ND555 Impressions

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

It does what it says on the tin. Naim's server runs on the new streamers, and serves music files from USB attached storage by UPnP. 

dave marshall posted:

ken c posted:

dave marshall posted:

Well, I finally weakened this morning, and placed a call to my friendly Naim dealer ............. just to see, you understand .................

................ it can't possibly be that much better than my obsolete and very obviously "broken" NDS, can it?

Oh dear  ................................ to be concluded.

well done dave -- looking fwd to your impressions when you get it into your system...

enjoy

/ken

Early days yet, Ken, the plan is to tip-toe around the subject until we reach a mutually happy outcome, regarding my NDS, and possibly my HDX being swapped out for a Core, at the same time.

In the past, my dealer has managed to make it fairly painless to arrive at a decision, usually coming up with a "make him an offer he can't refuse" scenario ............. he's on holiday at the mo' so, fingers crossed over the next couple of weeks.

From what I've read here so far, the ND555 easily surpasses my "broken" NDS, and I'm sure I'm going to lurve it, once I have it here on demo ................ it's just that I want to sort out the ins and outs of the deal before dragging the guys all the way across from Chester to North Yorks. 

Sometimes, the fun just never stops. 

So now would be a good time to pop into the shop and borrow his dem one that I saw languishing there earlier today ?

(...and the answer to the question "Why didn't you take it home then?"  is the same reason you're hanging back... the certainty that returning it would be nigh on impossible    )

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

I guess you look at what Nova does and that is the functionality of the new platform...

best

David

I do not know anything about the Nova, just stumbled upon the white paper about the ND555. Does the Nova run a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Is this server the same as the one of the Naim Core or is it is a third party server? Thanks, nbpf

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

It does what it says on the tin. Naim's server runs on the new streamers, and serves music files from USB attached storage by UPnP. 

In this case the new streamers are also UPnP servers and one does not need any Core or NAS to feed them. Why are then people here discussing the impacts of ethernet cables, switches, servers, direct vs. indirect connections, etc.on the ND555?

nbpf posted:

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

I guess you look at what Nova does and that is the functionality of the new platform...

best

David

I do not know anything about the Nova, just stumbled upon the white paper about the ND555. Does the Nova run a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Is this server the same as the one of the Naim Core or is it is a third party server? Thanks, nbpf

 I suspect that is yes, no and no. But I suspect there is some commonality of code between the Core server and the server functionality in the new streamers as there is certainly between Core and Star.

best

David

ken c posted:

anymore ND555 'impressions'? please... 

enjoy

ken

ND555 deliveries had been compromised by the non-availability of the burndies, I had heard,  so that would have reduced the number of folk able to report their impressions of the streamer in their own systems.   It seems, thank goodness, that deliveries have restarted,  there being one sitting happily in my dealer's this afternoon.  "It's for another customer"... I was let down gently and given a cup of coffee and a biscuit to cheer me up   

rjstaines posted:

dave marshall posted:

ken c posted:

dave marshall posted:

Well, I finally weakened this morning, and placed a call to my friendly Naim dealer ............. just to see, you understand .................

................ it can't possibly be that much better than my obsolete and very obviously "broken" NDS, can it?

Oh dear  ................................ to be concluded.

well done dave -- looking fwd to your impressions when you get it into your system...

enjoy

/ken

Early days yet, Ken, the plan is to tip-toe around the subject until we reach a mutually happy outcome, regarding my NDS, and possibly my HDX being swapped out for a Core, at the same time.

In the past, my dealer has managed to make it fairly painless to arrive at a decision, usually coming up with a "make him an offer he can't refuse" scenario ............. he's on holiday at the mo' so, fingers crossed over the next couple of weeks.

From what I've read here so far, the ND555 easily surpasses my "broken" NDS, and I'm sure I'm going to lurve it, once I have it here on demo ................ it's just that I want to sort out the ins and outs of the deal before dragging the guys all the way across from Chester to North Yorks. 

Sometimes, the fun just never stops. 

So now would be a good time to pop into the shop and borrow his dem one that I saw languishing there earlier today ?

 

(...and the answer to the question "Why didn't you take it home then?"  is the same reason you're hanging back... the certainty that returning it would be nigh on impossible    )

Very true, Roger ..................... though I'm also thinking about binning my HDX in favour of a Core, so there's some sums to be worked out yet ................ hopefully Geoff will prove to be as constructive in his thinking as he has been in the past, and I'll be able to join the ND555 happy campers club.

(He obviously was able to come up with something suitable in your case, as there seemed to be little hesitation on your part in swapping out your NDS).

dave marshall posted:

rjstaines posted:

dave marshall posted:

ken c posted:

dave marshall posted:

Well, I finally weakened this morning, and placed a call to my friendly Naim dealer ............. just to see, you understand .................

................ it can't possibly be that much better than my obsolete and very obviously "broken" NDS, can it?

Oh dear  ................................ to be concluded.

well done dave -- looking fwd to your impressions when you get it into your system...

enjoy

/ken

Early days yet, Ken, the plan is to tip-toe around the subject until we reach a mutually happy outcome, regarding my NDS, and possibly my HDX being swapped out for a Core, at the same time.

In the past, my dealer has managed to make it fairly painless to arrive at a decision, usually coming up with a "make him an offer he can't refuse" scenario ............. he's on holiday at the mo' so, fingers crossed over the next couple of weeks.

From what I've read here so far, the ND555 easily surpasses my "broken" NDS, and I'm sure I'm going to lurve it, once I have it here on demo ................ it's just that I want to sort out the ins and outs of the deal before dragging the guys all the way across from Chester to North Yorks. 

Sometimes, the fun just never stops. 

So now would be a good time to pop into the shop and borrow his dem one that I saw languishing there earlier today ?

 

(...and the answer to the question "Why didn't you take it home then?"  is the same reason you're hanging back... the certainty that returning it would be nigh on impossible    )

Very true, Roger ..................... though I'm also thinking about binning my HDX in favour of a Core, so there's some sums to be worked out yet ................ hopefully Geoff will prove to be as constructive in his thinking as he has been in the past, and I'll be able to join the ND555 happy campers club.

(He obviously was able to come up with something suitable in your case, as there seemed to be little hesitation on your part in swapping out your NDS).

I streamed my NDS from HDX and went to UnitiCore and  & ...core sounds better . 

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

I guess you look at what Nova does and that is the functionality of the new platform...

best

David

I do not know anything about the Nova, just stumbled upon the white paper about the ND555. Does the Nova run a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Is this server the same as the one of the Naim Core or is it is a third party server? Thanks, nbpf

 I suspect that is yes, no and no.

best

David

Thanks David!It appears that we have a mystery. Time will tell. Or perhaps not. Funny how easy it is to sell something without saying what that something actually is! Best, nbpf    

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

It does what it says on the tin. Naim's server runs on the new streamers, and serves music files from USB attached storage by UPnP. 

In this case the new streamers are also UPnP servers and one does not need any Core or NAS to feed them. Why are then people here discussing the impacts of ethernet cables, switches, servers, direct vs. indirect connections, etc.on the ND555?

As far as I can see, the Nova can’t act as a client to its own UPNP server. If you put a USB stick in the slot, then you play directly from the stick.

Eoink posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

It does what it says on the tin. Naim's server runs on the new streamers, and serves music files from USB attached storage by UPnP. 

In this case the new streamers are also UPnP servers and one does not need any Core or NAS to feed them. Why are then people here discussing the impacts of ethernet cables, switches, servers, direct vs. indirect connections, etc.on the ND555?

As far as I can see, the Nova can’t act as a client to its own UPNP server. If you put a USB stick in the slot, then you play directly from the stick.

Can other UPnP renderes see the Nova's UPnP server? It would be a bit strange if the Nova could act as a UPnP server for other UPnP renderers but not for itself, wouldn't it?

dave marshall posted:

rjstaines posted:

dave marshall posted:

 

(...and the answer to the question "Why didn't you take it home then?"  is the same reason you're hanging back... the certainty that returning it would be nigh on impossible    )

Very true, Roger ..................... though I'm also thinking about binning my HDX in favour of a Core, so there's some sums to be worked out yet ................ hopefully Geoff will prove to be as constructive in his thinking as he has been in the past, and I'll be able to join the ND555 happy campers club.

(He obviously was able to come up with something suitable in your case, as there seemed to be little hesitation on your part in swapping out your NDS).

For me, the 'something he came up with', Dave, was that weekend of NDS vs ND555 demos with Jason.  It was my 552 he'd borrowed so I got to hear two demo sessions, the last on the Sunday when I went to retrieve my preamp... so an extended listen.  I't doesn't take long listening to this new streamer to realise you need one...  possible even more than you need your marriage to continue peacefully. 

BTW, I borrowed the Core for a week... and sent it back.  The software running on it was, in my humble opinion,  crap.   I'm guessing in a couple of years they (Naim) will have gotten the functionality somewhere close to that on the HDX in terms of its ability to categorise your music collection ( see my comments a while back on the Core where everyone was saying how wonderful it is, and I totally disagreed).  But for me, now, by putting ALL your music, no matter the source or format, together, it removes the ability to see / play, for example, all my Hi-res or just my CDs or my MP3's etc etc.  But if you do chase one down, I suggest you have a play with it before committing, especially if you have a mix of formats and want to be able to see them separately, not just all in one large group 'all my music' together.

Eoink posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

The ND555 product specifications in https://www.naimaudio.com/site...0Paper%20Final_0.pdf report, among others:

...

UPnP Server | Yes local USB content

...

How is this to be interpreted? Does it mean that the ND555 runs a UPnP server on the contents of USB drives? Which server? This would be an interesting novelty because, to the best of my knowledge, Naim streamers can so far replay files from a local USB drive but they do not make these files available to control applications and to networked renderers via a UPnP server.

It does what it says on the tin. Naim's server runs on the new streamers, and serves music files from USB attached storage by UPnP. 

In this case the new streamers are also UPnP servers and one does not need any Core or NAS to feed them. Why are then people here discussing the impacts of ethernet cables, switches, servers, direct vs. indirect connections, etc.on the ND555?

As far as I can see, the Nova can’t act as a client to its own UPNP server. If you put a USB stick in the slot, then you play directly from the stick.

It can if you enable server mode in the settings menu. 

rjstaines posted:

dave marshall posted:

rjstaines posted:

dave marshall posted:

 

(...and the answer to the question "Why didn't you take it home then?"  is the same reason you're hanging back... the certainty that returning it would be nigh on impossible    )

Very true, Roger ..................... though I'm also thinking about binning my HDX in favour of a Core, so there's some sums to be worked out yet ................ hopefully Geoff will prove to be as constructive in his thinking as he has been in the past, and I'll be able to join the ND555 happy campers club.

(He obviously was able to come up with something suitable in your case, as there seemed to be little hesitation on your part in swapping out your NDS).

For me, the 'something he came up with', Dave, was that weekend of NDS vs ND555 demos with Jason.  It was my 552 he'd borrowed so I got to hear two demo sessions, the last on the Sunday when I went to retrieve my preamp... so an extended listen.  I't doesn't take long listening to this new streamer to realise you need one...  possible even more than you need your marriage to continue peacefully. 

BTW, I borrowed the Core for a week... and sent it back.  The software running on it was, in my humble opinion,  crap.   I'm guessing in a couple of years they (Naim) will have gotten the functionality somewhere close to that on the HDX in terms of its ability to categorise your music collection ( see my comments a while back on the Core where everyone was saying how wonderful it is, and I totally disagreed).  But for me, now, by putting ALL your music, no matter the source or format, together, it removes the ability to see / play, for example, all my Hi-res or just my CDs or my MP3's etc etc.  But if you do chase one down, I suggest you have a play with it before committing, especially if you have a mix of formats and want to be able to see them separately, not just all in one large group 'all my music' together.

They did some firmware updates to the core that has helped . 

ChrisSU posted:

Eoink posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

 

 

In this case the new streamers are also UPnP servers and one does not need any Core or NAS to feed them. Why are then people here discussing the impacts of ethernet cables, switches, servers, direct vs. indirect connections, etc.on the ND555?

As far as I can see, the Nova can’t act as a client to its own UPNP server. If you put a USB stick in the slot, then you play directly from the stick.

It can if you enable server mode in the settings menu. 

That enables the UPNP server, my NDX and Qbs then see the Upstairs Lounge server (I.e. the Nova). The Nova itself shows the NASes and Local Music, just as it does with UPNP server off. That made me think it was just reading the storage directly, not presenting it as UPNP and streaming from that. But I can’t find anything in the documentation that makes it clear, so am probably wrong.

I can see and play all the music on my Core,and attached USB external drive on my N272,and my laptop.Whetherbor not I am streaming,rendering,serving,who knows.

David H

If you are reading this thread,remember a while back,I could not find the downloads folder on my laptop (for the Core),well today it is there for some reason.The only thing I can think of that  changed is...we had a power outage last week,so everything was off for an hour.This might of reset everything,and suddenly all is well.I was able to transfer files to the downloads folder today on the laptop,and they are appearing in the App.Before,I had to remove the External drive to transfer,if you remember.The fun never stops.

Dark Bear, please, come back!

I'm here - just been demoing the top Melco (SSD) vs the next one down (Normal Drives).

Got Minim Server going and did Twonky vs Minim too.

In short - differences and preferences rather than the 'all better or worse' that many may want as definitive answers. This is all personal subjective anyway.

In my system it is going down to what dives the most open dynamic rendering with best bass quality - that appears to be middle Melco and Twonky Server for me.

The SSD Melso does do some things a lot better and if I get it to equal the next one down in Bass quality then I'd like a lot of what it does - more refined in HF and aspects of mid-band. But for raw unrestrained energy and bass resolution I'm presently preferring the middle Melco model - and since it is a lot less expensive that also helps, as I want the top one to do all the middle one does and then add its extra qualities. To be fair in many systems you may not really hear it the same.

Same with the Minim Server - I like how it handles mid-band but it sounds a bit flat compared to Twonky and the latter has obviously better deep bass that is hard to give-up.

So I'm continuing along my path and slowing getting to a focus that works for me - I think.

The Melco solution does work very well - once you use a rubbish cheap Ethernet with it!

DB.

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong (network, broadband, switches, router, software glitches, scrambled metadata, etc.), too many variables (quality of previous list, hard wire or wi-if, server, NAS, etc.) and too many things to worry about (interference, wife cannot watch the TV when the hi fi is on, cannot boil a kettle for a cuppa, the street lights have come on, it’s a full Moon, etc.) - and that’s all on top of all the other stuff we all like to fret about. Give me CD, Vinyl and Radio any day. Decide what you fancy listening to, pop it on, sit back and enjoy. Simples. If it involves even ten minutes of messing around with networks, re-booting, etc then it is ten minutes too long. Not against streaming - I have a basic set up and enjoy listening to Radio Paradise (FLAC via Squeezebox - very good too), BBC3 in HD (also excellent - but no better than my tuner) and investigating artist’s catalogues with Deezer - but then I buy the CD or Vinyl. Instant enjoyment guaranteed every time.

Alan Willby posted:

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong (network, broadband, switches, router, software glitches, scrambled metadata, etc.), too many variables (quality of previous list, hard wire or wi-if, server, NAS, etc.) and too many things to worry about (interference, wife cannot watch the TV when the hi fi is on, cannot boil a kettle for a cuppa, the street lights have come on, it’s a full Moon, etc.) - and that’s all on top of all the other stuff we all like to fret about. Give me CD, Vinyl and Radio any day. Decide what you fancy listening to, pop it on, sit back and enjoy. Simples. If it involves even ten minutes of messing around with networks, re-booting, etc then it is ten minutes too long. Not against streaming - I have a basic set up and enjoy listening to Radio Paradise (FLAC via Squeezebox - very good too), BBC3 in HD (also excellent - but no better than my tuner) and investigating artist’s catalogues with Deezer - but then I buy the CD or Vinyl. Instant enjoyment guaranteed every time.

By the way - I really enjoy the thread as there are some great insights.

rjstaines posted:

ken c posted:

anymore ND555 'impressions'? please... 

enjoy

ken

ND555 deliveries had been compromised by the non-availability of the burndies, I had heard,  so that would have reduced the number of folk able to report their impressions of the streamer in their own systems.   It seems, thank goodness, that deliveries have restarted,  there being one sitting happily in my dealer's this afternoon.  "It's for another customer"... I was let down gently and given a cup of coffee and a biscuit to cheer me up   

aah… makes sense rjstaines...

enjoy

ken

Alan Willby posted:

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong (network, broadband, switches, router, software glitches, scrambled metadata, etc.), too many variables (quality of previous list, hard wire or wi-if, server, NAS, etc.) and too many things to worry about (interference, wife cannot watch the TV when the hi fi is on, cannot boil a kettle for a cuppa, the street lights have come on, it’s a full Moon, etc.) - and that’s all on top of all the other stuff we all like to fret about. Give me CD, Vinyl and Radio any day. Decide what you fancy listening to, pop it on, sit back and enjoy. Simples. If it involves even ten minutes of messing around with networks, re-booting, etc then it is ten minutes too long. Not against streaming - I have a basic set up and enjoy listening to Radio Paradise (FLAC via Squeezebox - very good too), BBC3 in HD (also excellent - but no better than my tuner) and investigating artist’s catalogues with Deezer - but then I buy the CD or Vinyl. Instant enjoyment guaranteed every time.

I love my NDS/555DR UnitiCore combo and I use a Chord Indigo Aray ethernet cable . Sounds excellent into Kef Blade twos .  Not sure you should reject streaming based a few posts . 

Alan Willby posted:

The direction this thread has taken convinces me more than ever that I will never have a streamer as my primary source - just too many things to go wrong...

This is the point I begin with and began with. There is a reason until now I have not had a streaming system - but now I'm going there and the only reason - for me - is increase in quality of music replay.

There were many other great reasons for most of my friends to go streaming years ago, but I stayed with the CD555 and CDs, as all my experiments with high bit-rate were at best mixed and mostly disappointing, so there was no draw to get a new format. What was done in Mastering and before that was orders of magnitude more critical than the final format applied for release of the file.
Mastering has generally nose-dived in recent years and new high bit-rate releases use this poor process so you get to hear in even more detain how bad it was - older CD format disks were 99% of time better if not more.

So why now?

Well the product is now matured enough that I'm hearing I can get better from my disks - but I need to get the solution all nailed-down for me. IMO the Dealer will eventually be doing this and Manufacturers don't want to talk about possible problems as it does not help sales.

Things can get solved, once there is awareness that there are things that can be solved. The solution in the end I think will turn-out not to require another big expensive box but a cheap commercial extra router suitable programmed to give a bit more isolation for the HiFi net. People seem happy to have a quiet mains for the HiFi but a quiet network... not a lot of thought so far.

Turning other digital gizmos off while playing music also does about the same job, so that is easy.

DB.

Does the Naim ND555 come with two Brundys ? 

Yes - it has to or it won't work!