NDX Crashes
Posted by: Simon-in-Suffolk on 09 August 2011
I seem to be expieriencing NDX crashes more frequently. It appears to be linked to playingHires files that have (small size) album art contained within. When the NDX crashes it just won't play a file, even though the automation and navigation still works. Powercycling the NDX restores. I am sure I am hearing subtle sonic changes to the NDX feeding the nDAC when I powercycle after a crash as well but I will keep that to myself... unless others notice it.
I know others have reported similar crashing, but I don't see a big clamour for a fix, so do I assume very few are having crashes? Perhaps few are playing Hires? I know my dealer is aware of having to powercycle the NDX from time to time.
Simon
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by Hook
Hi Simon -
Have not experienced an NDX crash of any sort, but would be glad to try and help confirm your suspicions about it being related to album art size.
How small is small? WAV or FLAC? The folder.jpg file, or embedded album art?
Hook
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by DavidDever
My objection to embedded art on quality grounds lies with poorly-compressed album covers - I've edited more than a couple HDTracks re-issues in this respect.
Now that we have better-powered control points at our disposal, let's take advantage of the screen real estate to display photorealistic covers (scanned from plates or processed directly from PDF).
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by aysil
Simon,
I have not experienced that kind of crash - and I think I don't have embedded artwork. ..But what struck me in your post is the sonic changes you mention. Occasionally, I have the feeling the sq is not up to the level I am normally used to from NDX. Next time when I have this feeling, I will check if powercycling alters this in any way.
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by dk2
My NDX crashes periodically and not with hires files (I don't have any!); it just happens. I don' think it has ever crashed in the middle of a track or album, only when I first play something in a session or if I change album.
I had assumed there was going to be some sort of firmware update to deal with it.
I wonder if the Linn models do this..?
David
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by Tog
The Linn streamers have regular firmware updates - the most recent seems to have solved a number of issues and improved SQ.
Tog
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hi everyone, thanks for your replies. The issue (for me) does tend to be when artwork embedded is in a file, and these images are typically 256x256 pixels. I ensure self ripped files have no art in, and don't appear to have issues with those files. However with art embedded downloads, either FLAC or transcoded WAV the NDX can crash randomly - ie with no specific files. The crash never happens mid play, but between tracks, and is about one time in 50 tracks say.
Hook, never any issues with folder.jpg. But if the file has embedded art, even though the uPNP server is using the folder.jpg, the NDX can trip up. So think it might be related to the NDX parsing the file
I am almost certain it's not mains related, and in my tiny village the voltage varies, but quite good shape with no horrid spikes etc.
Aysil, interesting, perhaps i am not the only one who notices this. Does your SQ sometimes go off if you go frequently between hires and standard files? If so power cycle .... What do you find?
Simon
Posted on: 09 August 2011 by aysil
Simon, I will try when I have some time. ..but I remember the last time when I felt unsatisfied with the sonics of NDX, it was hi-res files playing; it was the instance when I reported on the forum that the dig-out of HDX was better. This issue of "optimisation" comes to my mind. I also remember it was at the end of a long session with many other files played beforehand. Next time, I will see if powercycling helps as you say.
Posted on: 05 October 2011 by andrew mcmullins
Simon
I have removed all the artwork from every album as you suggested (was another post but I couldn't find it) - it took a few days of spare time.
I suspect at some point I will again have a few days worth of "fun" putting them all back again!
The NDX is far more stable than it was now - so far it has crashed once over three days - rather than three or so times a day.
Thanks.
Andrew
Posted on: 06 October 2011 by james n
Hmm - hopefully the new board will solve this issue. I didn't have any problems in the couple of days i had the demo NDX (although this was playing AIFF files, red book, 24/48-96)).
Given the time my NDX is taking to arrive i'm not sure if it'll come 24/192 ready 
James
Posted on: 06 October 2011 by Tog
Any sign of the new machines? Or updated nStream for that matter?
Tog
Posted on: 06 October 2011 by andrew mcmullins
Hiya
Okay me confused - when you say "new machines" - please explain what is happening.
Andrew
Posted on: 06 October 2011 by james n
Nd5xs and the 24/192 streamer board upgrade for the NDX.
James
Posted on: 06 October 2011 by andrew mcmullins
Is there a price for that?
Would be a bit gutted as I only got my NDX in August!
Posted on: 06 October 2011 by james n
