the next step to add streaming to my hi-fi....advice please

Alex, I think your ND5XS is a fine option to with your Nait. You can  configure with a PSU as well if you prefer. The Naim ND players are certainly fine bits of kit, each one in the ladder adding more refinement for matching electronics/speakers  but each has a great sound.

Simon

Alex,

I think your solution might depend on what else you want or need to connect to the Nait. I know I'm going round in circles trying to resolve a similar problem! You don't say what phono stage you are using, but the original Uniti will power a Stageline while the current range will not. May be a factor. ND5 may be excellent, but you (or I) could also buy Sonos and save £1700!

Andy

Simon thanks for your comment and given the ND5xa is entry level would allow me to upgrade as well as psu upgrade option. I presume it would connect okay via nait 5 (din to din)?

Andy, I have a Trichord dino and Tri psu at the moment. I would see the advantage of having the ability to power a stageline. In fact it was due to the lack within the nait 5 that led me down the Trichord route although not a disappointing option.

I don't know anything about a sonos but will check it out.

Thanks for your input guys.

Alex, yes absolutely has a 5 pin DIN output for audio out.

There are many streamer solutions out there, but if you want the Naim sound then.....

Simon

Alex - the Uniti series, as you suggest sound like a good bet. You could replace your 5i in the process too as you wouldn't need a separate amplifier. It depends whether you want lots of boxes, ease of upgrades. Best to get down a dealer and take a listen to your options.

James

Alex,

Changing the amplification opens another can of worms... and if you weren't intending to reintroduce cd playback a Uniti is giving you a redundant CD player! I know some people use a Qute into some quite serious amplification just for the streaming function, but that just seems wrong to me...

ND5 then?

Andy

Another vote for the fabulous ND5XS....absolutely fantastic value-for-money!!!

 

thanks for your input guys, and I would prefer to stick with naim. I should have said that I've remained a vinyl collector for best part of my life and missed the CD era so there is some truth in the uniti giving me a redundant cd player. I'm also unsure how the uniti amplification (old and new lite) would compare with my nait 5i-2? 

I'm beginning to sway towards a stand alone streamer ND5 as the route to go. Andy excuse my ignorance, but could I just ad a Qute to my nait 5 and why would it be so wrong.

I reckon a trip to local dealer is in order but this is definitely helping me get my thoughts in some order.

You could trade in the Nait 5i for a UQ as it has a very good amp section of its own ... however you would need a stand alone phono stage. 

I have a Sonos and it is easier to use than other streamers and very good, but the UQ sounds better and does high resolution music. I prefer the Naim players to the Linn ones (not heard a KDS yet though). 

However, I wonder if a Mac Mini + Naim DAC might not be your best route - to my ears it outperforms any Naim streamer until we meet the NDS which is fairly expensive. The Mac Mini is much more versatile as well and very easy to use/upgrade. 

Alex,

It's not 'wrong' - it just gives you a redundant amplifier section unless you sell on the Nait. But you bought the Nait because you liked it... yes?

It may be just me. I don't like not using functionality I've paid for. Or paying for functionality I don't use... probably costs me more in the long run. Now if only I could convince myself to lose the turntable AND the CD player...

Andy

Aw thanks Andy, I hadn't realised such a small box also had an amp and Guido's comments on the sound of the amp is interesting. Definitely worth a listen me thinks.

I hadn't even considered a mini mac + dac sop thanks for the suggestion.

I realise i need to listen tot the one box products mentioned to see how they compare with the nait 5 then i think it will be easier trio decide.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

The other issue to consider is what you are going to stream from. The cheap option is to use something like dBpoweramp to rip your CDs and store the music as flac files on a NAS. Or you could consider using some of the Naim products for this.

Given that you have no CDs, what is your digital source material?  Downloads?  Ripped vinyl?  Might want to try some of these sources fed from your computer into the analog input of your Nait. 

Where are you streaming to?  Multiple rooms in your house?  If you just want high quality playback of ripped/downloaded files, you don't need a streamer, just a good DAC (the sound chips in most computers are pretty mediocre).  

Practicality and acceptability may also be factors. I wouldn't want a computer in the living room, nor would I want the faff of 'maintaining' a computer just to provide the storage. A Mac mini might be an exception, but all of my cd's are ripped to flac on a nas. A lot less expensive than Naim and arguably adequate at xs level, although I guess many here might disagree!

Andy