ND 555 Network Music Streamer

• Naim's First 500 Series Reference Streamer
• Upto 32bit-384Khz digital audio or DSD128
• 40-bit Sharc processor with advanced DSP
• Airplay, Chromecast and Bluetooth built-in
• Spotify, Tidal and internet radio integrated
• Roon Ready
• USB and Digital inputs
• Zigbee remote control

Naim's reference network player is quite simply the best source component they have ever developed. Drawing on decades of digital and analogue engineering experience, the ND 555 marries an 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. 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 Naim Statement or Naim 500 series amplification, the ND 555 is as close to live music as it gets from a digital source.

A rich audio heritage

The ND 555 is the result of over four decades of audio engineering. From the state-of-the-art streaming module to powerful, natural-sounding audio stages – every element of this network player is built on Naim DNA, giving it that distinctive, captivating Naim sound. The development process for the ND 555 also saw Naim set foot into new technologies for the first time. It is the first Naim product to use low-voltage differential signalling (LVDS). 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 capable of decoding all HD audio formats at up to 32 bits/384 kHz or DSD128. Rather than the source acting as the digital timing master, the new streaming board turns things around and allows the DAC clock to control the flow of audio data. The data is over-sampled in a SHARC DSP to 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 (also used in their range of amplifiers and power supplies), makes its first appearance in a network player, providing ultra-pure DC voltage to the sensitive audio circuitry. The analogue stages use only high-grade through-hole components and are suspended on a sprung sub-chassis with heavy brass plates to minimise the effects of microphony.

Isolated digital and analogue circuits

During development, Naim engineers produced several chassis prototypes to test different ways of isolating the ND 555’s digital circuitry from the delicate analogue stages. A simple shield would have reduced interference to a degree, but they wanted to find a more effective solution for their reference player, finally arriving at a completely separate housing within the main chassis. It acts as a Faraday cage shielding other components from electrical noise, thus helping to increase the ND 555’s performance even further.

Ultra clean power for maximum performance

The ND 555 uses a total of 13 Naim DR regulators to provide ultra-clean voltage to the individual audio stages. Designed in-house to maintain a stable DC output voltage regardless of fluctuations in the supply voltage or the current draw from the output, the DR regulators allow the circuits to operate at their absolute best with minimal noise and interference. Moreover, the ND 555 uses a seperate power supply, housed in a separate unit to keep electro-magnetic interference from the oversized toroidal transformer at bay.

Three years and 25 engineers

Developing a reference streaming platform was one of the biggest projects Naim have taken on. Naim engineers across all disciplines – electronic, industrial, acoustic and mechanical – worked for three years to create a system that could make the most of online services such as TIDAL and Spotify while adding future-proof flexibility through Chromecast and Roon. The new streaming platform is complemented by a large full-colour display, making the ND 555 second to none in terms of both audio performance and user experience.

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 ND 555 is supplied with a premium metal Zigbee® remote control. It requires no line of sight to the player, so you can take control in 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.

Upgradeable Performance

The ND 555 is not supplied with a power supply. It should be used with a Naim 555 PS DR power supply and can be complemented with a second 555 PS DR power supply for ultimate performance.

Grahams recommend you partner the ND 555 with:

• Naim 555 PS DR power supply
• Naim NAC 552 DR 500 series pre amplifier
• Naim NAP 500 DR 500 series power amplifier
• Naim Fraim Equipment Stand
• Bowers & Wilkins 800 D3 Loudspeakers

Please contact us to arrange a demonstration. 

Specifications