Naim DAC FLAC update now available

Thanks Paul!  This may make me try the USB more often.

Can you please clarify what you meant with "The update makes the Naim DAC compatible with the NDX"?

Without this update the NDX's digital out wouldn't work with the DAC ?

Thanks!
Patrick

System Automation from the NDX turns it into an seven-input DAC (as the eighth input is used by the NDX digital out itself), remotely selectable via Philips RC5 IR via the n-Stream app (which is coming along quite nicely on iPad, by the way).

Yes as Dave said, Thanks Dave.

thanks gentlemen!

I just did the upgrade to my dac and everything is perfect flac and wave both plays on the usb...

Thank  to all of you  for this great improvment.

Serge

Soooo, I just download/paste it to the usb stick, insert the usb stick in and everything will be jolly good?
And I can dim the light as well?

V

I have updated the f/w and check that it was 396. The nDAC could play the flac files but they are off-key... seems the nDAC couldn't in sync. The flac files are 24/192. Pls help.

Naim Audio Forums Presents... a Live Chat Event: Naim's Hjalmar Nilsson DAC code author CHAT with Hjalmar today Chat with  Hjalmar Nilsson Senior Naim Audio engineer today 4pm-5pm UK time. Hjalmar is the author of all the s/ware code in the Naim DAC and and has just released the FLAC update, if you any questions relating to this update of the DAC software code, this is the guy to ask.

Now accepting questions in advance of the chat event. Go to CHAT EVENTS

"The nDAC could play the flac files but they are off-key... seems the nDAC couldn't in sync."

Sorry can you mail us directly with what you mean off key?
info@naimaudio.com

Hi Paul,

Sent. Thanks.

Joseph

Hope you have the answer,dont forget if you wish to speak with Hjamlar he is online now.

Have upgraded as per instructions but the nDAC will no longer play any files from USB drive. The USB drive worked previously. I have checked the version and it is at 396.

Any ideas?

According to the upgrade instruction procedures PDF, it seems that end users are only able to upgrade their firmware, and can't go back to a previous "No FLAC Playback" version, nor write over the same version of firmware. Hence the question: Is a trip back to the dealer/technical service is the only way to fix a Naim DAC where the update doesn't do what it should for an unknown reason? (See Jack's post)

Bye.

I upgraded last night.  FLACs play, but there is a "clicking" sound underneath the music.  This isn't a "hifi" thing or a preference, it is very noticeable to anyone.  I didnt retry WAVs to see if the update affected that.  The USB input is only a novelty for me anyway, but I think I would like it to work properly.

Anyone else?
Patrick

I just upgraded the DAC Firmware.  A 176.4/24 FLAC track plays slower than it should and there's a click sound in the background, HOWEVER a 96/24 FLAC track plays fine  from a USB stick.

Somethin' in this software 'ain't quite right!
Roger 
(a former software engineer, but not with Naim)

Tried a lower resolution FLAC file (say 24/96) ?
Roger

24/192 FLAC playback is very choppy an slowed down.



With FLAC encoding level set to 0, things are getting a liiiittle bit better,

playback is a little bit less choppy.



Maybe Naim DAC's processor is not powerful enough to decode highest resolution FLACs on the fly?





24/96 FLAC seemed OK, but in a 5 minute file I got two audible and strong "pop/zap" glitches.



When I switched to faster USB stick, 24/96 FLAC playback was error free,

but 24/192 FLACs were still choppy and slow.



Can we have a link to the original firmware if we want to go back?



.

I asked about the same question two days ago, and still waiting for an official answer.

What I was able to understand from the installation procedures included with the update, is that the update procedure will be executed only if the firmware version is more recent than the one already installed into the DAC. So unless the previous "No FLAC" firmware is rebadged to pass for a more recent version, I'm afraid that the DAC will have to do a trip back to the dealer to solve the issue somehow.

Bye.

Kuja, I have the same problem whith a flac 24-192

But no problem whit a wave 24-176

Very strange

Isnt the USB like 32/762 capable or something?

       









I don't have a problem with 24/192 wavs, only with FLAC.

Although, I think that at some point I've heard a touch of distortion with 24/192 wavs, that was not present with previous firmware.

But this might be due to the original file being recording from the early 70's.

Compressed FLAC files need more computing power for decoding compared to uncompressed PCM wav files, so this may be the reason for choppy playback.

The member AMA on another tread is having success with problematic FLAC files by simply removing all tags. It apparently have to be done directly with the file properties, and not throught Foobar or any FLAC enabled player software. You have to use Properties->Tools->Remove Tags.

nDAC apparently doesn't like FLAC file's metadata at all.

Bye.

It will accept LPCM up to 32 bits and 768 Khz, yes. But will be down converted somehow to 24 bits to match the PCM 1704K DAC capabilities. And you'll certainly need a Class 10 USB stick to match the data flow requirements of such music file.

AFAIK, FLAC files are available to buy up to 24 bits192 Khz for consumers.

Bye.

       





My 24/192 FLACs have no tags.



I played a bit more with the new firmware and I discovered that I'm getting occasional glitches sounding like brief and very loud electric pop/zap even with uncompressed 24/96 PCM wav files!

Sometimes they occur one or two times in a 5 minute song, but when I immediately replay the same song I might get none.

A very erratic behavior.



.

Quote from firmware update instructions:
"Note. The DAC will both upgrade and downgrade. It is therefore important
that you ascertain what firmware versions are already installed and know
what firmware versions you are about to install."