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.
Every Naim product is conceived, designed and engineered entirely in service of the sound, revealing a pure experience of music that is as close as possible to its original live source.
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