Was my friend. That’s why I asked as here it is named NPS 
. One look in the thread title may have helped 
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Which digital cable do you guys use? I have 2x dc1 but unfortunately the rca-bnc version has the wrong direction with rca on DAC side. The other one is bnc/bnc
It is better to use a BNC to BNC with RCA adapter one end the more educated have said.
I’ve tried a bunch and the most affordable one was Jorma Digital. Very good. I use Ansuz C2 today. Well, I used it before but still here
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Yes - that’s what I thought. I have some of these adaptors somewhere I think 
Not that I am aware of!
Thanks
Bruce
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Are you sure, the adapters are known for decreasing the sound quality.
Why not a DC1, SPDIF to RCA? Or a Canare?
I had a morning of fiddling about with things, taking out the Primare and going back to the NDS streaming Tidal and local, then adding back the wired Primare for both. I am not that much of a tweaker, normally if an upgrade sounds fine it just stays. However my surprise at this little box had me doubting my ears.
Anyway it is a walkover. I clearly prefer the Primare as streaming source for Tidal and most importantly for local streaming from my NAS. ‘Clearly’ is the operative word here for the NAS music especially. Everything sounds cleaner, there’s a lovely delicate touch to voices and acoustic instruments but no lack of bass resolution and depth. The soundstage is wider. If I am trying to be critical maybe the NDS has a bit more bite and energy on really gritty, thrashy, tracks. The Primare is a touch smoother but it wins with better definition on this sort of music that is ultimately less fatiguing and actually more involving as a result. The iFi PS emphasises the positive qualities of the stock NP5 but adds better bass depth and quality. It makes things sound a bit ‘quieter’ and a bit more detailed. Very worthwhile.
The final test. Mrs W (who couldn’t care less about the technology) agreed 100% in the difference and enjoyed the new setup much more.
What a great bit of kit, with the usual ‘my system, my ears’ caveats.
Bruce
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Don’t rely on using the variable output - the quality is truly dreadful. Fixed output sounds great. It’ll take you less than a millisecond to discover this.
It’s easy to switch between 100% variable and fixed. It instantly changes. I hear no difference. You say you do? Maybe on your NP5 but not on my NSS 333.
Even though there might be situations where digital volume control is more important than say 5% loss of sound quality. It’s easy to switch if you actually hear a difference and listen in focus or have a casual weekend just using music in the background. For me digital volume control is a deal breaker since my Nait 50 can’t be controlled via the app. And I can easily just put it on 100% or change to fixed output in the app if I want to. But I have a choice and that’s what’s important to me.
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Exactly my experience - The NP5mk2 encouraged extended listening whilst the bare NDS made me itch to get to the next track or to switch back to the Primare. This was local streaming from Unitiserve.
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I was referring to the Primare NP5mk2 and wasn’t generalising. In the distant past I’ve used Wadia dacs with excellent digital volume controls, and of course dcs dacs are highly regarded these days (but I’ve yet to hear).
So I have a Mk2 here along with my Mk1 at the moment as I have had some problems with the NP5 just stopping. I thought the Mk2 might sort out the issue. Primare has been really helpful on this matter btw. I have been running my Mk1 via TOSLink into my Hugo2 at 176.4kHz (fixed). Setup the Mk2 to the same settings and it could not handle 176.4/192kHz unlike the Mk1. 96kHz was fine though. Implementation of the optical output must be different I guess (same AudioQuest cable used) which was a bit of a surprise. The only difference between the two units is meant to be DSD and MQA over roon I believe. The problem persisted with the Mk2.
Anyway, as I used to have a Naim streamer I had Asset transcode my ALAC files into WAV on the fly as WAV gave better SQ according to Naim. I never changed it. Reconfigured Asset to play all files ‘as is’ and the problem of the music stopping is no more. Result.
Also have a Lindemann Limetree Bridge2 here at the moment. I prefer the presentation of the NP5 which is warmer while the Limetree sounds a little brighter, more analytical. As usual this is in my little system YMMV.
The Primare NP5 is a cracking little box!
Edit: And now the Mk2 does handle 192kHz! Did I not fully push the TOSLink cable in? But it was ok for 96kHz! Strange but all good. SO there is no difference other than the DSD/MQA over roon as advertised.
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In September I posted AI’s thoughts on the difference between the Bridge 2 and. NP5, which seems pretty much what you’ve confirmed.
LONG LIVE THE AI.
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I never tried NP5 but thought the Bridge II brought NDS to life and I used that in my then 500/552 setup which sounded beautiful. More refined sound to the already very refined NDS in my theory is not the best match. But we like different things 
‘Refined’ is not the same as smooth. I prefer ‘detailed but natural’. It really is a lovely engaging listen in my system. Cleaner, wider soundstage and with better definition than the NDS. Haven’t heard the Limetree but generally ‘analytical’ is not my preferred musical presentation.
I really was pondering a new 332 or equivalent but this little box has totally refreshed my listening.
Bruce
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I think I had the same journey you had, including that video! After a disappointing home tryout of an ND5 XS2, I went with an Auralic all in one. About 6 months ago I got a great deal on an nDAC which I absolutely love, ended up selling the Auralic and getting an NP5 to feed the nDAC. Then added the Ifi Power X to the NP5 and that got me so excited that I added a Bonn Silent Angel n8 switch after my router which made much more of an impact than I anticipated. As upgrade fever goes, that led me to believe there was even more upside in improving the streaming part, so I got a Volumio Rivo to replace the NP5 (now in my office system) which was a clear improvement. More detail, better soundstage. The only thing I did not like about the NP5 was the plastic look and feel, the Volume adds some Italian sprezzatura to my system. Finally added a Chord Clearway digital BNC (with an RCA adapter), still more gains. Cherry on the cake: the Volumio has the same voltage as the NP5 so the Ifi PS is still in business and scores me some sustainability points.
I decided to go for the Lumin U2 mini, with MCRU lps or Ifi power X, to give another life to the Nds.
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Interesting! I had Lumin U1 Mini with Sbooster on my 272 back then and thought it was great. Their own app is horrible though if they haven’t made any UI changes.
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At first it is hard to figure out, but once you do, it is not that bad.
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Do you know how U1 with Sbooster can compare vs the Limitree bridge?