Naim NAP 350 Mono Power Amplifier (single)

The new Naim NAP 350 mono power amplifier. With a monobloc design, each unit has its own power supply providing plenty of stable power. With 175 watts of power it can drive any speaker with ease, with precise musical performance. The NAP 350 sets a new  performance benchmark in the new Naim 300 series range and a pair of NAP 300s are a perfect match for the NAC 332 pre amplifier along with NSS 333 streamer and/or NVC TT phono stage, or indeed as power amplification with another excellent pre amplifier.

With balanced XLR connections for the best possible low noise connection. As with the latest NAP 250 6th gen power amplifier, NAP 350 also features the latest DR power supply. This provides superior regulation and noise performance. The casing matches the other latest models from Naim and is made of anodised aluminium.

High build quality

The power supply in an amplifier is important for performance and noise. Multiple voltages are needed for different sections. Naim has developed a power supply system known as DR or Discreet Regulator. This provides the cleanest and most stable power possible. In addition, the NAP 350 uses the best components in the rest of its circuitry, such as the NA009 transistor for the regulator output, along with low dielectric absorption capacitors. Everything is optimised for the best possible sound quality.

Classic design updated

Naim products have a classic and timeless look as well as a high build quality. They are kept as simple as possible, with no unnecessary adornments. In fact, the NAP 350 has just an input, output and an on/off switch. The case is made from billets of aluminium, which are then sandblasted and anodized, for a long lasting finish.

Low noise Naim DR power supply

Naim has designed their own DR (Discrete Regulator) power supply. These are used in all the current range. The power supply may seem simple but it has a difficult job. It must be stable as well as keep the output voltage clean and consistent. Moreover, there are a number of different voltages required by different sections of the unit. Most cheaper units use fixed voltage regulator IC s for the secondary voltages. These are not ideal as they can be unstable and have a limited current capacity.

Instead, Naim uses discreet components. This gives full control of the design. The transformer is the first component in a power supply. Sometimes two are used, one for each channel is a stereo amplifier. However, Naim uses only a single large transformer. This has a lower impedance than two transformers meaning that the reservoir capacitors charge up faster. Another noise issue is dealt with by the cabling.

XLR balanced connections

The NAP 350 connects to pre amplifier via balanced XLR connection. These are chosen for their low noise connection properties. Normal RCA cables are not balanced and can drag in all kinds of noise, especially with long runs. XLR cables are therefore also an excellent choice if you wish to situate the NAP350 amplifiers next to your speakers and run an XLR cable from your pre amp to these.

XLR plugs and cables have three conductors, a hot or positive wire , a ground and a negative wire. In all types of audio cable, an outer layer of copper is used as a shield, this is usually grounded. However, balanced cable has three conductors. Each of the two active conductors carries the same audio signal but with opposite polarity or phase. This is done by the sending equipment, for example, the preamp. At the amplifier end of the cable, the signal is flipped back to the way it was. When the two signals are recombined any noise from the cable is eliminated.

Specifications