And that noise is eliminated over time by running-in? 
So very fortunately yesterday I was listening to, and augmenting, our test track playlists - pulled from various âaudiophileâ websites/forums (including this one) and our own favourites.
So, many of these are quite fresh in my mind from yesterday, where all sounded quite good until the volume was raised and the harsh grinding treble became evident.
Things sounding very much better with 3.11. Early days, and a lot of listening to be done, but positive so far.
Vocals sound exceptional. Bass is tight.
Listening levels back up!
A concrete example of the changes is âHummingâ by Portishead. The vinyl static is there, but itâs no longer the most prominent part of the treble landscape, nor is it any longer unpleasant at volume.
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Those processes come to an end. Call it running in, call it settling down, but in my opinion thatâs it.
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That bass is what I noticed immediately. Tight and a much more distinct sound.
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upstairs playing vinyl for the last x months. back downstairs with the ndx2.
nice.
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thanks for all of your help
are we talking subtle improvement? or more than subtle?
David
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Not to your satisfaction, most probably.
But in many decades of listening to high-end HiFi items Iâve experienced the so-called run-in effect on many items when used in revealing systems.
In my view it is the dialectric materials that adjust to their new signal and noise environment over some time. These are physical items that are part of the insulation and also the chemical process inside of electrolytics.
These are real-world items and a little research into solid-state physics may give the background needed to gain some insight into these things and the linearity effects that manifest over multiple octaves present in audio replay together with then dynamic range aover which it is applied.
But the simplistic view on perfect capacitors and digital systems prevails and it cannot be easy to expalain unless there is a willing listener with the time and interest to invest in gaining the needed insight and understanding, which can be rare.
Also the spirit of ânot actually listening for yourselfâ can be very damaging to hearing what is happening and instead needing authority figures and crude dogmas to assert things can hold a person back.
But just listen and enjoy or not - life is for living and not picking arguments for the sake of them.
DB.
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Iâm listening from the next room like I used to do. Couldnât do that with 3.10, at the required volume things just sounded off.
Itâs not subtle IMHO.
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Not picking an argument. I sort of just plugânâplay. Like or donât like. 
itâs not harsh music anymore, just music.
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Excellent - that is what people need to do.
I wondered if to attempt a reply but gave it a go anyway - just my ideas and take on it.
It is not myserious âwoo-wooâ stuff and just plain old forgotten physics.
DB.
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If I am not mistaken HH you appear to have evolved from a FW sonic change sceptic to a full advocate of 3.11 over 3.10.x. l would be facinated to understand what inflection point instigated this change in perspective?
No malice intended. Just believe that understanding the process is important for all owners.
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Yes I am.
Still not showing.
Wired connection
Strange. I am not using VPN.
I do have mesh i think it is called. Any tips?
Already installed qobuz twice.
Very worthy David.
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Typical, just as Iâve been listening to the old FW, I noticed the new available, so Iâm currently downloading the new and I can now hear thunder rolling close by, so will probably have to shut the system down as soon as the download is complete.. Hopefully the thunder will be moving away rather than closer so I can listen to the new FW !
Nd5XS2 as streamer only to nDAC + XPS DR, with 3.11 is the first time after 3.10 update when i am smiling listening to music. I got my sound back!!!
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I managed to listen to the last track played pre-FW (Chris Stapleton - Death Row) and compare to it post FW before the storm really hit. (Now powered down and unplugged)
I can honestly say that Iâm not sure how much (if any) different it sounds !
I donât believe I have cloth ears and Iâm listening on my NDX2/XPS2/252 Supercap/362 Supercap/3x250/Kudos Titan 808 system, so it should be reasonably revealingâŚ
Mind you, I wasnât aware of any issue before anyway..
Maybe itâs time for me to buy a Dansette or Amstrad stack systemâŚ
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I am mighty impressed with 3.11 on my ND5xs2/nDAC/PS555DR.
I didnât know what I was missing as I got my ND5xs2 in Oct 2024 and upon switch-on was offered 3.10 which I accepted.
So until now was not hearing unsatisfactory Naim streaming with 3.10 and 3.10.1
But now with 3.11, It seems that Iâve just acquired a new Naim streamer, with a tangible musical improvement over 3.10.x
Thanks to everyone here & at Naim for this new firmware.
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Itâs amazing how much firmware changes the sound from the transport isnât it!
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Itâs clear that the âproblemâ was in the streamer section, as i am using same external nDAC as before ⌠but completely different sound. Now i am smiling again as pre-3.10
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