4.8 update and sound quality

Yes, I have read that too. It’s confusing. I would tend to think it’s the dac that is updated.

Same on my NDS too.

Starting to update my NDS (screen not working) off a Windows laptop running Windows 11.
I have downloaded and installed the 4.8 update and the laptop is plugged in to the mini-USB socket. In Device Manager the update instructions tell me to look under “Ports (COM & LPT)”. Probably because its Windows 11, under “Other Devices” I see “CP2102 USB to UART Bridge Controller”. There is no COM information after this. There is also a yellow triangle with exclamation mark to the left of the “CP2102…”.
Any advice?
Unsure if I have a fully wired USB to mini-USB cable. How can I tell. Would this be anything to do with the problem?

I found what was wrong - I missed installing the Silabs driver on P2 of the Guide.

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Now updated and working again.
Question - is there any way Naim can upgrading the legacy products so you don’t have to update from laptops etc?

That question was asked a long while back - no it’s not possible.

After various false starts of buying the wrong cable to connect NDX to laptop and my work laptop refusing to run the file I managed to install the update.

The actual installation was much easier than I thought it would be from reading the instructions. Essentially they list everything that could possibly go wrong.

Great that these products are still supported

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So finally SQ-verdict time:
In my system, which is active with NDS, 4.8 was absolutely better then 4.6 and 4.7 but how about 4.4?
4.8 is different then 4.4 for sure but is it better?
Well, after Snaxo break-in is finished I have made up my mind; I will move on to 4.8!
Many thanks Naim for your effort to make a new and better fw to my “old” NDS!! :heart:

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In what way was it different? Im on 4.4 as I preferred it also to either 4.6 or 4.7.

In my system I find 4.8 to be more dynamic with a little bit better timing then the previous best fw 4.4. I was afraid to be seduced by that on the cost of the analogue feeling in the 4.4 but 4.8 also have naturalness.

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That sounds like my view on the 4.4 and my concern about 4.8, that it would sound dynamic at the expence of that easy analogue type of presentation. Sounds like I need to give it a try, thanks.

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Please give me/us your thoughts if You try :blush:

Well loaded it on with macbook pro running sierra os, and had no issues whatsoever, just followed the instructions carefully.

First impressions are it sounds more cold and digital sounding. Like 4.6 and 4.7 its more immediately impressive but in my system I find 4.4 has really sounded superb with almost analogue warmth and feeling.

Im going to run it like this for a few days to let things settle as the nds reboots numerous times and had to be turned off after an hour of playing as it lost connection with the app and nothing I tried would re establish the connection. A restart sorted this though.

Interesting, we have had the same experience until this.
Maybe we should be digging in this a bit? For me the equipment has changed going from active DBL to active Isobarik. Sending Snaxo 362 to convert to Briks I used my old Snaxo 3-6. I wonder if this change have affected the difference in comparison of the fw :thinking:

Same impressions here. I like 4.4 much more.
Can’t hear much differences between 4.6/4.7/4.8.

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@MNn , I definitely think firmware versions are as system/room dependant as everything else. I have a couple of friends locally with naim systems (we all use nds, naim amps and proac speakers) one is on 4.4 and like in my system it sounds fantastic, but the other is on 4.6 as this sounded far better than 4.4 in his system.

@Mrhappy Yes you are right but I think that rather often is the basic signature the same and not to be a real deal-breaker…or…

We have an advantage over the new streamers : we can reverse to previous updates !
I think the 4.8 is too good to not try it.

4.8 sw update performed flawlessly on ND5XS +nDAC
Hearing things previously buried and way more connection with the music .
To say the least.
The late 60s Strange Days sounding so fresh it’s just a revelation, just try for yourself,please.
Anything, voice , instruments standing out over a blacker and silent background.

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Hello from France !

Just upgraded my ND5XS from 4.4 to 4.8.
All worked well :slight_smile: I uploaded the updater and the driver for Windows 10 from link in PDF file.
I needed maximum 15 minutes to upgrade. Perfect.
My connection was WiFi, although it was noticed to be in cable connection.
No trouble at all.

Most time consuming was moving ND5XS from hifi local to PC room and back to hifi room :smiley:

So far, sound is really good, but hard to say if better than in 4.4 …
For sure, long time ago, I upgraded from 4.3 to 4.4 and I did notice sound improvements.

Thanks Naim for notice and tools, perfect !

Yours,
Bertrand Dubois

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