Naim Audio ND5 XS2 Network Streamer

Best music streamer over £1500 - What HiFi 2019 / 2020

Key Features:

• The UPnP-enabled to allow streaming of audio files up to 32bit/384kHz resolution from Naim Audio hard disk servers, network-attached storage (NAS) devices or any home computer.
• Supports a diverse range of music formats including WAV, FLAC, DSD (single rate), Apple Lossless, AIFF, AAC, Windows Media-formatted files, M4A and MP3. Gapless playback on all lossless file formats on the most compressed music.
• Four 24bit/192kHz capable digital inputs (S/PDIF) to support optimum connection to external sources
• Built-in Chromecast allows you to stream from hundreds of supported smartphone or tablet apps
• Apple Airplay - allowing you to stream music from any of your iOS device or from iTunes and even Apple Music.
• Spotify Connect built-in, allowing you to stream millions of songs from the worlds' most popular streaming service.
• Comes with native support for TIDAL streaming service with a free 90 day trial of lossless HiFi tier
• Front-panel USB port allowing replay of MP3 player and USB-stored audio
• vTuner 5* full-service internet radio
• Multiroom & Party Mode compatible
• iOS and Android Naim Audio app for intuitive control
• Bluetooth connectivity with aptX codec for quality audio playback
• RC5 system integration, you can control compatible amplifiers that are connected to your network player directly from the Naim app on a phone or tablet.
• Roon ready - turning your music collection into a beautifully laid out catalogue

Naim Audio ND5 XS 2 Network Streamer

The ND5 XS 2 uses Naim's new innovative streaming platform. Some of the key features on the ND5 XS 2 is streaming, AirPlay, built-in Chromecast, Bluetooth (apt x HD), Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Roon compatibility, Internet Radio and multi-room streaming - alongside digital and USB inputs for conventional connections; this makes the ND5 XS 2 one the most versatile streamers to match Naim's integrated amplifiers.

The Technology & Craft

The streaming section of the ND5 XS 2 uses Naim's latest network card which features low-noise, high-speed low voltage differential signalling to route the digital audio signal. The benefits of having such high-speed signalling are that it makes it capable of decoding all HD audio formats up to 32 bits/384kHz or DSD128. The Data is integer-over-sampled in a SHARC DSP to an outstanding 40-bit accuracy before it's fed to the PCM1791A Burr-Brown digital-to-analogue converter. The development of the new streaming platform was one of Naim's biggest projects, three years it took to create a system that could make the most of online services such as TIDAL, Spotify whilst adding future-proof flexibility through Chromecast built-in.

Who is Naim?

Naim Audio has a special place in British audio, thanks to its founder and inspirational leader Julian Vereker, a hugely talented mechanical and electronic engineer with a passion for, amongst many things, music. Founded in 1973, Naim has always had a firm philosophy of music first, measurements second - each Naim product is extensively auditioned as part of the product development process to make sure that it delivers clear, emotional music-making ability.

Naim products are designed to bring the closest facsimile of a live music event into your home listening environment, to give you maximum pleasure from your music collection. Many of the Naim products are evolution's of previous designs, incorporating sometimes quite small changes to the mechanical or electronic design - however, these incremental changes make a large overall improvement in the music performance of each product.