Integrated Amplifiers - Naim Audio

An integrated amplifier goes in between your bookshelf or floorstanding speakers and music source (streamer, DAC, CD player, etc). An integrated amplifier combines a "Pre Amplifier" and "Power Amplifier" in a single box. These are the most popular type of amplifiers and offer excellent value for money. Many of the models below are award winners and all are available to demo in our showroom by appointment. If you need amplifier and/or speaker matching advice, call or email us for advice. All prices include free UK delivery and we offer low cost international shipping (check prices when you've added the items to your basket).

An integrated amplifier is an all in one unit which combines both a Pre Amplifier and a Power Amplifier, eliminating the need for extra boxes and ultimately saving space. When purchasing an amplifier or hi-fi system on a budget, an integrated amplifier is virtually always the best sounding and most cost effective solution, and many models can sound stunning. Integrated amplifiers can vary in the technology used, whether that is Class D, transistor or valve amplifiers.

As dedicated Naim Audio retailers we have many models on demo in our showroom, including Mu-So, XS and Classic range hi-fi separates. Learn more in our full Naim range guide or for further advice on the Naim range, please contact us

For over 40 years, Naim Audio has relentlessly pursued the same simple aim: to recreate the performance a musician has recorded accurately and with all of the information wholly intact. Not only that the notes be faithfully preserved, but also so must the emotion and passion that inspired the performance. Its for this reason that Naim are so popular among music lovers - they bring music to life.

Naim Audio was founded in 1973 by Julian Vereker OBE, entrepreneur and self-taught engineer, with a deep passion for music, but was unsatisfied with the sound quality of hi-fi, available at the time. Established in Salisbury, Julian began designing and manufacturing a hi-fi range that ignored accepted design wisdom and focused on aspects of design and performance that made music burst to life.

In that same year they released the NAP 200 power amplifier, soon followed by the NAC 12 pre-amplifier in 1974 (and although this model name is no longer used, much like "NAP" for the power amplifiers, "NAC" is still used to designate Naim's pre amplifier models). These initial designs laid the foundations for 40 years of iconic and award winning products that have followed.

As the brand grew in popularity over the 70s and 80s, they sought to grab the attention of press and public with a series of tongue in cheek adverts (you can see these and read more about the brand in our History of Naim blog). In 1983, Naim released their first integrated amplifier, simply called NAIT, a designation also used in current integrated amplifier models today.

Naim was awarded with the prestigious Queen's award in 1985 and has received this award a further two times since (once winning for Export in 2010 and once for innovation in digital music streaming in 2014). In 1991, Naim released their first CD player, the CDS, which again flew against conventional wisdom with a two-box design (the current flagship CD player shares a lineage with this original model).

Over the years, many Naim models have achieved iconic status, including the Naim NAP250 power amplifier, a favourite among many audiophiles with a latest iteration of this model that continues to this day. As an emphasis over the quality of the Naim range, they partnered with distinguished British brand Bentley in 2008 to provide music systems for their cars.

In 2009, Naim also released the "Uniti" range, which turned the conventional wisdom that "more boxes are always better" by combining power amplifier, pre amplifier, CD player and/or streaming capabilities in one box. Of course, the higher separates Naim systems will always sound better, but the four models in the Uniti range established themselves as such a high performance solutions for a reasonable investment that there are little other options that can compete.

In 2013, Naim also released the Naim Mu-So, a wireless streaming speaker system and another revolutionary move by the brand. To put this into perspective, the release of this product was as much of a surprise as if Bentley released a competitor in the low-priced car category that outclassed all of the established competitors.

The Mu-So has done just that. A hugely popular "lifestyle" music solution, both existing Naim owners and new customers have discovered how wonderful this speaker system sounds as a classy, single box unit for enjoying music in an area where you can't accommodate a full separates hi-fi system.

With a rich heritage and history of pioneering products in the hi-fi industry, Naim have cultivated a brand which is synonymous with the pinnacle of hi-fi, as well as the values and quality of British hi-fi and manufacturing. Naim Audio is designed and manufactured in Salisbury, UK and their relentless pursuit of sonic perfection has seen a host of awards and stellar reviews.

Naim offer a range of integrated amplifiers, pre amplifiers, power amplifiers, CD players, streamers, CD players, DACs, loudspeakers and accessories. In 2011, Naim merged with Focal JM Labs, and with a synergy in design, this makes Focal speakers a natural matching choice for Naim. Other highly recommended options include KEF speakers and ProAc speakers.

Integrated amplifiers feature speaker terminals to connect to a pair of speakers. These terminals typically accept banana plugs, spade plugs and bare wire, though they can vary so it is worth checking the amplifier offers the type of connection that matches your speaker cable. Naim amplifiers for example only accept 4mm banana plugs or Naim’s own proprietary plugs and therefore cannot be used with bare wire. Other manufacturers such as Cyrus also use their own speaker connections, known as BFA, which require speaker cable terminated with BFA plugs rather than spade plugs, banana plugs or bare wire. Some integrated amplifiers feature two sets of speaker outputs, allowing you to switch between two separate sets of speakers or even use multiple pairs simultaneously.

When purchasing an integrated amplifier, just as with a power amplifier, it is important to consider its power rating and whether it is suitably powered to drive the speakers you intend to use. Most speakers are given a recommended power rating, stating the range of amplifier power outputs suitable for optimum speaker performance. If your integrated amplifier is too low powered for your speakers then the overall sound, impact and soundstage will suffer from your speakers not being driven properly. If an amplifier is too powerful, sound can also suffer and you may even risk damaging your speakers.

Integrated amplifiers feature a range of input and connectivity options, thanks to the pre amplifier which is included in the design. This enables you to connect a range of sources to your amplifier, typically via RCA inputs, although a range of other connectivity options exist. Some amplifiers will feature a headphone output, allowing you to use a pair of headphones rather than your main speakers, making private or late night listening very simple. Many integrated amplifiers will also feature a phono input, which enables you to connect a turntable directly to your amp without the need for a phono stage in between. Some models even include an on-board DAC, allowing you to connect digital sources such as a computer, CD player or streamer and enjoy high quality play back. Bluetooth functionality is a recent addition to some amplifiers, allowing you to eliminate the need for wires and direct connection and enjoy the effortless simplicity of high quality wireless Bluetooth playback from a Bluetooth-enabled device.