RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Naim NAC-N272 with a Naim XPS and Burndy cable.I wasn't sure if this should be listed as a streamer or pre-amp. It's both, and does a superb job. Has the classic Naim drive and emotional connection to music, which I find intoxicating. The XPS lifts the quality of the 272 considerably and is hard ...
Is A$3,600 a fair price for a used Naim NAC-N 272, or are you overpaying relative to the local market? Based on eight recent AUD listings, the median asking price is A$2,031, with the 75th percentile at A$3,019; this listing sits well above that threshold at A$3,600, making it an ambitious ask rather than a bargain.
The NAC-N 272 remains a highly regarded streaming preamp that sounds lovely and handles 24-bit/192kHz and DSD 64, offering solid network streaming in a compact Classic-series chassis. Its appeal lies in Naim’s signature rhythmic punch and seamless integration with Naim amplifiers, but at A$3,600 you’re paying a premium for what’s otherwise available closer to A$2,000–A$3,000. Unless this unit is in pristine original-owner condition with rare accessories or recent firmware updates, the price lacks upside compared to comparable listings.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Naim Audio, a cornerstone of British hi-fi excellence, traces its origins to 1973 when Julian Vereker, a self-taught engineer, racing driver, and music enthusiast, formally incorporated the company in Salisbury, Wiltshire. Vereker's journey began earlier, in 1969, experimenting with tape recording and sound-to-light boxes before designing his first power amplifier in 1971. Amid the British hi-fi industry's recession, he secured a pivotal contract with Capital Radio, blending entrepreneurial grit with a passion for authentic sound reproduction that challenged conventional wisdom.
The brand specializes in premium integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital streamers, DACs, and compact music systems, often featuring built-in amplification for streamlined setups. While not delving into speakers—beyond a historical foray—or headphones and turntables, Naim emphasizes modular, upgradable components that prioritize pace, rhythm, and timing (PRaT), a signature sonic philosophy rooted in the "source first" approach alongside contemporaries like Linn.
Naim holds a commanding position in the high-end market, revered by discerning audiophiles for its handmade, innovative systems that deliver emotional musical engagement over mere specifications. Now part of VerVent Audio Group following a 2011 merger with Focal, it exports to over 45 countries, sustaining a cult following for resilient, influential designs that transcend economic cycles.
See all Naim Audio listings on RADAR.
