The NDS/Uniti employs its own software that allows for pretty comprehensive use of metadata with the WAV files; aside from requiring much more storage capability, there is no disadvantage to using WAV files with the NDS. The original poster mentions having the NAIM ripper, so presumably he is ripping and storing in WAV unless the means of storing is set up so that the files are converted again to some other format.
At this price point, the sound should be quite good, so it appears that there is some kind of problem that should be sorted out.
I like the sound from the NDS (I own and use it), although I actually slightly prefer the sound of the 555 cd player. The NDS sounds more like current high-end digital sources, the 555 cd player sounds weightier and more old school (more like analogue sources).
