Naim releases network player update with BBC Radio HLS support

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From today (29th June), Naim network player owners can obtain a firmware update which will enable DSD playback and the high-res BBC Radio HLS format.

DSD playback will be available for owners of Naim streaming products with the SHARC DSP software. These include the ND5 XS; NDX; NDS SuperUniti and NAC-N 272.

Flagship NDS network players will now benefit from multi-room capabilities and all Naim players can now support the BBC’s HLS radio format, as well as Spotify Connect in multi-room mode.

The added support of HLS radio will be a welcome update to many Naim owners, after the BBC made some unexpected changes to its AAC streams, changing them to HLS. Naim was able to reactivate just the BBC Radio 3 320kbps link, the rest being in 128kbps MP3 format.

MORE: Listeners complain about changes to BBC Internet radio streaming

Naim has also announced that the ND5 XS, NDX and NAC-N 172 XS network players will now ship with aptX Bluetooth compatibility, and these come with a £100 premium to reflect the changes.

NDX £3505

NDX inc. DAB/FM £3840

ND5 XS £2245

ND5 XS inc. DAB/FM £2545

NAC-N 172 XS £1865

NAC-N 172 XS inc. DAB/FM £2155

The 4.3 firmware update is available free from Naim’s website, where a table detailing how supported Naim products will be affected can also be found.

See all of our Naim news and reviews

Max Langridge

Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.