Older Naim streamer to run Spotify

Hi-Fi Corner
1

My Wiim Pro+ streamer is used mainly as internet radio, running several hours a’day.

Its also used as stream Spotify, the occasionally new music explore/decide to later buy the vinyl or CD.

I have never signed up for any streaming service, due to above.

I don’t intend to replace vinyl/CD with streaming.

By coincidence a Naim ND5XS (not XS2) streamer was available at a good price nearby.

Could this be an improvement vs the popular and in-expensive Wiim, mentioned above, for my needs ?

My Wiim is ok but TBH quite thin sounding, indeed better when connected to my Rega DAC - although this DAC is destined for upstairs use.

In short, I know I’m buying old tech entry level, is it stupid ?

2

The ND5XS is fine for Spotify as long as the firmware is up to date. There is some risk in buying a streamer of that vintage given that if it develops a fault, some parts may be unavailable to fix it, and that should be reflected in the price you pay.

3

Will the ND5XS do Spotify lossless? Is that important to you?

1 Like
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Firmware is 4.8 - Item has new display installed and is in fully working order.

I’m aware of eventual afterservice issues.

I have no idea of Spotify lossless. - as written, I use Spotify only to explore and decide a potential record purchase.

5

It may be worth considering buying an Ndac, rather than the ND5XS.

I didn’t notice very much difference between an ND5XS2 and a WiiM Pro Plus when used as transports over DC-1 cables, playing Radio Paradise Mellow Mix, into an Ndac.
I was rather surprised to discover this!

That way you’d probably end up with better sound (compared to ND5XS bare playing non lossless Spotify) whilst maintaining modern functionality.

Just a thought…..

2 Likes
6

Quite simply either trade it in for the wiim ultra, better dac, etc or buy a second-hand chord mojo2 and run the wiim through that.
This keeps the up-to-date streamer section in the wiim and adds a wonderful dac that for the money cannot be beaten.
I have tried this and it is certainly very good, i have the ultra by the way and the mojo2 improved it.

7

Updating to 4.9 will give you internet radio. Maybe some other fixes, I don’t recall.

Spotify Connect will work, but not lossless. Tidal will work up to 16/44.1, so lossless, but not 24 bit.

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Maybe, hardly never see these for sale locally, and guess prices is out of my reach,… anyway, quite happy with my Rega Dac which is a keeper.

Its worth pointing out, my streamer use is mainly for radio listening.

As I no longer have antenna access for my FM tuner, I value good sound/best possible quality from internet radio, though I’m aware it never reach FM level.

The ND5XS in mention, is priced really fair me thinks, below €400 with a new screen display, sound to me like a bargain, I can’t resist it.

9

Apologies, it has 4.9 and internet radio..

So should I not expect ND5XS to be beat or equal my Wiim with Rega Dac ?

As for Chord Dac’s, I’ve tried a few back then, very impressive but in the long run preferred/ended up with my Rega, as told, is a keeper for me.

10

Sorry, I have no experience of Wiim.

If you’ve found a DAC you like, a Naim streamer might make a good SPDIF transport for it, but I suspect you might be disappointed if you use it’s analogue output.

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If my experience with a 272 is anything to go by, with the 4.9 firmware, I think you will be able to get Tidal and lossy Spotify, but not Qobuz. The Wiim will give you the missing pieces if you use it as a transport into the DAC of the ND5XS. Naim’s new internet radio service is really good on 4.9; it is a good way to find new stations and new music. This sounds like a good way to try out streaming without a big expense.

12

An interesting point.

I’m a bit excited how it perform in both scenario’s.

Main use is still internet radio - to replace my FM tuner, the direct broadcast was a joy.

13

Don’t forget that you have a screen issue to deal with as well - make sure the original screen has been replaced.

FWIW, I have three green-screen devices and run Spotify & Tidal and iRadio on them. All very good, and vastly superior to the WiiM Mini that I have. But CD streaming via UPnP still sounds best.

14

No

15

New screen display installed, as mentioned earlier.

16

indeed. i say go for it for €400

17

I did the same thing, bought a used ND5XS instead of a cheaper option and have never regretted it. More than happy with 320bps Spotify (I.e. lossy) for what I use it for. Absolute bargain as long as it does what you need it to.

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Good to hear Paul

19

I’ve got ND5XS in system 2 and was surprised to be disappointed by the analogue output, despite intially quite low expectations for this system .. feeding the SPDIF to NDAC put a smile on my face.

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BTW - I had the same issue with using NAC112 .. thought it would be good enough, but had to switch to NAC82 to meet SQ requirements.