Does AV2's "Bass Mix" work with "Direct" mode?

Hi Alex.

This info is from the FAQ - hope it's of some help to you.

Cheers,

Rack.

As I have been asked several times recently about this subject, this is how the Bass Mix function works on the n-Vi and AV2.

Bass mix "off"/All speakers set to "large":-

-no bass information is redirected to sub


Bass mix "off"/Any combination of speaker set to "small":-

-bass information redirected from small speakers to sub


Bass mix "on"/All speakers set to "large":-

-bass information from front speakers additionally redirected to sub


Bass mix "on"/Front speakers set to "large"/Centre or surrounds "small":-

-bass information from front speakers additionally redirected to sub + bass information from small speakers redirected to sub.


Note:- down-mix levels will be adjusted accordingly to correct for levels, when speakers are switched large/small/none etc
This message has been edited. Last edited by: AV@naim, Fri 30 March 2007 16:00

Unfortunately it does not give a definitive answer
It doesn't specify when it will work. It sounds like it would work as long as those conditions are met (speaker size and Bassmix on/off) but I am fairly sure it won't work with Direct mode.

But I honestly do not know.

Anyhow, decided to apply the update after first deciding not to because of the risks involved, but then did do it because it is probably the final update and I love my AV2 and wanted it bug free and up-to-date.
Well, bad decision because the update failed and my AV2 is now a paper weight
So now my dvd5 has returned, my av2 will need to go away on a trip.

And with no warranty left I can only hope that Naim will be as forgiving as they always have been in the past or I will have to sell something else to pay for the repairs

Hi again Alex.

Sorry to hear about the problem with the update.

Did you apply the updates yourself or was it your dealer? If it's the latter, then surely they're responsible for any repairs?

I bought a used model last year and had it brought up to the latest spec through my dealer without any problems as he explained it's a fairly simple operation, so no idea what could have gone wrong with yours.

There is no bass management in direct mode. Bass Management is made in the digital domain; in direct, it is purely analog.

Dealers are forbidden from doing the updates for av2 and n-Vi. I asked my dealer for both and he was not supplied the updates but was told he was not allowed to do them.
Costumers are now forced to either send their units away at cost (100quid for the av2-update/bug-fix, not sure if that includes or excludes shipping) or do it themselves.

So, forced to chose, I opted to update myself because I didn't want to part with my av2 for 1-4 weeks.

I have updated e.g. satellite receivers via rs232 before, quite often actually and never had problems. Unfotunately it seems there is no bootloader installed in the av2 so I was unable to re-update and will now have to ship back to Salisbury.

Guess in a way it's my own fault for wanting to keep my av2 close by and I will have to live with whatever costs this will entail. So I guess I will now have to hope for some goodwill from Naim

Could you not get the update on your PC and burn it to disc and update your AV2 with the DVD5 linked together (you will need a DVD5 of course). Naim kindly sent me the update discs about two years ago and i did this successfuly this way, my dealer was no longer dealing with naim so this was the only way to do this without sending the units back.

To my knowledge you cannot update the AV2 via the DVD5. If you could I would be extremely surprised as I said I owned a DVD5 and had updated it via CD in the past (updated the DVD5 via CD, not the AV2 of course).
I would assume that I would have been told about this very simple update-method were it even possible.

Alex you are right, iy is not possible to update the AV2 via the DVD5.
You can order an update kit with chips (PIC), your dealer can do it easily. This is not free, but probably cheaper than sending your unit back.

This software update is quite touchy, we have got failure too, even if we are used to do it. Fortunately we have PIC programming tools that can save sending it back to NAim if it happens.

Well, I only needed the software update as I am on the AVC01-06 which already had the chip updated.

But as I said, dealers were forbidden from performing the updates themselves. I even had my dealer ask for the update CD for my nVi and he was turned down. He was supposed to send my n-Vi back to have the CD update performed.

Now don't get me wrong, this is not Naim UK we are talking about. I have been trying to get their distributor to allow my dealer to do the update for me. But no. Tried it when the update was released and then gave up. But when the n-Vi update became necessary I thought I would try again. So in the end I really had no choice but to contact Naim UK directly who kindly supplied the update to me directly as my dealer of course has to go through the distributor and was turned down.

The n-Vi update might have been free (except maybe shipping) but the AV2 update, just the pure software update via RS232, was 100€ (possibly plus shipping).

But I hope this is not being misunderstood. I don't want to start an argument or blame-game or anything, I just wanted to explain why I felt the need to actually do it myself. It's not that my dealer wouldn't do it or something like that.

@manu:
By tools, do you mean software or hardware (jTAG etc.)?

Each disributor has his own policy in this regard. I do not want to interfer.

But as I said, even if you already have had the chip upgrade, you can order a chip with AVC01-07 already burnt into it.

You best bet is to get in contact with Steven Hopkins and explain your problem.

Tools I am refering to are hardware and software.

Thank you Manu for your help
My AV2 is more or less on it's way to Salisbury already. I haven't posted it yet but I have booked the shipping already and will probably ship on Tuesday when the shops open again (closed tomorrow).
I am in contact with Mr Hopkins and hopefully it won't be a big deal getting my AV2 up and running again *fingers crossed*
I'll just have to wait and see what Naim say when they get a chance to take a look at it.

Maybe they can pimp it and put in a HDMI high-def BluRay input

@Manu:
Is replacing the PIC difficult? I.e. would my dealer need to unsolder the old one and solder the new one or do they just pop out and you just plug the new one in?

Hmmm, can't edit my previous post anymore.
Anyway, found an internal picture in an old review showing it is in fact not a soldered PIC.
Will have my dealer replace the chip rather than sending the AV2 away and hassling Naim

Looking forward to the PIC arriving and would already like to thank both Mr Hopkins and Mr Harris for their great support!
Hope the PIC replacement will go as planned

quote:

Hmmm, can't edit my previous post anymore

That seems to happen after a while. Probably to stop you editing a post which lots of people have already read.

I noticed that you mentioned your subs are connected via the NACA5. Perhaps you can clarify your configuration. With the subs connected this way I believe they're connected after the amp so the subs will get the same signal as the main speakers no matter what the Direct and sub settings are on the AV2.
I'm hoping your AV2 is readily recovered!
Best of luck.
Mark

I have my subs connected via "Lo-Level" input with a coax cable from the AV2's subwoofer output.
But that of course only feeds the subs the .1 channel and if BassMix worked it would feed the sub 60Hz frequencies as well. But not in Direct mode.

In order to supply the subs with a signal in direct mode I had to use the "Hi-Level" input of my subs as well.
I connected the Hi-Level cable of my sub to the speaker plugs at speaker side. Not at the amp.
That way the amp will basically see the whole speaker-system rather than splitting the signal right at the amp.

To my recollection that is the recommended way to do it.

Well, pic-upgrade-kit arrived today and everything went smoothly!
Except for a brief moment of utter distress after completing first setup when the av2 got slightly confused and wouldn't accept any mode but Neo:6 Cinema und Direct and input levels of Direct were about half of what they should be. Plus speakers sounded as though they were blown

Switched the AV2 off and back on at the back and now, well



and I am now


Thank you Naim!

Glad to hear you're sorted out Alex.

Rock on!

quote:

Originally posted by GreenAlex:
Unfortunately it does not give a definitive answer
It doesn't specify when it will work. It sounds like it would work as long as those conditions are met (speaker size and Bassmix on/off) but I am fairly sure it won't work with Direct mode.

But I honestly do not know.

Anyhow, decided to apply the update after first deciding not to because of the risks involved, but then did do it because it is probably the final update and I love my AV2 and wanted it bug free and up-to-date.
Well, bad decision because the update failed and my AV2 is now a paper weight
So now my dvd5 has returned, my av2 will need to go away on a trip.

And with no warranty left I can only hope that Naim will be as forgiving as they always have been in the past or I will have to sell something else to pay for the repairs

At what stage of S/W is your AV2 upto for reference please.

Whoooopppss silly me the answer to my question is just above me, thank god mines on AVC0107 already!, i made a point of checking that when i picked it up last friday and i only paid £450.00 for it!.

Best Regards.

Best Regards.

That's a really good price! Congrats! You will NOT regret that purchase!!!
Yeah, imho the AV2 is currently the most interesting piece of Naim gear if you like good music AND movies.

And for those who want an all-in-one the n-Vi is a real bargain at around £800.

Ridiciulous really!