Primare NP5 Prisma MK2 Network Player and Streamer - Black

Swedish Streaming for the System You Already Own

Primare has made elegant hi-fi in Sweden for decades. The NP5 Prisma Mk2 boils that down to one small idea. Your amplifier or DAC already sounds good, so just add streaming to it. This small box plugs into anything with a digital input. It brings every major service to it, run from your phone.

Primare's Prisma platform covers the field. Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Roon Ready and Bluetooth are all built in, along with playback from your own network files. It takes PCM to 24-bit and 192kHz, and DSD128. Coaxial and optical outputs send it on to the DAC you pick.

The Mk2 revision brought a new digital board, built on a Texas Instruments chipset. It added DSD-over-PCM output. It added MQA passthrough too, to a design that was already well liked.

Purely Digital, Deliberately Simple

The NP5 leaves the conversion to your system, and that is the point. Rather than copy work your DAC already does well, it puts the whole budget into clean streaming and a steady digital signal. Reviewers keep noting how much that buys at this price.

The Prisma app handles setup and control. Use Google Home, AirPlay or Roon instead if those already run your house. The small aluminum case, in Primare's titanium finish, tucks beside or behind the gear it feeds.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Andy Waite of Audiograde, in a June 24, 2022 review, wrote that "even at a lowly 320kbps the presentation is impressive with all details making themselves clearly felt and heard." He praised how it delivered jazz "in a way that transports me to the smoke filled Chicago jazz clubs of the 1950s," adding that "the Primare is able to improve even the lowliest signals."

Who Is This Streamer Best For?

• Your amplifier or DAC has a digital input — the NP5 adds full streaming to gear you already trust.
• You want Chromecast, AirPlay 2, and Roon in one small box — few transports cover all three ecosystems this cleanly.
• You value sound over features-per-dollar sheets — Primare put the budget into the signal, not a screen.
• You're a minimalist — one small box, one digital cable, done.
• You own a converter you rate — the NP5 is a network bridge built to feed it, so the DAC you chose stays where it is. See our digital-to-analog converters.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect the coaxial or optical output to a digital input on your DAC, integrated amp, or receiver. Join your network over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and let the Prisma app walk you through setup. From there, stream from Spotify, Tidal, or Qobuz, cast from any Chromecast or AirPlay app, or send it music from Roon and network drives.

Firmware updates arrive over the network, and Primare has steadily grown Prisma's features since launch.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the NP5 Prisma Mk2:

• DAC: The essential partner for this pure transport — see our Digital-to-Analog Converters.
• Integrated Amplifier: Many include digital inputs that pair perfectly — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Cables: A quality coaxial or optical cable carries the signal — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Interconnects: A clean run onward — see our Interconnect Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it have analog outputs or a built-in DAC?

The NP5 is a pure digital transport with coaxial and optical outputs, designed to feed a DAC or a component with digital inputs.

What streaming services does it support?

Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, and network playback, plus Roon Ready certification.

What formats does it handle?

PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD128, with MQA passthrough to a compatible DAC.

What changed in the Mk2?

A redesigned digital board with a new Texas Instruments chipset, adding DSD-over-PCM output and MQA passthrough.

How do I control it?

Primare's Prisma app for iOS and Android, or through Google Home, AirPlay, Roon. And the streaming services' own apps.

Will it work with my receiver?

Yes, if your receiver has a coaxial or optical input, the NP5 adds streaming to it directly.

See It in Action

HIFI Daydreaming compares the NP5 against popular rivals:

Audio Arkitekts reviews the Mk2 in depth:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about music streamers, DACs, or building a streaming system? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.