Naim ND5 XS2 Streamer

Highly respected British Hi-Fi manufacturer, Naim Audio, were normally rather reserved when new technology came to market, but they “bucked” that trend when it came to computer audio and music streaming by investing early, and the fruits are of that really show here in the excellent ND5 XS2 Network Music Streamer.
This unit is a Grade A refurbished model so with no visible marks on the casework. It has been fully checked and tested by Naim and comes in original sealed packaging, along with standard accessories and a one year manufacturer’s warranty.
Naim Say….
The ND5 XS2 is a versatile player with innovative streaming technology, including high-res UPnP™ streaming, AirPlay, Chromecast, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Roon compatibility, internet radio, and multiroom streaming. It also has digital and USB inputs. The player benefits from classic Naim engineering, with carefully selected parts, an oversized toroidal transformer, and decoupled PCB boards for natural and engaging sound quality.
This device streams high-quality audio files from different sources and supports various music formats. It has two digital inputs and two optical inputs that support optimal connection to external sources. It features a front-panel USB port, Bluetooth connectivity, and RC5 system integration. It’s Roon ready, multiroom and Party Mode compatible, and has an iOS and Android Focal & Naim App.
The ND5 XS2 streaming section uses the latest Naim network card with LVDS, decoding all HD audio formats at up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128. The new streaming board allows the DAC clock to control the audio data flow, and the data is oversampled in a SHARC DSP with 40-bit accuracy before being fed to the PCM1791A Burr-Brown digital-to-analogue converter.
Specifications:
Product Type: Streamer
Audio Format:
WAV – up to 32-bits/384 kHz
FLAC and AIFF – up to 24-bit/384 kHz
ALAC (Apple Lossless) – up to 24-bit/384 kHz
MP3 – up to 48 kHz/320 kbit (16-bit)
AAC – up to 48 kHz/320 kbit (16-bit)
OGG and WMA – up to 48 kHz (16-bit)
DSD – 64 and 128 Fs
M4A – up to 48 kHz/320 kbit (16-bit)
Note: Gapless playback supported on all formats.
Analogue outputs: 1 x RCA pair; 1 x 5-pin DIN
Digital inputs: 2 x optical TOSlink (up to 24-bit/96 kHz); 1 x coaxial RCA (up to 24-bit/192 kHz, DoP 64 Fs); 1 x coaxial BNC (up to 24-bit/192 kHz, DoP 64 Fs)
Digital outputs: 1 x coaxial BNC (up to 24-bit/192 kHz)
USB ports: 2 x USB Type A socket (front and rear – 1.6 A charge)
Wi-Fi: 2 x Wi-Fi antennae
Internet Radio Formats: Windows Media-formatted content, MP3, ACC, OGG Vorbis streams and MMS
Internet Radio Provider: Naim Radio
Multi-Room: Play several streamers simultaneously; Party Mode: sync up to six Naim streamers and control them via the Focal & Naim app
Network: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), BLE v4.2
Streaming: Apple AirPlay, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Internet Radio, Qobuz, Roon Ready, Spotify® Connect, Tidal Connect, UPnP™
App Control: Focal & Naim App
Control System: Remote Control
Supported Mobile Operating System: Android, iOS
Updates: Update your system by wireless connection via the Focal & Naim application
Power Consumption: 20 W (Normal); < 2 W (Network Standby Mode); < 0.5 W (Full Standby Mode)
Mains Power Supply: 115 V or 230 V, 50/60 Hz
Dimensions: 432 (W) x 301 (D) x 70 (H) mm
Weight: 6.6 kg

For a review from Hi-Fi Choice magazine please click here

For a second opinion from Hi-Fi News magazine please click here