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NAC-N 172 XS Stereo Preamplifier
5 NAC-N 172 XS Stereo Preamplifier
The NAC-N 172 XS incorporates a high performance stereo preamplifier based on
established Naim design principles. The preamplifier is able to handle both analogue and
digital audio signals and, in addition to its multi-mode radio, network interface and USB/
iPod interface, it has three external analogue inputs and five external digital inputs.
Once it is connected to an appropriate power amplifier, using the preamplifier is simply a
matter of selecting the desired input and setting the volume level.
5.1 Selecting Inputs
Inputs can be selected by pressing the front panel
input
button or one of the handset
input selection
keys.
Note:
The handset
up
(
5
) and
down
(
6
) keys or front
panel
up
(
5
) and
down
(
6
) buttons will also scroll through
and select inputs if this navigation key action has been
configured. See Section 4.9.
Note:
The front panel input is automatically selected as
soon as a plug is inserted.
Pressing the front panel
input
button scrolls through and
selects the inputs in the following order:
Analogue 1
,
Analogue 2
,
Digital 1
,
Digital 2
,
Digital 3
,
Digital 4
,
FM
(radio),
DAB
(radio),
iRadio
,
UPnP™
(Network
UPnP™),
USB
/
iPod
,
Front
(front panel analogue/digital).
Note:
These are the default input names. They may be
altered within the NAC-N 172 XS set up menus. See Section
4.3. Inputs can also be disabled so that they are hidden
from selection.
Pressing one of the handset
input selection
keys either
directly selects a single input or scrolls through a group
of inputs. For example, by default, pressing the
PC
input
selection key selects the
UPnP™
input, while pressing the
CD
input selection key scrolls through a group comprising
the
Analogue 1
and
Digital 1
inputs.
Note:
The default input selection key assignments may be
altered within the NAC-N 172 XS set up menus. See Section
4.9.2.
Selecting an input will route the input audio signal to the
NAC-N 172 outputs.
The NAC-N 172 will momentarily display input names
as they are selected before displaying input specific
information; iPod track or radio preset for example.
If an input is not operational (for example, no USB memory
stick is attached) when selected, the NAC-N 172 XS will
display a descriptive alert message.
5.2 Volume Control
NAC-N 172 XS volume control is achieved by using front
panel volume control or the handset
vol–
and
vol+
keys. The volume control affects the preamplifier and
headphone, outputs.
The mute function silences the NAC-N 172 XS headphone,
preamplifier and line outputs. Mute is engaged or
disengaged by touching the front panel
logo
or pressing
the handset
mute
key. Mute is indicated by the display
volume icon flashing.
Note:
Logo-touch muting can be disabled. See Section 4.7
5.3 Preamplifier Display
In normal operation the NAC-N 172 XS front panel display
primarily shows information relating to the selected input.
It will change temporarily to show adjustments such as
volume level and signal mute state as these are made.
5.4 Signal Outputs
The NAC-N 172 XS provides a preamplifier output, a line
output and a headphone output.
The preamplifier output is designed to be connected to a
downstream power amplifier. The line output is designed
to enable a variety of downstream ancillaries to be
connected. These might include a second headphone
amplifier or a remote integrated amplifier.
The NAC-N 172 XS headphone amplifier is able to drive
most commonly available headphones. Insertion of a
headphone plug will mute the NAC-N 172 XS preamplifier
outputs.
