4.6 update and upgrade sound quality ?

I've just done my 272 and I find a significant improvement to SQ... By no means the equivalent to a 'black box' upgrade, more like the effect of upgrading interconnect cables.

I find vocals clearer and instrumental timbres a bit better differentiated, I also think the microdynamics have been sharpened a little giving a sense of it being a little louder at any given actual volume level.  As others have found, I think the bass seems stronger and more controlled, I don't believe that the volume of the bass has increased, just that it seems more defined and the low bass and mid bass are better integrated both between themselves and to the midrange so that it stays clearer and fades less into the general mix

Looking at the posts here while there are differences to peoples perception of vocals and mid-range performance consistent between the different streamers (most notably between devices with the Analogue Devices DSP chip and those without), the perception of stronger bass does seem to be consistent across all the platforms.

Thank-you for the free upgrade to my N272, it now sounds fresher, cleaner especially on male vocals and piano.   I can hear a slightly bloom to some bass notes, but that was quickly fixed by bringing the speakers 5cm from the back wall, which in turn opens the top end out.

easy upgrade once I'd updated the 64bit drivers , used a very short 10cm USB cable, which can reach to my laptop


Mu-so OBlong updated via the app smoothly...again seems cleaner and Mu-so QB is awaiting it's new f/w

Huge posted:

I've just done my 272 and I find a significant improvement to SQ... By no means the equivalent to a 'black box' upgrade, more like the effect of upgrading interconnect cables.

I find vocals clearer and instrumental timbres a bit better differentiated, I also think the microdynamics have been sharpened a little giving a sense of it being a little louder at any given actual volume level.  As others have found, I think the bass seems stronger and more controlled, I don't believe that the volume of the bass has increased, just that it seems more defined and the low bass and mid bass are better integrated both between themselves and to the midrange so that it stays clearer and fades less into the general mix

 

Looking at the posts here while there are differences to peoples perception of vocals and mid-range performance consistent between the different streamers, the perception of stronger bass does seem to be consistent across all the platforms.

I wish I could report on whether my 272 sounds different after the 4.6 upgrade but my left ear is completely blocked so I can’t really hear anything!! I’m booked in for the syringe treatment on Tuesday morning. I anticipate that will be - by far - the biggest upgrade of the week for my system...

S3 posted:

I wish I could report on whether my 272 sounds different after the 4.6 upgrade but my left ear is completely blocked so I can’t really hear anything!! I’m booked in for the syringe treatment on Tuesday morning. I anticipate that will be - by far - the biggest upgrade of the week for my system...

Na...  Just buy a 555PSDR for the 272 - it's a much bigger upgrade!

Hungryhalibut posted:

Eoink posted:

Mike-B posted:

........  we need @hungryhalibut to chip in (or should that be swim in)    he wrote up a good & positive description of the 272 sound with the new DSP in the beta test thread.  

Halibut and chips Mike?

More lyrical, engaging and natural was my conclusion. It seems easier to follow the musical strands, but without being overs analytical. It was slightly different in beta with the 272: with the other streamers Naim found a DSP version they were all happy with, but with the 272 it was felt that more performance could be squeezed out, which thankfully came to fruition. One interesting test I did was with a Gang if Four album, Return the Gift, where the new DSP was throwing vocal effects six feet to the left of the left speaker, which I didn’t recall happening previously. It takes a few days to get used to the new sound and assess changes - it cannot be done as quick A/B comparisons. It’s where the beta becomes interesting, it’s easy to identify if X or Y works or doesn’t (often hard to fix for Naim’s tech team thought) but much more challenging to identify which version of DSP is best, bearing in mind that everyone’s setup is different and that what is initially impressive can be annoying long term. I think, with the 272 at least, that Naim have done a fantastic job on this, and have squeezed more performance from the humble streaming preamp than I thought possible. It’s very reassuring that, so far, others are pleased with the changes. 

Not to hijack the thread but I had to question the use of a Gang of Four album in terms of Hi Fi testing until I fired up the track 'Return the Gift' from the only album I have of theirs, the compilation 'A Brief History of the Twentieth Century' and wow what incredible production, how did this sit in the collection so long without me appreciating it's sonic wonders.

Checking out the producers, I was amazed to see and now understand why: Jimmy Douglass, Mike Howlett and The Albert Brothers.

Anyway thanks HH for this. Now back to main topic of the thread......

Just updated my first version Unitiqute from 3.22 to 4.6 at long last. Tried years ago but could never get the update to stick. Had to update the driver for my RS232 cable and used my Mac Pro desktop. Sounds better for sure - I'm able to play at higher volumes with less fatigue - individual instruments seem to stick out more and easier to follow. Couldn't be more pleased. 

Updated the Mu-so in the bedroom as well but no chance to listen to yet - it's really mostly for TV duty anyway. Really, really wish the mu-so had a way to play via headphones - didn't realize that wasn't the case when I purchased it. Bad design on Naim's part but that's getting OT. 

I did the upgrade yesterday.  After listening for a couple of hours my impression is a more natural sound.  Timbre is better and the presentation more tamed.  Easier to listen.  My previous system was rather in the warm side and I always found the 272 a bit forward in the presentation.  That is gone for better.  Much, much natural though I cannot ping point what they did.  

I feel that the upgrade lower the noise floor.  You can play it louder while maintaining clarity.  Keeping the the volume at 43, where I normally listen CDs that not overcooked, give me the impression of a lower SPL.  I am going to check the SPL tonight.  I am intrigued whether is a perception or real.

Great job, Naim!

AndyP19 posted:

Not to hijack the thread but I had to question the use of a Gang of Four album in terms of Hi Fi testing until I fired up the track 'Return the Gift' from the only album I have of theirs, the compilation 'A Brief History of the Twentieth Century' and wow what incredible production, how did this sit in the collection so long without me appreciating it's sonic wonders.

Checking out the producers, I was amazed to see and now understand why: Jimmy Douglass, Mike Howlett and The Albert Brothers.

Anyway thanks HH for this. Now back to main topic of the thread......

 

OK, so curiosity got the better of me and I tried this on Tidal. Interesting, but not my cup of tea! [@mention:4804681823084713] delights and surprises me with his eclectic tastes. Personally I think a better contemporary demo of 4.6 is Private Investigations/Dire straits. Stunning, dramatic sound.

One of my fondest teenage memories was dancing with my arm around Andy Gill, bopping in the dark, sharing a cheap bottle of "champagne," to a scratchy record of the Supremes, at a house party after their gig here in Seattle in 1981. Yes, The Supremes. Both confused and inspired the hell out of this impressionable punk rock seventeen year old. Good music is good music, as long as it's intention is right and it moves you. Damaged goods, not....

I prefer the originals. Though the "Return the Gift" bass does sound huge compared to the originals. Loses the initial appeal and, dare I say it, charm, of the original. Or maybe nostalgic immediacy is a better way of putting it. 

Upgrade sounding great! Breathing new life into my original UQ. Thank you Naim!

No matter what I do I can’t get the USB driver to install on my windows laptop. Gutted. 

Ok, after extracting the files I finally got the driver to install, or so it says. I’ve run the Naim updater and on the connection check screen it asks to select a serial port...and it’s blank. Over one hurdle, straight on to the next.

Suggestions hugely appreciated!! 

So you have the USB lead plugged in both ends and the Naim unit switched on?

best

David

FINKFAN,

I feel your pain.I have previously updated my ndx successfully before so thought it would be straight forward.I was of course mistaken.After over 3 hours and a lot of head scratching I got it to work.The problem is if I'm honest is that if I done it again I would still struggle as I think it was lucky I succeeded.Stick with it,I am sure you will get there and when you do the reward will be worth it.

Good luck

Hi David 

yes, all wired up correctly. Just restarting the laptop to see if that helps 

Thanks Matty

laptop restart didn’t help 

Mike-B posted:

Bonjour M Rooster.   Yes it does bring a change to SQ, this was established in the beta testing.  With my NDX in my system & room & to my ear/brain interface,  the presentation is more dynamic & punchy,  bass is firmer, treble has detail,  sound stage has width & depth.   Instrument & voices are natural & I find it easier to follow & position individuals.     I read the same with NDS & 272 colleagues .    See other threads on this same subject

Mike (or anyone else) , despite searching, I can’t find the other threads on the same subject. Can anyone steer me right please?

Also, there seems so far to be unanimous positive comment from 272 owners. I’d be interested to hear what NDS owners think. I did the update on mine yesterday and the jury is still out. Agree on improved Vocal intelligibility and other positives, but struggling a bit with the  upper/mid bass region which for want of a better term sounds slightly foggy and slow. The overall sound has also lost some air and the portrayal of the acoustic in which the recording was made seems to have suffered. Hmm.

Another key point as I mentioned a while back in the thread is that the USB lead needs to have the data connections as well as the power connections. If you are using a USB lead that basically came with a USB charger, the data connections may not be made. When I updated my streamers, the first lead I tried didn't connect but the second was fine.

Ah right. I’ll go hunting for another lead. Thanks David 

kevin J Carden posted:

Mike-B posted:

Bonjour M Rooster.   Yes it does bring a change to SQ, this was established in the beta testing.  With my NDX in my system & room & to my ear/brain interface,  the presentation is more dynamic & punchy,  bass is firmer, treble has detail,  sound stage has width & depth.   Instrument & voices are natural & I find it easier to follow & position individuals.     I read the same with NDS & 272 colleagues .    See other threads on this same subject

Mike (or anyone else) , despite searching, I can’t find the other threads on the same subject. Can anyone steer me right please?

Also, there seems so far to be unanimous positive comment from 272 owners. I’d be interested to hear what NDS owners think. I did the update on mine yesterday and the jury is still out. Agree on improved Vocal intelligibility and other positives, but struggling a bit with the  upper/mid bass region which for want of a better term sounds slightly foggy and slow. The overall sound has also lost some air and the portrayal of the acoustic in which the recording was made seems to have suffered. Hmm.

It's the thread in Streaming Audio called "New firmware this week" . Start from the latest and work back I suggest.

I don't have an NDS but I have read all the posts here and in the beta forum during testing and lots of people reported on the NDS SQ. it was generally regarded as improved by this update. 

Best

David

I unanimously think it’s a significant improvement for the NDS, the same way as described by 272 owners. My caveat would be that I spent soooo long in beta land I can’t now remember what the production firmware sounded like. I do know that I very quickly felt this version was right. Tight, dynamic and natural.

Keith

No other mini USB cable here to try so the big river will deliver one on Saturday. 

The more I listen with the new firmware, the bigger the upgrade seems to be.  Not that it changes, just that I'm gradually realising how good it is.

Presumably different folks will hear different degrees of improvement based on their particular systems, rooms etc.  But in my case it is quite significant.  And especially considering that I didn't even know the new firmware would make any SQ difference until yesterday, I'm very pleased indeed with it.

Thanks David. I’ve seen the ‘new software this week’ thread, but mistakenly thought MikeB was referring to other threads. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

Keith, good to hear. I must say that it sounds better to me today than it did after initial installation yesterday. Whether that’s because the full impact of changes to the sound takes time to happen (is that possible with firmware?) or whether it’s the firmware between my ears that needs to adjust I don’t know. I will persevere!