Software 3.9 update for NDX

I can't believe the update isn't fully compatible with my new teapot. I was looking forward to being able to download a choice of quality teas direct from the internet.  Could be worse, I could be a coffee drinker and the manual doesn't even mention beans.........

Well I suppose I'll just have to continue to enjoy the same superb sound quality from my uniti and qute, which will soon be even more user friendly than before. Naim eh,I mean just what is their priority?  

The Naim site doesn't make it clear whether this is an update for all streamers or not.  It gives the impression that it is at first, but then goes on to say that it brings other players in line with the ND5XS and SuperUniti.

So do ND5XS and SuperUniti owners have no need to update?  That would be the logical conclusion...yes?

Just checked my SuperUniti. It is running v3.7 and not the new v3.9. It gives no indication that this new download brings anything to those with ND5XS and SuperUniti.

Anyone know?

Does anyone know if this software update resolves the NDX album art size issue, when streaming FLAC.  I have been holding off before buying a QNAP NAS (with Twonky embedded) to see if this was going to be sorted...

Ta

The upgrade folder contains firmware for NDX1 (24/96), NDX2 (24/192), ND5XS, QUTE, SuperUniti and Uniti so you may want to consider upgrading to get the streamer fixes.

SuperUniti

Version: 3.9.00

DSP Version: 1.0.56

BC SW: 11883 (From looking at the install file)

What specific issue? I've not had my NDX crash with v3.9.00 when playing uncompressed FLAC from Twonky v6.0.34 on a QNAP TS-119P II NAS. I've got 610 albums on the NAS and the album list loads  really quickly when I use n-Stream on an iPad2. I converted my CDs using dBpoweramp 14.2 with typically 400-900px album art embedded in the FLAC files. The QNAP did send low resolution art to the iPad but that was probably because I'd not configured the control point type for the IP address of the iPad in the Twonky settings. I didn't get to try changing the setting as I was using a friends iPad and we didn't have much time to mess about.

I had not realised there had been any updates to the Qute software since it's release last year with version 3.0.00 software.

Can the new version 3.9 update be applied directly over version 3.0.00 or do the previous updates have to be applied first?

Thanks

Peter

I updated my Qute to 3.9 from 3.0 yesterday. No problem at all. Just follow the instructions.

Believed there was a previous sw update but at the time had to go through dealer. Has to give credit to Naim for their change of policy this time.

Okay, I am totally mystified about the location of this firmware upgrade. My Qute is V. 2.XX. I have looked all over the Naim site, and tried several searches there, and I can find nothing. 

If I could get to V3.0 even that would be nice. Can anybody point me to the source of this update? 

Is it something I navigate to from the UQ itself? 

Main Naim website (click the logo in the top right)>News and Events>Latest News.

Download, read the PDF file and away you go. Easy.

Neil

Neil,

Thanks very much. You've been a real help on more than one occasion, and god knows I need all the help I can get. 

So odd that the Naim site search did not yield any results. But I'll launch into this chasam of digital chaos tonight (just made that up now).

Cheerio,

I did find the well-hidden software update (thanks Neil). It is remarkable that it is a windows-only .exe file. And yes, I think it is a completely reasonable expectation that there would be a mac version and yes, I think the lack of a mac compatible version is un-impressive.

After all, it's not as if they invented iTunes or anything.

Any Naim reps care to explain? 

Damon, you are right: it is strange, the search function on the Naim website does not direct you to the update whatever you enter as search-term. Looking into the News, or into UQute/Manuals&Downloads would be your second choice (also for "Mac-centric" users). Otherwise, members of the forum are here to help locate the file.

The update comes as a Windows file for obvious technical reasons, which result from Apple policies.

On the other hand, to claim that Naim "is clearly a windows company and totally not Mac" and complain as somebody else did earlier on this thread sounds more ego-centric then Mac-centric to me. For the Naim stream clients, there is a control application from Naim for i-devices, but still no Windows or Android version.

I've upgraded mine succesfully with no issues.  It is an easy process that only took 10 minutes (once I had found my old serial cable!).  For anyone technically aware this is quite straightforward but the process does go slightly beyond the complexity that would be preferred for a consumer product.  I suspect that the architecture demands the need for an update via serial.

However I do think Naim should consider how these updates are distributed and communicated which would improve their excellent service provided.

A couple of suggestions are:

1. For people with registered products, send emails notifying when updates are available.  Naim knows what we have and an email notification would be very useful.  I only found out about the upgrade through this forum, I am sure there will be many users who don't check this forum ever and they will probably be unaware that their device has been updated.
2. Publish the update information in a more consisent way on the website.  Whilst a news item on the home page is entirly appropriate this will dissapear over time as new articles replace it.  I would suggest extending the support pages to include product updates, by device type, like most PC hardware makers do so the downloads are a continually available resource.

Richard

Many thanks for that information. I have ordered the USB to RS232 adaptor but may leave it until after Christmas. Would hate to brick it whilst the factory is closed.  

This backs up what I said earlier about Naim needing to spend more money on product update facilities and the ability to do updates like this over the web. The way they have carried out the upgrade is very software engineer based. They should be able to do all this over the web very easily as they have full control over the hardware and full control over the operating software which makes the whole process of doing this over the web much less variable and error prone. The problems that some people are having with this upgrade vindicate the need for an user initiated automated web upgrade process in a similar way to other manufacturers such as Sonos.

I don't think I made such a claim. And I admit that I can think of no 'obvious' reasons for a the update to be windows only. But you may well be correct. 

So, has anyone with a mac done the update by themselves? That would be a jolly useful bit of instruction. 

Hi Damon

Did it yesterday but borrowed a Windoooze laptop. Need to get a new copy of Parallels really. Ask a neighbour if you can borrow their laptop for 30 mins (will need to connect it to your network).

Neil

Thanks Neil,

Borrowing a PC laptop is a simple solution. I could also re-install parallels and spend some happy hours in my pyjamas and slippers messing with the hi-fi. My wife finds that very sexy, especially when I dismantle everything and spread equipment and wires all over the living room. 

I've not looked in to updating my UQ. Is it true that you need a PC and RS232 connection to do this? If so I'll give it a miss as I have neither, but if it is just a matter of putting software on USB stick as for the Naim DAC then I'm happy to do that. Does the update give me Airplay or ALAC support? 

Thanks, Guy

Guy,

Very unusual that I should be able to answer one of your questions; but I'll tell you what I think I know so far.

The update does not give airplay or ALAC support on the UQ. It does give an alarm clock on the UQ, but I did not read anything the the pdf file that comes with the download that suggests that it improves sound or compatibility. It may be important for units upgraded with the hardware that allows 24/192 streaming. 

So, given that I don't have the windows gear, or actually, any complaints about the sound, I should probably just stop agitating about it and listen to the music. At least until they make it backwards compatible with my toaster.

Well the 3.9 update has left my Qute unusable...

My USB to Serial adapter would appear to be poor quality and gave too many errors during the update process.  The update app then crashed and I am left with a Qute in "Firmware Update mode" and no obvious way to get out of this.  Re-starting the upgrade app doesn't help as it expects the Qute to be in normal operation and so fails to find it. 

I will call Naim support in the morning, but if anyone has any suggestions in the meantime, they would be gratefully received!

John