ND5-XS volume too high

Try reducing the input trim of the offending inputs. You do this via the app - just select the input and trim it down. 

Hi, I don't see the option for this on the naim app, can you explain more, thanks, Bryan

Input volume control is not possible on ND5, NDX & NDS.    Try copying a few tracks onto a USB as that will show you what the ND5 output level is with only the ND5,  that is normal.  if the USB gives a lower level than Mac,  then I would look into the Mac side for a solution.

But a 2nd think concerns internet radio, are you getting that from the Mac or the ND5 (app) with Naims iRadio,  if the iRadio is loud,  thats is how it is but no way unlistenable.     My NDX gives iRadio a touch louder than NAS (UPnP) & thats slightly louder than NAT-05 FM tuner,  but none are anything severe or wrong,  SN volume control is a few click above minimum.

Hi Mike-B,

My main worry is internet radio volume which is way too high.

Mac UPNP volume is lower (but still high).

I'm thinking of returning the unit because internet radio is virtually unusable, thanks, Bryan

Hi, thanks for the reply, I'm interested that you say ' SN volume control is a few click above minimum.'

For me, minimum and maximum reasonable volume is only a small turn on the nait XS rotary control, from say 7 o-clock to 8 o-clock, but maybe this is normal

The background listening level for FM & iRadio on my SN is more or less the same - the off backstop is 7 o'clock  & background volume is 8 o'clock. Because NDX output voltage is higher than NAT-05,  higher volume control positions crank up the dB levels more with iRadio .  With more serious listening levels using UPnP it really depends on the level it was recorded at (or I ripped at),   & this varies a lot,  most of my purchased 24-bit PCM I play the volume around the 9 o'clock position,  but DSD can end up up to 10 o'clock.    

Hi, thanks for the reply, might have to accept the very high I-radio volume. I tried playing a music file from USB memory stick as you suggested. This confirms the overall high volume output of the ND5XS. Bye for now

bryangm posted:

This confirms the overall high volume output of the ND5XS.

ND5 (& all streamers) output voltage is no different to Naim CD Players @ 2.1V RMS

The biggest problem isn't the CD players or the streamers, but that digital material is usually encoded at far too high a level.  The red book standard specifies a headroom of 18dB above reference recording level.  In other words, the level that for an analogue source would be at 0VU, should be encoded at -18dB on a CD - this equates to 250mV RMS at the output (with 2.0V RMS being the MAXIMUM level that a CD player can output).

Most non-classical CDs are encoded at least 6dB louder than the reference standard and some are encoded at more than 9dB louder.  That is where the blame lies not with the 2V RMS maximum output standard.

bryangm posted:

Hi, thanks for the reply, might have to accept the very high I-radio volume. I tried playing a music file from USB memory stick as you suggested. This confirms the overall high volume output of the ND5XS. Bye for now

Bryan,

Sounds to me like something amiss with your Nait XS.  I suggest you consult your dealer, or swap in a different amp to test my theory.  

Nick

Huge posted:

The biggest problem isn't the CD players or the streamers, but that digital material is usually encoded at far too high a level.  

Not disagreeing Huge,  but OP is also complaining about internet radio 

bryangm,

It would also be helpful to know which speakers you are using. High sensitivity speakers could exacerbate the volume control issue.

Mike,

Same issue: Encoding level of the median value is set way above the -18dB reference level and heavy compression is used to prevent clipping.  It's the sound style expected by the MP3 generation.

NickSeattle posted:

bryangm posted:

Hi, thanks for the reply, might have to accept the very high I-radio volume. I tried playing a music file from USB memory stick as you suggested. This confirms the overall high volume output of the ND5XS. Bye for now

Bryan,

Sounds to me like something amiss with your Nait XS.  I suggest you consult your dealer, or swap in a different amp to test my theory.  

Nick

HI NickSeattle,

Yes something is not right, it can't be right that the volume control barely moves from 0 position on the amp and the volume is already very loud. Other components play all right though with normal volume adjustments.

Joe, you're right; high sensitivity speakers exacerbate the effect of the problem.

joerand posted:

bryangm,

It would also be helpful to know which speakers you are using. High sensitivity speakers could exacerbate the volume control issue.

Hi, speakers are low cost Tannoys. There seems to be mismatch between the ND5XS and the Nait XS, the volume is way too high. Something is not right, I would expect ND5XS to work better since it is part of the XS series.  

Some 'low cost' Tannoys exceed 90dB/2.883V; because they are designed to sound loud with low cost, low power amplifiers.

This could be your issue.  Do you have a computer and an AC voltmeter?

Sorry Huge,  I fully understand your point re median value is set way above the -18dB reference level;   my concern is it is adding another dimension & possible confusion to the issue.   The OP is asking about the resultant volume he gets from ND5 into his Nait.    He has confirmed  .... "volume control barely moves from 0 position on the amp and the volume is already very loud"   with ND5 as source,  but "Other components play all right though with normal volume adjustments"   

I would call the dealer & arrange a comparison test of this ND5 at the dealer against another Naim streamer &/or into another amp.      

Bryan, to help us understand what you mean by "Other components play all right though with normal volume adjustments"; specifically, what other components.  Most recordings distributed on analogue media are set at nominal reference level rather than being pushed up as for stuff on digital media.

Do you get a more usable range of volume adjustment when playing well recorded classical music through the ND5 / Nait XS pairing?

Exactly which Tannoys?

Is there anyone who has this same setup, ND5XS with Nait XS ?

Just wondered what range of volume adjustment is normal.

Hi, I have an ND5 XS with a Nait XS 2.

Volume control positions for moderate volume - adding another 0.5 will make it quite a bit too loud
(expressed as the position of the hour hand on a clock):

Zero volume:                                                                    7 to 7.25
Rock/Pop, Modern Over Compressed recordings:    7.75 to 8, possibly 8.25 absolute max in a few cases
Rock/Pop, Older less compressed recordings:           8.5 to 9  (a very few can be listened to at 9.5)
Most classical recordings:                                              9 to 9.5  (some can go to 10.5)

My speakers are 88dB / 2.883V

Hi Huge,

Thanks a lot for the info.

That's reassuringly similar to my situation.

I knew I should have had a demo before buying, but did not want to drive 100 miles to the dealer...

Same setup, more or less the same comfortable maxima.

I've also been doing some AB testing with vinyl recently and the volume was (surprisingly) often comparable with a decent pressing. I guess phono stage gain is higher than it used to be...

Then given the audio quality of the ALPS 27mm 'Blue' pot, I wouldn't worry about it.

I used to use the same volume control when I built my own amps - it really is the best mechanical analogue pot, and vastly better than most digital solutions.