ND555 Impressions

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

musicfan51 posted:

I did inform my wife I wanted to buy a $20,000 Streamer today ! She says we can discuss it and said I am not saying no. But I would like to know how much we can get for the NDS.

if any you previous NDS owners who now own ND555 streamer can write a list of the sonic benefits of ND555 over NDS that would be very nice of you . Just something I can show her . Be enthusiastic!

I’d be very reluctant to start entering into the matrimonial affairs of other forum members.  Potentially dangerous game

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

Indeed, this is how the Star works, you plug a USB drive in, rip and play from the drive. A web connection does the metadata thing.

Bert Schurink posted:

Laxton posted:

I've just had my ND555 installed a few hours ago by my dealer. It replaces a NDS in my system. The 555DR which used to be powering the old NDS remains. The rest of the system is 555DR/500DR/803D3/SuperLumina/Fraims.

I'd like to quantify that the system with the NDS sounded extremely sublime to begin with. I went with the ND555 as it's the natural choice to complement the rest of the system.

The ND555 surprisingly weighs less than the NDS. 

The initial impressions were that the bass goes deep....really deep. Much more so than the NDS and it's much tighter too. The highs sounded more extended and in terms of complex passages, the separation is marginally better at the moment. However, I'm noticing that the presentation is quite bright at the moment and I'm really unable to listen to it extensively for long periods. Hopefully leaving it running will mellow down the treble.

I've some concerns on the ND555 though:
1. Naim seemed to be using electrical tape to secure the transport bolts as an added measure to prevent them from coming loose. This leaves behind very bad glue marks after the tape is removed. My dealer and I had a pretty rough time trying to remove the tape marks with WD40 as the unit is quite heavy. Hopefully Naim will improve this as they go along.
2. I had a semi faulty remote with an "up" button that wasn't clicking fine. Quite unfortunate for a product at this price point.
3. I've no way of turning off the display when no music is playing. i've tried toying around with the display button on the remote, and also disabled the display when playback function in the menu. Nothing seems to help and the LCD display was still showing regardless when the music is stopped. The only way i could get the LCD display to switch off was to put the unit into standby. Could i be missing something? If it's a feature lapse, perhaps Naim could look at including a display off function for the LCD screen in future software release, similar to what NDS had.

Enough ramblings for now. I'll have a further listen tonight and hopefully the brightness/sibilance would've settled down by then.

Congratulations. And two comments...

1. The bright thing will settle in, so no worries.

2. The display can be switched off by scrolling via the remote to option and select the display off, however in order to have it working you need to switch power on and off first, after that it works.

Thanks Bert.

Do you mean that the LCD display can be switched off if i select switch off the display while playing in the menu and rebooting the unit? Thanks.

analogmusic posted:

I would been keen to know what network equipment Naim used to develop the ND555

thats the one I would use for myself.

 

I would expect Naim to have developed and tested their streaming boards in collaboration with external partners and on a representative sample of network environments.

Laxton posted:

Bert Schurink posted:

Laxton posted:

I've just had my ND555 installed a few hours ago by my dealer. It replaces a NDS in my system. The 555DR which used to be powering the old NDS remains. The rest of the system is 555DR/500DR/803D3/SuperLumina/Fraims.

I'd like to quantify that the system with the NDS sounded extremely sublime to begin with. I went with the ND555 as it's the natural choice to complement the rest of the system.

The ND555 surprisingly weighs less than the NDS. 

The initial impressions were that the bass goes deep....really deep. Much more so than the NDS and it's much tighter too. The highs sounded more extended and in terms of complex passages, the separation is marginally better at the moment. However, I'm noticing that the presentation is quite bright at the moment and I'm really unable to listen to it extensively for long periods. Hopefully leaving it running will mellow down the treble.

I've some concerns on the ND555 though:
1. Naim seemed to be using electrical tape to secure the transport bolts as an added measure to prevent them from coming loose. This leaves behind very bad glue marks after the tape is removed. My dealer and I had a pretty rough time trying to remove the tape marks with WD40 as the unit is quite heavy. Hopefully Naim will improve this as they go along.
2. I had a semi faulty remote with an "up" button that wasn't clicking fine. Quite unfortunate for a product at this price point.
3. I've no way of turning off the display when no music is playing. i've tried toying around with the display button on the remote, and also disabled the display when playback function in the menu. Nothing seems to help and the LCD display was still showing regardless when the music is stopped. The only way i could get the LCD display to switch off was to put the unit into standby. Could i be missing something? If it's a feature lapse, perhaps Naim could look at including a display off function for the LCD screen in future software release, similar to what NDS had.

Enough ramblings for now. I'll have a further listen tonight and hopefully the brightness/sibilance would've settled down by then.

Congratulations. And two comments...

1. The bright thing will settle in, so no worries.

2. The display can be switched off by scrolling via the remote to option and select the display off, however in order to have it working you need to switch power on and off first, after that it works.

Thanks Bert.

Do you mean that the LCD display can be switched off if i select switch off the display while playing in the menu and rebooting the unit? Thanks.

 

Yes that’s it...

Bert Schurink posted:

Laxton posted:

Thanks Bert.

Do you mean that the LCD display can be switched off if i select switch off the display while playing in the menu and rebooting the unit? Thanks.

 

Yes that’s it...

Thanks Bert I'll give it a go.

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

It certainly seems like a neat solution, but a network connection is still required for app control, web streaming and iRadio. Also, is this necessarily better from a sound quality point of view. Having an active server and USB input running within the same box might, for example, generate electrical noise that would be decoupled from the streamer if it were sited remotely. I would want to test this carefully before sticking to this setup. 

Darke Bear posted:

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.

 

 

I'm still using one of the earlier Melco NA1's and have found that it benefits enormously from an improved mains lead (in my case I've settled on a Sarum T, which, had I not tried it, would have appeared overkill) and replacing the Fraim glass beneath it with a Sonority shelf. This retains and enhances the energy and bass quality you refer to, but also adds expression and delicacy. Definitely worth experimenting.

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

It certainly seems like a neat solution, but a network connection is still required for app control, web streaming and iRadio. Also, is this necessarily better from a sound quality point of view. Having an active server and USB input running within the same box might, for example, generate electrical noise that would be decoupled from the streamer if it were sited remotely. I would want to test this carefully before sticking to this setup. 

I absolutely agree with your observations. Still, this is a very interesting novelty. For app control, web streaming and iradio a wireless connection is tyically good enough. It is true that running a UPnP server might generate additional computational load and potentially electrical noise. On the other hand, the ethernet interfaces would mostly be idle when data are directly loaded from an USB drive into memory. This might mean in the end less noise overall. Of course, the advantages/disadvantages of streaming over the LAN and from a connected USB drive have to be assessed empirically. But it is great to have this possibility and, if confirmed on ND555 and NDX2, makes these devices even more interesting. The snag could be the UPnP server itself of course: if it is the same as in the Core, then an external NAS or computer is probably still the best option, at least for classical music.

NBPF, the server is, if course, Naim’s own, which you may not like. Unless the rips are done on a Naim ripper, though, you can still rip on DBpoweramp or whatever, and edit metadata to your liking, so you are not entirely constrained by any reduced functionality that the Naim ripper/servers have. 

I seem to remember that optimum playback on the ND555 is via UPnP as the design has ensured that part of the platform creates the tightest data timing clock. The other accesses have to adapt or resync the clock to recover from discrepancies at certain points in time ... I can’t remember anything being said about USB memory playback though... and whether it uses the same buffer optimisation. I guess a test is to play from a USB.. pull the usb memory stick out and see how long the ND555 plays for... if it’s the same time as for UPnP then most likely they share the same part of the design.

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers...

 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

This might indeed be off topic but I disagree about being pointless as stated in another response above - for precisely the reasons quoted by NBPF.

I had heard about this option and indeed tried to see if this would work with an Atom at my dealers’ last week. Like Eoink I failed (I can see the contents of the USB drive in “folder” mode only but not in “UPNP” mode, so no ability to search via metadata).

What does one need to “activate” this? 

DrPo posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers...

 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

This might indeed be off topic but I disagree about being pointless as stated in another response above - for precisely the reasons quoted by NBPF.

I had heard about this option and indeed tried to see if this would work with an Atom at my dealers’ last week. Like Eoink I failed (I can see the contents of the USB drive in “folder” mode only but not in “UPNP” mode, so no ability to search via metadata).

What does one need to “activate” this? 

You need to turn on ‘server mode’ in the settings menu, then the local USB storage should appear alongside any other UPnP servers you have in that input. 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I seem to remember that optimum playback on the ND555 is via UPnP as the design has ensured that part of the platform creates the tightest data timing clock. The other accesses have to adapt or resync the clock to recover from discrepancies at certain points in time ... I can’t remember anything being said about USB memory playback though... and whether it uses the same buffer optimisation. I guess a test is to play from a USB.. pull the usb memory stick out and see how long the ND555 plays for... if it’s the same time as for UPnP then most likely they share the same part of the design.

The ND555 white paper seems to suggest that there is only one 50MB audio buffer. Ethernet, USB and S/PDIF are all on the N800 board and use this buffer. It is directly contolled by the master clock on the DAC board. Anyway, we will soon have comparisons between the three inputs as owners start to play around with their devices!

ChrisSU posted:

DrPo posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers...

 

The devices themselves do see the contents of a USB drive via UPnP, just as they would if stored on a NAS. Eoink seems to have a problem getting this to work, but it works fine for me. 

Thus Nova, ND555 and, hopefully NDX2 are not only streamers but also UPnP servers! This implies that, for music collections of 1 to 2 TB, there is actually no need to have them pulling files from a NAS or from another computer. Most importantly for many users, there is no need to have them wired to the LAN: just attach a SSD via USB! This opens up new interesting ways of using these devices in a completely wireless environment. Thanks for the clarification, I was not aware of this feature!

This might indeed be off topic but I disagree about being pointless as stated in another response above - for precisely the reasons quoted by NBPF.

I had heard about this option and indeed tried to see if this would work with an Atom at my dealers’ last week. Like Eoink I failed (I can see the contents of the USB drive in “folder” mode only but not in “UPNP” mode, so no ability to search via metadata).

What does one need to “activate” this? 

You need to turn on ‘server mode’ in the settings menu, then the local USB storage should appear alongside any other UPnP servers you have in that input. 

Thanks! 

I get the same user experience from a USB stick with or without server mode, I see the metadata, I have track art. I only see the Nova on the other streamers when I have server mode enabled, but on the Nova itself I don't know whether it's server-clienting or just reading the USB stick, as it just calls it local music I assumed it was not UPNP. Chris clearly knows this better, so I'll defer to his knowledge, thanks Chris.

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

This strikes me as an essentially pointless discussion, besides being off-topic here.

best

David

Now, far be it from me to ruin anybody’s fun here but David makes an excellent point here. The ND 555 is Naims first reference streamer and we are all keen to read about everyone’s journey. Therefore can we keep things very much on topic.

Dusty ducks for cover!!!

As you were...nothing to see hear....see what i........!!!!!!!

Dustysox posted:

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

This strikes me as an essentially pointless discussion, besides being off-topic here.

best

David

Now, far be it from me to ruin anybody’s fun here but David makes an excellent point here. The ND 555 is Naims first reference streamer and we are all keen to read about everyone’s journey. Therefore can we keep things very much on topic.

Dusty ducks for cover!!!

As you were...nothing to see hear....see what i........!!!!!!!

It’s a discussion about the functionality of the ND555, also touching on the sound quality implications of that, on a thread called ND555 impressions. Anyone who uses a streamer needs to understand something about the increasing number of different ways it can work if they want to get the best out of it. If you really think that’s off topic, I won’t be in the slightest bit offended if you don’t read it. 

Simon from Reading Audio T called me today to tell me my 555ps has come back, there was a broken rectifier diode and a shot regulator according to the service report, presumably on the 7th analog rail which I’d never used until we plugged the ND in. Anyway it’s now freshly serviced and DRed but won’t be installed until Saturday. 

Dustysox posted:

David Hendon posted:

nbpf posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Yes, it’s UPnP, so non-Naim streamers can see and use it. 

Let me try to understand: networked streamers and players see the contents of USB drives attached to Nova/ND555 through a UPnP server but the devices themselves only see a file list? That would be weird!

The other way round: if Nova/ND555 support controlling the replay of contents of attached USB drives via the Naim app, what is the point of feeding these devices via Cores, Melcos, NASes, etc.? It would be much easier, less expensive and possibly better sound-quality wise to just replay from attached drives! 

This strikes me as an essentially pointless discussion, besides being off-topic here.

best

David

Now, far be it from me to ruin anybody’s fun here but David makes an excellent point here. The ND 555 is Naims first reference streamer ...

... which, as it turns out, also happens to be a server or at least a USB player! Anyway, the ND555 product specifications unmistakably show four inputs: ethernet, USB, S/PDIF and Bluetooth. Actual and perspective owners might be interested in knowing how these inputs compare to each other in functionalities and sound quality. On Naim DACs, the USB input gives the best results sound quality wise. If this was the case also with the ND555, one might well get rid of NASes, dedicated switches, etc. Just connect a 2TB SSD to the device and enjoy the music!

nbpf posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I seem to remember that optimum playback on the ND555 is via UPnP as the design has ensured that part of the platform creates the tightest data timing clock. The other accesses have to adapt or resync the clock to recover from discrepancies at certain points in time ... I can’t remember anything being said about USB memory playback though... and whether it uses the same buffer optimisation. I guess a test is to play from a USB.. pull the usb memory stick out and see how long the ND555 plays for... if it’s the same time as for UPnP then most likely they share the same part of the design.

The ND555 white paper seems to suggest that there is only one 50MB audio buffer. Ethernet, USB and S/PDIF are all on the N800 board and use this buffer. It is directly contolled by the master clock on the DAC board. Anyway, we will soon have comparisons between the three inputs as owners start to play around with their devices!

I seem to remember being told by Naim the SPDIF is not memory cached or buffered in a spool type way, it is simply electrically buffered and passed through and reclocked on the ND555 to the DSP and DAC stage.. as essentially SPDIF is real-time. This circumvents the precision  clocking mode that is used by the UPNP to read data from the spool buffer. I guess also it makes sense not to buffer SPDIF, in the same way as UPnP as it would render real-time playback, say via Toslink from a TV STB unworkable with latency.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

nbpf posted:

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I seem to remember that optimum playback on the ND555 is via UPnP as the design has ensured that part of the platform creates the tightest data timing clock. The other accesses have to adapt or resync the clock to recover from discrepancies at certain points in time ... I can’t remember anything being said about USB memory playback though... and whether it uses the same buffer optimisation. I guess a test is to play from a USB.. pull the usb memory stick out and see how long the ND555 plays for... if it’s the same time as for UPnP then most likely they share the same part of the design.

The ND555 white paper seems to suggest that there is only one 50MB audio buffer. Ethernet, USB and S/PDIF are all on the N800 board and use this buffer. It is directly contolled by the master clock on the DAC board. Anyway, we will soon have comparisons between the three inputs as owners start to play around with their devices!

I remember being told the SPDIF is not memory cached or buffered, it is simply electrically buffered and passed through on the ND555. 

According to the ND555 white paper this is not the case: Have a look at Figure 2 at page 3. Ethernet data appear to be treated in much the same way as S/PDIF streams. The section about the ethernet input of the ND555 says: "Naim’s RAM buffer de-jitter method keeps the average frequency of the two clocks the same. (This method is described in more detail below for the handling of S/PDIF input.)". I might be missing something, of course: listening tests will finally say which inputs sound better. Best, nbpf

I can only go by what  I seem to remember some of us were told and presented to by the Naim design team when some of us visited Salisbury. Easy test.. disconnect SPDIF, and does the audio stop straightaway...(remember the RAM dejitter buffer is something entirely different and is part of the reclocking circuitry that although hugely refined, first appeared in the NDAC)... there is an internal PowerPoint presentation that goes into far more design detail of the ND555, absolutely fascinating .. but   that  won’t be published... we also had to agree non disclosure on this and other things until the product was launched... and even now I am not entirely confident I should be discussing it and so I won’t mention it further.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I can only go by what  I seem to remember some of us were told and presented to by the Naim design team when some of us visited Salisbury. Easy test.. disconnect SPDIF, and does the audio stop straightaway...(remember the RAM dejitter buffer is something entirely different and is part of the reclocking circuitry that although hugely refined, first appeared in the NDAC)... there is an internal PowerPoint presentation that goes into far more design detail of the ND555, absolutely fascinating .. but   that  won’t be published... we also had to agree non disclosure on this and other things until the product was launched... and even now I am not entirely confident I should be discussing it and so I won’t mention it further.

Thanks Simon, I'll have to leave to others to run the crucial test ... for the time being I do not plan to demo or buy a Naim streamer. Still, the ND555 and the NDX2 are interesting devices, albeit, I understand, transitional: at a certain point Naim will run out of PCM1704s and then they will have to come out with something essentially new. Best, nbpf