4.6 update and upgrade sound quality ?

Hmmm. Seems obvious I know.

Only asked as I wondered if anything would differ sound wise.

Not sure why I Did, but I think I selected Eastern 1 st time round.

Not being happy with the update, I've just done it again selecting Western this time and I'm sure it's sounds better now ?

Mind over matter perhaps.

Ray

i think it's called "unconscious bias" and  all of us are apparently prone to it in many different respects. An example of unconscious bias is enshrined in the expression "reassuringly expensive" but I'm sure it could also explain why one install comes across as better than another even though common sense says they must be identical! Fascinating anyway.

best

David

Mike-B posted:

French Rooster posted:

Mike-B posted:

Me too Clive & Steve,  not sure about sonic benefits - one of the many myths methinks -  but I do know it makes for a tidier iPad screen.   iRadio, NAS, TV, FM Radio is all I use most of the time.     If I need USB or Spotify it's only a few moments to enable in the app settings.

hey Mike,the factory reset  can be done with app?

 

For FACTORY RESET you have to use the RC remote & the units screen display;   press the tool (wrench) button to get the NDS display,  then scroll down to >Factory Settings>Reset All Settings & then you get a screen warning asking "are you sure"    then press the Play button.   

But please note that the attached post (above) where I'm talking about screen appearance settings is NOT factory reset,  & yes all these screen appearance changes are done in the app.   

do you think that factory reset can change the sound quality after the 4.6 installation?   the sound for me is ok, even not finally sure if really better than before, after more listening. But no worse for sure.  

Hi FR,

When trying out the various updates during beta testing I never once  did a factory reset but was still able to detect the improvements in SQ so I would say that the reset probably isn’t absolutely necessary for the improvement to kick in but the it can’t hurt to do it.

ken c posted:

dave marshall posted:

 

could you kindly point me to where in the installation instructions the factory reset step is mentioned? somehow I missed this step -- I watched the video a couple of times. must be senile dementia creeping in...

many thanks

enjoy

ken

Hi Ken,

Having downloaded the update, you'll find the advice to do a factory reset on page 10 of the accompanying PDF  document.

As I mentioned elsewhere, during the download / installation process, the progress screen on my Mac didn't tell the whole story,

leading me to believe that "100% success" meant that the whole thing had completed.

I didn't go ahead with the factory reset until my NDS screen informed me that everything was done, and restarted itself, followed by my carrying out the factory reset, via the remote and NDS screen. 

thanks dave -- seen it now in the pdf.  I recall now i did the update from the video, which doesn't mention the requirement for a FR.

Another question -- the .pdf says:

"PLEASE NOTE :  It is strongly advised to uninstall any previous Streamer Updaters you may have on your computer."

I missed this step -- does this matter?

enjoy

ken

Ken, don't worry about it. I have about 20 different firmware versions on my computer, and have, on odd occasions, reverted back to an older one. The updates have always gone without a hitch.

French Rooster posted:

do you think that factory reset can change the sound quality after the 4.6 installation?   the sound for me is ok, even not finally sure if really better than before, after more listening. But no worse for sure.  

It did not change anything for my system,  but thats not saying that is true of all & you have nothing to loose by doing it,  so why not ??

Thanks Nigel (HH) and Seth. I now have all unnecessary inputs disabled on the NDS and on the iPad. Although I don't use them I have retained USB, Tidal and Spotify. I do now have the Pre-tuner (NAT01) on the front page of the Naim app. This has been a real week of discovery for me. If I keep on at this rate they'll be asking me to be a beta tester!!

It's very rewarding to see how many 272 users out there are enjoying the undeniable SQ improvements this release brings. It really is a fab, free upgrade IMO,

I'm confused as to why so many had difficulty with the upgrade process. The SiLabs driver on my PC is an old version that I've used many times during the beta process, including for this latest 4.6 release. I run Windows 7 on an equally ancient HP laptop. Never had a problem, except for the first time I ever did a f/w upgrade, when I was advised about the need for this driver to be installed in the first place, Has worked a dream ever since.

Seems like most of the problems are USB cable, Windows 10, or system reset related (I've never reset my 272)

With the next generation of products upgrading over air I guess these problems will become history now.

I'm going to ask the question again, sorry if anyone responded that I may have missed, but, is there anybody out there with a Uniti 2 that has done the 4.6 and found it worthwhile in terms of SQ?

David

I reported earlier in this thread a significant uplift in SQ from the 4.6 update (and factory reset if that makes any difference) on my NDS.

I still read of mixed results on this and the other 4.6 SQ thread. But I am enjoying an SQ uplift equivalent to putting a 555DR on my NDS (from.....ahem.....a different PS). This makes me think that something else was not right before the update, unless others have enjoyed such a significant improvement with this update on their NDS. Perhaps my speaker positioning (which I have not changed BTW) and room suits 4.6 more than 4.4. Perhaps I much prefer the sonic signature of 4.6 over 4.4. Who knows?

Strange but very welcome.

nigelb posted:

I reported earlier in this thread a significant uplift in SQ from the 4.6 update (and factory reset if that makes any difference) on my NDS.

I still read of mixed results on this and the other 4.6 SQ thread. But I am enjoying an SQ uplift equivalent to putting a 555DR on my NDS (from.....ahem.....a different PS). This makes me think that something else was not right before the update, unless others have enjoyed such a significant improvement with this update on their NDS. Perhaps my speaker positioning (which I have not changed BTW) and room suits 4.6 more than 4.4. Perhaps I much prefer the sonic signature of 4.6 over 4.4. Who knows?

Strange but very welcome.

Same here with my NDX and I thought similarly to you.  Never been able to get on with my Hi-line on NDX/XPS due to too much treble detail and preferred the balance of the standard IC.  After the update, Hi-line sounds smooooth!

Just been briefly listening to my 272 version 4.6 and I must say it does sound very good. More subtle details, better tonality and a deeper bass. The increase in bass may need addressing at some point as on some tracks it’s a little too heavy. As an experiment I tried my TQ ultra blue mains cable from my CDX2 on my Cisco switch (after reading [@mention:1566878604014936] post at the end of last year) and I must say it does make another nice improvement. Similar to the FW change, with the new cable attached to the switch I hear more subtle details and better tones to voices and instruments. Looking forward to the weekend when I can sit for a decent amount of time and have a real good listen. 

nigelb posted:

I reported earlier in this thread a significant uplift in SQ from the 4.6 update (and factory reset if that makes any difference) on my NDS.

I still read of mixed results on this and the other 4.6 SQ thread. But I am enjoying an SQ uplift equivalent to putting a 555DR on my NDS (from.....ahem.....a different PS). This makes me think that something else was not right before the update, unless others have enjoyed such a significant improvement with this update on their NDS. Perhaps my speaker positioning (which I have not changed BTW) and room suits 4.6 more than 4.4. Perhaps I much prefer the sonic signature of 4.6 over 4.4. Who knows?

Strange but very welcome.

It’s made a big difference on my 272/555PS DR for what that’s worth.  Pretty shocking improvement here, tbh.

Regards,

Evan

As I mentioned last time, I power cycled all my streaming network components and then after hearing about the factory reset here -- did that too.

the SQ changed again -- and shockingly so.

My anxiety levels were very high -- and so I decided not to listen to/re-assess my NDS to assess till my ruffled feathers settle.

My Naim system is very important to me (perhaps a bit too much so) and so this experience has left a sour taste in the mouth. 

But if this indeed fixes the issue, then I guess its my fault for not following the instructions properly and  power-cycling/factory resetting.  I have never had to do that in all the previous NDS firmware upgrades  - but perhaps I was just lucky to get away without doing so. Quite why I needed to do so, when others didn't need to puzzles me -- but then I work in the (I guess related) software business -- and funny things happen...

Hey ho and sigh... back to work i'm afraid...

enjoy

ken

Hi Ken,

Your post, (and others’) concerning the results of the factory reset (something I’ve never done after all the previous updates) got the best of my curiosity, so I just did that very thing on my 272.  And there is definitely a further, much welcomed improvement, at least with my kit.  Very curious...might be worth a try for others as well, if you don’t mind resetting everything afterwards.  Does seem to make a positive difference for some reason.

Best regards to all,

Evan

Addendum:  much more presence on all vocals and instruments as well as much sharper transients (in a good, naim way) is my perspective so far.

Cheers!

Evan Scheele posted:

Hi Ken,

Your post, (and others’) concerning the results of the factory reset (something I’ve never done after all the previous updates) got the best of my curiosity, so I just did that very thing on my 272.  And there is definitely a further, much welcomed improvement, at least with my kit.  Very curious...might be worth a try for others as well, if you don’t mind resetting everything afterwards.  Does seem to make a positive difference for some reason.

Best regards to all,

Evan

Thanks Evan. The network component powercycle was just pure superstition on my part -- out of desperation more than anything else. The NDS was sounding dire prior to then. The factory reset I somehow missed from the instructions as I just followed the video -- which doesn't mention this step.

To factory reset or not to factory reset -- I have no idea -- seems to "do something" in some streamers -- but apparently "nothing" in others.  

Paranoia??  Big time! Can it be avoided? Dunno...

enjoy

ken

Agreed, Ken.  Weird.  I’m just happy that it’s provided a second, free upgrade in SQ for me, in addition to 4.6!  Happy that it’s been a further improvement for some others as well.  4.6 does seem to have a different effect on all the various  legacy streamer boxes, from what I’m gathering. But seems to be very effective on the 272 for some reason, it seems.  (Lucky me!)

Cheers,

Evan

4.6 has totally transformed my first version Unitiqute. Haven’t done a factory reset, but may just for giggles when I get back into town tomorrow. I would say it’s on par with the last firmware update to the V1. With this firmware update  used UQ’s may be the best bargain in hifi. Unfortunately, being in the basement office where I work from home (running KEF LS50’s via NACA5), I find myself just spacing to the music sometimes, it’s that good. Good for the soul, but not necessarily for getting work done! 

The Muso in the bedroom sounds better too. More midrange, and seems to sync better with the TV’s optical out. 

Charlesphoto,

Great to hear it’s providing improvements for you as well!  Since that’s the case, I wholeheartedly recommend  that you take a chance on the factory reset as well.  Worked a treat for me.  (Love the UnitiQute; amazing piece of kit - I’ve had two of them.)

Thanks for your tip on the Muso; will try that on both my original Muso, as well as my Qb.  

Regards,

Evan

I have an NDX but have held off doing the v4.6 upgrade for now, mainly due to the comments on this and other threads.

If indeed a factory reset rather than just a power cycle is needed to get the upgrade working properly, then the implication is that the NDX is remembering something from either the upgrade or possibly from before the upgrade itself.

If this can happen during the upgrade process, could it also happen under other conditions. Is it possible that, even without doing an upgrade, the NDX could be 'remembering' something from its normal usage, and that this could cause some form of SQ degradation or change?

Has anybody tried doing a factory reset outside of a f/w upgrade and noticed any effect upon sound quality?

Regards,

PB

strange carry on,  surely naim should advice   and comment on the effect of update with regard to the  classic range .. will leave my NDX  alone till it is very clear 

It simply replaces all the user configuration data with the defaults set at the factory; i.e. the unit then behaves in the same way as a new unit with that firmware.

It may be necessary to do the factory reset to create the new configuration data that are needed by new functions that may be added by the new firmware.  Since these new functions didn't exist in the previous firmware their configuration data items just won't be there in the previous set-up.

Naim chose to allow users to keep existing settings when updating firmware if they wish, so they don't overwrite all the user data on a firmware upgrade - they leave the choice up to the user, but they recommend doing it as that will ensure a 'clean start' again.

All this is standard practice.

I updated my ND5XS last night.  Very happy, surprised in fact, with the uplift in SQ.  It's been a proper free upgrade for my system.

Will the FW update also give an improvement for users with ND5XS + nDAC ?
Or does it make no difference here, because the upgrade is on the ND5SX only and in the unused DAC domain ?

Claus