NSC 222

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

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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.

Streaming
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
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
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
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
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
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.

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The Naim Classic range maximises this highly technical and durable approach, with aluminium housings rivalled only by Statement, our flagship product. Naim chose a superior-quality aluminium, which optimally combines thermal and microphonic properties. The front panels are treated with solid 20mm-thick aluminium billets; heat sinks frame the side panels and 5mm plates cover the top and bottom surfaces of the products. The aluminium is brushed, sandblasted and anodised to guarantee unalterable beauty throughout the product's life. The New Classic range can be immediately distinguished with one look and one touch, before the first note of music even plays.

 

  • Google Cast™ for Audio

    NSC 222 is native support for Google’s latest technology, Google Cast™ for Audio. This streaming service allows you to seamlessly link to hundreds of supported apps including Deezer, Qobuz, Plex, TuneIn, Soundcloud and Pandora from your smartphone or tablet and stream directly to NSC 222.

  • AirPlay 2

    Stream music from your iDevice or from iTunes and Apple Music.

  • TIDAL Connect

    The lossless streaming service is integrated into the system for an immersive, high-quality sound experience.

  • Spotify® Connect

    Native support for Spotify® to stream millions of songs from your portable device.

  • Bluetooth® aptX

    Pair with a Bluetooth device to instantly play your music. Also compatible with aptX for high-performance audio where supported by the device connecting to your system.

  • Roon-Ready

    Roon transforms the experience of browsing music. Beautifully laid-out metadata is located automatically, then interconnected by links to build a surfable, searchable digital magazine about your music collection.

  • Internet Radio

    Access thousands of internet radio stations and save your favourite presets for easy access.

  • UPnP™ (Universal Plug and Play)

    Stream music from a PC, Mac or network-attached storage in high-resolution ‘better than CD’ quality.

  • Multiroom Ready

    Play music between any combination of our streaming products. Choose the same song in beat-perfect sync or play different music in different rooms in your home all via the Focal & Naim App. 

  • Digital/Analogue Outputs

    For connection to an external power-amplifier or a sub-woofer.

  • USB

    Play music from USB-connected storage devices.

     

  • Qobuz

    Qobuz allows you to stream the most comprehensive CD-quality music catalogue currently available and the largest selection of albums in true high-resolution studio quality directly to your Naim music streamer.

  • File formats

    Supports a broad range of music formats including WAV, FLAC, DSD, Apple Lossless, AIFF, AAC, Windows Media-formatted files, Ogg Vorbis and MP3.

  • Wireless Updates

    Over-the-air updates via the Naim App now enable you to update your NSC 222 system at the touch of a button.

  • Headphones

    Front panel 6.5mm headphone jack with new upgraded headphone amplifier with significantly improved bass extension.

  • Digital Input (S/PDIF)

    Boost audio from digital sources such as TVs, set top boxes or games consoles.

Upgrade your user experience!

Discover the new interface available for the 200 & 300 Series to help with the set-up of your products. Find high-quality tutorials to optimise the sound settings, best practice advice and tips.

Discover more

Manuals & Downloads

Product Specification

Audio Inputs
Attribute Value
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)
Audio Input

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
Attribute Value
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
Attribute Value
Network

Ethernet (10/100Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/n/ac)
Formats
Attribute Value
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
Attribute Value
Weight

24.25lbs (11kg)
Dimensions (HxWxD)

35/8x17x121/2" (9.15x43.2x31.75cm)
Power
Attribute Value
Mains Supply

115V or 230V, 50/60Hz
Power Consumption

Typical use consumption:  25W
Network standby mode consumption: <2W
Standby mode consumption: <0.5w
Product Type
Attribute Value
Type

Preamplifier
User Control
Attribute Value
App Control

App control (iOS and Android), bi-directional ZigBee remote and front panel
Optical 3.5mm output for synchronised control of compatible products