Not understanding how software can impact the sonic signature of a ‘pure’ streamer is no reason to dismiss it. I have been long using my ND5XS2 as a streamer only, feeding an external nDAC/XPSDR via coaX DC1 cable. Differences between firmware updates were staggering, with 3.10 worst, 3.11 better but still not ‘there’ and 3.12 a different beast altogether, i really stopped tweaking my system as i don’t feel the need to correct anything. Bottom line, streamers do matter, otherwise you would put a very inexpensive mini-pc or whatever on front of a capable DAC and you’d be fine. But that is not the real-life experience, tested over and over again across the years. Just my opinion, ofc, ymmv.
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I made the jump yesterday I’m nd5x2 into ndac owner, even after 3.10 I was still surprised how obvious the change between 3.11 & 3.12 was, I could hear the timing change immediately. Initially I was worried I’d made another mistake updating (I still wish we could have rolled back to 3.8 
). Whilst I preferred the new timing I did have to power cycle the streamer as it was a bit shrieking. So my music is a lot more accurate now but it does mean I’ve lost some of the inaccurate but still enjoyable emphasis I think started with 3.12 it was over focused on the mids with vocals front and centre and more impactful mid bass. I knew it hadn’t been there before but I did enjoy the almost syrupy smoothness of the vocals.
Luckily as I kept listening I seem to be acclimatising to the changes and admit that based on what this music is supposed to sound like this is a lot better.
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I get your predicament. If it’s possible at all, maybe the solution is to find a dealer (including a Naim/Focal store, possibly) that has the 3.12 firmware on their streamers and hear it for yourself. Not perfect (not the same set up as you most probably), but close enough?
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After reading all the positive feedback have just upgraded my nd5xs2. Sounds wonderful feeding my nDAC (with XPS). I’m not the best at expressing what has changed, there have been some really good posts describing things already.
It just sounds right, more open and revealed.
Thank you Naim!
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This.
Amen.
It depends. If it’s a one-time thing, namely it was due to the StreamUnlimited “Titanium” firmware update, I am cool with it. The change was forced onto Naim and they adapted as well as they could. Given the complaints people had with 3.10 and 3.11, I would find it rich for people to now complain they give us something superb, 3.12. If on the other hand, it’s every firmware update that drastically changes the sound signature, that would be potentially more of a problem, I agree. I say “potentially” because I am too ignorant about the side-effects of firmware updates to streamers to be confident about my opinion.
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Thank you for Rachell Ferrel. It is new for me.. lively, I like her voice.. sounds sublime from my speakers.
Peter
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We are finding 3.12 excels with good quality live recordings, especially small venue jazz/soul/funk. You just get lost in them, the detail it digs out is incredible.
Even stuff from early 70s is great (Curtis Mayfield in 71, for example).
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I found this to be true the other day.
Luther Vandross “Live at Radio City Music Hall - The Last Concert” shocked me to be honest. Hearing audience members clear as a bell just adds to the enjoyment.
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Exactly this. On some albums had never really thought about crowd before.
The clarity and realism of drums is also noticeable.
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Yes Sir. Very noticeable and so enjoyable.
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Are there any aspects of 3.11 that folks miss?
At this moment in time I’m absolutely blown away with what 3.12 can do. At proper realistic volumes it’s in a class of its own. What I would say is that 3.11 could be a little more dynamic at lower volumes but I think this is down to 3.11’s character. A lot was discussed when 3.10 came out as it sounded a bit like it was being pushed through a graphic equaliser, with the bass/treble accentuated and the mids pulled down - that typical ‘U’ type profile. 3.11 addressed this to some degree but I thought it still had that same sort of profile, although substantially reduced. Many commented that it sounded a bit like the ‘boost’ button you’d get on 1970’s amps. This profile actually works quite well at low volumes but turn it up and it can get very overwhelming very quickly and at very high volumes it can sound a tad uncomfortable. 3.12 brings every frequency back to the same levels, which is great for high volume listening but you do take a slight hit at low volumes. Still, we can’t have everything!
A week in and the FW continues to get better and better (and no, i don’t know why!). Some truly sensational tracks heard this afternoon and that was just using Radio Paradise.
I take my hat off to the guys at Naim. They seemed to have got things well under control again.
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Ah that’s interesting @Geko. The U shape tonal profile is something I definitely noticed with 3.10/11 firmwares (well, the NC equivalents), more particularly before I gradually optimised my system to compensate for it. So 3.12 is a fuller/richer sound?
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Nothing! I hated the last version and nearly put me off Naim forever. I spent most of my time listening to my new turntable tbh. So no Naim what so ever in the chain for me. But remembering the old days of front end first is so true. My very expensive speakers sounded flat and lifeless on streaming and I remembered how good my Naim cd player was and regretted getting rid of it. But 3 days in and already I am enjoying listening again. I will be careful about updating next time around for sure unless the consensus is unanimous! This Is possible the best I have heard it. I spent a long time this year trying acoustic treatments and getting rid of add ons to find a way to make it sound good again so a lot of wasted hours and money changing cables etc. so on one hand I am not pleased with Naim for not being honest that they screwed up even if it wasn’t there fault and just saying just stick with us we will put this right. An email to their customer base saying an update is out hopefully you will find this a return to what you loved and then some. Respect. I never even knew there was an update. But I am glad it’s been put right at last. I believe Naim need to get better at communication and honesty… a bit like the Labour Party at the moment. (Happy to help Naim
) well done eventually
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Very pleased for you, @Marki , what a great result! Enjoy 
The new sound is a little hard to describe. It’s much fuller but at the same time quite natural. It’s as though everything has more body and weight but it doesn’t mask any of the really subtle stuff. You can feel a kick drum but at the same time hear a cymbal shimmer. It’s quite remarkable how Naim have reduced the noise levels so much that there’s another level of detail completely revealed.
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Try this. On the new firmware it sounds inspiring and not shouty anymore with sparkle and detail and no muddiness. Get this wrong and the horns sound unnatural and squeezed. The tone of the piano comes out even when it gets busy and the bass weight is just about right. Just close your eyes and wait till the last part where Manu plays his drums! Wow
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Perfectly put! 
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Anyone gonna place bets on what day this week @drago will update to 3.12?
Surely he’s close to caving in…
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