Wifi or wired connection withND5XS

Wired - I don't like Ethernet over mains if shares the same mains ring as your Naim kit, but if needs must then I think you'll find it better than wireless. 

I'm never sure why it is necessary to have a internet connection unless you want iRadio. If you just have switch an plug a Vortexbox or UnitiServe with all your music on it and ND5 in to it then surely they'll play. You only need the internet connection while you are ripping to get art and tags and that could be wireless. 

I demoed a Uniti not long ago.  The dealer said that an ethernet wired connection would provide better sound quality than Wifi.  I only used Wifi while I demoed (never Ethernet wired) and though I liked the Uniti very much, I lost the Wifi connection every time I used my microwave oven.

I also had a house configuration that would make running a wire from my home PC to the Uniti pretty impractical. 

Hi IanG: I have the BT home hub in a different room, with a NAS drive attached.  I stream music through the house's power line, using Devolo dLAN 500AVplus.  I can stream 24/96 music files downloaded from the internet and HD BBC Radio 3, in this way, all successfully.  In fact I am surprised at how well it works, at least to my ears!  I'm using ND5XS, nDAC, Supernait.  I hope this helps and I'm sure you'll enjoy your new ND5XS.  I haven't tried using the wi-fi method, as I use Sonos in this way and with varying results.

WiFi works perfectly for me on my remote units (bedroom and kitchen) but only up to 48/24 material, higher rez leads to drop outs.

I should add that we do not have a microwave.

I use a NDX via wi-fi and a BT home hub.  My domestic arrangement means that I use a wired connection.  I'm perfectly happy with this except that the home hub (an early version) cannot handle high-res files.

The best help I can give you is to ask Phil Harris at Naim for some advice.  I had the pleasure of meeting him at a summer sounds roadshow and he was extremely helpful.  People like Phil can make the difference between a mediocre system and one that sings.  Don't forget to talk to your dealer.  He has at least a moral responsibility to make sure you are happy with the product.  I personally think that the NDX is a wonderful product and understand that the ND5XS is very close.

Don't forget to give the router some consideration.  If you have a 2-3 laptops working each evening and want to listen to high-res files then perhaps an "n" spec router will be needed.  I use a 1TB Seagate Go-Flex NAS which cost £89 from Maplin (think that the price has now increased) and this works very well.  I've had a couple of drop-outs but believe that this is due to the router being overloaded.

Regards

TMWNN

Simon from Suffolk (who has been very helpful to me, and clearly knows of what he speaks) is very negative about Internet over mains. I went through the same process as you a few weeks ago, with my NAS and broadband on a different floor to the SU, so, despite Simon, Internet over mains is what I'm using.

And (though I can't make a SQ comparison) it sounds very good to me. Short of buying about 75 feet of Ethernet cable, I don't see any way round this. However, it works fine up to 24/96, but I bought the Naim 24/192 album, and I can't get this to play successfully - it runs out of buffer pretty quickly. Not sure there's anything I can do about this one.

But, this reservation aside, I think you can safely try Internet over mains.

Paul

Let's assume you have a wireless network and it is up and running. Let also assume you have an Airport Express (AE) and a small Switch. (I have tried this with a UQ, Vortexbox, AE and Juniper switch) 

On the Mac, open the wireless app to connect to the AE wireless network. Name it and set a password. Click Wireless. Choose Join a wireless network from Wireless Mode. Enable Wireless Security to same settings as the wireless network and enter wireless password. Click Update and wait for the AE to restart. 

Connect switch to AE Ethernet port with Ethernet cable. Put Switch on or behind hi-fi rack. Connect Vortexbox and UQ Switch with Ethernet cables. The Naim streamer will now see all the music on the Vortexbox and nStream on an iPad can control it. 

Select Trout Mask Replica and enjoy some Captain Beefheart. 

Your Vortexbox and Naim streamer are on the same wired network. Your hi-fi wired network connects wireless to router for Internet access. You are not using Ethernet over mains.

I'm not saying my way is a better way than any of the other suggestions, but I have had this working with excellent results and it is how I plan to connect the NDS. I do not believe you'll hear any sonic difference replacing the Vortexbox with another NAS, using different brands of Ethernet or another make of switch. However, I've not tried lots of combinations. So the choice is not limited to my preferred components. A UnitiServe could replace the Vortexbox for example. 

The NAS and Naim streamer need to be on the same network (this usually means connected to the same switch). You do not need a router to connect them; a router connects two networks like your home network and the Internet. Confusion arises because some routers are also switches and so even though you plug in to the BT home hub (if you you use one) you are plugging in to its switch ports (might be cheap hub ports). The router is inside the home hub and sits between the switch ports and the external port that connects through DSL to your super slow broadband. 

Hi Paul is right Ethernet over mains produces a tsunami of RF pollution.

802.11n wireless can be very effective now, and flat Ethernet cable that you lay under carpet allows domestic wired networks with no upset. Wired Ethernet is significantly the best option.

Simon