Naim DAC firmware?

Posted by: Hot Rats on 20 October 2010

Has there yet been a firmware update for the Naim DAC? I wondered if they had managed to come up with anything to make performance with USB memory sticks any more consistent
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by Asenna04:
My next quest is to find a suitable cover for the front USB port. Aesthetically it does not go with all the other equipmemnt and it does not look nice. I neat cover would look nice and make the port almost invisible. It will also stop the dust getting in the port.

Open to any ideas or any product (cover) suggestions.

ASenna04


Something like this?



USB port cover
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Asenna04
quote:
Originally posted by Aleg:
Something like this?


Yes! Where can I get one in the UK?

ASenna04
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by pcstockton
quote:
I'm still puzzled why NAIM didn't inform DAC users, either through the Web site or retailers, that this update was available.
I only became aware of it when making an enquiry about a possible FLAC update to Steve Hopkins.
Come on NAIM why not be a bit more forthcoming about these updates!

I am sure they will. Who knows what the hell is posted up above?
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Thorsten_L
Worked perfect.

Lights are dimmed by pressing DISPLAY some time...

THank you.
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Thorsten_L
FLAC is now also working???
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by Thorsten_Lux:
FLAC is now also working???


Why do you think so?
It is not mentioned in the release notes.

-
aleg
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Thorsten_L
Ok...but there have been rumours...
Winker
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by gone
quote:
Originally posted by Asenna04:
quote:
Originally posted by Aleg:
Something like this?


Yes! Where can I get one in the UK?

ASenna04


what about these?
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by Nero:
quote:
Originally posted by Asenna04:
quote:
Originally posted by Aleg:
Something like this?


Yes! Where can I get one in the UK?

ASenna04


what about these?


Can't see them properly but these could be covers for USB cable ends sliding over the cable end and not for closing off a USB port opening.

-
aleg
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by BigH47
ASenna,
Blurb says they protect the mother board, the inference being they go on the USB socket not plug IMO.
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by BigH47:
ASenna,
Blurb says they protect the mother board, the inference being they go on the USB socket not plug IMO.



It also talks about loose cables to prevent accidental shortcuts infering they go on cable ends Big Grin

Unless you can see the front, you can't be sure.

-
aleg
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Dustysox
I wondered that as well. Since I like all lights to be off except the logo when the system is not being used. I achive this by pressing the first button from left (Undock) and this will switch off the sync light. I press button 1 (connected to digital source) when listerning to music.
ASenna04[/QUOTE]

Hi Asenaa04,

Just to be clear what you are doing here in effect disables DAC for USB listening, hence sync light is off. By selection of input makes that input active and hence sync light comes back on. Is this correct? If so, sync light remains illuminated when lights on DAC disabled. Which is curious why Naim would do this. Even giving option by for example, double pressing display option on remote etc etc might have ticked everyones box on disabling lights on DAC, thus bringing it more in line with this function on all other Naim product.

I welcome everyones thought.
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by nitrous
quote:
Originally posted by Doctor Jazz:
I have tested the firmware update with some 24-Bit/96kHz wave files. I put these files in the root directory of the USB stick and used the USB socket on the front of the DAC.

One of my USB sticks previously worked only on an intermittent basis with the DAC and I had never managed to get my other USB stick to work at all. Both USB sticks worked with the 24-Bit/96kHz files following the installation of the Release 65 Firmware.

If you want to try this for yourself, I have uploaded the update to Rapidshare and Hotfile. (I hope it's OK to do this. Mods please delete and accept my apology if it is not acceptable)

I have uploaded in RAR and zip file formats. Each compressed file (You only need to download one of them) contains the release notes from Naim Audio, the two files required to perform the firmware update (These are in a compressed file format) and a text file containing the installation instructions that were included in Steven Hopkins' email containing the required update files. Please follow these instructions carefully.

Links:

Hotfile

http://hotfile.com/dl/78226556...65_Firmware.rar.html

http://hotfile.com/dl/78227796...65_Firmware.zip.html


Rapidshare

http://rapidshare.com/files/42...ease_65_Firmware.rar

http://rapidshare.com/files/42...ease_65_Firmware.zip


I wonder if someone could please help me with the above, I have tried to load update, and things seem to flash when the are supposed to but, still can't dim display so I assume update hasn't taken?

I'm using a Mac by the way.

Cleared a memory stick that I know works, (also works on a PC at work)and downloaded one of the above rar files unzipped to stick and I get following files:

Naim DAC Release 65 Firmware Notes.txt
Naim DAC Release 65 Firmware.rar
release 65 .zip
release notes 65.txt

Followed instructions. (although they don't say when one should remove ones finger from dock button at the appropriate time).

Update appears not to have worked

Cheers for any help.
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by nico:
I wonder if someone could please help me with the above, I have tried to load update, and things seem to flash when the are supposed to but, still can't dim display so I assume update hasn't taken?
...


Dimming requires the remote to be selected for PRE and one should press and hold the DISP button. First the pre-amp will switch off the lights and when holding a bit longer, the DAC will switch off the lights.

Are you sure it doesn't work like that?

Did you see all the light indicators as described?

Did you perform the validation step as well?

-
aleg
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by nitrous
Aleg, thanks for reply, tried holding disp, pre goes out straight away, dac does not dim. I will try loading again and check validation stage. What do you do if it doesn't validate??

Cheers
Posted on: 26 October 2010 by bhaagensen
I agree that rapidshare is not the way to distribute firmware. But it doesn't necessarily mean that the door is wide open to hack'n destroy. In fact, I presume that the DACs update-procedure use some kind of system for authenticating and verifying the firmware provided, before commencing the actual re-flashing.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by Hot Rats
I am sure they will. Who knows what the hell is posted up above? (pcstockton)

I agree that rapidshare is not the way to distribute firmware. But it doesn't necessarily mean that the door is wide open to hack'n destroy. (bhaagensen)

If you don't want it then don't download it! I shared with the Naim Forum the exact files that were sent to me by Naim Audio. The only file that I added was a text file containing the installation instructions that were included in the main body of the email that I received from Steve Hopkins.

Some people on this forum! Jeez!

Further thought ... I assume that the files that were sent to me by Naim Audio were the final version Release 65 firmware update for the nDAC. I would expect that if the version I received was beta then Steve Hopkins would have pointed this out to me with a 'caveat emptor' attached.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by Harry
I for one am grateful to you DJ. I haven't run the upgrade yet but I have the files. Thank you for that.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by nap-ster
quote:
Originally posted by Harry K:
I for one am grateful to you DJ. I haven't run the upgrade yet but I have the files. Thank you for that.


x2
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by simcat
The Naim website should host the file and also provide instructions for installation. This could be done by a thread where issues are discussed and resolved. This is standard practise for most electronic goods. Its quite friendly for an Naim owner to post a link to a host where they have lodged the file but this could so easily be subverted by someone linking to a virus or trojan or an illegal website, etc. Be careful what you click on via the Internet. The software update and support process should be owned and supported by Naim.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by Harry
Thought I might as well get around to actually doing it. Easy. And now with button lights off.

Thanks again.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by Salmon Dave
I raised an issue with the DAC (via an email to Hjalmar) several months ago, that when using the arrowed inputs on Narcom 4 in TUNER mode, it also changed the inputs on the DAC.
So, for example, changing from Radio 3 to Radio 4 on the NAT05XS using the arrows also results in the DAC moving from input 1 to input 2 - frustrating, naturally.
Only reason for using the arrow input buttons on the remote is that the numerical ones take a number of seconds to change channels, whereas the arrows are instantaneous. Curiously.

I don't think this has been cured.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by simcat
issues raised and fixes that Naim are working on should be maintained via a sticky thread. Updates usually add functionality or fix things so why not be open and transparent about it and document them.
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by jmdx96
Works well ! Thanks for sharing it !
Posted on: 27 October 2010 by nitrous
Ah ha, got it sorted now! Has anyone heard a sound improvement with lights dimmed yet? Can't myself, but early days as I only loaded update an hour ago.

Nico