Updating Streamer Devices - Do we have to?

Posted by: AntonD on 20 August 2013

Hi to all forum members.

 

I am interested in your opinions here and also Naim's if they chose to comment.

 

Firstly, let me make it clear that I absolutely love my current system. Details are in my profile. I love the sound, the functionality and how N Stream interacts. Also what Naim stand for.

 

However, I am concerned with recent events regarding the 3.21 release and also the N Stream 3.3 App and what this may also mean for future updates.

 

On purpose, my current system is @ 3.17 version and 3.2 and I watched with interest the endless amount of issues reported on the forum regarding the new updates. Oh, I install, upgrade and customise software for a living (Data Management Software).

 

Regarding the physical update, my unit like most people will live in a rack. Its quite a pain to move items out of the way and utilise the mini USB port to complete the update. I know this has also been discussed at length. I wonder if Naim are investigating alternatives for future boxes?

 

My 1st unit was at 3.16. I updated to 3.17 like many forum members because there was really useful functionality here. I got the 'Fault 36' and reported to Naim, etc... to try and resolve. We could not and it had to be returned to the factory. It must have been something serious as Naim actually replaced it with a brand new unit. Now of course from a customer service point of view, 1st class and what a result but I also ask what was so wrong with the unit?!

 

Hence I held back to see what was going to happen and I know there have been many successful conclusions but also many issues as before.

 

So I am starting to ask myself "do I want this from a system that plays music for me?"

 

Also, when 1st getting into streaming there were many issues with album art resolution, transcoding problems, what UPnP server worked best, UPnP server software for Mac's and ITunes libraries, etc... I only resolved these issues to a satisfactory level due to the kind and knowledgeable forum members help. The forum is amazing for this. I think Naim should have created work sheet documents explaining the main scenarios and how to configure them. I also realise that they cannot cover all situations here.

 

The recent issue with the iRadio was also interesting and also added weight to my initial thoughts mentioned above. How future proof are our units really?

 

Having ALL your albums available using N Stream is a dream, of course it is. However, what happens when it stops working for reasons a, b, c, ... The CD users out there have very little to worry about.

 

So to conclude, I am happy at 3.17 and 3.2. Unless some future release includes major functionality that is beneficial, I will stay here.

 

ATB, Anton (I think a very happy Naim streamer user!)

Posted on: 20 August 2013 by J Saville

HI,

 

The issues with internet radio were due to vtuner, not the firmware update. The only other issue I've heard of was the app crashing after updating, but that is local to the i-device, not the Naim box.

 

If you don't require seek 2 time or multiroom, you probably don't need to update. However, there have probably been some 'behind the scenes' stability fixes that might make it worth doing. There are usually Dac updates within firmware updates.

Posted on: 20 August 2013 by Harry

We can stick at any version we like. For myself, I welcome the capability to upgrade in situ to add features and enhancements. But none are compulsory. I remember taking my CD5 back to the dealer to have the PIC upgrade, and the HDX for RAM and sound card. Whilst hardware upgrades will require unplugging, boxing and transport, the ability to do FW updates without all that messing about is very welcome. At least by me.

 

It is the nature of forums that bad news travels fast and good news hardly travels at all. All these "endless issues" are a very small percentage of the user base and of course many of them will report here in the hope of getting a speedy resolution. Any trawl of a BMW related forum will convince you that all turbos grenade and the straight four deisels shed their timing chains routinely. But you have to get it in perspective.

 

As one of many beta testers of Naim server firmware, it is apparent to me just how much thought and care goes into every single incremental upgrade. Nine times out of ten or more, Naim have to overcome (sometimes pre launch, sometimes immediately post launch) a plethora of permutations which better deserve the term "endless" around all the different ways their servers are interfaced and used by a diverse user population. Even more so for the streamers.

 

In these circumstances a perfect world does not exist. That many issues can arise from partner products which are neither built or supported by Naim, doesn't seem to slow them down once the issue has been identified. I think that's good going. And they will send out CDs and offer the facility for dealers to do the updates. I don't think one can complain about the level and commitment of service, even if at times such service is warranted because unforeseen issues have been identified.

 

But we can stick at any version we like. That's choice. And choice is good.

Posted on: 20 August 2013 by Richheart
Originally Posted by AntonD:

 

Regarding the physical update, my unit like most people will live in a rack. Its quite a pain to move items out of the way and utilise the mini USB port to complete the update. I know this has also been discussed at length. I wonder if Naim are investigating alternatives for future boxes?

 

I have a handy, mobile phone accessory, mini USB with spring (like a mini mechanical tape measure). This is left in situ behind my Qute, neatly rolled up. When I need to update, it gets pulled out, plugged into the USB extention cable from my computer, and then neatly springs back behind the Qute. Cute 

Posted on: 20 August 2013 by badlyread

I have one of those cables as well and use it in the same way (came with a free mouse with some aftershave!).

Posted on: 20 August 2013 by Richheart
Originally Posted by badlyread:

I have one of those cables as well and use it in the same way (came with a free mouse with some aftershave!).

I once got a free mouse.

The exterminator cost 40 quid 

Posted on: 20 August 2013 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Anton, unless there is a big that is bothering you or a new feature you would like you can stick with uyour current firmware.

Normally the firmware is quite polished, as Naim runs a beta programme with volunteers. I have participated in the past in such programmes, and certainly seen the rough edges knocked off the firmware during the beta stage.

Now for 3.21 either I missed the email about the beta programme or there wasn't the normal beta programme with volunteer Naim customers. Either way for the first time I can remember, 3.21 has  some annoying operational issues compared to the earlier version, namely  the inconsistent gapless operation, media bandwidth data very occasionally not getting to Nstream from the streamer, and very occasionally the streamer is abandoning playback for no apparent reason mid track.

My guess is the streamer board firmware has some gremlins introduced with the rewrite for the seek2time code which is i believe quite involved.

Simon

 

Posted on: 21 August 2013 by Solid Air
The vast majority of current users won't upgrade simply because they don't know there's another version. And of course, all new users will get the new version with new kit. So the number actually doing an in situ upgrade is relatively small. So anyone choosing to stick at a certain point has plenty of company! I'll always upgrade though, partly on general principle and partly out of curiosity. My Qute went totally fine - took ten minutes and S2T is great on FLAC tracks. A Startech cable from Amazon cost £6.82. You have to unscrew the retainers from either side of the RS232 connection on the Qute to fit it though - they're designed to come out so no problem. Alex