Naim Nac112/Nap150

Preamp/power amp

For:Power,definition and sheer enjoyment;superb build too

Against:Not one for the pipe and slipper brigade;that's all

Verict:Naim's 5 just got better-this is a stunning pre/power combo in a compact,stylish package

What a blast!As if the first kit we tested from Naim's new enrtry-level line-up,the Nait 5 integrated amp and CD5 CD player,weren't already good enough,along comes the series' junior pre/power amplifier,and it's an absolute riot.Don't be fooled by the slim,sleek looks-the two boxes occupy about as much kit-rack real estate as your average Japanese AV receiver-this is an amplifier of real grip,finese and power,despite what on paper looks like a modest 50W-per-channel output rating.

Featuing the usual Naim truck-like build,the two box follows the company's established thinking in having DIN sockets for source connection-six line-ins are provided-plus a duo of connectors for output.One hooks the preamp to the power amp,and also carries power from latter to former via an umbilical provided with the pre;the other can be used for example with the company's Headline headphone amp,ther being no standard provisions for personal listening.Other facilities here may seem minimal-there's little more than source,mute and tape monitoring buttons on the fascia along with the volume control.Even the power on/off is hidden away on the rear of the power amp,the intention being that the combination is kept permanently powered and thus ready for action.But using the remote handset it's possible to control a complete Naim amp/CD/tuner set-up,or indeed any Phillips RC-5 based CD player,as well as adjusting volume and balance.Additional 'soft key' routines allow the relative gain of the various inputs to be adjusted-for example to equalise levels between a CD player and tuner-or to set a unity gain mode when the amp is used with an AV processor,while automatic source-switching is also selectable,letting the pre switch to its CD input,for example,when the CD play key on the remote is pressed.This is a very clever preamp hiding its talents behind a very plain,but stylish fascia.

And the sound?Wow!Its effortlessly musical,capable of serious level without any signs of stress setting in,fast,dynamic,and above all just plain realistic,whether with the crunching rhythms of Fat Boy Slim's  Star 69 or some mellifluous dinner jazz courtesy of Fourplay's Yes,Please! disc,Classical music has beautiful instrumental timbres,even when you run Sony's rather fine SCD-555ES player(to be reviewed next month)into the Naim and spin some SACD recordings,and the combination of whipcrack rhythmic acuity and a generous yet never flabby low-end complementing all the midband and treble detail makes for a sound that grabs every time.Mozart concertos sound well-focused and compelling,Barbara Bonney's Diamonds In The Snow just delicious,with a spine-tingling presentation of the singers voice.

Forget the old myth about Naim amps sounding bright and hard,thus appealing only to metalheads and trash merchants.This combination has subtlety,charm and solid power,and should be on any auditioning list.We love it!

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