ndx without bluetooth

If the ND5 is new it will have aptx Bluetooth, but like the NDX, earlier models didn't have Bluetooth, so it will depend on the age of the unit. FM/DAB is an optional extra.

To my ears, the NDX is a considerable step up from the ND5, although if you intend to use it with your NDAC, the difference between the two streamers will be reduced.

Bluetooth is a convenience feature for playing from iPhones etc, which is of no interest to me, but I would want the 24/192 version as it brings a number of benefits.

My NDX is without Bluetooth and around the same age. Works fine from IPhone 5 and I also use a Azus Notepad for Android version. Mine doesn't have the FM/DAB module but Internet radio sounds excellent and allows to me listen to rugby from far flung places when not on TV. I also use the DAC to take an optical feed from my TV to put the sound out through the speakers. Wonderfully versatile piece of kit as well as sounding great. 

If you ring Naim customer support with the serial number, they will be able to tell you whether it has the 24/192 board. If you can see the unit switched on and the remote is available, you can also tell from the firmware details you can read from the front panel display if you navigate from the spanner/wrench key. Basically the 24/192 board will show firmware as 3D whereas the units without that board show as 2D.

best

David

Thank you very much!!!

One more question :   how important is the lack of bluetooth aptx?

My experience of Bluetooth is that you have to keep the devices very close to maintain the connection, and sound quality isn't that great compared, say, to UPnP streaming, so for me, it's not something I'd be bothered about on an NDX. Maybe better suited to a Muso, or the car.

So, is it actually unwise to stream with a smart phone?

Excuse me for my ignorance.

What  are the options for streaming w/out bluetooth.  What connectivity is possible or recommended?

It's perfectly possible, but you'll get better sound quality and a more stable connection over a proper network connection, preferably using wired Ethernet, then the phone is just a controller, and does this over WiFi.

My experience with Bluetooth is the same as Chris describes above - you need a very clear line of signal (it doesn't seem to like kit when it's in a  rack or cabinet) and you must be fairly close by for it to work without drop-outs.  

It's fine on something like a Mu-So but even on a Unitiqute you can hear a significant performance drop against other streaming or hard-wired options. It's not terrible, not by any means, but it's definitely something that puts convenience ahead of performance.  

On an NDX it would be my last choice of connection performance-wise, I hardly ever use it on the Unitiqute, but on my Mu-so it's used a lot, especially by the young when they want to play tunes off their phones.  

Even in the car I choose a hard wired interconnect for any DAPs rather than bluetooth, which is used only for taking calls on the phone.

To add to what others have said, with an NDX or ND5 XS, your main options are to stream music from a local server or NAS. Most of us have our CDs ripped to a NAS, to a PC or to a Naim server. The NDX can be wired to the network with Ethernet or Wifi and Ethernet is preferred.  Or to stream from a cloud-based service like Spotify or Tidal, again over Ethernet or wifi.

Bluetooth allows you to play music from your smartphone, or originated with a smartphone app, over your NDX. But the quality is going to be less good than the other means of streaming.

best

David

Thank you very much Richard and Chris

Thanks Dave!!!

Richard, what is your opinion on using auioengine b1 as a spdif converter on the NDX?  Do you have the same oppinion as with any other bluetooth on the NDX?

Richard Dane posted:

My experience with Bluetooth is the same as Chris describes above - you need a very clear line of signal (it doesn't seem to like kit when it's in a  rack or cabinet) and you must be fairly close by for it to work without drop-outs.  

It's fine on something like a Mu-So but even on a Unitiqute you can hear a significant performance drop against other streaming or hard-wired options. It's not terrible, not by any means, but it's definitely something that puts convenience ahead of performance.  

On an NDX it would be my last choice of connection performance-wise, I hardly ever use it on the Unitiqute, but on my Mu-so it's used a lot, especially by the young when they want to play tunes off their phones.  

Even in the car I choose a hard wired interconnect for any DAPs rather than bluetooth, which is used only for taking calls on the phone.

Richard, what is your opinion on using auioengine b1 as a spdif converter on the NDX?  Do you have the same oppinion as with any other bluetooth on the NDX?

Oferr,

I have never used an Audioengine B1, so couldn't give an opinion, sorry.  Does it provide a superior form of Bluetooth to aptX Bluetooth used by Naim?

Thank you Richard, Audioengine B1 is a very capable USB SPDIF converter, excellent specs and also aptx capability. Very happy w/mine (used on my ndac + sn2).   Next uprade will most probably be NDX (into ndac), and next one will most propably be XPS.   (I'm not there yet... lets see if I manage to get the preowned NDX no FM no BT firs...)

You Sir, have been an excellent source for information, I really appreciate your kind help!!!

Best regards

oferr posted:

Thank you Richard, Audioengine B1 is a very capable USB SPDIF converter, excellent specs and also aptx capability. Very happy w/mine (used on my ndac + sn2).   Next uprade will most probably be NDX (into ndac), and next one will most propably be XPS.   (I'm not there yet... lets see if I manage to get the preowned NDX no FM no BT firs...)

What music sources do you intend to use into the NDX? If you have music files stored locally on a NAS or computer, or want to use Tidal, Spotify or iRadio, the NDX simply needs a network connection. An Ethernet cable to your router will do the job at virtually no cost.

I believe it will be Tidal

In that case, you don't need Bluetooth, but you do need a streamer with 24/192 boards fitted, so you should check for this if considering a used streamer. 

oferr posted:

One more question :   how important is the lack of bluetooth aptx?

This is the key question and one that only you can answer.  My NDX doesn't have Bluetooth and even if it did, I wouldn't use it.  It is connected via ethernet to a UnitiServe + NAS and I also use it to stream via Tidal or for internet radio.  None of these require Bluetooth.  As others have already alluded to this is more of a convenience connection than anything else and, if used as your primary source, you would not realise the full potential of the NDX.

Thank you all!!!

Bluetooth is by far the easiest way to play BBC catch-up progs from the iPlayer on the iPad through the ND5XS. It may not be absolute top quality but ISIHAC or Danny Baker's 5L show from Saturday morning or Fighting Talk doesn't need absolute quality. I wouldn't have bought my nd5 without Bluetooth.

Thread hijack but does anyone know why the list of catchup progs listed in the Naim app or on the unit's screen under the respective BBC stations is so small compared to what's actually available directly through the iPlayer? The Naim interface seems to be almost like a sample offering compared to to iPlayer.

ChrisR_EPL posted:

Thread hijack but does anyone know why the list of catchup progs listed in the Naim app or on the unit's screen under the respective BBC stations is so small compared to what's actually available directly through the iPlayer? The Naim interface seems to be almost like a sample offering compared to to iPlayer.

I can't offer an explanation, but this has been the case for as long as I can remember. Maybe worth bringing examples of this to the attention of Naim support if you'd like something done about it.