Atom firmware 2.6.1

Go for it, just hit the install button and leave alone for about 10 mins, definitely don’t turn it off! Beware some of the app settings default after the update such as the max vol which resets to 85%

Naim have asked that anyone who feels that sound quality is worse on the new firmware contacts them directly in order to resolve the issue. There are threads about this if you can be bothered to search for them. 

The update process is straightforward, and different to that used on the old streamers. Just follow the instructions on the app, it’s easy. 

Don’t turn it off, just follow the instructions.

Done.  Easy and very quick, about 3 or 4 mins

So far played:

• Dreadlock Holiday (10cc),
• Blue Skies (Diana Krall),
• Telegraph Road (Dire Straits),
• Brothers in Arm (Joan Baez),
• A snippet from Histoire Du Soldat - Introduction (Stravinski) and
• Goldberg Variations (Aria) (JS Bach)

...and it all sounds very good - the Bach in particular was stunning (Glenn Gould at the Johanna).  

Thanks for your help guys.

Tony

Atom/Iota/Kan Stands posted:

Hi, I have just noticed that I am not running the latest firmware on my Atom.  I have 2 questions if I may:

1. Have any other Atom/Uniti users updated successfully and with no negative side effects?  I know there were some that experienced a reduction in SQ on one of the previous firmware updates (though maybe not the Uniti range).

2. The app has an install button, which it is inviting me to click.  Is it is simple as that, or is there a lot of mucking about downloading a file to my computer first, or is that just the dedicated streamers?

3. Oh, an unexpected third question; I assume I have to switch the music or even whole unit off during the update.  What is advised?

 

Many thanks, I think this is my first update, hence the stupid questions.

Tony 

Upgrading is as simple as selecting Install in the app.

The software then downloads (progress shown in the app), and when the Atom is ready to apply the update it generally does so, though I'd be inclined to stop any playing audio before choosing Install.

I'd make a note of the firmware you're running now (eg screen grab the About pages in the app on your phone).

The update requires several restarts of the unit so I'd leave it well done for about 10-15 minutes until the screen with the white icons comes up and is stable (i.e. no restart) for several minutes.   The app will lose the Atom intermittently during the process - I doubt trying to access it when it reappears will hurt but the app will see it on the network before the unit has fully installed the update hence my suggestion to wait for several restarts until you get the screen with white icons for a few minutes.

The key point is that firmware updates can change the sound, and may even be tweaked by Naim to do so, but not everyone will agree if the sound is better, worse or the same and I think a lot depends on individual sound preferences and synergy with other components in the system.

Hopefully it will sound better for you, but as I said make a note of the current firmware before updating as there is a way to revert with Naim support's help should you be unhappy, but if the new firmware sounds good to you I'd leave well alone.

Some people find that doing a 'Factory restore' using the physical remote after an update is helpful (you'll lose any settings and will need to re-pair the remote), others do not.  These devices are complex and I suspect some occasionally get glitches that a factory restore resets, but again I would not do this unless you have to.

Alley Cat posted:

Atom/Iota/Kan Stands posted:

 

Upgrading is as simple as selecting Install in the app.

The software then downloads (progress shown in the app), and when the Atom is ready to apply the update it generally does so, though I'd be inclined to stop any playing audio before choosing Install.

I'd make a note of the firmware you're running now (eg screen grab the About pages in the app on your phone).

The update requires several restarts of the unit so I'd leave it well done for about 10-15 minutes until the screen with the white icons comes up and is stable (i.e. no restart) for several minutes.   The app will lose the Atom intermittently during the process - I doubt trying to access it when it reappears will hurt but the app will see it on the network before the unit has fully installed the update hence my suggestion to wait for several restarts until you get the screen with white icons for a few minutes.

The key point is that firmware updates can change the sound, and may even be tweaked by Naim to do so, but not everyone will agree if the sound is better, worse or the same and I think a lot depends on individual sound preferences and synergy with other components in the system.

Hopefully it will sound better for you, but as I said make a note of the current firmware before updating as there is a way to revert with Naim support's help should you be unhappy, but if the new firmware sounds good to you I'd leave well alone.

Some people find that doing a 'Factory restore' using the physical remote after an update is helpful (you'll lose any settings and will need to re-pair the remote), others do not.  These devices are complex and I suspect some occasionally get glitches that a factory restore resets, but again I would not do this unless you have to.

 

Brilliant, very helpful.  So far so good.

Also, I'd quit the Naim controller app and restart it after updating - the firmware version usually show it's changed correctly but DSP version in a submenu for example seems to show the previous version until the app is restarted or the Atom is unpowered and restarted (this has confused me on occasion).

Mercky posted:

Go for it, just hit the install button and leave alone for about 10 mins, definitely don’t turn it off! Beware some of the app settings default after the update such as the max vol which resets to 85%

Actually, I’m wrong there, the app won’t be affected unless you do a factory reset 

Mercky posted:

Mercky posted:

Go for it, just hit the install button and leave alone for about 10 mins, definitely don’t turn it off! Beware some of the app settings default after the update such as the max vol which resets to 85%

Actually, I’m wrong there, the app won’t be affected unless you do a factory reset 

Yes that setting is only affected by factory reset - what does change however is that newer versions of the Naim app are designed for newer firmware, and if you were on say 2.3 (8576) and have an app designed for a newer firmware, you lose the ability to alter max vol and either balance or headphone volume in the app, so if I want to use 2.3 (8576) I'd have to update to 2.6.1, then change those settings, then revert back to 2.3 without doing a factory restore.

It has been said by Phil Harris I believe that the max vol setting will have no effect on actual audio quality, just that for a given displayed volume level it will be lower/quieter depending on whether max vol is decreased or increased, I think it's more a psychological thing for those who like music quite loud to be able to get those volumes with the dial in the 40-55 range for example rather than cranking it up to 50-65 or so - maybe I just feel less guilty having it louder with a lower displayed volume as it's easier to justify to SWMBO when she asks me to turn it down!

Alley Cat posted:

Mercky posted:

Mercky posted:

Go for it, just hit the install button and leave alone for about 10 mins, definitely don’t turn it off! Beware some of the app settings default after the update such as the max vol which resets to 85%

Actually, I’m wrong there, the app won’t be affected unless you do a factory reset 

Yes that setting is only affected by factory reset - what does change however is that newer versions of the Naim app are designed for newer firmware, and if you were on say 2.3 (8576) and have an app designed for a newer firmware, you lose the ability to alter max vol and either balance or headphone volume in the app, so if I want to use 2.3 (8576) I'd have to update to 2.6.1, then change those settings, then revert back to 2.3 without doing a factory restore.

It has been said by Phil Harris I believe that the max vol setting will have no effect on actual audio quality, just that for a given displayed volume level it will be lower/quieter depending on whether max vol is decreased or increased, I think it's more a psychological thing for those who like music quite loud to be able to get those volumes with the dial in the 40-55 range for example rather than cranking it up to 50-65 or so - maybe I just feel less guilty having it louder with a lower displayed volume as it's easier to justify to SWMBO when she asks me to turn it down!

Indeed, you can also use it to trim the output to a desired volume at a given display reference number, ie, trim it so it’s at your normal enjoyable listening level at say 50 on the display. Personally I leave at 100%!