DAC-V1 after firmware update, what is happening?
Posted by: SongStream on 04 December 2015
Erm....why does my DAC-V1 sound so different after the firmware update? It's not all in my head, I am sure it's not. I thought the update was purely to provide DSD support and a couple of other 'features', and I haven't even tried any DSD since I installed the update yesterday evening, but ever since installing when playing PCM in various bit-depths and sample rates, I am consistently struck by a richer and more organic (sorry, don't know how else to describe it) sound. Which is great, my Proacs are loving it, giving a more believable and less hi-fi performance. Not to say my system was bad in this regard before by any means, but it is now different, and luckily I think preferable. A little smoother at the very top end and more clearly defined particularly in the mid and lower-mid-range. But I also think the bass is tighter and more agile. Is this possible, and, well, how? Any other V1 owners hearing this type of thing?
Yes it sounds superb and us Beta testers have been enjoying it since early September 
Rattlesnaic posted:Yes it sounds superb and us Beta testers have been enjoying it since early September
Interesting. Are there release notes for this type of thing? I can't find anything, and did not realise that firmware updates would directly affect SQ in this way. I would have been more cautious if I'd known, I was happy with sound quality, just curious to try a DSD file as I've never heard one. It's worked out OK, I seem to be preferring the sound post update, but that need not necessarily be the case. The difference the update has made to PCM playback was completely unexpected.
SongStream posted:Rattlesnaic posted:Yes it sounds superb and us Beta testers have been enjoying it since early September
Interesting. Are there release notes for this type of thing? I can't find anything, and did not realise that firmware updates would directly affect SQ in this way. I would have been more cautious if I'd known, I was happy with sound quality, just curious to try a DSD file as I've never heard one. It's worked out OK, I seem to be preferring the sound post update, but that need not necessarily be the case. The difference the update has made to PCM playback was completely unexpected.
As per Brilliant's post
Jude2012 posted:SongStream posted:Rattlesnaic posted:Yes it sounds superb and us Beta testers have been enjoying it since early September
Interesting. Are there release notes for this type of thing? I can't find anything, and did not realise that firmware updates would directly affect SQ in this way. I would have been more cautious if I'd known, I was happy with sound quality, just curious to try a DSD file as I've never heard one. It's worked out OK, I seem to be preferring the sound post update, but that need not necessarily be the case. The difference the update has made to PCM playback was completely unexpected.
As per Brilliant's post
SongStream posted:Brilliant posted:hearing is believing - but the improvement is stated here with certainty by Naim:
"..Firmware update 4.11.8 (Naim DAC) and 1.16 (DAC-V1) will enable single and double rate DSD playback to existing and new DAC and DAC-V1 owners. This update has required significant optimisation of the core DSP code which has also improved sound quality.."
Ha, that's the bit of info I'd missed then. Thanks for that, clearly been looking in the wrong places for info. In terms of the sound quality, their statement is not wrong. Well done, Naim. It sounds great.
Really - well done Naim!
B.
Well after participating in the beta testing and listening to v1.16, last night and this afternoon, all I can say is that my system is sounding just amazing, can't analyse it into a specific aspect., it just sounds right.
Perhaps it's because I am listening to enjoy than for testing or casually, but it does seem like a bigger upgrade/change than I previously perceived it to be.
I am also amazed that the GB1i is able to convey the change upstream.
Well done Nam
Jude
Andrius,
If the instructions that are downloadable from the link in @Brilliant's post doesn't make sense, it is better get in touch with Naim Customer Services (unless you get a reply from @Brilliant or someone who uses Windows with their V1 (I use Mac)).
I think you'll like update 
Jude
Update success ! I guess long listening session awaits
Jude2012 posted:Well after ... listening to v1.16, last night and this afternoon, all I can say is that my system is sounding just amazing, can't analyse it into a specific aspect., it just sounds right.
Well done Nam
Jude
This just about sums it up for me too. The new firmware loaded on the second attempt, then passed the BitPerfect test with no errors on the first attempt (I replay music using itunes with the BitPerfect app on a 2011 mac mini).
This little system sounded simply excellent, musical, foot tapping and immersive with v1.5 firmware. Now with v1.16 installed it just sounds right, more right than I thought was possible for a music system at this price point.
Very, very happy indeed.
Thank you, FT
Andrius posted:Today installed DSD/asio plugins in foobar2000. DSD64 working just fine, but trying DSD128 i get "Unrecoverable playback error: Sample rate of 44100 Hz not supported by this device" any ideas why?...
Update: this new firmware update is pure awesomeness! I was very satisfied with the old one, but now probably over-satisfied (and that would be very close to the truth) I'm experiencing nearly same changes in playback quality, as other forum members already mentioned here. What surprised me most is DSD playback though. I am not sure if this is unique/different mastering or DSD merits, but Cat Stevens' "Tea for the Tillerman" and M. Jackson's "Thriller" DSD version sounded "best I ever heard on my system". Thank you NAIM for this early x-mas present
Still not fixed Foobar2000 problem when trying to play DSD128, whilst DSD64 plays fine, even though I followed Foobar2000 setup guide found in NAIM website. When tried both DSD64 and DSD128 in jRiver, had no problems at all. At least I know It's a Foobar2000 issue...