Potentially dumb question - If I have a streamer (and it supports this configuration), can it send the signal directly into my power amp? If so, do I need a pre-amp? The reason I ask is I was recently looking at the HiFi Rose and was told it can send the audio signal directly to my NAP200. Is that true?
Quite a few DACs and streaming sources have a variable output which allows use without a preamp. So yes, it can work. However, Naim amps are really designed to work as a preamp and power amp together, and the power amps may not perform at their best without one.
There’s nothing to lose by trying, but the results may or may not sound great.
Remember that such sources often have a fixed output enabled by default and need the variable output to be enabled. Make absolutely sure that you have done this, otherwise your ears could get a very nasty surprise and you may damage your loudspeakers.
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Hi Naimgame. Quite a few “streamers” include a preamplifier and have line level outputs that are designed to be used directly into a power amplifier, though some users prefer the sound with a separate preamp in the chain. Such a streamer should work OK with a NAP 200, though you’d probably need a cable made up to use for the 200’s DIN input. Whether you’d enjoy the result is another question of course.
I’m not that familiar with the HiFi Rose lineup, but it seems to run all the way from streaming bridges with no DAC to all-in-one boxes and includes streaming preamps which would fit your intended application. I do wonder though, why that brand? I’d probably take a look at something like Naim’s Uniti Atom HE if that’s within budget.
BTW, I wonder if your profile is up to date as it doesn’t list a NAP 200 but does mention an incoming SN3.
Roger
Not the same specific hardware, but there was a thread on the same subject a year ago that may be worth reading as likely some info may be relevant: