nStream volume slider - warning!
Posted by: Evan Scheele on 10 November 2012
I just hit the volume slider on the iPhone version of nstream by mistake, sliding it to 100 without even realizing it - my finger somehow grazed it. Blew out both woofers on my 6 month old Guru QM10 twos in the 3 seconds it took to turn it back down. They're toast. Who knows if I damaged the SuperUniti in the process.
The volume slider, especially on the iPhone version where it's at the bottom, is a TERRIBLE design. It never occurred to me that I could destroy a pair of $3000 speakers inadvertently. The irony is I never even use the damn volume slider feature on the app!
Extremely upset, especially since this wont be covered by my warranty and know have to buy new speakers.
i wish there were a way to disable theirs feature.
Watch your fingers so this doesn't happen to you.
Yes, that does seem obvious now. I should have always had the limit set at 60 - hope everyone else takes heed so this doesn't happen to anyone else! Very foolish of me to have had it set at 100...it just didn't occur to me that this was possible.
My volume limiter has saved me in that regard too. I also find the slider on the Ipad is rather imprecise, though the Iphone is a little better. I'd still rather see numbers that match the unit display instead though. Then, if I'm in another room and want to crank it up, I can see what the volume is in real terms.
Also sorry to hear about your misfortune Evan. Just to clarify Osprey, how do you set the volume level? I don't see an option within setup.
How unfortunate.
This is clearly accidental damage, are you insured?
Also sorry to hear about your misfortune Evan. Just to clarify Osprey, how do you set the volume level? I don't see an option within setup.
The option is in n-Stream menu: Inputs > Setup > Other Settings (at the lower part of the screen)
I had a very lucky escape early on in my ownership. My wife thought it was hilarious to use her iphone to increase the volume from upstairs, whilst I was listening in the music room. She increased it to 100 and nearly blew my ears and the 'speakers. We had a little chat about it. After I brought her home, following her release from the A & E Department, I set the max volume in settings 
.
I've boxed the Gurus up and replaced them with KAN 1s, so at least I have music. Perhaps the QM 10s can be sent back to Sweden for repair. Can't imagine my homeowners insurance would cover my own stupidity, so I think I'm out of luck there. I've set the volume limit to 60 as it should have been all along!
There's no chance that this whole debacle would have damaged the SU in any way, is there? It sounds great with the KANs, so I'm guessing not.
Thanks for all your kind comments.
Evan
Same here. I've never seen the slider. I have two buttons with a mute button between them.
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Same here. I've never seen the slider. I have two buttons with a mute button between them.
+ 1 app version 3.1
NStream version 3.13
While we are on the topic if volume control, I do not see a DB level on the nStream or on the front display of the ND5. But it seems that thou can on the SU as Jobseeker
Mentions above. So I am assuming that only certain streaming products only have this facility? It would have been really nice to have that facility on all streaming products.
Or am I missing something in the setup of the ND5?
Cheers.
I see more or less the same as Osprey but I think his images relate to a phone rather than pad? The volume level was set up by dealer on installation back in June when it was 3.9. It is still there now in 3.16.
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I see more or less the same as Osprey but I think his images relate to a phone rather than pad? The volume level was set up by dealer on installation back in June when it was 3.9. It is still there now in 3.16.
Hmmm, seems I have an old nStream version. I will try to find the 3.16 to see what happens.
Cheers.
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I think Jobseeker has found the point. The functions of Uniti range differ from the streamer only products (used with separate amp with volume control) thus the control app has slightly different features.
Hi Osprey, well spotted.
So those that own a Uniti product have the sliding volume bar feature and are able to see a db Level on the front display panel of their unit ( and the facility to limit max volume control which is not the case for streamers either).
Those that have the seperate streamer range have the + - volume feature with the mute button between and no DB level display on the front display of the unit ( no facility to max volume control). I guess no need for this as one should not inadvertently max out the volume. But I guess a child playing on it could...... ?
So I take it that we are downloading different app versions depending if one has a Uniti or streamer product and the app's volume functions is automatically adjusted to suit?????
Still can't see why the streamer range can't have a DB level, is this also the case for the NDS?
Seems there are many areas where the apps can be homogenised for ease of use and consistency.
Cheers.
I think Jobseeker has found the point. The functions of Uniti range differ from the streamer only products (used with separate amp with volume control) thus the control app has slightly different features.
Hi Osprey, well spotted.
So those that own a Uniti product have the sliding volume bar feature and are able to see a db Level on the front display panel of their unit ( and the facility to limit max volume control which is not the case for streamers either).
Those that have the seperate streamer range have the + - volume feature with the mute button between and no DB level display on the front display of the unit ( no facility to max volume control). I guess no need for this as one should not inadvertently max out the volume. But I guess a child playing on it could...... ?
So I take it that we are downloading different app versions depending if one has a Uniti or streamer product and the app's volume functions is automatically adjusted to suit?????
Still can't see why the streamer range can't have a DB level, is this also the case for the NDS?
Seems there are many areas where the apps can be homogenised for ease of use and consistency.
Cheers.
I think its a little simpler than that - you don't get volume control via a streamer unless you set up system automation using the phono connectors. And I'm pretty sure that the phono interface doesn't report the volume set on the pre-amp to the streamer. It allows "Volume Up" or "Volume Down" rather than an absolute value. (Of course it allows source select as well). Its quite an old bit of tech.
The Nstream interface just mimics that - it can't do anything else.
Jason,
I do not know about the function of the app in relation to the Uniti range as opposed to NDS etc., but the image I see is exactly the same as shown in the app store. However there is no dB indicator, just a vloume slide with no indication as the volume level and a mute button. This is not surprising as the amplifier volume will reflect how far the slide bar is moved to the right and the max vulume in the settings, i.e. there are two variables. Furthermore it is not possible to indicate dB as this will not only depend on these two variables but others such as speaker sensitivity, impedance and many other things that are far too complicated for me to understand.
You also sugget that we are downloading two different app versions but not sure how this is possible as the details in the app store refer to one version for all, i.e. Uniti range and NDS etc.
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The software versions 3.9 and 3.16 (and the latest one 3.17) refer the streamer firmware. There indeed is only one app available from the store. Different range of products use this app slightly differently (and the system automation adds one dimension to this).
Hi Chaps,
Osprey explained it better than me. One app but system automation defines product relevance.
So I am assuming that using the + - one can still blow the speakers by accident as there seems to be no limiting max volume on the streamer version of the app.
Is this correct?
I suppose this is correct - I will not test it. It will require leaning on the button for some seconds and is not the kind of operation which can be fully triggered by an accidental swipe.
This is a very concerning thread ...
Evan very sorry to hear what happened to your speakers
This is a very concerning thread ...
Evan very sorry to hear what happened to your speakers
Certainly. Hopefully others will benefit from your very unfortunate experience, Evan. Thank you for posting the warning and to those who posted about the mitigation.
My Nait XS can't be controlled this way anyway, and I'll ponder along with both the iPhone and Naim remotes in hand for now. Of course I could sit on the Naim remote and have the same problem you experienced.
This is a very concerning thread ...
Evan very sorry to hear what happened to your speakers
+1
Hope the repair ain't too costly man and that the SU is ok