design combined with the major technological innovation has helped Naim advance the sonic performance of each amplifier significantly.
The new Classic Series power amplifiers will commence shipping as of 1st June, except the NAP 500DR which will be available in August.
We will be adding this series to our already huge range of Naim Audio available for demonstration here at KJ West One in Central London. If you are interested in auditioning them, please Contact Us and we will be happy to let you know once they arrive in store.
We currently have NAP 200, 250, 300 and 500 available as ex-demonstration models. These will be keenly priced as we get the updated version in. Please call for more details. 0207 486 8262.