Uniti 2.6.1

In any case,it is boring that when you invest in a product on music and sound fundamentals,....that this should change after an upgrade of the software.

Richard mentions that it is also evaluated on DBL loudspeakers at the factory.
One in our group has active DBL as well as NDS,he has gone back to version 4.4.
He does not like 4.6 ect....

He also sent an email to Naim Salisbury about this.
After regular component upgrades,you usually get to do some changes in the intuning of their speakers,...to get the maximum performance.
What I have understood,does not even this help here.

This must somehow be found a solution to, know that many have left Linn because of similar causes....the way they chose.
Some have then gone here to Naim instead, among other this guy I told you about here. He previously had Linn's biggest active climax Komri system with 8 Solo mono-amps.

He has, among other things, told Naim to fix this,he does not want to change the music system again,...but will do so unless the music rendition meets the requirements,which made him invest in a Top-spec Naim system.

/Peder ????

Hi MERCKY

I agree, the equipment I work with is medical imaging equipment, so image quality as apposed to sound quality.

Something we have tried very recently is to remove the subjectiveness from the equation by having a remote computer in the factory, analyse result from the field and report back how well adjust the system is compared to before or left the factory.

A different challenge with audio equipment, but if the response from a reference system could be recorded, a system with new updates could be subject to the same testing under the same conditions and the response compared to the original.

Ensuring consistency with the original sound.

David Hendon posted:

The ND5XS has updateable firmware too, although it's a lot more difficult to do and not just selected in the app like with the Atom. You would have the same uncertainty about sound changes with firmware updates. Also note that the ND5 XS has been discontinued, shortly to be replaced by a ND5 XS2.

I would stick with Atom unless you are looking for something that the alternatives distinctly give you.

best

David

Thanks.

Reading all this I come to conclusion that all new Naim equipment will be affected by sound quality changes after updating. If I'm not mistaken all Naim DAC's, streamers, apmplifiers, etc. have the ability to upgrade. It doesn't matter the update is initiated from internet or USB. It does matter that the update somehow affects sound quality.

Could this be true, or I don't understand something here...?

tony123 posted:

David Hendon posted:

The ND5XS has updateable firmware too, although it's a lot more difficult to do and not just selected in the app like with the Atom. You would have the same uncertainty about sound changes with firmware updates. Also note that the ND5 XS has been discontinued, shortly to be replaced by a ND5 XS2.

I would stick with Atom unless you are looking for something that the alternatives distinctly give you.

best

David

Thanks.

Reading all this I come to conclusion that all new Naim equipment will be affected by sound quality changes after updating. If I'm not mistaken all Naim DAC's, streamers, apmplifiers, etc. have the ability to upgrade. It doesn't matter the update is initiated from internet or USB. It does matter that the update somehow affects sound quality.

Could this be true, or I don't understand something here...?

This is not a new thing, it’s just that some seem not to like the changed sound quality on the new streamers. Updates to the old streamers and the DACs also changed the sound, it’s just that people either liked the new sound, or heard no difference. 

I use Focals and do not like the new updates, for two reasons:

1. I'm old school, a buy what i like and like it to stay that way, NOT change;

2. Room setup, everyone's is different meaning and for many moving speakers in, out, further apart is not an option, back to point 1.

Sadly we still have no formal response from Naim, IF this is a fix to concerns raised.

Anavrin posted:

For ultimate flexibility, several versions of DSP firmware could be produced and the user could choose based on their taste and/or speaker brand, maybe even a choice to upgrade the system firmware independently of the DSP, however I fear it will never happen that way.

I think I mentioned this approach in another thread - in theory as you say, provided there are no specific dependencies the DSP code could be modular and the end-user would then have a choice of several available DSP modules to optimise their particular system - these could be individually downloadable via the Naim app or in Settings.

However, from what I understand differing firmwares may sound quite different even with the same DSP, so it may or may not work well, and you could not guarantee preserving the same sonic signature with different firmware even if an older DSP component could be retained.

The biggest spanner in the works would be if future firmware auto-updated without your consent or if the app nagged you every five minutes to do so.  Manual updating must be retained in my view, as well as the option to revert if you dislike an update (which we can do now via the web configuration pages).

Not had a huge amount of time to listen to deeply to 2.6.1. want I can say though it factory reset is a must of upgrading. I didn't do this the other day when I first did upgrade yesterday I was listening and it all sounded very flat and not really like 2.3 or 2.6. So I did a reset and boy did the sound change. Why does factory resettig do this?

SimonPeterArnold posted:

Not had a huge amount of time to listen to deeply to 2.6.1. want I can say though it factory reset is a must of upgrading. I didn't do this the other day when I first did upgrade yesterday I was listening and it all sounded very flat and not really like 2.3 or 2.6. So I did a reset and boy did the sound change. Why does factory resettig do this?

I had "flat" days with 2.3 update also. And I couldn't figure it out what was the reason. Maybe it was somehow related with electricity, temperature, humidity, etc... Seemed that dynamic range was reduced - less bass and less treble. I also thought that it could be related to my room's acoustics. For example warm concrete can reflect sound different then cold concrete, etc... But after update 2.6.1 I think that all this was related with Atom itself.

7 days past after I've installed update 2.6.1 and all the time it sounded perfect to me, without noticeable sound changes.

Interesting as currently Naim have not confirmed and the Changelog does not mention a DSP change.

I have found a compromise with 2.6.1 and won't go back to 2.3.1 as the back on forth and waiting for Naim, ruins the whole ownership experience.

At the moment i do not intend progressing beyond the Nova, if i do it will be Non Naim, as the way the whole firmware has been handled is a farce.

I wonder when those spending £13k for the ND555 get hit with this issue (change in sound) will think ?

Could it be that it also effected some disks I ripped with the Core? I mean om my previous set (XS-ND5XS) I found disks I ripped ( Computer) were more or less of the same SQ. There was not much difference.With the Core and Nova I find some CD"s are sounding wonderfull and some awfull.in most cases the awfull ones seems to mis background sounds, and a washed out midrange. Strange?

Cant see how ripping can be effected by firmware. Likely just the recording in the first place and the firmware changes either enhance or mask things. 

That"s not the point. It seems that the Firmware 2.6. and 2.6.1 seems to wash out certain frequencies in de upper midrange area.Nearly to the point that they are only audible very far in the background. 

When I updated my Nova to 2.6.1  I made a note of the DSP version. It was 1.255.59 before and after the update. A couple of days ago I had to unplug the Nova and (having switched it on again) the DSP version was 1.0.28.  That seems  a bit odd to me, I wondered if any one else had the same thing.

Listening to 2.6.1 I think that the sound now is what it should be. Seems that Naim fixed serious software bugs. On 2.6.1 actually I hear much deeper and detailed bass (with faster and stronger punch) and much higher frequencies, that I haven't heard before (and they are subtle without harshness; ear likes them). Also soundstage improved. Vocals are more subtle without harshness.

2.3 had real flabby and slow bass (with a lot of boominess ) and cutted off high frequencies and as I said it seems more like a bug and that would explain why Naim tried to fix it with so persistence. Nobody wants to leave serious bugs in their systems. And also that would explain why so dramatic changes occurred.

Maybe much of us got used to 2.3 sound. I also had adaptation going to 2.6.1 about and hour and then was big WOW. And it is till now.

By the way, with 2.3 I thought that my room acoustics are bad. Thought about buying bass traps, diffusors, etc... But with 2.6.1 I don't want room treatment any more.

Daveas posted:

When I updated my Nova to 2.6.1  I made a note of the DSP version. It was 1.255.59 before and after the update. A couple of days ago I had to unplug the Nova and (having switched it on again) the DSP version was 1.0.28.  That seems  a bit odd to me, I wondered if any one else had the same thing.

1.0.28 is correct for 2.6.1, it's just that your app dident update I suspect rather then the Nova

Mercky posted:

Daveas posted:

When I updated my Nova to 2.6.1  I made a note of the DSP version. It was 1.255.59 before and after the update. A couple of days ago I had to unplug the Nova and (having switched it on again) the DSP version was 1.0.28.  That seems  a bit odd to me, I wondered if any one else had the same thing.

1.0.28 is correct for 2.6.1, it's just that your app dident update I suspect rather then the Nova

Yes, I've noticed for some time if you update that oddly although the app will show correct updated firmware it only seems to show the DSP version installed when the app was started, until you quit and restart it or power cycle the Uniti device.

Well I can't get 2.6.1 to sound how I want it to like 2.6. Moving placement isnt helping a lot either I find it too fatiguing and not particularly pleasent to listen to. I have to find some way to get a more balanced sound I like or I am selling the blessed thing. 2.3 had its faults but just sounds more natural and balanced overall in my home with my speakers,  but I am not staying on out of date firmware and not get support or features. I just think my speakers dont gel with it any more. I can't afford upgrade at this point but was looking at end of year to celebrate half a century. I really don't want to be forced into it sooner.

Not happy

Tried to listen to music last night again under 2.6.1 but I had to turn it off as it was just not enjoyable., Internet radio is completely unlistenable as is any compressed music in general now, this was not thee case before. I am now sat with my 2nd system and its so much bette (non naim). Really dont get whats going on here even 2,6 did not sound this bad. I really think there is a fault somewhere in the unit these firmware changes are revealing. Wil roll back again and see if its back to normal. If not then perhaps the bug i ran into on 2,6 with blasting audio on input change has done some damage to my speakers, although I would have noticed this when I switched back to 2.3 before. Really becoming frustrated.

By the way, does HDMI input works OK for everyone? (with update 2.6.1).

I didn't check mine yet, but my friend experienced some problems connecting TV to his Uniti again.

TONY123 - Gave up using Hdmi after my first RMA.

SIMONPETERARNOLD - I would look into a full refund via the dealer, if they do not accept then via a small claims court, simple case is bought as per demo, now sound has changed and not supported, we are talking a premium brand (I thought) not a Sony or Technics sound blaster.

Other option is to stick with 2.3.1 as a dead duck support wise.

Later in the week I want to go back to 2.3.1, as at the moment I have tweaked my way back to happy with 2.6.1 but no 2.3.1 mojo.

But I do understand the frustration, it can and will ruin the whole ownership experience.

Another Focal user here who is definitely not happy. (Atom, focal 926, Chord epic)

The sound is still weak, nothing ever kicks in with any level of excitement, and the volume is still down by ~15%. I had tested this several times before and after the latest round of pathetic updates, it's not an illusion due to eq changes, it is several DB down at the same level, with the same tracks, in the exact same position.

I'm telling you, I'm 100% convinced Naim have nerfed the uniti range to make the new ND range seem more of a step up. I would not have bought this atom/926 combo if it sounded like this when I bought it, not at all. It sounds absolutely terrible, and no, I'm not being dramatic. My muso sounded better, much better.

How is this legal?

Just been through several of my personal reference tracks using 2.6.1 and I'm so completely fed up and angry now. How would you feel if every time you listen to your £5,000 purchase you felt completely disappointed and depressed with the sound? That's not exactly throw away money for me, and now that's what it feels like I've done with it.

It sounds as boxy as a cheap soundbar with zero oomph. Everything just sounds so flat and unimpressive. I'm wondering if there's something more fundamentally wrong with my atom since the original 2.6 update, as I can't imagine anyone being in the slightest bit happy with this tripe.

dave-mac posted:

Another Focal user here who is definitely not happy. (Atom, focal 926, Chord epic)

The sound is still weak, nothing ever kicks in with any level of excitement, and the volume is still down by ~15%. I had tested this several times before and after the latest round of pathetic updates, it's not an illusion due to eq changes, it is several DB down at the same level, with the same tracks, in the exact same position.

I'm telling you, I'm 100% convinced Naim have nerfed the uniti range to make the new ND range seem more of a step up. I would not have bought this atom/926 combo if it sounded like this when I bought it, not at all. It sounds absolutely terrible, and no, I'm not being dramatic. My muso sounded better, much better.

How is this legal?

 

 

I also have the same setup (Focal Aria 926 + Atom). Just the cables are different. Mine are QED XT40.

But I've never noticed the reduction in power or volume installing new updates. Volume is always the same for me, not matter it is update 2.3, 2.6 or 2.6.1. Also, I've noticed much stronger and deeper bass with update 2.6.1 (on the contrary to other people who have the same setup). So maybe different units react differently to updates.

Can the problems be related to speaker cables? Or electricity in different regions. Mine is 230V, 50hz, Schuko plug.

I have just updated firmware to 2.6.1 and wow.Sound through my Nova ,PMC Twenty 24’s with chord epic cable is singing again .To my ears the sound is more dynamic with a more refined treble and bass than previously.Strange how opinions vary.For me the sound is back to a similar level to when I first got my Nova Three firmware updates ago .