NDX 24/192 board update - anyone done it ?

Posted by: james n on 21 November 2011

Just curious if anyone has taken the plunge yet ?

 

I'm still undecided whether to have it done but at the end of December i'll be out of the free upgrade period. I don't have any 24/192 material, Airplay doesn't interest me and my NDX sounds superb with no stability issues. 

 

With minimal reports on how well the 24/192 boards are working in the new Qute / ND5 players i'm reluctant to rock the boat at the moment given how well everything is working 

 

James

Posted on: 21 November 2011 by Guido Fawkes

> Airplay doesn't interest me 

 

Do you know if I can get a Qute upgrade to support Airplay? 

Posted on: 21 November 2011 by james n

Guido - From the PS interview at Milan

 

It's expected that the upgrade price for NaimUniti and UnitiQute will be in the region of £250, and Naim plans to offer both of these systems in either a standard version, or at a premium price with the new board and 24-bit/192kHz capability.

The premium versions will sell for approximately £175 more than the standard ones, making a 24/192 UnitiQute, for example, around £1600.

The new board also adds 802.11n Wi-Fi capability to the systems, in addition to the current b/g (although Naim still says wired networking is preferable in terms of stablity and reliability of signal). The new board also makes them, Stephenson says, 'AirPlay ready - at least in terms of processing power'.

Pressed for clarification, he said he expects products fitted with the new board - and of course the new ND5 XS and SuperUniti - to gain full AirPlay capability during the first quarter of next year, this being implemented via a simple firmware upgrade at that time.

 

James

 

Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hi James, I have just had my NDX updated with the newer board. It has been on for the last 12 hours burning in, listening to it now, and I really think its a bit of an improvement on the older one. I am streaming Redbook, and very compressed discs sound a little sweeter, with a little more separation around the instruments. Rather pleased. I have yet to try any 192k sample rate stuff, or native FLAC.
Simon
Posted on: 08 January 2012 by james n
Thanks for the update Simon. Much appreciated. You've just reminded me that I need to ring my dealer and get this ordered.

James.
Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Hook
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:
Hi James, I have just had my NDX updated with the newer board. It has been on for the last 12 hours burning in, listening to it now, and I really think its a bit of an improvement on the older one. I am streaming Redbook, and very compressed discs sound a little sweeter, with a little more separation around the instruments. Rather pleased. I have yet to try any 192k sample rate stuff, or native FLAC.
Simon

 

Hi Simon -

 

Were you in the operating room for the surgery?  Was it done while you waited, or did your dealer have to send the NDX out?  Hopefully the new board installation was simple and straight forward.

 

Very glad to hear your initial impressions of sound quality are positive!  I plan to have this upgrade done just as soon as it is available here in the US.  Am interested in comparing 24/96 versus 24/192, but more than that, I'd like to be ready for Airplay just as soon as Naim is!

 

I had set up an ATV for purposes of streaming Spotify and Youtube and other apps from my iPad, but even at 320 kbps,  streaming did not sound very good through the ATV, nor was it very reliable.  I know from listening to iRadio on the NDX that 320 kbps can sound really good (e.g., Radio Paradise, Linn Jazz, etc.), so am hoping that Airplay from my iPad to the NDX will be a big step up!

 

Thanks!

 

Hook

Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Hi Hook.

Yes I was in the operating room - and I used exactly that term yesterday . It was all very straighforward.

 

It took about 15 minutes, but I had already done the firmware update, otherwise that can make the whole procedure last about 30 mins. It was just long enough to have a great cuppa tea and talk about ShoutCast with Andy. .

 

Simon

 

Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Tylercoupe
I just ordered updates for my 3 Qute units. In US it will be $400 per unit and dealer will perform board change gratis. Will post once done
Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Rich27

Had mine "done" so to speak and can't honestly tell any difference in sound quality.  nStream app seems to all work a bit quicker and slicker but that may well just be down to the software upgrade that happened at the same time.

 

If you can get it done for free then why not go for it, nothing to lose and lots to gain (future proofing, no loss of secondhand value compared to un-modified versions, able to use all future features such as Airplay etc.)

Posted on: 08 January 2012 by The Man With Nonaim

Just collected my NDX from my dealer following its return to HQ for the new board.  I cannot hear any differences.  At this point I doubt that "running in" the new board is going to make much difference to the sound quality on "standard definition".  I did download a short piece from Satie on 24/192 which I wanted to use as an introduction to higher resolution music.  My router cannot keep up with the demands of 24/192 and cuts out every 5 seconds or so.  Might be time to review my internet provision and service provider !  By the way, the Satie sounded good so 24/192 has potential.  My biggest worry is that record labels will see 24/192 as another way of selling our music collections to us again but do a hatchet job on the "upgrade".

Posted on: 08 January 2012 by Tylercoupe
I have about 90 hi Rez downloads and many of those can't currently play on Qutes until I update
Posted on: 09 January 2012 by Nagoya

SinS - can you say a little more about the board change you witnessed, please. How straight forward was it? Thanks!

Posted on: 09 January 2012 by jonnaim
I have been listening to my upgraded ndx for a couple of weeks. I cannot tell any great difference with the sound. Net stream is a bit quicker however I can now make playlists on plugplayer. Before the upgrade the playlist feature did not work. Is it worth doing? I think each ndx owner has no choice if you wish to resell the unit in the future the lack of the latest spec will make it a difficult sell. Also naim my not offer this upgrade facility in the future.
Posted on: 09 January 2012 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hi, please bear in mind I have an ultra revealing set up with ATC speakers. It's how I like it, but it allows me to listen to depths that other speakers such as my Harbeths just go no where near. Its not everyone's cup of tea. For me the new board did change over the first 12 hours of bake in. For me to sonically there is a slight difference. On red book compressed audio there appears a little more space around the mix, ie it sounds less brick walled. Subtle but nice, brought a smile to my face. On hidef, again there is a subtle improvement in parts of the mix, they seem to stand slightly more clearly in their own space. Other than that no real difference, tonal balance etc is all the same. Also please bear in mind my NDX is feeding an ndac/555ps. it's possible with the NDX in built dac these subtle differences might not be heard, I haven't tried it. Simon