Naim Audio amplification

{{Short description|British audio equipment manufacturer}} {{Use British English|date=January 2015}} {{promotional|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} thumb|240px|A Naim Audio system rack Naim Audio is a specialist British manufacturer of high-end audio amplifiers well known for their self described qualities of "pace, rhythm and timing".<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=200209audioenz/>

The company has a ''sui generis'' approach to audio design, ignoring specifications and power ratings as indicators of the quality of an amplifier.

Naim's approach includes, but is not limited to, absence of tone controls,<ref name=20080714thestar/><ref name=201210HFC/> the use of the DIN connectors instead of the RCA connector used almost everywhere in the home audio equipment industry,<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=200011whathf/><ref name=200102audiovid/> and reliance on over-engineered external power supply units (PSU) to deliver current for musical transients.<ref name=201210HFC/><ref name=20080306techradar/>

The company's two-channel {{nowrap|NAP 250}} amplifier made its début in 1975.

== History == The company, established in 1973, is one of the best-known hi-fi manufacturers in the UK.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/> Its first product was a power amplifier named {{nowrap|NAP 160}}; this was soon followed by the {{nowrap|NAC 12}} pre-amplifier.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/> Until 1985, Naim's activity was centred on audio amplifiers.

The two-channel {{nowrap|NAP 250}} power amplifier that made its début in 1975 is among Naim Audio's most well-known analogue products. Its basic circuit layout would be the model for its power amplifier range for more than 25 years, until the introduction of the flagship {{nowrap|NAP 500}} in 2000.

=== Philosophy === All of the early models were designed by Naim founder Julian Vereker, who wanted equipment that he himself and friends could enjoy listening through.<ref name=julianslast/> He experimented with constituents of the sound reproduction chain: source components, amplifiers and loudspeakers. Received wisdom was that amplifiers were "straight wires with gain" that had no effect on the sound,<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/> but Vereker insisted that the performance of amplifiers on the market ranged from bad to abysmal.<ref name=julianslast/><ref name=197603practical/>

Vereker took some 12 months to learn enough about electronics to design the first product initially for personal use, named the {{nowrap|NAP 160}}.<ref name=198904HFR/> Vereker defined that the amplifier's premise was "to drive the loudspeaker with a musical signal such that I could compare the sound with live music and get the same degree of enjoyment", and then determined that the amplifier must be able to drive loudspeakers' "widely varying impedance under musical conditions" without information loss.<ref name=whatsinanaim/>

== Design principles ==

=== Audio circuitry === Vereker believed that loss of information, often due to overload protection, was a damaging type of distortion that amplifiers were vulnerable to.<ref name=whatsinanaim/> Vereker attempted to reduce information loss at the design stage, by unconventionally disregarding test-bench measurements of harmonic distortion performance and output into a static resistive load.<ref name=whatsinanaim/> Naim says that to achieve amplifiers with low harmonic distortion, low noise, wide power-bandwidth, and constant dynamic output impedance, they pay attention to balancing dynamic impedance, open-loop bandwidth, slew rate, and propagation delay; the amplifiers are not subject to slew-rate limitation between 5 Hz and 50 kHz.<ref name="1989–90equipbrochure"/>

Vereker believed that a properly designed amplifier would not need tone controls, since these filters were often palliatives for poor design. He contended that tone controls represented a cost of manufacture yet were detrimental to sound quality.<ref name=whatsinanaim/><ref name=NAC12/><ref name=19850808stereophile/> Therefore, starting with the {{nowrap|NAC 12}}, Naim amplifiers have never featured the tone controls that were popular elsewhere in the industry.<ref name=20080714thestar/><ref name=201210HFC/><ref name=197603practical/><ref name=NAC12/><ref name=2009sixmoons/>

Vereker considered Naim amplifiers belong to the "class B" category where bias current is minimised. He believed that "class A" design was wasteful and masked significant design issues.{{#tag:ref|On 29 March 1998 03:55 AM, Julian Vereker said: "All Naim power amps are class B and they have as low a bias as we can manage, just a few milliamps."He gave two reasons for this: "to make a good push/pull power amp, the two halves need to match very closely since there is only one common feedback loop—this applies whatever the 'class' of the amp. If one achieves this degree of precision then one only needs a very small bias current.""Also it is extremely wasteful of resources making class A power amps, since they use large amounts of electricity even when they are not playing music, [and] this means the waste heat has to be dissipated into the atmosphere without overheating the components and thus shortening their lives, which implies large heatsinks, big heavy and expensive in terms of resources pieces of equipment."<ref>[http://hddaudio.net/viewtopic.php?id=348 "Amplifier classes"]. ''HDD Audio'' (forum posts containing quotes of musings written by Vereker in 1998 and 1999)</ref>|group="Notes"}}

Electrically, the pre-amplifiers are bandwidth-limited, and while Naim is open to the possibility that users might match their pre-amps with another make of power amplifier, Naim warns against using other makes of pre-amplifiers with Naim power amplifiers, arguing that the former define the operating parameters of the latter and guarantee its stability.<ref name=allproducts/> In practice, modern products' bandwidth has been much extended, but the pre- and power-amplifiers are of such a tight operational fit and sonic synergy that they are rarely used with other makes.<ref name=2013Q3hfccolloms/>

=== Power source === Naim has from the outset externalised pre-amplifiers' power source, unlike other manufacturers, citing the undesirability of having AC and transformers' powerful magnetic field near sensitive pre-amplifier circuitry – the "key point of separates".<ref name=20081129TAS/> Its over-engineered power supplies, aimed at ensuring adequate 'headroom' (ample reserves of power) for transients, are equally well-known.<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=20080306techradar/> Naim strongly believes that an ample source of power is of the greatest importance, and the availability of external PSUs to accompany its products also reflects the philosophy.<ref name=201210HFC/> The performance of most of its pre-amplifier range benefits from adding one of a number of power supplies, which provide permutations for upgrading.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/>

=== Output protection === Vereker also believed that a well-designed amplifier must be stable at all times when driving real-life loads, which are different from those achieved in lab conditions because loudspeakers' impedances vary with frequency.<ref name=julianslast/> The inherent compromise between the pursuits for stability and sound quality means that Naim's power amplifiers are designed to work optimally with its own moderately priced {{nowrap|NAC A5}} speaker cable, and its predecessor {{nowrap|NAC A4}}.<ref name=2013Q3hfccolloms/> Product manuals warn users against using "high-definition wire or any other special cable between amplifier and loudspeaker".<ref name=allproducts/><ref name=naim-manuals/> Whilst other manufacturers habitually employ Zobel networks<ref name=2003TNT/> (or an output filter which enhances amplifiers' stability) to protect against use with speakers and or cables with very high-capacitance, Naim amplifiers routinely omit these filters because of their adverse effect on sound quality. The design decision was made to use a suitable length of speaker cable (a minimum of 3.5m, with 5m being optimal) to provide the effective inductance.<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=2013Q3hfccolloms/>

=== Isolation === There has been a trickle-down of research from flagship models, particularly since the launch of the 5-Series. Subtle mechanical and electronic changes introduced in lower-rung products — as a result of research at the flagship product level — have contributed to build and sound quality: control of internal heat dissipation, wiring, radio-frequency interference and mechanical vibration through more efficient materials, compliant mounting and decoupling.<ref name=20080304techradar/><ref name=20130626whathf/>

Naim have found that, with increasing amounts of digital circuitry in their boxes, the electronics are much more susceptible to microphony and other mechanical vibration.<ref name=20090120techradar/><ref name=20030713stereophile/> Inside the top-of-the-range {{nowrap|NAC 552}} pre-amplifier, the circuit boards are weighted down and have their own suspensions, and there are transit bolts to secure the suspended boards during transport.<ref name=20030713stereophile/> The rear-mounted mains switch and IEC socket are decoupled to mitigate microphonic effects.<ref name=20090120techradar/> The ''NAIT XS'', launched in late 2008, is the first Naim device to use a new bayonet PCB-mounting technique to "float" the circuitry.<ref name=20090120techradar/> Also during the development of the {{nowrap|NAP 500}}, Naim discovered that transformers and the power supply electronics in close proximity to audio circuitry also affects power amplifiers. Their top models – the {{nowrap|NAP 300}} and the {{nowrap|NAP 500}} – now externalise power supplies in separate cases.<ref name=2013Q3hfccolloms/>

thumb|200px|Back-lit Naim Audio logo

=== Styling === In terms of styling, the amplifiers up until 1989 are constructed of heavy aluminium extruded cases that act as heat sinks;<ref name="1989–90equipbrochure"/> these were painted black with a metallic silver brim – thus nicknamed "chrome bumper" range.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/> The pre-amplifiers are housed in "half-size"{{#tag:ref|the "half-size" aluminium "shoe-box" measures {{convert|276|x|205|x|76|mm|in}}<ref name=200710hfworld/>|group="Notes"}}<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=200710hfworld/> while most of the power amplifier range was housed in full-size cases. In 1989, the range was given a new look using the same sturdy aluminium cases but with a new olive-coloured fascia panel which also had a back-lit logo. Another facelift for the range came in 2002.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/> The 2013 range of Naim equipment has aluminium chassis and sleeves; the fascia is die-cast zinc.<ref name=20130626whathf/> {{multiple image  | align = center | direction = horizontal | width =

| image1 = | width1 = 180 | alt1 = | caption1 = 1st generation pre/power + PSU (''NAC 32-SNAPS-NAP 160'')

| image2 = | width2 = 220 | alt2 = | caption2 = Half-size "Chrome bumper" system (''NAC32–Hi-Cap–NAP90'')

| image3 = Naim NAC82.jpg | width3 = 190 | alt3 = | caption3 = 1989 olive casing (''NAC 82'')

| image4 = Nait 3.jpg | width4 = 230 | alt4 = | caption4 = 1993 slimline olive casing (''NAIT3'')

| image5 = 2013 series.jpg | width5 = 170 | alt5 = | caption5 = 2002 look

| header = | header_align =  | header_background = | footer = | footer_align =  | footer_background = | background color = }}

=== Construction === Reviewers of early Naim amplifiers criticised the distinctly "cottagey" styling, yet recognised that the money was spent on "what lies within".<ref name=200102audiovid/><ref name=200102hfnews/> A review of Naim's first pre-amplifier observed its home-made appearance, saying: "the quality of mechanical construction is good, its over-all design appears to be of a utilitarian nature with little concession to visual styling."<ref name=NAC12/> In 2009, veteran hi-fi critic Malcolm Stewart noted that the communicative sound and minimalist design have been enduring characteristics of the entire range of Naim amplifiers since the inception of the firm.<ref name=20090120techradar/>

{{stack|thumb|Back of a NAIT 3 integrated amplifier, showing the 4 DIN sockets and 1 pair of RCA sockets}}For its power amplifiers and PSUs, Naim have used for many years toroidal transformers supplied by Holden & Fisher, custom-made to Naim's design and specification.<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=20080130stereophile/> They source toroids from Nuvotem Talema in Ireland since H&F ceased trading in 1993.

Of modular construction, the various elements of the amplification and power supply circuitry are in form of plug-in boards. The phono stage is made up of dedicated boards, of which there were three variants matched to gain characteristics and electrical loading from different phono cartridges.<ref name=NAC12/>

There is no assembly line. Naim assembly staff build each piece of equipment in individual workstations from basic components and sub-assemblies, wire the product mostly by hand and progressively test to ensure compliance. Each component leaves the factory only if it passes a listening test.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/><ref name=20130615hfplus>Martens, Chris (15 June 2013). [http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/meet-your-maker-hi-fi-visits-naim-audio/ "Meet Your Maker: Hi-Fi+ Visits Naim Audio"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113034327/http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/meet-your-maker-hi-fi-visits-naim-audio/ |date=13 November 2013 }}</ref> Ian White observed that the typical Naim product is "meticulously laid out, clean, and well put together".<ref name=200201enjoy/>

==== Connectors ==== Naim's choice of connectors is part of its objective of achieving the Naim sound. Pre-amplifiers employ the BNC connector for phono inputs, as providing better impedance matching and earthing compared with RCA connectors.<ref name=2003TNT/>{{#tag:ref| According to JV, the impedance of the majority of arm cables is between 60–80 ohms, close to that of the BNC's 50–75 ohms; the RCA connector's impedance of around 220 ohms creates a "step" in the path of the signal and causes electrons to reflect, with very audible consequences.<ref name=198904HFR/>|group="Notes"}} The DIN connector is also used in preference to the RCA connector for other inputs,<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=200011whathf/><ref name=200102audiovid/><ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/><ref name=20060531techradar/> as the DIN connectors help to ensure the equipment is properly earthed without multiple pathways that create hum-inducing earth loops and increase noise.<ref name=20081129TAS/> Vereker noted that the cheapest RCA sockets were used with earlier designs as there was no sonic benefit to using the costlier DIN plugs, and that higher quality sockets were progressively substituted as systems improved.<ref name=198904HFR/> While Naim's practice of using DIN connectors has gained them fans and detractors alike,<ref name=200102audiovid/><ref name=198909stereophile/><ref name=2004whathf/> DIN sockets continue to be Naim's choice for line-level inputs, although some RCA inputs may be included, depending on the model.<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/><ref name=NAC202whathf/>

On their power amplifiers, Naim use recessed loudspeaker sockets that accept only banana plugs.<ref name=20080714thestar/> Use of forks or bare wire-connectors for speaker output was ruled out from the beginning, even though this is standard practice elsewhere. Reviewers complained about "nasty little [banana plug] sockets" used for the amplifiers.<ref name=200808audioenz/> Naim's own ''NAC A5'' speaker wire occasionally comes in for criticism for its physical stiffness,<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=20011011thestar/><ref name=199911soundstage/> and also for imparting a "brittle, scratch" quality to the sound.<ref name=2013Q3hfccolloms/>

===Sound aspects=== The Naim sound is frequently described as possessing pace, rhythm, and timing (often referred to by the acronym "PRaT"{{#tag:ref|In the mid to late 1970s, the acronym may have variously stood for "Pace, Rhythm and Timing", "Pitch, Rhythm and Timing" or "Pace, Rhythm and Tune"<ref name=prat/>|group="Notes"}}).<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=20080306techradar/><ref name=20040722thestar/><ref name=2001positivefb/> Naim have always valued the ability of a piece of equipment to communicate emotion in music more than sound purity,<ref name=201210HFC/> and PRaT is a synonym of that ability.<ref name=prat/> Julian Vereker saw that there was room within hi-fi circles for subjective preferences, but he held that it was "totally wrong" to put presentation (i.e. soundstage, detail, and depth and imagery) ahead of content.<ref name=198904HFR/> And while Naim does not set out to achieve imaging and soundstaging as design goals,<ref name=2001positivefb/> reviewers have noted that some of the equipment is capable of delivering on these.<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=20090120techradar/><ref name=198909stereophile/>

Naim amplifiers are well known for their ability to "consistently produce a tremendous sense of power and dynamics that belies their conservative power ratings".<ref name=200011whathf/><ref name=200102audiovid/><ref name=200102hfnews/><ref name=2001positivefb/> However, and although each piece of equipment is given a thorough soak test and auditioned before it leaves the factory, the equipment never gives optimal performance straight out of the box, and has a tendency to harshness when cold. Once the electronics have had the chance to "burn in", its sound mellows and becomes more fluid and communicative. Reviewers will usually allow the test equipment to warm up for days, if not weeks, before delivering their final assessment of the product.<ref name=NAC202whathf/><ref name=20011011thestar/><ref name=20040722thestar/><ref name=200905gramophone/><ref name=200008hfncolloms/><ref name=200911hfjournal/><ref name=200406audioenz/>

== Power amplifiers == {| class="wikitable floatleft" style="font-size:7.8pt" |- style="background-color:#000080;font-weight:bold;color:#FFFFFF" | width="84" height="10" | Product | width="50" align="center" | Introduced | width="250" align="center" | History/change(s)<ref name=naimprodhist/>

|}Naim power amplifiers are given numbers according to their power output into nominal load of 4 ohms. The company's first amplifier, the {{nowrap|NAP 160}}, is a two-channel power amplifier with an output of 60 watts per channel; the {{nowrap|NAP 135}}, which is a one-channel amplifier based on the same design as the {{nowrap|NAP 250}} rated at 135 watts. A custom-built very fast and heavy-duty TO3 transistor device was employed in the original Naim amplifiers.<ref name=200008hfncolloms/>

thumb|240px|right|Inside a monoblock chrome {{nowrap|NAP 135}}The {{nowrap|NAP 250}}, based on the {{nowrap|NAP 200}} design and released in 1975, had remained "virtually unchanged 18 years later";<ref name=198904HFR/> and was still going strong after 25 years.<ref name=julianslast/><ref name=200008hfncolloms/> In early product manuals, recognising that good results required high current amplification, Linn recommended using the ''Isobarik PMS'' tri-amped with Naim amplifiers.<ref name=201111hfn/> Early on, three {{nowrap|NAP 250}} amplifiers, fed by a 3-way ''NAXO'' electronic crossover, would typically be used, one for each stereo pair of the doubled-up treble, midrange and bass driver units.<ref name=198002PHFtriamp/> The monaural {{nowrap|NAP 135}} can be used in a "6-pack" configuration (i.e. six amplifiers, three for each speaker).

In the late 1990s, still under Vereker's guidance, Naim developed a new flagship power amplifier using computer simulation and the latest transistor technology. Search for a transistor with the desired sonic characteristics led Naim to Semelab, who had created a device working at a combination of higher current and lower operating voltage. To accommodate the operating parameters, Naim opted for a bridge-mode topology. The output devices chosen, rated at 350W–70amp, are used singly within the amplifiers well within safe operating parameters; the use of protection relays, detrimental to sound quality, is thereby avoided. However, having the power supply in the same case was found detrimental to the sound quality, so the PSU is located in a separate alloy enclosure, linked to the amplifier by sturdy cables with locking connectors. The {{nowrap|NAP 500}}, capable of delivering in excess of 200 watts per channel into 4 ohms, was launched in 2000.<ref name=200008hfncolloms/> The {{nowrap|NAP 300}}, launched two years later, is very similar to the {{nowrap|NAP 250}}, but with a separate box PSU, according to authoritative hobbyist website Acoustica. Since the development work on the {{nowrap|NAP 500}}, all amplifiers from {{nowrap|NAP 200}} upwards use the very costly "NA007" (re-badged from Semelab) output transistor.<ref>Taylor, Ced (Jan 2009). [http://www.acoustica.org.uk/t/naim/power_amps.html "Naim Power Amps: mods and upgrades"]. acoustica.org.uk</ref>

As at April 2013, Naim have a range of six power amplifiers at various price points between £650 and £18,000.<ref name=2013prices/> {{clear}}

== Pre-amplifiers == {| class="wikitable floatleft" style="font-size:7.8pt" height="10" |- style="background-color:#000080;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;color:#FFFFFF" | width="84" height="10" | Product | width="50" align="center" | Introduced | width="250" align="center" | History/change(s)<ref name=naimprodhist/>

|}Naim pre-amplifiers (or "control amplifiers" in Naim parlance) are given numbers according to their design sequence; as they are 2-channel designs, the number always ends in a "2". Thus company's first amplifier was named {{nowrap|NAC 12}}.<ref name=198904HFR/> When the company upgraded the range in 2002, the {{nowrap|NAC 102}}, {{nowrap|NAC 82}} and {{nowrap|NAC 52}} pre-amplifiers were given new names beginning with "2", thus becoming the {{nowrap|NAC 202}}, {{nowrap|NAC 282}} and {{nowrap|NAC 252}} respectively; a flagship 5-Series "cost-no-object" amplifier launched also that year was given the designation {{nowrap|NAC 552}}.

The pre-amplifiers are designed to accept signals from source components without overloading, and Naim claims total stability and a very wide open-loop bandwidth.<ref name="1989–90equipbrochure"/> The half-size pre-amplifiers were modular, consisting of a mother board for higher-level signals into which are plugged various daughter boards that deal with lower-level signals such as phono and tape.<ref name="1989–90equipbrochure"/> Phono boards are plug-in modules to provide for the gain and equalisation of the cartridge output to line level, and some of the earlier pre-amplifiers may be suffixed with "N", "S", or "K" depending on the phono boards carried.<ref name=200306enjoy/> "S" and "K" are for low output moving coil cartridges (the latter being for cartridges requiring a higher impedance load), and the "N" for high output moving coil and moving magnet cartridges.<ref name=200306enjoy/>

Power for the pre-amplifiers is drawn either from the 24V regulated feed from the power amplifier,<ref name="1989–90equipbrochure"/> or from independent power supplies.<ref name=NAC12/> While being optional at the lower end, external power supplies are obligatory with the flagship models, from the {{nowrap|NAC 52}} (1990) to the {{nowrap|NAC 552}} (2002).<ref name=20130606whfnaim40years/> The 552 was designed to work with an external PSU with an 800VA toroidal transformer that Naim says has enough capacity to supply a 300–400 W power amplifier.<ref name=20030713stereophile/> As at April 2013, Naim have a range of six pre-amplifiers at various price points between £1,050 and £18,250.<ref name=2013prices/> {{clear}}

== Integrated amplifiers == {{main|Naim NAIT}} {| class="wikitable floatleft" style="font-size:7.8pt" height="10" |- style="background-color:#000080;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;color:#FFFFFF" | width="84" height="10" | Product | width="50" align="center" | Introduced | width="250" align="center" | History/change(s)<ref name=naimprodhist/>

|} thumb|240px|First-generation "chrome bumper" Naim ''Nait''As manufacturer of amplifier separates, Naim launched an integrated amplifier, the ''Nait'', only in 1983 – the firm's tenth anniversary year.<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=200710hfworld/><ref name=200905gramophone/><ref name=20130626hfp/> Naim decided that there was more to hi-fi than power ratings, and thus declined to disclose official power rating figures when the ''Nait'' was released. With it, Naim demonstrated that power-supply design in a small amp was important factor to sonic performance.<ref name=2003TNT/><ref name=198909stereophile/>

Between 1983 and 2007, Naim had only one integrated amplifier on offer, although it has seen several incarnations. Naim extended the range with the ''Supernait'' in 2007,<ref name=20080714thestar/><ref name=20080306techradar/> and the XS a year later. Some of the incarnations provided an obvious upgrade path for their equipment by simply inserting an external power supply unit.

As at April 2013, the NAIT range consists of the entry-level ''Nait 5si'' and the top-of-the-range ''Supernait2'', with the ''XS2'' slotting in the middle.<ref name=201306hfworld/> They are priced at between £875 and £2,825.<ref name=2013prices/> {{clear}}

== Pre-amplifier power supplies == {| class="wikitable floatleft" style="font-size:7.8pt" height="10" |- style="background-color:#000080;font-size:9pt;font-weight:bold;color:#FFFFFF" | width="84" height="10" | Product | width="50" align="center" | Introduced | width="250" align="center" | History/change(s)<ref name=naimprodhist/>

|}Naim pre-amplifiers do not have on-board power, but are designed to be powered either from a dedicated feed from the PSU inside the power amplifier, or directly from an independent external PSU.<ref name=NAC202whathf/> This is done so that the sensitive pre-amps, running at extremely very low voltages and currents, are not adversely affected by the hum field induced by the power supply.<ref name=sutheim/> Power units have multiple separate secondary windings dedicated to supplying the various sections of the preamp that they feed. However, the {{nowrap|NAP 250}}, {{nowrap|NAP 135}} and {{nowrap|NAP 300}} power amplifiers do not have provision to power pre-amplifiers, so a PSU is mandatory.<ref name=allproducts/>

Power supply units' given names are often acronyms or abbreviations. "''NAPS''" stands for Naim Audio Power Supply, and its successor was called "''SNAPS''", being short for Super Naim Audio Power Supply. "''Hi-Cap''" is an abbreviation for High Capacity Power Supply. Power supplies are connected to the preamps and amplifiers with a "''SNAIC''" – Super Naim Audio Interconnect Cable – terminated at both ends with DIN plugs.<ref name=allproducts/>

The ''Flat Cap'', ''Hi-Cap'' and ''Super Cap'' are, in order of increasing sophistication and cost, external power supply units produced by Naim for powering their pre-amplifiers, and are supplied with Naim's own DIN-terminated ''SNAICs''. Most pre-amplifier models and some NAIT models offer the possibility of performance upgrade by introducing one of these power supplies to drive the pre-amplifier section.<ref name=20080130stereophile/><ref name=2009Q4HFcritic/> In addition to powering pre-amplifiers ({{nowrap|NAIT XS}}, ''SUPERNAIT'', {{nowrap|NAC 152 XS}}, {{nowrap|NAC 202}}, {{nowrap|NAC 282}}), the ''Hi-Cap'' can be used for other Naim equipment such as phono and headphone amplifiers (''StageLine'', ''SuperLine'', ''HeadLine''), the ''NAT05 XS'' tuner, and electronic crossovers ({{nowrap|SNAXO 242}}, {{nowrap|SNAXO 362}}).<ref>[http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/naim-hicap-dr-power-supply-4703.aspx "Naim HiCap DR Power Supply"]. Audio-T</ref> The top-of-the-range ''Super Cap'' has thirteen independent 24V feeds for audio circuitry and one 12V supply for digital control circuitry, and can be used for any Naim pre-amplifier (except for the {{nowrap|NAC 552}}, which has its own dedicated PSU); the {{nowrap|NAC 252}} alone makes full use of its multiple power feeds.<ref>[http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/naim-supercap-dr-power-supply-4704.aspx "Naim SuperCap DR Power Supply"]. Audio-T</ref>

In 2012, Naim launched power supplies incorporating new "discrete Regulator" circuitry that had been under development for two years. The most radical change is the replacement of the long-standing LM317 [integrated circuit] regulator with discrete components. Claimed benefits are improved impulse signal recovery; signal-to-noise ratios are said to be better by an order of 15–30 dB. The manufacturer offers retrofitting service to equipment from the Hi-Cap upwards.<ref name=201210HFC/> As at April 2013, Naim have a range of four amplifier power supplies at various price points between £775 and £5,725.<ref name=2013prices/> {{clear}}

==Notes== {{Reflist|group="Notes"}}

== References == {{Reflist|colwidth=25em| refs= * <ref name=allproducts>[http://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/downloads/files/old_product_manual_naim_all_products_manual.pdf Naim All Products Manual], Naim Audio</ref> * <ref name=whatsinanaim>[http://thetomtomclub.ning.com/forum/topics/what-s-in-a-naim "What's in a Naim?"]. c. 1978 (courtesy link by Tomtom Club) [https://archive.today/20130911062527/http://thetomtomclub.ning.com/forum/topics/what-s-in-a-naim Archives]</ref> * <ref name=197603practical>[http://thetomtomclub.ning.com/forum/topics/fidelity-to-what-practical-hi-fi-audio-march-1976 "Fidelity to what?"], ''Practical Hi-Fi & Audio'', March 1976 (courtesy link by Tomtom Club) [https://archive.today/20130911062417/http://thetomtomclub.ning.com/forum/topics/fidelity-to-what-practical-hi-fi-audio-march-1976 Archived] from the original on 11 September 2013.</ref> * <ref name=NAC12>[http://thetomtomclub.ning.com/forum/topics/naim-nac12-review "NAC12"/"Naim Audio Revisited"] May/June 1974? (courtesy link by Tomtom Club) [https://archive.today/20130911064539/http://thetomtomclub.ning.com/forum/topics/naim-nac12-review Archived] from the original on 11 September 2013.</ref> * <ref name=19850808stereophile>Tellig, Sam (8 August 1985) [http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/660 "Naim NAIT integrated amplifier"]. ''Stereophile''. [https://archive.today/20130911065013/http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/660 Archived] from the original on 11 September 2013.</ref> * <ref name=198904HFR>Stewart, Malcolm (April 1989) [http://www.audiocounsel.co.uk/brands/naim/malcolm-stewart-interviews-julian-vereker/ "Naim supremo Julian Vereker talks with Malcolm Steward about his company’s past, present and future"]. ''Hi-fi Review''. 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[https://archive.today/20130911065056/http://www.stereophile.com/content/naim-supernait-integrated-amplifier Pg1], [https://archive.today/20130911065014/http://www.stereophile.com/content/naim-supernait-integrated-amplifier-page-2 pg2] archived from the original on 30 July 2013.</ref> * <ref name=20080304techradar>[http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/amplifiers/naim-nait-5i-258010/review "Naim NAIT 5''i'' review"], TechRadar, 4 March 2008. [https://web.archive.org/web/20150228154239/http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/amplifiers/naim-nait-5i-258010/review Archived] from the original on 3 August 2013.</ref> * <ref name=20080306techradar>[http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/amplifiers/naim-audio-supernait-272279/review "Naim Audio SuperNait review"], TechRadar, 6 March 2008. 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[http://www.gramophone.co.uk/editorial/review-naim-nait-xs-slimline-integrated-amplifier-with-a-sound-thats-anything-but-lean "Review: Naim NAIT XS Slimline integrated amplifier with a sound that's anything but lean"]. ''Gramophone'', May 2009. [https://archive.today/20130911063827/http://www.gramophone.co.uk/editorial/review-naim-nait-xs-slimline-integrated-amplifier-with-a-sound-thats-anything-but-lean Archived] from the original on 11 September 2013.</ref> * <ref name=2009sixmoons>[http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/naim3/naim.html "Naim Nait XS"]. 6 Moons, May 2009. [https://archive.today/20130911062936/http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/naim3/naim.html Archived] from the original on 11 September 2013.</ref> * <ref name=2009Q4HFcritic>Colloms, Martin. [http://www.naimaudio.com/sites/default/files/products/reviews/files/supernait_hicap_hificritic_december_2009.pdf "Supernait + HiCap"]. ''Hi-fi Critic'', Q4 2009 (courtesy link by Naim Audio). 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==External links== * [http://www.naimaudio.com/ Naim Audio official website]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Naim Audio}} Category:Audio amplifiers Category:Naim Audio