NDX and DSD and general SQ after 4.3 firmware upgrade

Upgraded my NDX yesterday and have to agree that after a good listening session the sound has improved in all areas. 

Nice one Naim.

If I follow the different threads it seems like the NDX benefits from sound improvements while the NDS seems to stay on the same level. A pity....

Well could it be the NDS has better internal decoupling and shielding and so is less sensitive to EMI and electrical noise from the code sequencing within the SHARC processor?

Yes that might be the reason. I however am naive and hope that a firmware upgrade would mean an improvement for all.

Oh no, it does the same effect don't worry. While changing the "software" in the DAC, they dramatically changed the sound signature as well. Like a new machine... They should have said that it as gonna change that much. When i installed it, i just thought an improvement for DSD compatibility - not such a change.

Why a pity? If your NDS sounds bad there is probably something wrong with it which won't be solved by FW.

My favorite NDS FW for musical enjoyment was the original launch version, which lasted for about a month, possibly less. I know that subsequent iterations sounded inferior to me but it's so long ago that I couldn't reliably compare it from memory with what is now current, which sounds mighty fine to me in any case.

Agree with Phil's point on 'the container' anyone who wants to test this should buy the CD David Gray - 'Mutineers' and listen to the track 'Birds Of The High Arctic'
'Only 16/44.1' but is close to the best recording I've got ..... I love it

Remember that at Bristol Show in the Statement area all but two (I think) of the tracks that we used were 44.1 kHz /16 bit CD rips ...

Phil

I think the firmware 4.3 is a vast improvement. To the point in fact that im starting to think maybe the last firmware update didn't take correctly, if that is possible. The grain i used to experience has almost completely been eradicated.

I am not unhappy at all about my NDS - but I at the same time would like to experience of course improvements like the people having a NDX if possible. 

I always have the feeling that the NDS can be a tick more refined getting it closer to Linn's refinement - while keeping the Naim sound signature.

I love my plain NDX/PL/SarumTA. If a person is unhappy with a NDS I would suggest a brain MRI to find out what is wrong inside one's head.

M

Trouble is Bert that different does not necessarily equal better. I think the NDS FW has been through quite a few ups and downs but in only one instance (according to my ears) where it sounded worse to the extent that I wanted to roll back (but could not), which was a few iterations back.

I wonder how much of any possible performance hike has, in my case, been blurred by my running  in SL speaker cable and IC over the past couple of months?

My head was MRI'd a few years ago to try to help diagnose a problem.  Afterwards I asked the radiographer if there was anything obvious in the scan.  The response was "No, there's nothing there".

I cannot easily compare by memory and therefore cannot claim I hear differences in SQ versus the previous FW. But I have the nagging perception that my NDX runs much hotter now. I KNOW this is making no sense (I don't senow a software change will result in this) but I post it just in case someone else has observed the same...

I measured my NDX some time back - now per your post again this morning

- NB its powered by an external PSU (TXPS) & is in a closed rack with 18mm air gap top & sides & open ended front & back - see pic in profile -  so my numbers might not hold for a self powered NDX & a more open rack.  

Using a Fluke Infrared (beam) thermometer I measure the case surface temp at a point in the centre of the centre front (just above the logo). 

The reading is unchanged - 32'c in an ambient of 21'c

Too funny. I to was MRI'd recently an got a good report.

thanks Mike, perhaps i will try  a similar robust measurement (i am also running with ext PSU (XP5))

Some experience with the NAC-N 272 somewhere?

The early 272s shipped with an early/beta version of the 4.3 FW.  That is why they were able to decode DSD prior to the public release of 4.3.  The sound of the 272 didn't really change - it was already baked in.

So FW 4.02 is nearly the Same in terms of SQ?

It was actually 4.2, but there is some confusion as to how the FW is numbered on the streamer vs in the control apps.

I have heard no changes in SQ between the original FW on the 272 vs 4.3.  I could clearly hear the changes on my prior NDX with the switch to 4.3.

Ragman,

Phil Harris from Naim confirmed that there is no difference in DSP (Digital Sound Processing?) for the NAC-N272 between firmware 4.2 and 4.3, so there is no difference in sound quality after the upgrade.

He also confirmed that firmware version "4.3.00" as shown on the 272 display is the same as "Uniti version 4.03.000" as shown on the Naim app, and they have put this on their 'to do' list to rectify.

Late to the party I know but quite surprised by the level of improvement to my NDX digi-out with 4.3...What have they done I wonder?

Very happy to the point I'll be nervous of adding future updates lest it reverts back.

G

Fear not G,  the latest beta is as good.

B-have Mr B...Now I am intrigued...!

G