Naim Audio ND5 XS

ND5 XS

Discontinued replaced by ND5 XS2

Slimline Network Player. Naim has always been associated with firsts. The first high-end CD player- the CDS. The first high-end hard disk music player – the HDX. The first high-end BMR speaker – the Ovator. The first performance-upgradable high-end audio streamer – the NDX. And now the NDX has its first offspring – the ND5 XS.

The ND5 XS takes the DNA of the NDX and concentrates it in the slimline XS style package. With an ND5 XS you can stream audio from a UPnP™ server, discover internet radio, connect your iPod, iPhone, iPad or USB storage, and even listen to conventional digital audio sources. Simply connect the ND5 XS to your home network, plug it in to a spare amplifier input, and the new world of streamed audio is yours.

The ND5 XS is a condensed NDX, but while for the rest of the world that term might imply something missing, there’s no functionality cut from the ND5 XS. It incorporates exactly the same NDX digital and analogue audio hardware and signal path, and features the same connectivity. It offers the same variety of control interfaces too – front panel buttons, remote handset or iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch app. It also has the same complement of inputs, outputs and network capabilities. And it goes without saying that the ND5 XS can offer the same potential for extraordinary music from every one of its inputs and sources.
Musical multitasking

Streamed audio is a hi-fi revolution and the ND5 XS unlocks its potential. It provides easy access to all the audio delivery formats that have suddenly made music in the home exciting once again. Through its wired or wireless network connection the ND5 XS can play literally thousands of internet radio stations. The ND5 XS is also fully Apple Authenticated meaning it can play iPad, iPod or iPhone-stored music, digitally for optimised sound quality, via its front panel USB socket. And via the same socket, the ND5 XS can play audio files stored on USB memory sticks.

The ND5 XS can play audio files, including iTunes libraries, stored on a computer or on network storage over UPnP™. It can play the full range of audio file and stream formats at up to 24bit/192kHz resolution: WAV, FLAC, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WMA, MP3, M4A, MMS, AAC, AIFF and Ogg Vorbis. The ND5 XS will also handle M3U and PLS playlists formats and it supports gapless playback. Finally, an optional FM/DAB tuner module that integrates seamlessly with the ND5 XS control interface means traditional radio is also not forgotten.

For more conventional external audio sources the ND5 XS provides three independently selectable digital inputs to enable S/PDIF audio from CD players, computers and other digital audio sources at up to 24 bit/192kHz resolution to be played. The three digital inputs offer a different connection socket option; optical TosLink, coaxial phono and coaxial BNC, to provide both versatility and optimised sound quality.

Choose to control

The ND5 XS is as versatile in use as it is in its applications. Its three user interfaces provide alternative methods of control – each one appropriate for different situations and personal preferences. It can be operated from its front panel buttons, from its remote control handset or by using the free Naim n-Stream iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch app. In each case, control is simple, intuitive and satisfying. System automation features also allowing the ND5 XS to integrate with the DAC or any connected Naim preamplifier or CD player, offering centralised control via the n-Stream app.

Technology for music

Like the NDX, the ND5 XS is one of the most technically advanced and accomplished of all Naim products. The use of numerous innovative techniques for electronic signal processing and isolation ensure that each digital audio data stream is delivered to the ND5 XS outputs with maximum fidelity. The ND5 XS uses the same RAM buffer and master-clock jitter removal technique of the Naim DAC. It employs the same Burr Brown digital to analogue converter chip as fitted to the HDX hard disk player, and all the oversampling, filtering and signal management techniques that have brought Naim to the forefront of digital music in the home.

Component selection and layout is entirely optimised for sound quality and the XS style case construction helps minimise microphony by providing a rigid non-resonant foundation for the electronics. Like every Naim product, fastidious attention to power supply noise and regulation is a fundamental element of ND5 XS performance. A custom-wound mains transformer, oversize smoothing capacitors, independent power supplies and multiple regulators, along with painstakingly meticulous PCB layout and earthing topology, ensure minimal power supply noise.

And the result of all this extraordinary technology is extraordinary music reproduction. Connect an ND5 XS to your existing audio system and the world of high resolution audio downloads, UPnP™ streaming, and the vast resource of internet radio are yours for the listening. And it’s a world where music from any source will live, breath and satisfy – completely.

Upgrade Path

For even better performance the ND5 XS can be upgraded by the substitution of an outboard XPS or 555 PS power supply, or the addition of a separate DAC digital to analogue converter.

AUDIO INPUTS

S/PDIF 1x BNC, 1x RCA, 1x optical, sample rates up to 192kHz/24bit

USB type A Front panel socket for iPod, iPhone, iPad and memory sticks

UPnP Wired Ethernet (RJ45) or Wi-Fi

Antenna Inputs DAB/FM, Wi-Fi (802.11 g or n at 2.4GHz)

Tuning Range DAB (Band lll and L Band), FM 87.5-108MHz (FM/DAB version only)

Minimum Load Impedance 10kΩ

AUDIO OUTPUTS

Analogue Outputs DIN and RCA, 2.1V rms at 1kHz at full level (Fixed)

Output Impedance 32Ω maximum

Digital Outputs (type) S/PDIF, 75Ω BNC

CONNECTIVITY

Other DAC, Hi-Line, Power-Line, long-range WAV antenna

Infra Red Front panel window RC5

Remote Input 3.5mm jack on rear (RC5)

Remote Output 3.5mm jack on rear (RC5) x2

Rear USB For updates only (USB mini-B)

FORMATS

Audio Formats Supported WAV, AIFF and FLAC (up to 24bit/192kHz ) ALAC (up to 24bit/96kHz) Ogg Vorbis (up to 320bit/s) Windows Media-formatted content-9 (up to 320kbit/s) Playlists (M3U, PLS) MP3, M4a (up to 320kbit/s)

iRadio Service Provider vTuner 5* full service Internet radio (Windows Media-formatted content, MP3 streams, MMS, Ogg Vorbis)

USER CONTROL INTERFACES

Front Panel

Handheld Remote handset included and optional n-Stream app for iPod, iPhone and iPad devices, downloadable App. available now

Supply Voltage 230V; 50 to 60Hz

Power Supply Options XPS, 555 PS

Power Consumption (maximum) 60VA

Licenses MP3, AAC, DAB, Windows Media

Dimensions (mm) 70 x 432 x 301mm (H x W x D)

British design and build

Replaced by ND5 XS2