Primare NP30 Network player

Having a reputation for Scandinavian design that is elegant, the products of Primare are immediately recognisable for his or her minimalist approach to high end separates. At GBP6,500 each, the recently established main 60 pre/power amps ooze type from their two-tone titanium and black instances home the firm's latest UFPD (Ultra Quick Electricity Apparatus) Class D technology. Below these amps sits a collection of modestly priced amps, a MM/MC phono stage, a DAC as well as CD players.

The NP30 is founded on the MM30 'media board', a GBP1,300 add on committed interfaces in Primare 's I32 incorporated preamp PRE32 and, turning them into Because the latter will accept up in contrast to the optical sockets' 96kHz limitation, I Had happily trade a few outlets that are optical for USB or another coaxial, but you still have lots to chose from. Wifi can also be catered for via a back-panel antennae that are stubby, but as this is restricted to 16-bit/48kHz, the Ethernet interface is my favorite option to get the top of the NP30. Output Signal-shrewd alongside some of line level RCAs and an S/PDIF (RCA), you are offered a set of XLRs, which are completely balanced correct in the DAC.

Inside the chunky case of the NP30 the high-spec continues, with three digital electricity supplies and six analogue, a four-layer PCB and distinct FET output amps.

What is more, there is no committed background applications for Apple or Windows computers. The program is all you want, since the program is really sleek and intuitive to work with, although not because the remote control is in anyhow inferior. Primare has played a smart hand, as a program is much less difficult to refresh than a product's digital hardware by deliberately engineering the NP30 in this way, as well as the NP30 will not aesthetically date as fast as many streamers.

After downloaded, the program connects to Primare apparatus in your home network and automatically discovers.

Seeing the program via iPad 2 and my iPhone 4s shows album artwork thumbnails, and an instant pat on the information icon shows the format, bitrate and sample rate of the music once track or an album is chosen for playback. There is additionally a random attribute, repeat settings and above all, a volume slider to control the Primare's output signal (in the electronic domain name) enabling it to become a preamp, feeding a power amplifier right or some of active loudspeakers.

Sound quality

The Primare is not like many digital front end or a streamer, which all too frequently sonically jump right out of the speakers like an excited puppy, with dazzling zing that may not be unimpressive, but rapidly becomes tiresome. Rather it's quite the contrary, being more relaxed having a genteel tone that is a pleasure to listen to for long periods of time in nature. In this regard it reminds me of a topflight vinyl rig when a specified arm, cartridge and turntable are operating in perfect harmony to provide a sound that is effortlessly balanced.

This sonic characteristic appears to especially come from the midrange, which stays lucid and smooth without being in any of the NP30

Too focus or way forwards catching, helping bring the finest out in Sproule's unforced singing. Just how the Primare remains true to Devon's comfortable vocal style tells me that it is fairly content to relax and allow the music flow with speed and natural rhythm. Together with the slow-rolling tune of Sproule's The Simpler Way track, the streamer provides the tune just the correct amount of ambience that is bluesy, presented in a convincingly soundstage that is proportioned so the percussion and slide guitar have a lot of space to express themselves.

The more sophisticated and fantastic grooves of the course actually lets the Primare demonstrate natural sounding it's. But what is more telling of the Primare's quality is the way I will hear the unique features of each instrument when nailing them. The track's bass guitar seems tight with slightly rolled-away EQ, while the rhythm guitar rings with an increase of echo as well as the cymbals sound crisply explained, which when all joined has me reaching for the program's repeat icon so that I can continue to research all of the sonic detail that lies just beneath the tune's surface.

As with the Sproule record, the Dennis Wilson content again emphasizes the Primare is blessed with an analogue fullness that is as reminiscent of a top notch phono period as it's a DAC. The music is packed with feeling that appears to bring the energy of the record, which actually gets my pulse racing.

Shrieking internet radio of Christian Blackshaw by means of a Radio 3 live performance playing with Schubert's Sonata I am instantly transported in the stage to the crowd, a stone's throw. The tasteful piano work is edge of the seat material as the Primare lets the notes drop and rise with palpable force or willful softness as Blackshaw dictates. The piano keys ring with convincing naturalism, while remarkable weight that is of a quality well beyond your typical internet radio encounter is carried by its bass notes.

Equally striking is little if anything away when streaming via Ethernet is given by the NP30, compared to feeding it from my notebook via USB cable. Bass Guitar is well rounded with a lot of texture across both input signals, and enough power to provide my Dynaudio floorstanders' bass drivers a comprehensive work out. The guitar work is blessed with special delicacy, exemplifying the Primare totally recognizes and understands the best way to present this kind of quality record to do justice to it.

Decision

Using its top quality aesthetic that is minimalist, the NP30 exudes group without showing off. But behind its casework that is understated lies a smart merchandise that is deceptively. Its committed program is just one of most intuitive and simplest, making the Primare a wind to get to grips with. Its internal DAC is also seriously great, giving the music a refined mellow tone that both analogue and digital enthusiasts will love in equal measure.

Primare NP30 Network player photo