APL Hifi NSP-GR
APL HiFi’s NSP-GR delivers a pristine, uncolored signal with the clarity, instrumental separation and muscular dynamics ambitious DAC-based systems demand. The Computer Audiophile found it equally compelling with delicate acoustics and gritty electric guitars, while its dual-computer architecture, flexible software configuration and USB, AES/EBU, coaxial or DTR outputs make it a formidable high-end digital source.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
86/100
Features Usability
89/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Exceptionally transparent, pristine delivery to the DAC, revealing subtle vocals, recording layers and instrumental separation without adding a sonic character.
Combines strong bass weight, vibrancy and dynamics with convincing reproduction of both acoustic and distorted electric instruments.
Highly adaptable server/player platform, supporting straightforward Roon use or deeper Linux, Audirvana and HQPlayer NAA configurations.
Broad digital-output provision—USB, AES/EBU, coaxial and proprietary DTR—supports integration with a wide range of high-end DACs.
Cons
Its processing can be overwhelmed by DSD256 playback combined with very large convolution filters, causing dropouts unless DSP workflow is adjusted or external processing is used.
The $20,000 positioning makes it a specialist high-end purchase, and the review offers no direct competitor comparisons to establish relative value.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
The review finds the NSP-GR notably transparent and musically complete, combining clarity and instrumental separation with strong dynamics, weight and emotional involvement. Its contribution is described as cleanly revealing rather than imposing a character of its own.
Overall Sound
94/100
Audiophile Style heard acoustic and electric guitars reproduced equally convincingly, with no part of a dense recording short-changed. The reviewer also praises meaty, vibrant and dynamic presentation, along with clarity, delineation and an unusually involving sense of hearing the performance in the studio.
Digital Signal Integrity
94/100
The reviewer repeatedly describes the NSP-GR as delivering a pristine, pure signal to the DAC, without additions or subtractions. This is consistent with the unit's dedicated player section, ultra-low-phase-noise femto clocks, separate server/player power supplies, and selectable USB, AES/EBU or proprietary DTR output.
FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 89/100
The NSP-GR is built for configurable high-end server and streamer use, with a choice between straightforward operation and extensive customization. Its output provision is especially strong for DACs that can exploit USB, AES/EBU, coaxial, or APL's DTR connection.
Streaming Software
88/100
Audiophile Style characterizes the NSP-GR as able to be either extremely simple or deeply configurable, depending on the owner's needs and technical knowledge. That flexibility should suit experienced users particularly well, though the review does not provide detailed discussion of app design, service integration, metadata, or long-term software stability.
Features Connectivity
90/100
The player side provides USB output plus internally converted AES and APL DTR output, while the server side supports USB and eSATA external storage. Selectable USB, DTR, AES/EBU and coaxial digital outputs give it broad DAC compatibility in a high-end system.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
86/100
APL specifies a precision-machined all-aluminum enclosure, passive fanless cooling, dual custom R-core transformers, and separated server and player power supplies. The review does not offer much direct comment on long-term durability, fit and finish, or day-to-day mechanical behavior.
Value for Money
85/100
The reviewed price is $20,000, placing the NSP-GR firmly in the specialist high-end server/streamer market. The review is highly enthusiastic about its performance and flexibility, but does not directly compare its value with competing products at the asking price.
Reviews & Sources
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Specifications
- Server and Player/Streamer Digital Processing
- Two LattePanda Delta 3 computers running on Intel N5105 processors at 2.9GHz burst frequency. 8GB of LPDDR4 DRAM on each computer. M.2 PCIe SSDs for operating systems only. M.2 PCIe to SATA converter for the eSATA connection. Special Oversized BIOS batteries providing many years of worry-free operation. HDMI connectors on both computers for Operating System installation only. USB and eSATA connectors on the Server side for connecting external storage.
- Player/Streamer Side Digital Output Stage
- Selectable USB, DTR (proprietary balanced I2S) or AES/EBU and Coax digital outputs. XMOS-based USB processor. Special PCIe to USB converter. Ultra-Low-Phase-Noise, Femto clocks. Esprit Audio France critical signal wiring.
- Power Supplies
- Dual Oversized Custom R-Core main power transformers wound with OFC wire. Completely separated power supplies for the Server and Player/Streamer parts. Low noise, fast transient response linear voltage regulators. Very High grade, specially selected rectifiers and passive components. Solid OFC wiring for power supply.
- Convenience and mechanical
- FLD display with custom selectable Red, Blue or Green colors. Please specify when ordering. Microprocessor control memorizing the last settings. Very solid all-aluminum, precision machined enclosure. Passive Cooling. No fans.
- Warranty
- 2-years warranty with an available 3-year warranty extension, with an online product registration.
Manufacturer's Description — APL Hifi
The NSP-GR is specifically made for the most enthusiastic audiophiles who search for the most natural, transparent and analogue-like digital audio reproduction.
It is an all-hand-made boutique, designed and built with the best possible audio quality in mind.
The NSP-GR is inspired by pure analog setups. It provides a comparable natural, rich and spacious sonic character.
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for APL Hifi NSP-GR
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Audio Exotics — in-store — New Territories, Hong Kong (website)
- AV Solutions - Italy — online and in-store — Aosta, Valle d'Aosta, Italy (website)
- BELHIFI — online and in-store — Meise, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Class A Audio — in-store — Notting Hill, Victoria, Australia (website)
- HIFI SOLUTION — in-store — Chandon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (website)
- Perfect sense Audio — in-store — Stockholms län, Sweden (website)
- Salon One Audio — in-store — Ormond Beach, Florida, United States (website)
- Sound Heaven — in-store — Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (website)
