Introducing Statement, by Naim.
A British audio technology and design revolution lands in Las Vegas.
Today, high-end British hi-fi manufacturer Naim Audio unveils its new flagship home amplification system to the world’s media at CES Las Vegas.
Comprising the NAC S1 preamplifier and two NAP S1 mono power amplifiers, Statement is crafted without compromise for pure musical performance. Paired with a quality CD, vinyl or digital music source, such as the reference Naim NDS, Statement forms the heart of a luxury high-end hi-fi system capable of powering the world’s most demanding loudspeakers.
Steve Sells, Naim’s Electronic Design Director, first conceived of the idea for the ultimate amplifier over a decade ago and development began in earnest in 2011. Over the last three years the whole amplifier topology, methodology and philosophy has been defined, considered and refined by an experienced team of electronic, mechanical and industrial design engineers from across Naim.
They started with a blank page to map out the product in free space with complete creative freedom. New electronic design, innovative technologies and new manufacturing processes have been developed from scratch and every material is sourced from the highest quality suppliers. The result is an unforgettable listening experience.
Performance first precision engineering
The NAC S1 preamplifier and NAP S1 power amplifiers share the same fundamental layout. A massive transformer in the lower section delivers clean stable power to sensitive audio electronics housed above. This vertical design allows for optimum thermal performance and accommodates the radical new layout by minimising electromagnetic interaction between components whilst keeping the high current supply route as short as possible. Thermal performance and optimum electronic and mechanical layout is vital to achieving premium sound quality.
Each Statement power amplifier is rated at 746 watts (the equivalent of one horsepower) into 8ohms and weighs in at 101kg. They also have the finesse and dynamics to deliver every watt exactly where and when it’s needed to offer an awe-inspiring musical experience.
A marvel of modern British engineering
Some of the critical hardware for the Statement NAP S1 power amplifier was developed in collaboration with manufacturers of semi-conductors which are typically used in aerospace, military and space exploration applications, such is the level of quality needed for the ultimate sonic performance of the system.
The new output transistors use Aluminium Nitride (ALN) – a substrate that has ten times the thermal conductivity of traditional aluminium oxide. In addition, the paste used to ensure good thermal conductivity to the heatsink is nano-diamond based. Diamond conducts heat 2.5 times faster than copper, as an example.
The Statement NAC S1 preamplifier also houses several technological innovations. This includes the Naim Dual Volume Control which switches from an audiophile stepped resistor system for best sound to a chip control which offers seamless volume transition the millisecond the user touches and then releases the volume dial. The result is a volume control which perfectly complements the Statement experience.
All critical audio electronics in the NAC S1, including the volume control are mounted vertically on a suspension system to dissipate all microphonic interference and maintain maximum signal fidelity.
The distinctive, sculptured heatsink of the NAP S1 power amplifier starts life as a single billet of solid aluminium. It is then machined to achieve the general curve profile before the fins are cut by a five-axis CNC machine which is continually doused with coolant over the course of several hours. The metalwork then travels to a specialist supplier where it is
submerged in an electrolyte fluid containing black ink. A DC current is passed through the solution causing a reaction which creates a perfectly even black coating around the aluminium. Each piece is then painstakingly polished and inspected before being hand assembled at Naim in Wiltshire. Each product is hand-wired and constructed by Naim Audio’s skilled technicians.
Naim’s Electronic Design Director, Steve Sells, was the lead engineer on the Naim Statement project. “It’s a dream come true to actually make a product like Statement a reality. It’s been in my sketch book for years and an ambition ever since I first started to design amplifiers as a teenager. It’s a massive project. To really push the boundaries of what we could achieve has required the efforts of teams from across Naim. Electronic, mechanical and industrial design engineers with combined experience totalling well over a hundred years have contributed to these products.”
Statement is scheduled for release in July 2014.
Two videos are available via the following links: Meet The Engineers and The Making of Statement .
Prices will start from around £125,000 for the complete Statement system.
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