Naim Streaming Products Update - Version 3.17

If you delve into the directory structure of the Naim update you can see what is applied in 3.17 to each device (see below). DSP is updated in about half of the range but the Uniti has 4 x DMP updates. The Uniti-lite has v3.18 ????

I'm not sure what it all means but it gives us something to talk about.

Having said that, the DMP Uniti files have a date stamp of 14/15 Aug 2012, so perhaps they are not an update after all. Just the ARM file is 3.17

it seems that some kid themselves

 that every update improves sound

Yep, I updated my Uniti and it all went smoothly, no probs at all!  Interesting though, the update consisted of several cycles of firmware uploads and updates, as shown in the diagram above.  Keep in mind that the entire update is finalised only after the last upload/update cycle is completed (saying so because after the 3rd cycle thought "that was it" but after a several seconds waiting - another cycle started !).

Cheers

Bobby

Not me...why would I?

It really is THAT obvious.

Forester,

no harm done.

It seems that others like throwing insults around and kid themselves that they are experts on other people's systems that they've never heard

I always say listen to what people tell you, consider it carefully. Then totally ignore it and decide for yourself. After all how would innovation happen if we all toe'd the line.

An epistemological methodology worthy of an Einstein or a berk.

How's the Unified Theory going?

How very dare you, and from a duck too. Just wait till i see you by a pond .  I have no ologilogical things at all. But if i get one for my system will it make it sound better.

WHAT???

So no Dsp upgrade for the qute which is presumably why it sounds the same. What is the ARM upgrade and ehat does that do?

If i'm beng honest I cant find any difference at all since the upgrade apart from my radio presets disappeared, which may have been due to the failed initial attempt at the upgrade.

The ARM upgrade is for the system controller. The controller responds to the remote control inputs and interacts with the streaming module and DSP. The streaming products share a common architecture with a controller, Audivo SeDMP streaming module and a DSP. If you look at the files in C:\Program Files (x86)\Naim\Streamer Updater\Firmware you can see the version numbers of the files that are installed during the upgrade.

The DSP change in 3.17 has added magic and sparkle to my NDX/555PS. There seems to be much more resolution. Bass is tighter, I can hear more detail from a recording and it is much easier to follow instruments. With all the improvements, from the 24/192KHz streaming SeDMP3 module to the DSP improvements in 3.16 and 3.17, you do wonder how the R&D engineers managed to tune the NDX in the first place. The product today has quite a different sound from the one at launch.

For what it is worth: update went seamlessly and took 6 min. Changes in SQ are very (!!) subtle. I believe there is a bit more detail and more airy sound, but changes are minimal.

iver

Please forgive me if this seems like a simple question.  When performing the upgrade being in Canada am I supposed to pick Western Europe? I think so but don't really want to mess the unit up.

Thanks

I phoned Plurison distributor for Naim in Canada, spoke to Emmanuel and he confirmed Western Europe is correct for us in Canada. Did the update on my ND5 XS and it went well. Not sure what changes there was in sound as I only had the Naim ND5 XS 1 day before doing update.

Dan

Thanks a million Dan.  That's the exact answer I was looking for!

I would suggest that this advice should be taken with caution should what people are telling you be "Don't whizz on the electric fence..."

Phil

One of my idiot dogs managed to do that - twice !

Any news from Naim concerning the xmas one ?

Going to give this a go tonight. Got hold of a Windows laptop and a USB to Serial adapter. Looks to be a relatively straightforward process although not quite as slick as Linn (no surprises there...)

James

I am presently updating a NDX 1mb from v3.13 to v3.17. The process fails during the DSP update (last stage) after indicating 100% complete. The dialogue box refers to a communication error.  I am currently on my 5th retry. 

******************************

A communications fault occurred while reprogramming the DSP processor. Please recheck all connections.

Lines sent: 3436

Retries done: 0

Percent Uploaded: 100%

Firmware file:

C:\Program Files(x86)\Naim\Streamer Updater\Firmware\NDX1\3.17.000 Western Europe\DSP\NDX dsp 2.0.13.ldr

***************************************

I am using a Startech USB to 9 pin adaptor, that worked on my other NDX1 (3 to 3.17). 

I welcome any thoughts on how to proceed.

James,

The NDX has been hardware upgraded?

Call me in the afternoon.

Manu,

I was able to get the upgrade to complete on the 8th attempt.  After reading the posts and recommendations, a high quality usb serial adaptor with the FTDI chipset is the best approach.  The communication errors on the Startech Prolific chipset was a frustrating situation. 

I have ordered a FTDI based adaptor for future upgrades.

Thank you again for reaching out to assist me!

Kindest regards,

James

Manu,

I did not answer your question. I apologize.  Both NDX1's have had the 192khz/24bit hardware upgrade.

Cheers,

James

According to Phil, the first thing was to reboot the computer.

But yes, Prolific chipset is among the Naim recommendations, but I have seen people having problems with them. I have used a FTDI for years and no issues so far... even with the touchy AV2.