Enjoying the ND5XS

Posted by: Magnus Hultstrand on 24 November 2013

Borrowed an ND5XS from my dealer yesterday and will return it tomorrow (Monday). I must say that I am amazed.. First of all, my knowledge about streaming and computer audio in general are poor to say the least. Anyway, within 5 minutes the streamer were connected and up and running. I had prepared a NAS (WD My book Live) with all of my CD:s (+600) ripped to FLAC. The sound? Very very good IMHO. My source before was the CD5i. As good as it is the ND5XS outperforms it in every way. My only problem is that the albums on my NAS shows the tracks in alphabetical order and not the correct order in "Folder view". Btw I'm using nStream on my iPhone 4 as remote. I will most likely order the streamer mentioned above on Monday.
Lovely stuff :-)
I have auditioned it with my NaitXS and Ovator S-400.
Posted on: 24 November 2013 by hungryhalibut

The only thing I'd say is if you are using streaming as your main source, get a decent NAS. One that doesn't use Twonky. And make sure you have reliable backup arrangements.

Posted on: 24 November 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand
Ok. I will get a back up for sure. I don't even know if my WD-NAS are using Twonky..
Posted on: 24 November 2013 by Jasonf

Hi Magnus,

 

Great to hear you are liking what the ND5 brings to your listening pleasure. It is a very good streamer indeed and coupled with the 152/155 combo it has lots of rhythm and attack. Comparing the rips to my previous Denon CD player, there is no contest and if one has £2000 to spend then the ND5 is a very good start to the streaming world.

 

I have recently changed from a Lacie (started hearing strange hd noises), so I sent it off to be recycled and now I have the WD My Book Live as a backup for my Uniti-Serve. It is a doddle to set up but a little slower than the Lacie to complete a full backup from my U-Serve, it was about 32 hours for 600 ripped cd's as .WAV But now it's done I can just set the U-Serve to complete a "differential" backup, I.e. just back up the new rips, very simple.

 

Look forward to hearing more on your ND5 journey.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 24 November 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand
So far so good. Have been playing for 9(!) hours straight.. No drop outs or any other problems whatsoever. A little break for dinner and then back to the ND5XS:s Digital 3 input for this evenings television events :-)
Posted on: 24 November 2013 by nickpeacock
+1 for the ND5XS - wait till you put a powerline on it; then add the XP5XS!

Try the Album Artist view instead of Folder view.

Enjoy!
Posted on: 25 November 2013 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by nickpeacock:
+1 for the ND5XS - wait till you put a powerline on it; then add the XP5XS!

Try the Album Artist view instead of Folder view.

Enjoy!

Hi Nick,

 

Just read your profile and it seems you are optimizing your setup, except for a HiLine? Can you give some indication why youdont have one. For example, I am thinking on the PL next for my system but I currently have A HiLine and some Forum members don't like using a HiLine and PL together, was this your findings? Or have you not got to that yet?

 

Also, did you move up from the 152/155?

 

Jason.

 

 

Posted on: 25 November 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand
Ok. I will try the Album Artist view instead. Hmm, seems like the songs are now in the correct order. Good. I have also realized that I need to buy an iPad since the iPhone is quite small and some titles are quite long so I can't see which song I'm looking for.. Btw, is the nServe app different for iPad compared to the one for iPhone?
Posted on: 25 November 2013 by Jasonf
Originally Posted by Magnus Hultstrand:
Ok. I will try the Album Artist view instead. Hmm, seems like the songs are now in the correct order. Good. I have also realized that I need to buy an iPad since the iPhone is quite small and some titles are quite long so I can't see which song I'm looking for.. Btw, is the nServe app different for iPad compared to the one for iPhone?

Hi Magnus,

 

 Yes a little,There are some practical differences in the layout and so the iPad app is better when viewed on the pad. In my view it is worth getting a pad as the experience using the app is more satisfying to use and to show to friends etc.

 

Jason.

Posted on: 26 November 2013 by nickpeacock
JasonF,

You must be telepathic! Awaiting me when I get back from the frozen wastes of the north today is a (used) Hi Line. I will report back.

Perhaps not surprisingly the major upgrade sonically was the XP5XS - awesome.

I played around with an n-vi then a Uniti/200 for a bit but have never had any 100 series components. The 202/200 is fantastic.
Posted on: 27 November 2013 by nickpeacock

First impressions of Hi Line are pretty favourable - I think it may take a little longer for my ears to adjust, but I have something I didn't really appreciate before, namely a soundstage. (It's like listening in surround sound where before I only had a soundbar...)

Posted on: 28 November 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand

Have been thinking of the eventual purchase of the ND5XS.. while doing that I have been offered the opportunity to buy a used NDX for the same money as a new ND5XS... A no brainer???

I liked the ND5XS a lot and have only listened to the NDX at a HiFi show in a "Classic System" (282/250 etc.), which I also enjoyed.

So, should I go for the NDX or a brand new ND5XS??

Posted on: 28 November 2013 by ameden

Hi Magnus

 

the NDX, if you upgrade in the future and re-sell, you will lose very little on it..and it should sound better....

 

enjoy

Posted on: 28 November 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand

Yes, I´m leaning towards that option at the moment. Thank´s.

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by nickpeacock

I remember the Naim streamer demo at the Bristol Hi-Fi show; to my ears there was an appreciable difference from ND5 XS to NDX but not so much from NDX to NDS. So if you can get the NDX for a bargain, go for it and enjoy! (But remember you'll need the equivalent power supply.)

 

All that said, my ND5 XS + XP5 XS + Hi Line = unconfined joy.

 

Now, only Proac Response D2s to go and I'm done...

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by Iver van de Zand

Wow, wonderfull system you have Nick ! How did the XP5XS improve the sound on your ND5Xs? I am about to purchase that PSU

 

cheers,

Iver

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by analogmusic

haven't heard the NDX to NDS upgrade, but it would seem that the NDX is the best value source component in the naim line up at the moment? 

Posted on: 10 December 2013 by nickpeacock
Hi Iver,

I'm not terribly good at describing the sonic difference in words, but adding the XP5 XS first just seemed to produce more music, second provided greater control, definition and authority across the whole sound range but particularly at the low end. (Adding a Hi Line has produced a truly holographic sound.) I think once you get the XP5 XS you'll be blown away!

Nick
Posted on: 10 December 2013 by totemphile
Originally Posted by analogmusic:

...it would seem that the NDX is the best value source component in the naim line up at the moment? 

Nope, that would be the nDAC!

Posted on: 11 December 2013 by simes_pep

I concur that the XP5 XS makes a significant improvement to the ND5 XS.

As per the previous comment, improvements to control & authority across the range.

 

I felt this was particularly apparent on CD-based rips, which are vastly improved, countering some disappointment over my past SB/Pink Triangle DAC, however this was not able to play above 24/48. So the 24/88.2, 24/96... tracks sounded great on the ND5 XS and just got better with the XP5 XS.

The replacement of a RCA-RCA interconnect with a Hi-Line DIN-RCA was less marked, but the improvements are more subtle, with a greater level of 'polish and smoothness' to the sound.

 

Next project - change of UPnP server from 'Twonky on a ReadyNAS Duo' to 'Asset on a Pi' as a dedicated UPnP server solution, with forced transcoding of FLAC/ALAC/AAC/MP3 to WAV, which I believe is more friendly to the streamer and streamlining the internal processing within the ND5 XS.

 

Simon (in-Dublin)

Posted on: 11 December 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand
Ok gentlemen.. I ordered the NDX yesterday. Hopefully I will have it before the weekend.. Can't wait.
Posted on: 11 December 2013 by ameden

Excellent Magnus

 

keep us advised how it sounds

 

enjoy

Posted on: 11 December 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand
Will do. It will be quite interesting to go from "source last"(cd5i) to "source first"... ;-)
Posted on: 17 December 2013 by Matteo

I'm doing some experiments using a Cambridge dvd99 as transport into the coax input of my ND5XS with a Wireworld Starlight 7 digital cable (70 euro) ...

 

... Very good results ...

 

M.

Posted on: 22 December 2013 by Magnus Hultstrand

Ok. NDX arrived today even though it is Sunday. Very good christmas gift to myself :-)

It was just as easy and straightforward to install as the ND5XS I demoed a couple of weeks ago.

To be honest I was disappointed at first....But after approx 2 hours of playing something really happened.

Holy Cow! It is good. I guess the NDX needed some warm up before starting to sound its best.

Now I am really enjoying my FLAC:s :-) Merry christmas everybody!!

Posted on: 22 December 2013 by Iver van de Zand

now that's a Christmas present Magnus ! enjoy and keep us posted on your findings !!

Iver