Gato Audio DIA-400S NPM Streaming Amplifier, Black High Gloss

The Gato Audio DIA-400S NPM is a streaming integrated amplifier that combines power amp, D/A converter and network player in a single housing.

2× 400 watts at 8 ohms, a Roon Ready network player and a 24-bit/192 kHz converter are built in at the factory. You connect speakers and network, and the system is ready. The high-gloss black lid turns it into a piece of furniture you don't need to hide.

Why the Gato Audio DIA-400S NPM?

Because it bundles a complete chain into one unit and still has reserves where other all-in-one solutions run out of breath. The Class-D power stage delivers 2× 400 W at 8 Ω and doubles to 2× 800 W at 4 Ω – so it stays composed even when your speakers really dig in on the bass. The Burr-Brown converter works with upsampling up to 24-bit/192 kHz, the network section is Roon Ready and brings in Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer via LAN or Wi-Fi. Add to that two RCA pairs and one XLR pair for anything that should stay analog.

What you hear

A calm, controlled sound with firmly defined bass and plenty of headroom above – whether the music comes from a streaming service, the USB input, or an external phono stage. The DIA-400S NPM doesn't sound like a compromise despite replacing three devices, and it stays cool and quiet while doing so. That's not a given with this much power.

Who is the DIA-400S NPM suited to – and who isn't it for?

Straight talk: the DIA-400S NPM is built for large rooms and demanding speakers, when you want amplifier, converter and streamer in one tidy housing. For normal living rooms with efficient speakers, the smaller DIA-250S NPM with 2× 250 W is easily enough. And if you already own a good converter or streamer and are only looking for power, you're better served by the purely analog Gato AMP-150 AE.

Do I really need 2× 400 watts?

Not everyone does. Power pays off especially with a large room volume, low efficiency and impedance-critical speakers – that's where the DIA-400S stays assured while smaller amplifiers audibly run out of steam. Honestly: someone listening to quiet jazz in a 20-square-metre room is buying the reserve for peace of mind. That's a reason too.

Our verdict

A complete, powerful system hub in Danish understatement – streaming, conversion and plenty of power-amp muscle without a stack of components or a cable mess. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we set up network, services and speakers together with you, so the unit plays to its full potential from day one.

Technical data

• Type: streaming integrated amplifier with D/A converter and network player
• Output power: 2× 400 W at 8 Ω / 2× 800 W at 4 Ω (Class D)
• Recommended speaker impedance: 4 – 16 Ω
• D/A converter: Burr-Brown PCM1794, 24-bit/192 kHz with upsampling
• Network player: Roon Ready, app control, DLNA/UPnP; Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer built in
• Network: Ethernet (LAN) or Wi-Fi
• Supported formats: MQA (via Roon), FLAC, WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, WMA, MP3, AAC, OGG, Monkey's Audio; gapless playback
• Digital inputs: 1× USB-B (asynchronous), 1× coaxial (RCA), 1× optical (Toslink); USB and coax up to 24-bit/192 kHz, Toslink up to 24-bit/96 kHz
• Bluetooth: aptX HD, 24-bit/48 kHz (Bluetooth 4.2)
• Analog inputs: 2× RCA stereo (unbalanced), 1× XLR stereo (balanced, gold-plated Neutrik)
• Analog outputs: 1× RCA stereo and 1× XLR stereo, factory-configured as pre-out
• Output level: line outputs in RCA and XLR; volume controlled at the unit and via remote control
• Headphone output: none
• Speaker outputs: 2 pairs of gold-plated binding posts (one pair per channel, banana-compatible)
• Additional connections: 3.5 mm link jack for system control
• Display: white LED dot-matrix display, dimmable
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz (–0.5 dB); 2 Hz – 70 kHz (–3 dB)
• Total harmonic distortion (THD): < 0.01% at rated power
• Signal-to-noise ratio: > 110 dB
• Gain: 26 dB (+10 dB headroom)
• Input impedance: 20 kΩ (RCA) / 40 kΩ (XLR)
• Power consumption: standby < 1 W, idle 35 W, max. 1600 W
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 32.5 × 10.5 × 42 cm
• Weight: 13 kg
• Finish: Black high gloss
• Origin: designed and built in Denmark
• What's included: amplifier, power cable, Gato Audio RC-3 remote control with battery, antennas for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, user manual

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the DIA-400S NPM and the DIA-250S NPM?

The power. The DIA-400S NPM delivers 2× 400 W at 8 Ω and 2× 800 W at 4 Ω, the DIA-250S NPM 2× 250 W and 2× 500 W. Housing dimensions, converter, Roon Ready streaming, Bluetooth and connection panel are identical. The 400S is the choice for large rooms and demanding speakers.

Can I connect headphones to the DIA-400S NPM?

No, the DIA-400S NPM has no headphone output. If headphones are part of your daily routine, you connect a separate headphone amplifier to the line outputs – or take a look at the Gato SDA-1, which combines a converter and headphone amplifier in one unit. We'll show you the sensible routes.

Do I need a streaming subscription for the DIA-400S NPM?

No. Tidal, Qobuz and Deezer are built in if you want to use them – none of the services is mandatory. Your own files are retrieved by the amplifier via DLNA/UPnP from the network, plus USB, Toslink, coax, Bluetooth and two analog input pairs. So it plays just as well without a subscription.

Can I connect an active subwoofer or an additional power amp?

Yes, that's what the line outputs in RCA and XLR are for, which Gato configures as pre-out. Whether their level follows the volume control or stays fixed is something we clarify bindingly before ordering – that's especially crucial with a power amp. Just tell us what you'd like to add.

Why buy the Gato Audio DIA-400S NPM at HD Zürisee?

Because a streaming amplifier only becomes a joy once network, services and speakers work together. That's exactly where our experienced team in Wädenswil helps: advice on room and speakers, setting up Roon and the app, delivery, installation and service by our own technician. Call, write or reach us via WhatsApp.

Goes well with

Matching floorstanding speakers, compact bookshelf speakers, decent cables and a turntable for the analog side.