ND5 XS2 - USB Options

Streaming Audio
1

I’ve just purchased the ND5 XS2 and trying to work out what options I want to use there.

I was thinking of streaming some of my music off external storage connected via the 2 USB ports. But have a few questions:

  • Is there between the front and rear USB port in terms of what can be connected?
  • Can an external USB drive be connected - or it is just USB sticks that are supported?
  • What is the maximum capacity supported for an external USB device?

Thanks

2

1.No
2.Yes
3. Can’t recall, check the manual or search this forum.

Congrats on the new streamer…I love mine… only Naim kit I have left.

3

Unfortunately the manual has scarcely little information on this.

I did try a search before posting this but so far haven’t found an answer. But if it supports external USB drives then I’m thinking it will be in the TB rather than GB range

4

This thread addresses the issue (among others), although, I’m not sure we reached a real-world answer.

The article concerned an Atom, but I don’t know if that makes a difference.

5

You can use more or less any USB drive in either the front or rear port. There is no absolute size limit, but this function is not really designed to handle a large music library, and you may find that basic network storage is a more effective option for that.

Having said that, there’s no harm in trying, so stick any HDD, SSD or memory stick into a port and see how you get on.
The streamer has a basic UPnP server built in which can browse the metadata on your music files, allowing you to search by album, artist or genre, and to view artwork. To do this you need to let the streamer scan the files and view them in the Server input under Local Music. (If you look in the USB input you will only get a basic folder view which is pretty useless unless you are just using it for one or two albums on a USB stick.)

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6

Many thanks for the info. I’ll give that a go

I get the impression I’ll have to be mindful of the formatting used for the attached USB storage (ie. FAT vs NTFS)

7

All the drivesI’ve used over the years have worked fine using the format in which they were supplied, but it’s certainly worth putting just one album on and checking that it works before you start filling it up.

8

That’s great advice - many thanks again for being patient with a newbie to streaming

9

Is there any limit on power supply for the usb attached drive? Usb drives draw different currents. I have a few 5v 1.0 amp up tp 5v 1.5 amp. The attached drive may need a separate psu?

Edit Just checked on Naim site and it seems to take up to 1.6 amp.

10

I recall there’s a limit on the number of files and the number of sub folder levels. @NeilS can confirm. I use a 512GB Samsung Fit tiny USB flash drive. I also have 512GB PNY and SanDisk tiny flash drives. They are all less than 1/2" sticking out from the front of the NDX2 (I use the front for convenience for adding more files as I download them).

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11

Chris, remebering that you once owned a UnitiServe, can you comment ond sound quality US vs a USB drive, US on the network obviously, USB drive directly into the ND5XS2?

12

I can respond, I have compared. Between the US and USB stick on my Nds, there was no real difference. But I got a high quality linear ps on the US, it was slightly better.

13

Thank you!

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14

On the Naim streamers I’ve used (not ND5XS2 but various 1st and 2nd gen models) USB sounds just as good as UPnP.

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15

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