Let's call a spade a spade.

Posted by: Sloop John B on 16 August 2015

and this spade is that the Naim streamer update procedure is an absolute pain and the update emperor is dancing gaily in the nip around the place. 

 

I'm amazed at the number of apologists here for the current update process. I know the reasons for it, they have been well aired, but even though I have 2 Naim streamers I would never, ever say other than the firmware update is a PITA. 

 

This apologising is like some weird  form of Stockholm syndrome. 

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by james n
Originally Posted by Huge:

The Linn systems are based on Pulse Width Modulation amplification (i.e. class D), which is less bothered by small disturbances in the ground planes (such as RFI).  However no one has yet managed to get the same degree of vitality in the signal from class D systems, so Naim use analogue amplifiers and hence rely on better circuit isolation.

 

You have to compromise one way or the other.

 

I just have to plug an SD card into mine to update firmware, change configurations etc. I've got one of those nasty switching PSU supplied, Class D (albeit a hybrid) amps though.

 

Got to compromise for this convenience somewhere eh ? 

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by Huge
Originally Posted by james n:
Originally Posted by Huge:

The Linn systems are based on Pulse Width Modulation amplification (i.e. class D), which is less bothered by small disturbances in the ground planes (such as RFI).  However no one has yet managed to get the same degree of vitality in the signal from class D systems, so Naim use analogue amplifiers and hence rely on better circuit isolation.

 

You have to compromise one way or the other.

 

I just have to plug an SD card into mine to update firmware, change configurations etc. I've got one of those nasty switching supplied, Class D (albeit a hybrid) amps though.

 

Got to compromise for this convenience somewhere eh ? 

I didn't say nasty, (particularly in the case of Linn and Devialet), just a different sonic signature.

 

And the principle of 'hybrid' class D isn't actually so new - in fact it's somewhat similar to the principle of the current dumping amp of the 1970s

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by Bart
Originally Posted by Huge:
I didn't say nasty, (particularly in the case of Linn and Devialet), just a different sonic signature.

 

You thought it.  C'mon, admit it. ;-)

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by Eloise
Originally Posted by Huge:

The Linn systems are based on Pulse Width Modulation amplification (i.e. class D), which is less bothered by small disturbances in the ground planes (such as RFI).  However no one has yet managed to get the same degree of vitality in the signal from class D systems, so Naim use analogue amplifiers and hence rely on better circuit isolation.

Are you sure? It was my understanding that Linn amplification was based on Class A/B design (same as Naim) only utilising a SPMS design.

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by DUPREE
Originally Posted by Eloise:
Originally Posted by Huge:

The Linn systems are based on Pulse Width Modulation amplification (i.e. class D), which is less bothered by small disturbances in the ground planes (such as RFI).  However no one has yet managed to get the same degree of vitality in the signal from class D systems, so Naim use analogue amplifiers and hence rely on better circuit isolation.

Are you sure? It was my understanding that Linn amplification was based on Class A/B design (same as Naim) only utilising a SPMS design.

Linn amps in general are not class D. They are a modified Class A/B amp with what they call "Chakra technology" for the output stage which features additional drive transistors that operate when needed to provide extra current. The power supplies are switch mode however. In addition their Sekrit DSM, Sneaky DSM and Kiko DSM use Class D amplifiers just as the Mu-so does...

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by james n
Originally Posted by Huge:
Originally Posted by james n:
Originally Posted by Huge:

The Linn systems are based on Pulse Width Modulation amplification (i.e. class D), which is less bothered by small disturbances in the ground planes (such as RFI).  However no one has yet managed to get the same degree of vitality in the signal from class D systems, so Naim use analogue amplifiers and hence rely on better circuit isolation.

 

You have to compromise one way or the other.

 

I just have to plug an SD card into mine to update firmware, change configurations etc. I've got one of those nasty switching supplied, Class D (albeit a hybrid) amps though.

 

Got to compromise for this convenience somewhere eh ? 

I didn't say nasty, (particularly in the case of Linn and Devialet), just a different sonic signature.

 

And the principle of 'hybrid' class D isn't actually so new - in fact it's somewhat similar to the principle of the current dumping amp of the 1970s

Only pulling your chain Huge. Yes Peter Walkers spirit sort of lives on 

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by james n
Originally Posted by Bart:
Originally Posted by Huge:
I didn't say nasty, (particularly in the case of Linn and Devialet), just a different sonic signature.

 

You thought it.  C'mon, admit it. ;-)

Oi ! 

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by JulianL

Every time I:

 

  • Faithfully download the update to my macbook
  • Find i'm missing a driver
  • Try to find and install the driver
  • Fail
  • Do a little online research
  • Try again and fail
  • Give up
  • Get out my old Windows laptop
  • Download the update
  • Look for the update cable
  • Have a cup of tea
  • Look some more
  • Remember that i left it plugged into the streamer for next time
  • Connect up my old widows laptop
  • Update 
  • Tell myself to remember to use the Windows laptop next time
  • Tell myself to remember that I left the cable plugged into the streamer
  • Forget
Posted on: 20 August 2015 by GraemeH

Very good!

 

G

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by Kiwi cat

I take my Superuniti to the dealer and ask them to upgrade it with latest firmware. Go get a coffee and visit record store. Come back in 1/2 hour and job done and dusted!

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by ChrisSU
Originally Posted by JulianL:

Every time I:

 

  • Faithfully download the update to my macbook
  • Find i'm missing a driver
  • Try to find and install the driver
  • Fail
  • Do a little online research
  • Try again and fail
  • Give up
  • Get out my old Windows laptop
  • Download the update
  • Look for the update cable
  • Have a cup of tea
  • Look some more
  • Remember that i left it plugged into the streamer for next time
  • Connect up my old widows laptop
  • Update 
  • Tell myself to remember to use the Windows laptop next time
  • Tell myself to remember that I left the cable plugged into the streamer
  • Forget

Alternatively,

 

  • Read the instructions
  • Follow them to the letter
  • 20 minutes later, press play and enjoy music
Posted on: 20 August 2015 by nudgerwilliams

 

Nice one, Julian.

 

Next time try to remember that you posted a handy checklist for yourself on the forum 

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by DUPREE
Is your unit USB or RS232, I have never had to install a driver on my Mac..
Posted on: 20 August 2015 by JulianL
Originally Posted by DUPREE:
Is your unit USB or RS232, I have never had to install a driver on my Mac..

It is usb, beyond that it is already drifting away into the inacessable reaches of my memory but i vaguely recall that it was a possibly a Yosemite issue with a driver. The upshot was that it was asking me to chose a port that i didn't recognise from the list provided.

 

It was at this point that i remembered that, for this job at least, Windows just works.

 

PS I just rechecked this on a MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) the only port the update app can find is "Bluetooth Incoming Port"

 

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by jmtennapel

Julian, the port will only show up in the system profiler when you have connected the USB to the NAIM streamer.

Posted on: 20 August 2015 by GraemeH
Originally Posted by ChrisSU:
Originally Posted by JulianL:

Every time I:

 

  • Faithfully download the update to my macbook
  • Find i'm missing a driver
  • Try to find and install the driver
  • Fail
  • Do a little online research
  • Try again and fail
  • Give up
  • Get out my old Windows laptop
  • Download the update
  • Look for the update cable
  • Have a cup of tea
  • Look some more
  • Remember that i left it plugged into the streamer for next time
  • Connect up my old widows laptop
  • Update 
  • Tell myself to remember to use the Windows laptop next time
  • Tell myself to remember that I left the cable plugged into the streamer
  • Forget

Alternatively,

 

  • Read the instructions
  • Follow them to the letter
  • 20 minutes later, press play and enjoy music

Nah, not as funny.

 

G

Posted on: 21 August 2015 by JLH

Just went through the firmware upgrade process (for the first time) with my ND5 XS. Happy to report success, though I would not argue with the OP's description of the process as (at least a bit of) a PITA. One thing caught me off guard -- the upgrade restored the ND5 XS to factory defaults. I had had mine set for wireless use, static rather than DHCP, and had to redo those settings after the upgrade. Not painful, but not seamless.

 

(By the way, no need to tell me I should be using Ethernet rather than wireless. As soon as time allows, I'm aiming to run an Ethernet cable to it, which will require some fishing of cable through walls and other good fun...)

Posted on: 21 August 2015 by DUPREE
My NAC-N 272 also got blown back to factory defaults by the upgrade. Must be part of the process - all my named inputs went away and the disabled hidden ones all came back.

> On Aug 21, 2015, at 10:28 AM, Naim Audio Forums <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>
Posted on: 21 August 2015 by Mike-B

I've upgraded quite a number of times as I'm on the beta team,  none have ever reverted to factory default - the factory asked us to do that manually once to enable something,  but its never done so as part of the upgrade process & I've not heard that is has done so from the other beta peeps.

Posted on: 21 August 2015 by DUPREE
The upgrade from the original firmware that came with the 272 to 4.3 completely zapped all configuration for me.

> On Aug 21, 2015, at 10:47 AM, Naim Audio Forums <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>
Posted on: 21 August 2015 by ChrisSU

I seem to remember one of the first updates I did went back to factory default settings, but since then it hasn't happened, either on beta or public versions.

Posted on: 21 August 2015 by JLH
Originally Posted by Mike-B:

I've upgraded quite a number of times as I'm on the beta team,  none have ever reverted to factory default - the factory asked us to do that manually once to enable something,  but its never done so as part of the upgrade process & I've not heard that is has done so from the other beta peeps.

"Never"? Well, it just happened to me, and has also happened to Dupree. I watched the progress screen as the update neared its end -- it notified me of "Restoring to factory defaults" or something to that effect, and then promptly finished the update. Perhaps this reset to defaults happens on the first update, going from original to latest firmware (skipping intermediate releases). In any case, it's not "never."

Posted on: 21 August 2015 by DUPREE
Yeah, this was definitely something it informed me it was doing during the upgrade process. So I would guess it occurs in every instance for a 272 going to 4.3, maybe other NAIM devices are different, but I can fairly confidently say that part of the upgrade process was wiping the config. It didn’t really bother me, so far overall it has been one of the best audio components I have owned and sounds spectacular, I can spend 30 minutes every 6 months to a year updating to get new features and better performance for that…

> On Aug 21, 2015, at 10:58 AM, Naim Audio Forums <alerts@hoop.la> wrote:
>
Posted on: 21 August 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by JLH:
 I watched the progress screen as the update neared its end -- it notified me of "Restoring to factory defaults" or something to that effect, and then promptly finished the update. Perhaps this reset to defaults happens on the first update, going from original to latest firmware (skipping intermediate releases). In any case, it's not "never."

The upgrade always says "Restoring Factory Defaults ( I just double checked it with another install )  but it doesn't (hasn't) actually do that on my unit

 

When I said "never"  I did say .....  as part of the (MY) upgrade process - meaning never on my unit

Posted on: 22 August 2015 by Simon-in-Suffolk

Mike, you do raise an interesting point.. My updates always say restoring to factory defaults... but they never have done for me on my NDX either.. which I am quite happy about.. as my NDX contains quite a lot of bespoking, and there is no way to save these settings via the NDX's own web page for later restoring..

Simon