Impressions with new FW (3.11.0 and other generations...)

[Protegimus]

Yes, the Elektra

[drago]

That is an amp!

[Geko]

Looks like two Sigma leads as well!

[drago]

looks like, but why 2 of them?

[drago]

How have you arranged the transport - 100 kg

[Dunc]

Sigma range also covers xlr’s, and i should think these are L and R xlr’s, from dac to amp

[Protegimus]

It’s the XLR connection pair from DAC to amp - they are loaned to me by David Baker from Audio Therapy along with some rather esoteric items from OePhi (reference series) to compare, so have been rotated from time to time with Shunyata Theta
Shunyata Alpha-X

really enjoying the Alpha-X, they work incredibly well in the setup.

Digital cables are
Shunyata Delta RCA
Shunyata Sigma BNC
OePhi RCA
OePhi reference RCA

[Protegimus]

Sweat and swearing @drago
Wasn’t too bad really as they are in flight cases, although the twist in the stairs (my listening room is upstairs) was tricky to negotiate.

[Darkebear]

Over some time I’ve played with the settings to get the best out of this FW version with my system:

@Darkebear

Server Mode : on
Air Play: off
Bluetooth: off
Digital 1: off
Digital 2: off
Digital 3: off 
Digital 4: off
Qobuz: off 
Spotify: off
Tidal - input enabled : on
Remote - Mobile Detect: off
Favorites: off
Chromecast: off
[USB Front: Data-only]
[USB Back: Data and Charge (default setting)]
[Multiroom Master: off]
[Multiroom Client: on (default setting)] 
[Internet Radio: on (default setting)] 
[HDMI: off] 

I found turning the HDMI input off removed a lot of low-bass bloat and dramatically increased perceived dynamic range.

The MR Client setting went back ‘on’ to default from how I had it previously, as there was better detail.

I have found the settings quite important to get right.

Probably everyone has moved-on by now, but I like to get the best out of what I have.

Also the position of the ND555 head unit a little further back on the Fraim glass shelf was benificial with this FW compared to the more forward position that worked well with 3.8 FW.

DB.

[gk_audio]

It’s great to see that we have not collectively given up. I’m still on 3.8 and reluctant to upgrade as it currently stands. Hopefully a future version will bring together the best of 3.8 and 3.11.

[Cheddar_Cheeese]

Thanks @Darkebear I have not played with the webclient settings for a while.

We are pretty much aligned, with the exception of MR Client ON and HDMI disabled.

I have had some success with the following;

1. Neotech 1008/3008 in the streaming path adds warmth to the Sound Signature whilst retaining the detail SR Sigma brought to 3.8. @geko also had positive results with this tweak.

2. The addition of an iFi ipower x on the ISP Router curbed some rough edges and provided more control. Thanks to Stavrose.

3. Mounting the 555 on an esSecI Relaxa levitating platform extracted phenomenal levels of detail. On many tracks this proved to much of a good thing, and the addition of Oak Cone feet had a calming influence.

4. Multiple Chord Ground Aray’s on Chord switches and 555 inputs.

When 3.11 is good it is really good, but it remains fickle in comparison to 3.8. Not to mention the additional time and investment required to tune the Sound Signature to one’s ears!

[Geko]

Hi DB, can I ask if Tidal is ‘on’ because that’s the streaming station you are using? I’m using Qobuz but also find it beneficial to have Tidal on. I also prefer to have the ND’s screen constantly active rather than switching off as I find it adds more high frequency detail for some reason. As CC mentions, the addition of a second switch (Blue Cisco 8 port) and Neat 1008 has been a bit of a revelation and has me back to 3:8 replay levels and more. I’m not sure why this switch has worked and my other bigger white Ciscos haven’t but it’s simply blown me away and has me able to use my Sigma lead again without hearing all the FW flaws. I’ve not played with the web-client yet but based on your findings I just might have a browse.

Overall, and after nearly a year, I can say I’m pretty happy with how everything is sounding again. There’s the odd track I play that I don’t think sounds as good as when 3:8 was alive but there are a lot of new (and old) tracks I’ve found that I know sound better.

[Blacknote]

@Darkebear

Probably everyone has moved-on by now, but I like to get the best out of what I have.

I couldn’t agree more, but I’ll admit I haven’t changed any settings as I’ve been pretty happy so far.

[BertBird]

I don’t see an option on HDMI - so do I have to assume it’s off automatically, or wouldn’t I have that available at all as I have of course the 552 which doesn’t have a HDMI connection ?

[Darkebear]

@BertBird

I don’t see an option on HDMI

It is an internal setting - default is ‘on/enabled’. I’d previously played with this with previous FW versions but it was a bit of a wild-ride with its effects on SQ and was ‘better and worse’ with some aspects better done and more natural but losing coherence overall.

With the present FW 3.11 I revisited it and found it cleaned-up the deep-bass with cleaner big drum percussion and low synth and gutar note clarity, together with a big ingrease in percieved dynamic range on recorded material where that is present.

I found it took me a day or two to get used to it as it was so different. On some music I thought my system had the volume increasing by itself in a track, but it was just replaying an increase in level put into the recording, so it is mainly earlier recordings that still allow this effect which is normally, unfortunately flattened-out and it is a surprise to get it again.

The early mastering on Suzanne Vega’s first album of ‘Marlene on the Wall’ for example just kept getting louder toward the end and she was shouting at the end, which is there but previously flattened.

@Geko

DB, can I ask if Tidal is ‘on’ because that’s the streaming station you are using?

Yes - I use Tidal occasionally for abou 1% or less of my music so I just leave that enabled.

Interesting info on the other things people have found worked for them.

I use two switches after my BT Hub 2: Cisco 2960-C white-box 8-port, followed by an Ether-regen switch with a small linear supply (better than the large one I’d tried).

@Cheddar_Cheeese

iFi ipower x on the ISP Router

I have one of those and tried it a while back and did not get-on with it at all. I experienced an uneasy sound with a feeling of ‘hunting’ in the low-bass, which disappeared when I put the old PS back.

Getting the best out of the ND555 is a trial-and-error process I’ve found.

DB.

[drago]

Yeah - the thread lives. Thank you all!

Such effort for getting best out of nd555 - fine! But this effort for getting rid of harsh signature is too much effort for me. With next fw I will be back in the game again- and you can start over again

[Geko]

Yeah, but where would we all be without you? You’re the tethered peg that keeps us all in a reasonable orbit!

[Geko]

I meant to ask, how did you get in with your trailing lead? Are you still using the Wireworld or the Russ Andrew’s. I remember you trying the ultra expensive Musicworks. Do you have any recommendations for power leads other than Powerline or Standard Naim?

[Elfer]

I found Sean Jacob’s power block to provide a significant performance uplift vs Powerlines and the peek Musicworks block. I use the standard copper wired block and have upgraded the mains plug to a Furutech FI-E50 NCF R. That was so worthwhile, I will probably install the equivalent IEC connectors too.

[Cheddar_Cheeese]

That is a very interesting observation @Elfer . The change you describe would be cost neutral for me and Sean’s kit has never disappointed.