I am looking for some relatively moderate suggestions for a Streamer/Dac for my second system. I had an NDS in there but it was just a bit quirky for my liking; having to restart to get it to show up in the app sometimes, streaming issues, no qobuz, etc. In our main system we have an ND555 which honestly gets used for more background music than anything. I thought of obvious choices of NS333, NDX2, or ND5XS2 but wondering if something else I should look at? I plugged my ipad in yesterday and it honestly worked ok but not suited for real listening. I did try a Bartok last year and didnāt really enjoy it. Oh, my second system is a 282/Supercap DR, LP12 Adikt, Stageline, 300 DR with YG Carmel 1s. Thanks!
One other thought I had was to pair a NSC222 with the 300 DR and then add a superline to the the supercap with a Krystal cartridge, but I keep thinking that the 282 Supercap DR would be better than the NSC222. I cannot listen to any of these unfortunately.
I have Auralic streamers and dacs and like the way they pair with Naim. There should be something in their range that would suit your budget for the second system. Auralic seem to have been pushing the boundaries of streaming/dac development with rapid improvements over the past couple of years.
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I would be tempted to go for an NDX2 as you have the 555PS already.
I have the ND555 and have had the NDS. The other option is to use an ND5XS2 with the NDS. This worked great for me, just using NDS as DAC. But if you want fewer boxes then the NDX2 will be very good and reasonable value. Will also match your boxes.
I know there are other makes but I do think keeping all Naim with amps and streamers works.
Once you start going elsewhere I am not sure there is same synergy in the system.
For example dCS and Linn sounds great as streaming products but then the Naim pre amp isnāt necessary with their products and then the connections are all different with power amps.
I have kept all Naim apart from CD transport and turntable.
Others have gone with different DACs such as DAVE and are very happy with Naim set ups.
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Why would that be? Could be worth exploring as what s not grabbing you and making you want to play more, and more tgan just background, might help focus what would suit you. Of course that is assuming the limitation is the streamerā¦
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Might be a bit controversial, but I bought a WiiM pro plus as my first step into streaming. I was astonished by the quality of the sound. Hooked me on streaming. I then loaned an NDX2 from my dealer. Had it for a week and neither me or partner could detect any real difference. Certainly not enough to justify the cost of the Naim box along with another Fraim shelf.
Others will no doubt disagree!!
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I run an ND5xs2/nDAC/PS555DR and am very pleased with itās musicality.
So Iām sure an ND5xs2/NDS/PS555 should be even better and come close to your ND555. It keeps you in the Naim ecosystem for a very low cost.
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Itās what I had before and sounded just as good as ND555. Itās whether you want an extra box. I ended up with 4 box streamer. Itās very good. ND555 is better with nice screen, nice remote and 500 finish. But to me it sounded the same. Got my ND555 for reasonable cost so was happy to swap out NDS and ND5XS2.
ND5XS2 is good piece of kit.
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Buy a Primare NP5 or Limetree streaming bridge into the NDS dac.
Give you improved functionality and improved sound.
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We have a couple of young kids and the main system is in the living room. When I or my wife and I sit down to really listen to music, it is on vinyl. Iāve been enjoying more private listening in my room in the basement during the evenings but havenāt had the guts to take the ND555 down there. Maybe itās time.
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I parted ways with the NDS, I did not want to add another box. I agree the nd5xs2 is a great combination with an Ndac and 555. That was my first streamer before the ND 555.
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Thanks, I will look into those as well.
Move the ND555 to the basement and then either donāt put a streamer in the main system or get the NDX2 or ND5XS2. You could try the ND555 with 2 555PSs, if you still have them.
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A Uniti Atom HEā¦ā¦ really. Itās a little gem.
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Some great suggestions here.
Iād definitely second Fatcat 's one of a streamer plugged into your NDS to fix the quirky integration with streaming services issue. Low cost too as youāre only buying the streamer new, and there are plenty relatively reasonably priced ones around. I too run the NP5 from Primare.
And Dan_M 's suggestion is genius too. If youāre using the ND555 for background music only thatās an expensive way to provide it! Move the ND555 to your second system where you might listen to it more, and ādowngradeā to a ND5 XS2, or NDX2 if you want the screen, to provide that background music in the main system.
Also, if you actually want more engagement with your streamer in the main system then itās interesting as Innocent_Bystander says why you arenāt more so at the moment?
I just upgraded my own streaming setup. Primare NP5 into Chord Hugo TT2 - from a Chord Hugo mk1. Genuinely one of those āwowā moments. But the above suggestions are Naim focused, and seem more appropriate 
Keep us posted @Katmaimatt
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I did think of that but put it out of mind as I didnāt understand the connection to the preamp. RCA to Din?
Yes RCA to DIN.
Use either the volume on the Atom or the Preamp to your preference.
Thanks!
Iād very highly recommend the Wattson Audio Madison Lounge edition, same or less money that an NDX2, already has an outboard hybrid LPS, itās tiny, has a HUGE and very dynamic ā282ā sound, and has supplanted LINA as my main streaming source into my 552 500 system itās that goodā¦ No frills, just performanceā¦
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When my NDS was away for repair (new screen) I used the ND5XS2 bare as my streamer DAC into 52 500DR system and it sounded very good. Not as good as the NDS but for background listening and occasional listening you wouldnāt need more. And you could always upgrade the DAC later on.
Maybe a Chord DAC later down the line.
The other thing is buy another NDS and pair it with ND5XS2 for latest streaming platform. Do you still have the 555PS spare?
So many options. NDX2 may tick all the boxes as it looks the part as well. Why not use an NDX2 in your main system? Move the ND555 to the listening room.
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