What is the maximum size HDD/ flash drive that can be used with Naim product?

USB Storage Compatibility Across the Product Range

For optimal compatibility and performance, Naim recommends using USB storage devices up to 1TB for SSD hard drives and 256GB for flash drives. 

Compatibility depends primarily on the file system format, the number of tracks, and the device generation.


Supported Drive Types

The following USB storage devices are supported:

  • USB flash drives
  • Self-powered USB hard drives
  • Bus-powered USB hard drives


File System Format

To ensure compatibility:

  • Use FAT32 for universal support across all products.
  • exFAT is supported on newer products running firmware version 3.4 or later.
  • NTFS is supported on some newer models, such as the Uniti Core.

Older products like the first-generation Mu-so and NDS require FAT32 formatting.


Track Count and Performance

For optimal performance:

  • Keep the number of tracks on the drive below 100,000.
  • Avoid deep folder structures or excessive metadata, which can slow down indexing or cause incomplete scans.

 

Product-Specific Notes


Product Range

Drive Type Support

File System Support

Size Limit

Uniti Series

USB stick, HDD (self/bus)

FAT32, exFAT (fw 3.4+), NTFS

USB sticks: up to 128–256GB depending on model

Mu-so 2nd Gen

USB stick, HDD (self/bus)

FAT32, exFAT

No strict size limit, but <100,000 tracks recommended (~2TB practical max)

ND5 XS 2 / NDX 2

USB stick, HDD (self/bus)

FAT32, exFAT (fw 3.4+)

No strict size limit, but <100,000 tracks recommended (~2TB practical max)

Uniti Core

USB & internal HDD/SSD

FAT32, exFAT, NTFS, HFS+

Supports internal/external drives up to 8TB, tested with up to 100,000 tracks

Legacy Products

USB stick only (recommended)

FAT32 only

Limited to FAT32, recommended ≤256GB for reliable performance

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