Naim DAC firmware?

quote:

Originally posted by nico:
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

Yes, it's "night and day"

Before the upgrade my DAC had problems with every USB memory stick I tried - and I tried eight different sticks (and yes, I formated them correctly to FAT 32 before copying WAV files on it) I always got very short interruptions (mostly 2 to 4 within one track) and that killed all the fun. Using USB sticks is important for me since I play my 24bit files this way. The upgrade solved all the problems Now listening to my third high resolution album and still no interruptions. Only thing that Naim could improve is that whenever I turn up or down the volume via my remote the DAC's dimmed light turns on again... Any one else experiencing this "problem"? Besides that it is a great upgrade and I wonder why it took Naim so long to come with this upgrade or better to say why did they start delivering the DAC with its USB problems when it came out?

How can you check what kind of software version you got? ( what serial number is coming with version 65? )

And the update is only dimming light and playing FLAC now?

Robbert,

No FLAC support. Read the "readme" file in the downloads on the first page of this thread for the full list of new features.

quote:

Originally posted 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.

I also raised a similar issue with Naim via Mark Raggett some time ago(see e-mail below) along with the USB stick isued (cured by release 65).
I don't think there is a fix for the tuner/remote as yet.

Graham

Mark,
As we discussed at the Moorgate open day, I have tried my hp memory stick at Audio Images on their Naim DAC and the problem, which I'll describe below, has been repeated.

Problem : a. The stick has 3 free download tracks from the Naim web site. 1. Branching Out 2. Perfect Fit 3. Wichita Lineman
b. Placing the stick in either USB socket results in the first track being played; at the end of the track there is a click, which is the second track being skipped over and not played. The 3rd track is played.
c. At the end of the 3rd track there is a "Gattling Gun " sound and the DAC locks onto STOP. The only remedy is to physically remove the stick.

However if you use the Next button while track 1 is playing it skips to track 2 or 3 normally and you can use the Stop button to interrupt play. In fact the Prev, Next, Play, Stop buttons all function normally at this point.
In summary the problem seems to be manifested when you allow the stick after insertion to follow the sequence in sections b.and c. above without interruption.

Audio Images copied my stick to another stick (no previous problems) and the above was repeated on their DAC.


Audio Images will probably contact HQ with my observations above and below. Please let me know if you still want me to send you the stick for examination. It could be a problem with tracks I downloaded.
Unfortunately the Perfect Fit track is no longer listed as a free download so I cannot try another stick to reproduce the problem.

There is another technical issue with the DAC in using a Narcom 3 remote.

My DAC is using input 1 on the display.
1. When I press Up on the tuner section of the remote the DAC display moves to 2. Pressing Up again does not change this. However pressing Down moves it to input 3. If I then press Up the input changes to 2. I can then toggle between 2 and 3 with these buttons. Inputs 1 and 4 cannot be selected at all with these buttons on the remote.
2. If starting from input 1 I press Down then input 3 is selected. As above you can then toggle between 2 and 3 with the Up Down buttons.
Which ever input number I start from results in the selection of either 2 or 3 when pressing the Up or Down buttons.

It's difficult to describe all the permutations but I'm sure it can be reproduced. I have tried the Narcom 4 and using the left/right arrows and the Scan button has similar effects.

Thanks for the interesting conversation the other night.

Thanks for the new firmware. All updated with no problem.

Only a question. Before, when I press the button "select" of the remote control I could "dock" and "undock" the memory stick input. Now, the button "select" does not work. If I want to stop listening a memory stick and hear other input, I have to get up and do it manually. Or is there another way?

quote:

Originally posted by Wotan:
Thanks for the new firmware. All updated with no problem.

Only a question. Before, when I press the button "select" of the remote control I could "dock" and "undock" the memory stick input. Now, the button "select" does not work. If I want to stop listening a memory stick and hear other input, I have to get up and do it manually. Or is there another way?

AFAIK not.
I hadn't noticed it before. They must have (inadvertently?) dropped it.

Would be nice to have it back though, because all other functions can be controled by remote.

-
aleg

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg:
I hadn't noticed it before. They must have (inadvertently?) dropped it.

Possibly, but it was. Truly useful.

So that sync light....just me then!!

quote:

Originally posted by Dustysox:
So that sync light....just me then!!

I agree it would be nice if it would switch off as well, but it isn't bothering me that much.

But if they could add this in a future upgrade, it would be nice.

-
aleg

I agree it would be nice if it would switch off as well, but it isn't bothering me that much.

But if they could add this in a future upgrade, it would be nice.

Hi Aleg,

it is strange that other lights are dimmed except sync, why go to the trouble?

Think of the saving on electricity bill

quote:

Originally posted by Dustysox:
I agree it would be nice if it would switch off as well, but it isn't bothering me that much.

But if they could add this in a future upgrade, it would be nice.

Hi Aleg,

it is strange that other lights are dimmed except sync, why go to the trouble?

Think of the saving on electricity bill

Dusty

I can imagine they would leave it on, because it is a status indicator, showing all is functioning properly.

But because I've never had a source that played out of sync, it isn't of much use to me and I wouldn't mind having to switch on the lights again to show the sync-status if I would have playback trouble.

But it is just a choice either way and a minor issue for me.

-
aleg

Sorted

Stageline and NAPSC have got the same light like the DAC's sync light... These lights do not disturb me at all.

quote:

Originally posted by John R.:
Stageline and NAPSC have got the same light like the DAC's sync light... These lights do not disturb me at all.

Fair point John, however wouldn't it be nice to have a choice.

It doesn't disturb me, just that when listening in the dark (which I strangely enjoy doing!!) with Fraim in line of sight the system loses it's symmetry with it on.

It must be me then!!!

I do like that I can now turn the light of the buttons off and I can understand that you would like to be able to turn the sync light off, too. An I would like FLAC support with the next upgrade

quote:

Stageline and NAPSC have got the same light like the DAC's sync light... These lights do not disturb me at all.

I keep Stageline behind LP12 -- there is a plenty of space there. It's fed by Hicap2 which is dropped down two shelves below and have no disturbing lights apart from Naim logo (which we all love).
Am I alone with this design?

quote:

Originally posted by Dustysox:
Sorted

Hi Guys

I had just about concluded that the nDAC was the right way for me to go, but I must say you have me worried now.............Just how big is this light?

quote:

Just how big is this light?

smaller than the smiley face on your post as viewed on my iPhone.

If you are worried about the symmetry of the lights on your kit, I suggest a throw blanket or go old school pro style and flip your kit around. No crossing NACA that way.

Or go get help.

-Patrick

Just remember, the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long!

That doesn't make sense

quote:

the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long!

It was a reference to Bladerunner (i think), along the lines of the sync light going out.

quote:

If you are worried about the symmetry of the lights on your kit, I suggest a throw blanket or go old school pro style and flip your kit around. No crossing NACA that way.

Lights, lights what lights, no lights on a 12/120........well ok a small one on the back but that's not visible otherwise the NACA5 would be coming out of the front and that would be plain silly.

quote:

Or go get help.

No need with so many extremely helpful folk here.

quote:

Just remember, the light that burns twice as bright burns half as long!

True, oh so true.

Peter

The new firmware, bring it something new? ( better sound ?? ) ( FLAC??, i guess not... )

Or i can better use the "old" standard version.

How can i check if i already have the new ( 65 ) version?

You could try to press and hold DISP while looking to see if the light goes out - if you have the suitable remote.