Unitilite Firmware

Hi DNO, welcome to Naim

The problem is with the WiFi link is it won't be good for big files like 24/192,  it will do as you say - stutter.  This further underscored by the USB playing the same file OK,  its simply beyond the limit that home wireless is capable of.

Ethernet cable might be a bridge too far,  but an all wired network  - centred on a switch - not your broadband/wireless hub - is the answer

Various other lesser temporary solutions such as WAP boosters or ethernet over mains might provide a help.  But bottom line is you need to limit yourself to either play high res files from the USB, try one of the other & possibly not 100% alternatives or just bite the fully wired ethernet network bullet.

Etherent cables first but if that's not possible, you can try ethernet over mains whihc is easy and cheap.  Worked very well in my house until I put ethernet cables in.  You will find plenty of threads on here though talking about the possible impact on sound quality of squirting it through the mains

Thank you gentlemen.  I have resolved to get a newer 'higher transfer rate' router, anyway, and see how that goes.  It may be that 24/88 or 96 is plenty for my ears anyway.  Especially as the beauty of the CD quality FLAC through the 'lite alone is stunning.

Hi again ---------  

 I want to ensure it has the latest version of firmware, as I gather it must be upgraded in incremental steps.  How do I find out what it currently is?

With the iPad & Naim app – in setting (the gear wheel) go to “About” & that lists the streamer version (firmware)

I'm not an Android user so better I say nothing other than it might be the same

Or on the UnitiLite display panel, using the remote, press the tool button, go to Factory Settings > System Status > scan down (its quite a way to go) - you are looking for “Version” & it will be 3.17 or 3.22 if its the old versions, or the latest is 4.1.

Uploading firmware instructions are all in the UnitiLite Naim www. Its depends on what computer you have, PC (Windows) or Mac

Read & fully understand everything the instructions say. You will need a Mini-USB to USB cable & also download the driver (a link in the instruction) for that cable to work with the Naim application. Then download & unzip the firmware & once you press the Naim "record" icon, its virtually automatic except you need to OK a few steps

Updating in incremental steps I believe is only required if you have 3.17 or earlier. In that case you will need to upload (PC) Version 3.22 or (Mac) Version 3.22-1.0.12, once you have 3.22, then go straight to 4.1

Thank you Mike, that is very helpful indeed.  It's an 18 month old unit so I will have a play tonight to see where I am - hopefully 3.22.

The UnitiLite is a super thing - it's amazing what you can get in a single box. One bit of advice though - get a proper NAS, such as a Synology or QNAP. You could always keep the WD thing for backup, but it really doesn't pass muster as a proper NAS.

I keep hearing this! What do these Synology/QNAP NAS do that my WD MyBook can't?

I have 2 wireless Qutes and a SU (wired) and it can serve all three devices at 16/44.1 or better with different music selections at the same time. Navigation and tag reading is fine, art can be a bit pixelated sometimes though.

I had one once- Twonky was hopeless and the interface virtually impossible to use. Other than that, it was great......

Ah.. Yes the Twonky interface is very cheap n cheerless, but hopefully it shouldn't need to be used much after the first few days of swearing. Not having tried any of the others NAS I'm happy with my 'tin bath and carbolic soap', the Naim app. works fine with it, NAS wake-up from sleep can take a few seconds but it's still quicker than me putting on a CD!

Or just avoid the entire NAS ordeal by running JRiver [or other similar app] on a regular computer.

Phew!  Well, it feels nice to have people work throught the night to help me out!  Thank you all.

Luckily the WD Mycloud has been in sleep mode overnight so it didn't hear those comments  . It seems to work OK at the moment, and also plays nicely with my Sony srs-X9 in the kitchen (except 24/192).

So, I know I've got one thing right for sure - buying a Unitilite. And I also know (thanks to Mike) that its current firmware is 3.23, so I can go straight to 4.1.  Something for the weekend...

My WiFi is poor at the moment so after the firmware update I will turn my attentions to that.  Any further comments on a good router and switchy thing (and why it helps) would be welcome.

I'm also, sadly, beginning to realise, even with my so far lower quality ears, that my current speakers are being overwhelmed by what the 'lite is throwing at them - I shan't mention that to the wife just yet.

DNO - when you do the firmware update my advice would be:

1. Read the instructions

2. Read the instructions again

3. Follow the instructions!

I don't think they are the best written documents in the world, but they do tell you what to do to get the latest USB drivers, how you need to connect the computer you are upgrading from, the Lite and the router, etc.

Don't be tempted to try the updgrade with only wireless connections - it's not in the instructions to do it this way (see point 3) and in my view it is asking for trouble.  Sounds like you will need to move your Lite close to your router to do this but please make the effort (or get a long ethernet cable).

+1  Read Re-Read Follow (to the letter) 

And yes,  whilst it will upgrade the f/w over wireless,  it only needs one lost connection - as it does - & its all a heap in a hand basket.

Now you're making think I should just leave it at 3.23...

OK, so no WiFi.  So it needs connecting to the router and connecting to the PC!

Is it OK to power it up without the speakers connected (moved nearer the router)?   I'll read the instructions...

No No  !!!   don't be put off - please

I've changed my f/w a number of times in the last months as I'm on the beta test team &  have done it twice (at least) over wireless.   My concern is your wireless is not so robust (stuttering with 24/192) so I would advise to avoid that if poss.

Unitilite needs to be USB wired to PC & ethernet wired to router - any cheap Cat5 is OK

Yes its OK to discon the speakers

My superuniti is connected to the network with cable. When I do updates, I connect the PC to the SU, and then download the update to the PC wirelessly. Don't forget to plug the PC into the mains and ensure that sleep mode is turned off.

For routers, I'd recommend a Draytek, and for switches something like a Netgear GS105, which costs under £20.

Also I did overlook the fact that some PC's don't have an ethernet port,  so its wireless or a trip to the dealer or an RJ45 equipped  buddy!!!! 

I have finally got around to performing the firmware upgrade on my 'lite and wanted to say thanks for all the help on here, especially Mike .  Thanks again.

I was all hooked up with cables everywhere, sitting on the floor in the hall, and it worked like a charm.  The only thing I was unsure about was the USB driver and Port selection, but it was fine.  I had previously downloaded the driver and 'installed' it on my Win 7 PC but as soon as I connected the 'lite via USB it pronoounced the driver software was installed on Com 5 - so off I went, happily.

I don't subscribe to spotify but it's nice to be all up to date.