Should I move to 3.21/3.4 now or wait until the software has been properly de-bugged?

Posted by: PhilP on 02 September 2013

I've held back from moving to 3.21/3.4 as I'm currently running Snow Leopard on my iMac and the firmware updater apparently isn't supported on that version of OS X - despite the fact that 25% of Mac users still use it. 

 

I've followed the growing list of reported problems with both 3.21 and 3.4 with some concern particularly as my system is currently running with no glitches and I have no real need for seek2time or party mode and Naim do not claim any performance gains through moving to the latest versions.

 

I can't see any reason to update my s/w until Naim fixes the bugs - unless anyone knows better?

 

Posted on: 02 September 2013 by Bart

Given that it's been over 2 years since a newer OS X version was released, you obviously are someone comfortable with using older software versions.  I would guess that for you, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" works and I would recommend not doing a thing.

 

I would submit that the "growing list of reported problems" is not really growing at all.  Of course the fora are skewed towards reports of problems, as there is little motivation for many to report that all is well.  And Naim's technical support is phenomenal; you can get hands-on help if needed.

 

But again you see "no glitches" and so I would not change a thing.

Posted on: 02 September 2013 by PhilP
Originally Posted by Bart:

Given that it's been over 2 years since a newer OS X version was released, you obviously are someone comfortable with using older software versions.  I would guess that for you, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" works and I would recommend not doing a thing.

 

I would submit that the "growing list of reported problems" is not really growing at all.  Of course the fora are skewed towards reports of problems, as there is little motivation for many to report that all is well.  And Naim's technical support is phenomenal; you can get hands-on help if needed.

 

But again you see "no glitches" and so I would not change a thing.

Hi Bart,

 

Actually, I'm normally an "early adopter" but the considerable number of reported problems/performance issues with Lion and also with Mountain Lion have delayed my upgrade to the latest version on that iMac.

 

Perhaps the number of problems with 3.21/3.4 isn't growing but certainly the number of people reporting problems either via this forum or iStore certainly is.

 

I've only had my NDX for a couple of months and I don't see any desperate need to compromise my system unnecessarily

 

I've had no reliability/technical problems in 30+ years of Naim ownership - I hope the move to streaming won't prove to be less reliable...

 

 

Posted on: 02 September 2013 by DaveBk

I'd stick where you are - no reason to upgrade, so wait it out until the bugs are fixed. The gapless issue is the only one that imacts me, and it's only a minor irritation..

 

dave

Posted on: 02 September 2013 by Bart
Originally Posted by PhilP:
Originally Posted by Bart:

Given that it's been over 2 years since a newer OS X version was released, you obviously are someone comfortable with using older software versions.  I would guess that for you, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" works and I would recommend not doing a thing.

 

I would submit that the "growing list of reported problems" is not really growing at all.  Of course the fora are skewed towards reports of problems, as there is little motivation for many to report that all is well.  And Naim's technical support is phenomenal; you can get hands-on help if needed.

 

But again you see "no glitches" and so I would not change a thing.

Hi Bart,

 

Actually, I'm normally an "early adopter" but the considerable number of reported problems/performance issues with Lion and also with Mountain Lion have delayed my upgrade to the latest version on that iMac.

 

Two years since the introduction of Lion . . . one plus years since Mountain Lion . . . I dare say that you're no longer the "early adopter" you think you are.  (Neither am I -- I no longer buy the latest iPhone the day it's released!)

 

I have a feeling that you are focusing your attention on reports and websites where problems are reported.  Such reports exist for every operating system, every cellphone, every automobile, etc etc.  Lion and Mountain Lion must be running on millions of machines.  There are no substantial issues with them.  Unless you read the Apple support fora.

Posted on: 03 September 2013 by PhilP

 

I dare say that you're no longer the "early adopter" you think you are.

 

Hee! hee!  Maybe you're right - come to think of it I haven't been DR'd yet and I don't have a single Apple device with a Lightning connector   I can't think of anything else I'm behind in though...

 

I have a feeling that you are focusing your attention on reports and websites where problems are reported.  Such reports exist for every operating system, every cellphone, every automobile, etc etc.  Lion and Mountain Lion must be running on millions of machines.  There are no substantial issues with them.  Unless you read the Apple support fora.

 

I usually check the relevant fora before upgrading just to see if people have had major issues - better than going in blind - but would agree that they often give the impression that problems are much worse than is actually the case.  Whilst Lion certainly wasn't Apple's finest hour ML does by most reports seem a lot better. I may try the upgrade next weekend.  Hopefully it won't slow my iMac down too much...

 

The various problems reported with 3.21/3.4 seem to be annoying rather than show-stoppers but even so I'm disapointed that they weren't picked up before the s/w was released - especially the issues with gapless playback/buffering that SiS and DaveBk have identified and explored.  I think I will become a member of the 'late adopter' group for these releases...

 

Posted on: 03 September 2013 by PhilP
Originally Posted by Wat:

I have had no issues with Mountain Lions. 

Hi Wat, that's good to hear.  Did you upgrade from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion or did your machine come with ML installed? Thanks, Philip

Posted on: 03 September 2013 by PhilP
Originally Posted by Wat:

It came with Mountain Lion installed. 

Ok, thanks. I've heard that new installs are fine - the problems mostly seem to arise when upgrading which is why I've held back. Anyway, I'm pleased to hear you system is fine. 

Posted on: 04 September 2013 by JensFromBielefeld
Originally Posted by PhilP:

I've held back from moving to 3.21/3.4 as I'm currently running Snow Leopard on my iMac and the firmware updater apparently isn't supported on that version of OS X - despite the fact that 25% of Mac users still use it. 

 

I've followed the growing list of reported problems with both 3.21 and 3.4 with some concern particularly as my system is currently running with no glitches and I have no real need for seek2time or party mode and Naim do not claim any performance gains through moving to the latest versions.

 

I can't see any reason to update my s/w until Naim fixes the bugs - unless anyone knows better?

 

If you don't need time2seek and party mode but like gapless I'd suggest that you better wait. There are problems with gapless streaming with the new firmware. Naim seems to investigate that issue.