PRODUCTS from Naim Audio have followed a rather predictable path in physical design over the decades but something’s coming to break with all tradition – the Statement NAC S1 preamp and NAP S1 monoblock power amps.
The UK company says the Statement represents the pinnacle of its engineering knowledge and artistry, and has been designed ground up without compromise. No extensive details yet but the combination will be available in July and Naim will progressively reveal more in the coming months.
The Statement, Naim says, originated from “the idea for an entirely new kind of amplifier first conceived by our engineers over a decade ago.” Its development began in 2011 and the brief was “to set a new reference standard in high-end audio and music reproduction”.
Both the NAC S1 and NAP S1 share the same fundamental layout, and are in line with Naim’s philosophy of providing the highest quality power supply, while isolating individual sections to avoid unwanted interference.
“The noisy power supply is housed in the base and sensitive electronics are nestled above. Each section is divided by an acrylic centre-piece that blocks interaction. Top section electronics are separated further still, with internal chambers isolating individual stages,” according to the press release. Doesn’t tell us much, though…
A striking feature visible in the early photos are the “wave” heat sink, machined from a solid billet of aluminium. This is “cut to size and machined to achieve the curved profile. The fins are then cut using a five-axis, temperature-controlled, CNC machine. It takes three hours for the finished shape to emerge. Once each piece is individually machined, it is painstakingly hand-polished and quality inspected.”
Obviously, we get it that the Statement is going to be something really special, in many ways. Watch the video:
