sound quality between usb flash drive compared to files from NAS drive

Posted by: dan-r on 15 March 2013

Has anyone here done any listening tests comparing playing music file ( wav or aiff ) from usb flash drive connected to front usb on Naim ND5 XS vs playing music ( same wav or aiff files ) from NAS drives?

 

For what ever reason , seems usb flash drive sounds better...

 

In my system I am using Netgear Ultra 2 plus network drive and all music ripped using dbpoweramp.

 

Dan

Posted on: 16 March 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Dan, I can only comment on NDX, and no clear difference between the two. If you are getting noticeable differences, try putting a ferrite choke around the Ethernet patch lead, and dependinroute able routing you might benefit from a shielded Ethernet patch lead, you might find the patch lead is causing RFI. Conversely try swapping USB memory brands as different models will create differing amounts of RFI/electrical noise... But we are talking subtle here.

Simon

Posted on: 22 October 2013 by fred40

Strangely I find ttracks played with a usb stick much beter In sq.

Posted on: 22 October 2013 by digger628

A review of the NDS I read recently said that they found the best SQ was from the USB input and further, that disabling the other inputs improved the performance of the USB input dramatically.  I suppose that if that is the case the same would be true for the rest of the range.  Haven't had the chance to try this yet though as the system is temporarily packed up as renovations are underway.

Posted on: 23 October 2013 by Harry

Tried them all and couldn't hear a difference. If you are of an ear where these things can be detected it is logical that a stick has the potential to perform best. But which stick?

Posted on: 23 October 2013 by fred40

Naims own usb sticks. Saw a view lying around but only for promotion I assume