Naim Audio Stageline MM phono preamp

The Naim Audio Stageline phono preamplifier stems from old phono stages that Naim Audio dedicated to its built-in models and preamplifiers a few years ago.

For quality reasons and due to a lack of space on current products, Naim Audio has released a separate RIAA preamplifier, which makes it available to users without a system from this manufacturer.

Naim Audio Stageline MM: versions

The Stageline is available in MM and MC variant. For the MC variant, Naim has three versions (E, K, S) with different gain and impedance levels.

The one that we are reviewing here is the MM variant, called 'N', designed for mid-range to high-end moving magnet and high output moving coil cartridges with a load impedance of 47 kohms and a level greater than 2 mV.

If you intend to use it with a non Naim Audio preamp, you will need a power supply and DIN 4-pin/RCA interconnect.

Naim Audio Stageline MM: power supply

Our friends from Salisbury are faithful to their separate power supply units, which requires adding at least a Flatcap XS, HiCap or SuperCap to this Stageline MM.

If you have a NaimUniti, NAIT XS, SuperNait or NAC 152XS, 202, 282, 252, 552, no power supply is required.

However, from experience, an outboard power supply yields far superior results.

Naim Audio Stageline MM: listening and review

When the system is wired and powered up, as with most turntables in this range, a break-in period is necessary and it can take quite a while… It takes about fifty hours for the results to be on par with the investment.

And despite all the waiting....it lives up to our expectations! You have all the ingredients that have made Naim Audio a legend.

Playback is very punchy and makes the sound quality very vibrant. You'll be surprised to find yourself tapping your feet to the music! Also, this spontaneity is not to the detriment of the timbre quality, which is consistently precise and in its place.

Naturally, all these qualities are enhanced if you add a HiCap and transfigured with a SuperCap.