3-17 update

This has been discussed on the other 3.17 thread but i didn't think the uniti had the dsp update so should sound the same. I stand to be corrected though.

you can't downgrade software though i'm pretty sure of that.

we all need to slow down with installing upgrades without feed back from dealers  

There needs to be some kind of health warning on updates that could have an audible impact. Naim almost certainly do exhaustive listening tests and may well conclude that a particular update has a positive effect, but this does not guarantee it to be to everyone's taste.

It also takes time to acclimatise to any change, it may sound more detailed at first, but become wearing after prolonged listening. Change often sounds wrong, then one becomes used to it and reverting to the former state then also seems wrong....

This could become a minefield unless Naim can come up with a way to backtrack upgrades, or offer switchable filters, or over-sampling algorithms so end users can choose.

I totally agree Dave. Thats what really pee'd me off with my ND5. I updated from 3.15 to 3.16, thinking it was only an update to enable play lists and the like, yet it totally changed the sound of it. There was no, as far as im aware, any mention in the info to say sound quality  change.

Still a learning curve with Naim, no more updates till others have made clear statements to sq changes.

the last update on cleared a code fault . stop kidding the sound quality didn't change, the next upgrade seems to be pointing to android  end of year release

Foxman to my mind that is one possible drawback to all in one streamer/DAC solutions, there is a lot of fine tuning in the area of noise on powersupply lines and earth loop currents to stop cross contamination of components. Changing the firmware code and execution cycle will change the profile of noise on the lines (and even EMI). This is well understood but probably almost impossible to eliminate and i have seen this phenomenon used to reverse engineer smart cards at a specialist facility in Israel.

Therefore there is always noise or RFI affecting the audio response and it is this that adds to the character or presentation we learn to enjoy for a device..Therefore there is a high probability that code changes affect this noise or RFI profile and change the sonic presentation subtly.

There is no perfect answer in the real world, but by separating components like streamers and DACs out you reduce the effects IMO, but are still not totally immune, as I found out in a positive way when upgrading my NDX to 3.16 whilst feeding my NDAC.

Simon

I didn't know you'd sneaked into my house on two occasions in order to compare how my system sounded now and previously. You're obviously very clever and know much more than I do about my system.

There are some very clever people about JS they even know what other folks can hear.

I must admit that I have often questioned how something can make a difference and I often wonder if the difference is real attributable to the change or another factor, but if someone says there is a change then there is no dispute from me. 

I can easily believe a software update to a Naim player could benefit SQ ... if nothing else it would provide a clean installation of the code. It the new code is more efficient then that should help. 

Only by doing losts of controlled measurements in your environment could anything be proved (may be stretching that concept). However such tests are irrelevant as you can hear the improvements and really that is all that matters. 

I'm glad it works ... I just wish upgrading was simpler on Naim products. 

Well, I'm as aware of expectation bias as the next man. Frankly, I don't even look for improvements or even think about them on firmware updates of any devices, unless the manufacturer suggests specifically that they should be there (eg the last Meridian code update). My normal view of updates is that the are there to improve stability or functionality of devices generally. I install and forget.

However, on this occasion, I instantly noticed what I still think is a change in the sound on very familiar albums. That is also without knowing of other people's similar comments at the time. I don't really care if a stranger decides it isn't there - as long s I'm enjoying the music, that's all that matters.

Unfortunately, the SU is going to have to go back for a check-up for other reasons , so I'll have to make do with the new 'Qute or a while. I actually managed to upgrade the fimware on that today too, once I'd bought the recommended USB-RS232 thingy. However, I'm too scared to listen in case I hear some imaginary changes

Simons comments make sense to me and could explain a difference that may not be deliberate, hence the lack of comms on this by Naim.

I am not sure whether there is a difference on my NDX, I thouht the other evening it seemed lighter on its feet but now am not sure.  Keen to avoid the emperors new clothes situation.

Will listen some more.  

Now off to start a thread on firmware code running in!

richard

If you dont have a problem with error codes is there any need to update my software, paul

I'm doing the upgrade now on my NDX and on the NDX screen, it is showing "DSPDAC Update."

To my ears, SQ is absolutely better, More detail, tighter bass,  more space, no loss of PRAT. Of course, my expectations were low, and I had not updated since v3.09. This, despite all the hassle in finding cables, installing drivers and locating correct COM ports.

+1. I upgraded from 3.13 to 3.17.

Hi Steven

I found (and others) that the upgrade to 3.16 was a sound upgrade.  It could be that people who have gone straight from earlier versions (i.e. 3.09, 3.13) and skipped 3.16, could now be hearing the differences that 3.16 brought.

I haven't updated my NDX yet (currently using 3.16), will try maybe later today!

I seem to have had some performance issues with 3.17 on a Uniti 1... now taking a long time switiching between inputs, i.e. from UPnP to iRadio (also struggled with presets). Also locks up UPnP when selecting certain albums (ripped in Lossless to iTunes) via nStream (latest update).

Would agree with sound comments though, seems as though the Uniti has been to the gym and is a  little more taut... 

Hi all,

Question for NDX owner: For now, I run my NDX (plus nDAC/555ps) with firmware 3.16, and I'm satisfied about its SQ.  On the other hand, I'm curious about the last version of firmware 3.17. There is somebody who runs his NDX (nDAc setup ) with this version? If it’s the case, how do you describe the "new" sound versus the one with 3.16 version?

Thank you,

Hi Clad1960 -

I am running the same setup as you.  Back in August, I updated from 3.9 to 3.16 (with a brief stop, as recommended, at 3.13), and I did hear an improvement in sound quality -- a more solid bottom end, along with some extra high frequency detail and "sparkle".  Nothing earth shattering, but it was a pleasant surprise nonetheless!

I would be shocked if 3.17 brought any further sound quality improvements, and especially given Naim's description of its purpose -- a fix for "Error 36".  Based on that, and unless new information comes to light, I am staying at 3.16.

ATB.

Hook

Does 3.17 apply to the HDX ?

No - streaming clients only - the HDX uses completely different software.

Cheers

Phil

If there are any other old iDevice users besides me please be aware of below:

Please note: due to restrictions imposed by Apple your iOS device must now be running software version 4.3 or above for n-Stream to work with Naim streaming products running software version 3.17 and above. This will mean that a very small number of older iPhone and iPod Touch devices cannot be updated. You can find out what software version your Apple device is running from the ‘About’ section in ‘General’ settings on your device.

I was lucky not to update to 3.17 when it came available. This note was only released afterwards which is something that one would hope to be better taken care in the future.