Naim 300 Series and Focal Scala Utopia Evo M System
Naim and Focal belong to one company, and this demonstration put that link to work with Focal Scala Utopia Evo M columns driven by two Naim NAP 350 mono amplifiers, a NAC 332 preamplifier and an ND 555 network player. Of three stations in the room it was the most complete, the others covering a vinyl front end feeding a hybrid all-in-one amplifier and Canton towers, and active Focal speakers that need no electronics.
The system at a glance
The main chain is digital and runs to six boxes - a network player, a preamplifier, two monoblocks and the column pair, priced at USD 50,000. Each NAP 350 lists at USD 8,499 and the NAC 332 at USD 10,999, sized for a spacious room. The vinyl corner combined a Takumi TT Level 2.1DC with a Takumi Myo MC Red cartridge, an Advance Paris MyConnect 250 and Canton Vento 91 towers, while the Focal Diva Alta Utopia played on its own.
Why these components work together
The Scala Utopia Evo M is rated at 92 dB for 2.83 V, 6 ohm nominal with a 3 ohm minimum, and Focal suggests 50 to 500 W. The NAP 350 is a class AB design with NA009 output transistors, giving 175 W into 8 ohm and 345 W into 4 ohm, and Naim names the Scala among the loads it was built for. The NAC 332 accepts the five-pin DIN output of the ND 555 and feeds each monoblock over balanced XLR from outputs that swing to 10 Vrms. The ND 555 converts with a Burr-Brown PCM1704 ladder DAC, and Naim powers it from an external 555 PS DR unit. In the vinyl corner the Takumi deck has a DC motor with SpeedPod trim in 0.01 rpm steps and a titanium dual-cardanic arm, priced at EUR 1,795. The Myo is a sapphire-cantilever moving coil with 0.28 mV output and 4.7 ohm impedance, which the MM/MC phono input of the MyConnect 250 is designed to accept. That hybrid unit uses two ECC81 tubes in its preamplifier and a class AB output stage of 190 W into 8 ohm and 280 W into 4 ohm, matching Canton towers rated at 87.9 dB with a 4 to 8 ohm load. The Diva Alta Utopia carries four Naim class AB amplifiers totalling 600 W per speaker and the Naim Pulse streaming platform.
How it sounds
The 27 cm woofer gives a full low end on large orchestral and electronic tracks, and the monoblocks hold it steady as the impedance falls. The PRISM tweeter and M-profile midrange keep voices and piano clearly placed, and the angled Focus Time baffle keeps the stage coherent at the seat.
Considering a similar setup
Current into the impedance dip is the key point, so separate mono channels pay off. Bi-amping through the dual terminals with four NAP 350 units is a later path, and the NPX 300 supply upgrades the NAC 332. On a smaller budget, the Vento 91 and MyConnect 250 corner shows the vinyl route.
9 components
- Turntables
TT level 2.1 DC
The Takumi TT Level 2.1DC is a premium vinyl record player from the Dutch Takumi brand. The model is designed as a carefully thought-out mechanical system, where each component works in accordance with the laws of physics to achieve maximum musicality. The key philosophy is vibration control to extract the entirety of the recording from the groove without interference.
- Cartridges
Myo MC
The Myo stands at the top of the Takumi range. Its sapphire cantilever combines high rigidity with controlled damping, while the nude fine-elliptical diamond and 6N OCC generator reach beyond 28 kHz with superb channel symmetry. Every part is tuned for balance, silence, and effortless retrieval of musical detail.
- Other devices
MyConnect 250
The Advance Paris myConnect 250 is an all-in-one audiophile amplifier. The device combines a powerful amplifier, CD player, FM/DAB tuner and network streaming capabilities. The key feature is the tube preamp, which gives the sound a special warmth and musicality.
- Preamplifiers
NAC 332
by Naim
The NAC 332 uses a volume control architecture designed for top-end Statement components. The regulator is implemented on reed relays that switch a bank of high-precision permanent resistors. This ensures excellent sound quality. In addition, the Naim Audio NAC 332 has the ability to change the sensitivity of each input and set the maximum possible volume level.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
Vento 91
by Canton
The Canton Vento 91 is a High-end floor-mounted speaker system from the updated Vento series in 2026. The name is inspired by the Italian word Vento (wind), which reflects the concept of a light but confident design with smooth lines.
- Power amplifiers mono
NAP 350
by Naim
The NAP 350 combines perfectly with the NSS 333 streamer and the NAC 332 preamp to create a complete system. The NAP 350 is a pure Class AB linear amplifier powered by fully adjustable DR power supplies, delivering 175 watts at 8 ohms and 345 watts at 4 ohms. It can deliver peak power of up to 1.7 kW to control impedance failures of complex speaker crossover circuits. The input is via a balanced XLR connector, which ensures industry-wide compatibility.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
Scala Utopia Evo M
by Focal
The Scala Utopia Evo M has received a modern PRISM tweeter, a midrange with an M-shaped membrane, and a redesigned bass section — all for an even cleaner and larger-scale sound in a real room.
- Floorstanding loudspeakers
Diva Alta Utopia
by Focal
The model develops the ideas laid down in Diva Utopia and Diva Mezza Utopia, but offers a larger four-lane design inspired by the reference Grande Utopia. The speaker system, which is fully localized in France, uses a phase reflex design and is equipped with four woofers with W cone diffusers with a diameter of 20.5 centimeters, a 16.5-centimeter midrange driver, a 13-centimeter midrange radiator and a new tweeter with an inverted Prism M profile dome with a diameter of 27 millimeters.