Description

Pure musicality with our most advanced streaming platform

Our reference network player is quite simply the best source component we’ve ever developed. Drawing on decades of digital and analogue engineering experience, the ND 555 marries our innovative new streaming platform with classic Naim analogue technology. It features a 40-bit SHARC processor with advanced signal processing, a suspended brass sub-chassis to isolate sound-critical circuits from vibrations and the best external power supply we’ve ever made. Whether you’re listening to Bonham’s solid groove or Coltrane’s dizzying scales, the ND 555 lets the music flow with astonishing ease and uniquely engaging musicality. Partnered with Statement or 500 series amplification, we believe the ND 555 is as close to live music as it gets.

A rich audio heritage

The ND 555 is the result of over four decades of audio engineering. From our state-of-the-art streaming module to powerful, natural-sounding audio stages – every element of this network player is built on our design DNA, giving it that distinctive, captivating Naim sound. The ND 555 development process also helped us step foot into new technologies: for the first time, we’ve added low-voltage differential signalling (LVDS) to a premium Naim player. We chose LVDS because it minimises timing errors due to its fast speed and it minimises radiation thanks to its low noise.

Expert craftsmanship

The ND 555 is bristling with innovative technology from input to output. The streaming section uses the latest Naim network card featuring low-noise, high-speed LVDS to route the digital audio signal. The higher speed is capable of decoding most HD audio formats at up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128. Rather than the source acting as the digital timing master, our new streaming board turns things around and allows our DAC clock to control the flow of audio data. The data is integer-over-sampled in a SHARC DSP to an incredible 40-bit accuracy and fed into the Burr-Brown® PCM1704, a true R2R ladder DAC valued for its exceptional sound quality.

Naim’s renowned DR regulator technology, as used in our range of amplifiers and power supplies, makes its first appearance in a network player, providing ultra-pure DC voltage to the sensitive audio circuitry in the ND 555. The analogue stages use only high-grade through-hole components and are suspended on sprung sub-chassis with heavy brass plates to minimise the effects of microphony.

Absolute control

There are several ways to control ND 555. The Naim App for iOS and Android gives you complete control over individual or multiple Naim products. You can access all of your music including radio pre-sets, streaming services and playlists, sync several Naim players for multiroom playback or explore artist discographies and biographies. The app also controls our Uniti Core music server (so there’s no need for two separate apps) and allows you to update your system wirelessly with a single tap.

For those who prefer a more tactile experience, a premium metal Zigbee® remote control is supplied. It requires no line of sight to the player, so you can take control whatever direction you’re facing. The front panel features a 5” colour display presenting album artwork as well as track information in crisp detail, and there are keys for most commonly used functions including standby and input selection.

Naim NAPS 555 PS DR Quiet Power Supply

• Seven regulated supply voltages, including a separate supply for the CD555 clock circuit
• Low-resonance case with isolating feet
• Massive transformer, 40 percent larger than that fitted to the XPS
• Supplied with Power-Line mains cable as standard
• All-new Discrete Regulator (DR) configuration, delivering Naim Audio’s best-ever standards of stable, low-noise power

Not everyone sees hi-fi as we do. For us, a smooth, stable, low-noise power supply isn’t just desirable: it’s fundamental to proper hi-fi performance. Nowhere is that belief more clearly exemplified than in our reference 555 PS DR, the best power supply in our portfolio.

Originally designed to partner our world-class CD555 CD player, the 555 PS can also be used with our NDS and NDX network players, our HDX hard disk player/ server and our DAC digital to analogue converter as well as the CDX2 CD player. Whatever Naim Audio product it partners, the 555 PS DR will improve every aspect of your favourite music. Voices and instruments become clearer and more natural. Perceived dynamic range increases too, while timing – music’s fundamental sense of rhythm and accuracy – snaps into even greater focus.

Technology & Craft

The 555 PS benefits from both our decades of experience and our relentless pursuit of superior sound quality. Its massive transformer, some 40 percent larger than that fitted to our XPS power supply, features five separate windings outputting to seven regulated supply voltages, including an output specifically intended for use with the clock circuitry of our CD555.

The 555 PS was updated in 2012 as a result of a two year project to develop a new discrete regulator (DR) for Naim Audio power supplies. The new Naim Audio DR now features, alongside improvements to the wire routing, mechanical decoupling and internal layout. These enhancements, developed through intensive listening tests, significantly raise performance and make music even more communicative and enjoyable.