The NP5 Prisma MK2 is a solid upgrade from the cheapest network players, and a significant upgrade over most lower-end amplifiers and receivers. Anyone looking to improve their music streaming experience should definitely put the Primare streamer on their wishlist.
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Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 Network Music Player Streamer
Regular price
$799.00
Unit price
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Mike's Take
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Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 Network Music Player Streamer
Regular price
$799.00
Unit price
Small in size but packed with functionality, the Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 network music player streamer transforms any system with a digital input into a high-resolution streaming powerhouse. Designed with versatility and simplicity in mind, it provides the full suite of Primare’s award-winning Prisma technology, offering multi-room connectivity, advanced control, and access to countless streaming services. Whether you’re integrating it into a classic stereo setup or a modern multi-channel configuration, the NP5 Prisma MK2 is your key to effortless high-performance audio.
Key Features
- Comprehensive Streaming Options: Stream music from services like Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz, plus access networked and USB-stored media via the Prisma app.
- Prisma Technology Built-In: Features Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Roon Ready, and Spotify Connect for seamless streaming and multi-room/multi-zone control.
- Compact and Flexible: A discreet design ensures compatibility with any system, whether stereo or multi-channel.
- Advanced Control: Adjust volume, mute, switch inputs, or put previous Primare models with RS232 connections into standby—all via the Prisma app.
- High-Resolution Playback: Supports PCM up to 192kHz/24-bit and DSD128 for uncompromising audio quality.
Design and Build
True to Primare’s Scandinavian design ethos, the NP5 Prisma MK2 combines elegance with practicality. Every aspect, from its understated appearance to its intuitive functionality, is designed to enhance the listening experience. Its compact footprint allows it to integrate effortlessly into any setup, blending into the background while delivering outstanding performance. With a physical design that prioritizes balance and harmony, the NP5 Prisma MK2 embodies the concept of “lagom”—not too much, not too little—just right.
Performance
The NP5 Prisma MK2 delivers a pristine digital signal for your DAC or digital input system, ensuring every nuance of your music is preserved. Its ultra-low-noise digital output and high-resolution capabilities provide a clean, jitter-free signal that enhances the performance of any connected device. With support for a wide range of audio formats and up-sampling options, it ensures an engaging listening experience that’s as detailed as it is immersive.
Technology
The Prisma platform is at the heart of the NP5 Prisma MK2, offering a suite of tools to explore and manage your music. Stream directly through Chromecast, AirPlay 2, or Bluetooth, or enjoy Roon Ready integration for advanced music curation. With its ability to handle everything from local USB or networked media to high-resolution streaming services, Prisma ensures seamless connectivity and an intuitive user experience.
The inclusion of multi-room/multi-zone support makes the NP5 Prisma MK2 perfect for syncing music throughout your home, while features like PCM up-sampling and voice control further enhance its capabilities.
Versatility and Compatibility
The NP5 Prisma MK2 is a chameleon, adapting effortlessly to any system. Whether paired with a classic stereo setup or a modern multi-channel arrangement, it adds network music player capabilities to components from any brand. It’s especially suited to enhancing previous-generation Primare models with RS232 connections, offering advanced control through the Prisma app. Compact, powerful, and endlessly flexible, it’s the network streamer for anyone who values high-quality audio.
NP5 Prisma MK2 Digital Architecture
The MK2 version of the NP5 Prisma features a revised digital circuit from Texas Instruments, replacing the original AKM processor. This update brings improved sample rate conversion performance and broader codec support. The NP5 Prisma MK2 handles WAV, LPCM, AIFF, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, MP4 (AAC), WMA, OGG, and DSD files, with digital output capabilities up to 192kHz through both its coaxial RCA and optical Toslink outputs. DSD files up to DSD128 are supported via DoP (DSD over PCM) when used with Roon. The unit also provides native MQA pass-through for DACs capable of decoding this format. A USB-A input on the rear panel allows playback from USB storage devices, making the NP5 a versatile digital source.
NP5 Prisma MK2 Wireless and Network Connectivity
The NP5 Prisma MK2 connects to your network via Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4GHz and 5GHz), with dual internal antennas housed in a plastic enclosure that ensures unobstructed wireless reception. Bluetooth provides quick wireless playback from phones and tablets. The Prisma platform includes Chromecast built-in for access to hundreds of streaming services, AirPlay 2 with multi-room synchronization, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and full Roon Ready certification. The RS232 port enables integration with custom installation control systems. Measuring just 143 x 36 x 125mm and weighing 0.5kg, the NP5 is powered by an included 5V DC adapter, making it one of the most compact high-fidelity streamers available.
Explore More Primare Products
The NP5 Prisma MK2 pairs naturally with other components in the Primare ecosystem. Explore related products:
The Listening Room Difference
We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on trust, not hype. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection.
Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 Specifications
| Outputs | 1 x RCA digital, 1 x Toslink digital |
| Control | RS232, Prisma connectivity via app |
| Connectivity | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect |
| USB Ports | 1 x USB-A |
| Audio Formats | PCM 192kHz/24-bit, DSD128 |
| Dimensions | 143 x 36 x 125 mm (W x H x D) |
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
| Finishes | Black |
The Primare NP5 offered a nice clear and precise pathway for music to travel through, with a lack of a strong sonic fingerprint that remained consistent regardless of the accompanying integrated amplifier/DAC.
What is the Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 and how does it fit in a system?
What is the Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 and how does it fit in a system?
The NP5 Prisma MK2 is a dedicated network streamer that adds streaming capability to any audio system with a DAC. It outputs digital audio only (no built-in DAC), so you connect it to an external DAC or a DAC-equipped amplifier. It is ideal for adding streaming to a high-end system where you already have a preferred DAC.
Should I use Wi-Fi or Ethernet with the NP5 for best sound quality?
Should I use Wi-Fi or Ethernet with the NP5 for best sound quality?
Wired Ethernet is recommended for the best experience. It provides a more stable, lower-latency connection that eliminates potential dropouts during high-resolution playback, and it isolates the streamer from Wi-Fi radio interference that can introduce noise into sensitive audio circuits. The NP5's Wi-Fi works well for casual listening and standard-resolution streams, but for critical listening with hi-res files from Qobuz or Tidal, a wired connection is the safer choice.
What DAC should I pair with the NP5?
What DAC should I pair with the NP5?
The NP5 Prisma MK2 outputs digital audio via coaxial and optical, so it pairs with any DAC that accepts those inputs. Within the Primare ecosystem, you can feed it into any amplifier equipped with the DM36 DAC module, or use the CD35 as both a DAC and CD player. For standalone DACs, Matrix Audio and Gold Note offer excellent options at various price points that complement the NP5's clean digital output.
How does the NP5 Prisma MK2 compare to the SC15 Prisma MK2?
How does the NP5 Prisma MK2 compare to the SC15 Prisma MK2?
The NP5 Prisma MK2 is a digital-output-only streamer designed to feed an external DAC. The SC15 Prisma MK2 is a more complete device that includes a built-in DAC, headphone amplifier, and preamplifier outputs, plus WiSA wireless speaker support and room EQ. Choose the NP5 if you have a DAC you love, or the SC15 if you want an all-in-one streaming front end.
