ND5 XS question from a newbie streamer

Hi Nigel,

I've never compared the sound quality using an iPod like that, but  . . . a few things.  First to even the playing field you'll have to have lossless files on the iPod.  Even at that, and given that the connection bypasses the dac in the iPod, I have to assume that the performance will not be "the best" the CD5XS can deliver.  I'd try wi fi before relying on the iPod . . . but have a listen to all options.  (Also, can you just pay someone to come run the cat-5 cable for you? That's what I did.)

Naim strongly advise against connecting a usb hard drive to the usb input; they are noisy, and that usb input is not designed to provide enough power to run a hard drive.  But you can connect a usb thumb drive, and try a larger usb solid state drive.  Those require much less power.  And no, no special software is needed on the drive; the ND5XS will read the data on there just as any other network store it might find on your home network.

Thanks for the response Bart.

I really like the idea of streaming for it's convenience, so might have to get a quote for the cable works. It would make sense as I already have c11,000 tracks ripped to a NAS as apple lossless files for my i-pod and i-pad. I just wanted to avoid the cost and hassle of re-decorating.

Using a pen drive or similar might be an option though.

I might have a trip to my local Naim shop for a chat when I get the chance.

Thanks again.

You're welcome, Nigel.  And with that extensive library already in hand, it would be a shame not to take advantage of it and just serve it up right from that nas to the ND5XS -- the way it was meant to be served.

Using wireless is not that bad as a temporary measure with the ND5. Worked fine for me for ripped CD's although anything at a higher bit rate will cut out and re-buffer a lot, for those I put them on a USB thumb drive and pluged it directly into the ND5. What I did for cables was to get flat white network cables and found some double sided tape the same width as the cable and ran it around the skirting, walls, etc. to get from router to stereo. I'm really fussy about this sort of things and you really can't see it at all and I didn't even paint over it, which of course you could. You can get the cables of a well know auction site in some very long lengths.

BTW, the ND5 sounds fantastic with an XPS-2.....

Wireless streaming works fine for ripped CDs, but for 24/96 and 24/192 I gave up and ran a Cat6 ethernet cable from my computer room to my listening room. Unfortunately for me the state of UPnP streaming software for Mac OSX is so abysmal I often give up on the inconvenience of it deciding not to work when all I want is to relax and enjoy music, so I spin records instead (which sound better anyway).

If you end up needing to lay cable it may be worth investigating running it round the outside of the house to connect the rooms.

Why outside the house?

I ran mine up a closet wall, into the attic, and back down a closet wall in the other room. Far easier and cheaper than going around outside of house.

I was talking to someone at work who suggested maybe using a Homeplug which I understand uses the houses electrical cables tocarry a signal.

Has anyone got any experience of them? How do they compare to ethernet or wireless?

Thanks

Never used this for music, but have experience of using hard power to carry data in a work setting. Not very successful, and project was scrapped. Lot of data corruption, etc

I use a Home Plug to connect my ND5 and it works really well with all of the Hi Res stuff I throw at it - including 24/192, which used to stutter when I used the wi fi connection. I have read that Homeplugs can introduce "noise" to the main supply but I haven't noticed any degradation of sound - and it's so simple to use.