ND555 firmware update to 3.4.0, sound quality

It is only now that I have had an opportunity to listen for several hours since this update, and I am really surprised at how such a great component could be so improved by a software change.
There are other parts of the forest where I would be told I was imagining it, especially without the facility to ‘Blind Test’ the difference.
What the hell! Even if I am only imagining it, I have a smile on my face, and the occasional tear in my eye…

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Yup, this is a fantastic update (ndx2). Merlin, there’s something else going on. Nd555 should not have any problems.

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I’ve noticed a big uplift with the NDX2/XPS DR. But I’m also running in new certified boutique streaming cables :sunglasses::sunglasses::stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

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Which one?

Chord Signature from the switch to the NDX2, and Chord Shawline from the Core to another switch in a separate room. I also replaced the switches, when my Apple Time Capsule was dying.

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This had always already a good bass entry, but now after the upgrade the intro has become completely immersive

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The second track seems even better, particularly drums and double bass.

Phil

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Hi Bert,

Just listened to the 1st and 2nd tracks.

Sorry to say that, but didn’t like it.

Music is nice.
But I very much dislike the mastering and/or recording.

The thing with Magico speakers is that there are transparent.

They are WYGIWYG speakers (What You Give Is What You Get).

This means that not only you hear the instruments but also the acoustic environment, which is a delightful experience with classical music.

But, sometimes, when instruments are recorded separately, or with added reverb during mastering, you get that strange feeling you’re listening to 2 or 3 different environments (stitched together during mastering).

As for nice Jazz recordings, I would suggest Polarity (tracks : “Revamp” and “Polarity”)

I just listened to it for the first time through the Magicos.

The recording is amazing! The soundstage is like an immense musical ghost between the speakers and far behind them. It’s like having the front wall disappearing.

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Hi All,

REF: Firmware update policy

On a modern streaming platform that is actively supporting the latest standards (Chromecast, Airplay2 etc) it is vital to ensure we do regular updates to keep compatibility and for security patches. iOS, Android, the apps + their backend servers for the services are all updating and older protocols/standards are gradually being discontinued.

In the case of Chromecast it is a certification requirement that users can only upgrade, not back grade. Naturally we appreciate this can lead to friction if a given release has an issue and is why we have left the option via our support network to do a manual downgrade, to revert back to a given version while we sort the problem out.

In the case of the v3.4 release we updated to latest:

  • Chromecast
  • Airplay2
  • Roon RAAT lib for native Roon ready.
  • Spotify eSDK3 - latest protocol standard + Spotify free support.
  • Added native Qobuz
  • Added latest VTuner extensions

Overall, all this work is to ensure the Naim streamers have a long service life and don’t get crippled from running on legacy protocols that are no longer supported by the streaming services/big tech companies.

Hope that clarifies the matter

Best

Steve Harris
Software Director

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Didn’t mean to promote this album for it’s recording quality, I know it has it’s weaknesses from that angle. I just published it on the experienced change in quality of replay. And yes the Polarity album you talk about is a highlight of what is possible with good recording and mastering.
Don’t know the Magico’s that well. But I belief my Verity Audio Sarrastros are a great match to my Naim system, I have a very musical system, while not loosing any of the details.

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Indeed agreed I have the Fischer recordings of Mahler.

Very nice heads-up. Much appreciated. Thank you.

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Hi Bert,

I was not (not at all!) implying your speakers/system isn’t transparent or able to retrieve those mastering details I mentioned. I know that the Sarrastros are amazing speakers. No doubt about that. And considering their price tag, no doubt they are :smile:

In fact, when commenting about these mastering oddities, I was thinking about my own previous speakers.

The gap, the chasm, between the Magicos S3 MkII and the JMR Abscisse is enormous.

I keep being amazed when listening to tracks I listened to numerous times before changing speakers.

The FW update added a Magical touch to all that, so to speak.

Hi @jmtennapel

On the older streamers we pushed them up to a good version of Spotify eSDK2 at around release v4.6 to give them good mileage for the future. Naturally, if a service provider pre-warns us of a protocol / lib going End of Life we will react accordingly to keep the platform running. So far, our track record is pretty good on such things.

Best

Steve Harris
Software Director

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No worries. I will have a listen to those speakers at the next Munich show. Speakers is very much a individual appreciation for a certain sound signature.

On a side note, I assume you are looking forward to the new complete live set of Beethoven String Quartets of Quator Ebene…

Thank you for the clarification.

I have a ND5 XS2 and use Roon, so I don’t need the update for Qobuz integration and am very happy with sound quality. If I understand your post correctly, it may still be advisable for me (and others using Roon) to update firmware to maximize Roon compatibility, as well as to ensure security (which I believe is important for all devices that connect to internet). Is that correct? I also understand that, in the unlikely event the upgrade degrades sound quality, I can manually revert to my current firmware by contacting Naim support.

Thanks again.

Just listening to Igor Levit with 3.4.0 now…indeed, it‘s a very fine improvement!!! Good job Naim​:+1::+1::+1:

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Indeed, speakers are something very personal, probably more than electronics.

As for Magico’s, they blend very well with Naim’s electronics.
They are precise, clean and wicked fast speakers.

S and M series have a similar presentation.
The A series are different.

Yes, of course.
Thanks for pointing that!
But not sure I’ll buy it.

I’m not really found of live recordings (chamber music). I have to admit that I’m a bit fussy about how chamber music is recorded (Unless it is an outstanding interpretation).

But I bought one of those recordings, it is good! Let’s hear how the others are.

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For outstanding interpretation I’d recommend the Busch Quartet. Admittedly these were recorded in the 1930s, so the SQ might not be what we’d expect from a modern recording, but the emotion is captured so well.

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Your comments here are interesting as this is what I found using the Evolution Powerkords…they appear lower the noise floor…perhaps this is what the 2nd psu gives… these power leads have given a wider more immersive sound with improved bass performance.