Streamers — Gato Audio PRD-3S NPM

The Gato Audio PRD-3S NPM brings together a line-level preamplifier, a DAC and a factory-installed Network Player Module, designed and assembled in Herlev, Denmark. The NPM suffix separates it from the plain PRD-3S, adding Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity so that the same chassis works as a network player as well as a line-level control centre for power amplifiers or active speakers.

Key specs that matter

A balanced-driven Burr-Brown PCM1794 chip performs the conversion, followed by a high-bandwidth current-to-voltage stage and low-Q low-pass filters, and every digital input is upsampled to 24-bit/192 kHz. Frequency response runs from 20 Hz to 100 kHz within 0.5 dB. Noise sits more than 110 dB below signal, while THD at the pre out remains below 0.001%. Maximum line output reaches 13 V balanced and 6.5 V unbalanced from an output impedance of 75 ohm, while voltage gain is 10 dB. Input impedance is 20 kOhm on RCA and 40 kOhm on XLR. The case measures 325 x 105 x 420 mm and weighs 7 kg.

Engineering and use context

Analogue sources arrive via one pair of Neutrik XLR sockets and two pairs of RCA jacks, all gold plated. Digital inputs comprise asynchronous USB type B, Toslink, RCA coaxial and aptX Bluetooth, and the NPM version adds Wi-Fi and Ethernet for streaming from internet services and local networks under app control or as a Roon endpoint. The Bluetooth receiver can hold up to 10 paired devices and lets several connect at once. Outputs consist of two pairs of balanced XLR outputs plus one RCA pair, together with a 12 V trigger on a mini jack for switching external amplifiers. A Direct mode on input IN1 bypasses the volume control and turns the unit into a fixed-level preamplifier for surround systems. A white LED dot matrix display shows volume, input and incoming sample rate and can be dimmed. The DAC has its own dedicated supply, and standby consumption is below 1 W, with 14 W at idle and 30 W maximum on 115 or 230 V mains. The unit remembers input and volume in standby, and a level above 50 is cut back to 50 on wake-up. With an Apple Camera Connection Kit an iPad, or an iPhone running iOS 7 or later, can play into the USB port. The mains fuse is rated 630 mAT at 115 V or 315 mAT at 230 V, and normal case temperature ranges up to 50 degrees C. The box contains an RC-5 remote with a CR2032 battery, an NPM Quick Start Guide, a pair of antennas and a Wi-Fi stick for USB.

Pairing

Thanks to the doubled XLR outputs, it can feed two amplifiers at once for bi-amping, or an amplifier together with an active subwoofer, and the trigger lead can wake a connected power amp together with the preamplifier.

Alternatives

The Gato Audio DIA-400S NPM is the brand's other network player, combining it with a DAC and an integrated amplifier in one chassis.