Friday, June 5, 2026
Home Primare NP5 Prism MK2 – small powerhouse

Primare NP5 Prism MK2 – small powerhouse

Door
Martijn (redacteur)
-
4

Pros

  • Streaming through most common methods
  • Good sounding result
  • Long-term support of the Prisma platform

Cons

  • Basic control limited to app use
  • Internet radio stream selection could be better
  • No USB interface for connection to a DAC

Price: € 600

Build quality
Usability
Sound
Price
Review
Specs

For whom

Contents

The Primare NP5 adds streaming to existing systems. The NP5 offers the ability to play music from streaming services, from music files in your own collection or Internet radio. The NP5 is of particular interest to those who:

  • want to keep the streamer and the DAC separate from each other. The DAC needs a SPDIF or TOSLink input.
  • has a CD player with SPDIF or TOSLink input and wants to add streaming capabilities to the audio setup.
  • has an amplifier with built-in DAC, but without built-in streaming functionality.
  • has a somewhat older streamer and DAC combination and would like to add connectivity via Chromecast, Airplay or Roon.

In the €600 Euro price range for a streamer, there is little competition. The Lindemann Bridge and the Pro-ject Stream Box are similar in price and function, and we can’t think of many other options. This makes the NP5 perhaps a niche product, but a niche product that can easily provide a good quality signal for DACs costing a multiple of the price of the Primare NP5 Prism MK2.

Conclusion

The Primare NP5 Prism MK2 is a high-quality streamer in a neatly finished, unobtrusive enclosure with modest dimensions. All obvious ways of streaming music to the device are available. The exception is Tidal connect. This is a choice by Primare, they want to keep the Prism platform viable and provide updates for as long as possible, even if your device is older. That's only to be welcomed, this way your purchase will remain usable for a long time. The NP5 surprises positively with the processing quality of incoming music streams which are passed on to a DAC. After weeks of alternate casual and intensive listening, the lingering impression is that you listen music with pleasure.
Type test
Single Test
Inputs
  • Digital USB
  • Streamer ethernet
  • Streamer wifi
  • Bluetooth
Outputs
  • Digital Coaxial
  • Digital Optical
Product type
Streamer
Max samplingrate
192 kHz
Max bit depth
24 bit
Weight
0.5 Kg
Dimensions
  • Width: 14 cm
  • Depth: 12 cm
  • Height: 4 cm
Production country
Sweden

Winkels met Primare

Sint-Antoniusstraat 15
2300 Turnhout, BE
Joseph Bensstraat 21
1180 Ukkel, BE
Bredabaan 1031
B-2930 Brasschaat, BE
Pelikaanstraat 126
2018 Antwerpen, BE
St. Ceciliastraat 28
5038 HA Tilburg, NL
Sikkel 40 F
3274 KK Heinenoord, NL
Korevaarstraat 2 e-f
2311 JS Leiden, NL
Koningsstraat 35
2011TC Haarlem, Noord Holland, NL
Theresiastraat 151 - 157
2593 AG Den Haag, Noord Holland, NL
Beethovenstraat 9-b
1077 HL Amsterdam, Noord Holland, NL

4 COMMENTS

  1. Excellent…

    Thank you Martijn! This was all very helpful. I’ve incorporated your suggestion of a d-link switch to the Ethernet chain btw. Big improvement at such a low cost investment. Now wondering what I should get as a streamer upgrade. Really appreciate your help. And what you guys have been doing with your testing and reviews 👍🏼🙏🏼

  2. Feel a bit weird as the only commenter! And sorry to ask this as I know it would not be a simple answer but: Would Volumio Rivo be a considerable or marginal step up from this network streamer in your opinion? As in with at least an Ifi power supply upgrade. Many thanks 🙏🏼

    • Hi John. The Primare NP5 MKii is better than the Rivo when used with SPDIF out. The Rivo is better with AES or USB out. Having said that, the differences on SPDIF show up – in general, it depends on the specific equipment it is paired with – with DAC’s in the plus 1200 Euro range, or amplifiers with DACs in the plus 2500 Euro range.

      The Primare doesn’t have AES or USB out, only SPDIF (on coax or toslink). So it depends for what connection type you are looking for.

      In software, Volumio is clearly better.

    • Before I forget: Primare made some software updates. Qobuz and Tidal are integrated now in the Primare app, but the presentation in the app and the way you select music from either service is very rudimentary as compared to the way Volumio works with Qobuz and Tidal integration, or to other third party options out there, like the JPlay app for iOS, Audirvana or Roon.

      A search entry field has been added to the radio section, so you can search on a radio station name now. The radio station selection and the way you can bookmark stations works nice. I’m not a big internet radio listener, but I have used this a few times with the Primare app. Their selection of high quality radio streams is quite nice.

Alpha Audio - Haarlem - Netherlands