Naim streamer

I've just started streaming, demoing a 272. I'll be getting a qnap TS 251+ with 2x 2Tb WD red drives. This will be going through a Cisco switch to the 272. Standard Cat5e cables all round, till I change them for Cat7 then later explore some better quality options between switch and 272. My laptop will be running Db poweramp to rip my discs and the nas will run asset. I'm currently using the free demo versions of both on my laptop and they're easy to use. I'm hugely impressed with streaming. I didn't think it would be a patch on my cd replay but in the 4 weeks I've had them 272 I've not once reached for the CD player. Bags of PRaT and the usual highly enjoyable Naim sound. 

The ND5XS is the natural partner for the XS. I have an XS2/ND5XS combo -- and I think it is a rahter good match. Having said this, I wonder about getting an external DAC sometime in the not so distant future for more detail and transparency. Chord DACs are rather popular here, and thought to complement Naim rather well. 

P.S. As Finfan's post suggests, sell your CD player if you decide to go down the streaming route. Trade in?

To save money:

Don't buy the powerline adapters, buy a very long cable! Keep smps away from your hifi.

Buy the cheapest NAS. Western Digital possibly.

This will

1) be cheaper, obviously

2) allow you to acclimatise to curating metadata and backing up (I use a USB drive for that)

3) allow you to see the relative merits of 'better' drives, at a later date (relegate 'inferior' NAS, server to backup duties)

4) allow a linear psu to be added to the NAS.

5) allow you to experiment with 'positioning' networked items, like a switch, boutique data cables and powerline adapters at your leisure.

6) allows room for improvement / fettlingand slows the urge for 'perfection'.

I used to use a ND5 XS and a Nait XS, it's a good combination (I now use a 272+555PS & 300DR, that upgrade was the only reason for changing).

Don't buy a WD NAS, the Media Server isn't any good.  Try a basic Synology or QNAP NAS, they're much more reliable in practice (with WD Red disk(s) ).
Buy a cheap consumer level Ethernet switch to mediate between the NAS, the streamer and your wireless router.
Use wired Ethernet NOT powerline adapters, better sound quality and more reliable connection.

I've moved this thread over to the Streaming Audio room, where it's probably most appropriate.

It will not be possible to easily use a cabled connection

It will have to be ethernet over mains or not at all

To me this is about hi-fi every bit as much as it is about streaming

Do NOT get the cheapest NAS - the NAS makes a huge difference in SQ.

Also get a iFi psu for the ethernet switch.

MangoMonkey posted:

Do NOT get the cheapest NAS - the NAS makes a huge difference in SQ.

Also get a iFi psu for the ethernet switch.

But the OP asked if there were 'cheaper ways of getting a good result'. A 'huge' difference in NAS is hyperbole. The removal of cheap switched mode supplies is more of an issue.

Are the ifi power supplies worthwhile for a switch? 

I have had the ND5 for a couple of years and despite what you might read on this forum it is an excellent streamer, no it isn't an NDX or an NDS but I would argue with the same amplification it is as good as a 272. I have recently added a used Chord 2Qute and it has enhanced it further.

nimrodmr2p posted:

To me this is about hi-fi every bit as much as it is about streaming

Yes of course, but Richard Dane's point is that this is the bit of the forum where the streaming experts tend to look first. So you are more likely to get good advice quickly.

I agree that you should avoid WD NAS,  and personally I went for Synology but QNAP also has lots of advocates.  But the WD Red discs are good and I went for those in my Synology too.

best

David

Finkfan posted:

Are the ifi power supplies worthwhile for a switch? 

To a cheap Netgear, yes. But for the same price you can get a used Cisco 2960 with its own internet power supply, which is better still. Lots of threads on this. 

Thanks HH. Will do more research before I make my choice. 

I would also endorse the Cisco 2960 (used  for around £50) with its own internal power supply. There are some long threads on this - search for "posh switch" IIRC,

nimrodmr2p posted:

It will not be possible to easily use a cabled connection

It will have to be ethernet over mains or not at all

If you have a router with decent wi-fi I'd suggest using a wi-fi range extender and run a short ethernet patch cable to your streamer. I have a netgear extender providing a feed to the UQ2 in my back bedroom system and can stream 24bit 192kHz wav files without drop outs. 

Finkfan posted:

Thanks HH. Will do more research before I make my choice. 

Wenger has my mail address. Always happy to assist. 

Thank you 

I have just realised something which may spoil my plans

The area where I have my computer, modem and router only has one socket so everything has to come off a trailing socket

Perhaps this will mean the ethernet over mains device will not be effective

There are so many concerns with Ethernet over mains - that should be your option of last resort; almost anything else is better.

Bob the Builder posted:

I have had the ND5 for a couple of years and despite what you might read on this forum it is an excellent streamer, no it isn't an NDX or an NDS but I would argue with the same amplification it is as good as a 272. I have recently added a used Chord 2Qute and it has enhanced it further.

I used an ND5 and agree it's an excellent streamer.

I then used the a 272 with the same amplification as I used with the ND5 and the 272 was a considerable improvement.

nimrodmr2p posted:

It will not be possible to easily use a cabled connection

It will have to be ethernet over mains or not at all

Do what I do: extend your wifi network with a router near your ND5. Works perfectly for CD quality and like 98% up to 192K.

Cheaper? And possibly better? The micro Rendu + Chord Mojo.

If you have a computer running 24x7, just add external storage and run something like JRiver.