New firmware update

Mike, you are absolutely right. Hopefully the potential to support Naim and indeed to influence how things are done might encourage some more people to come forward, particularly those experiencing problems. Maybe they will be able to give the firmware more of a shaking. It’s actually good fun - I remember us being given two versions of the firmware (you could perhaps do that more easily with the legacy firmware as it downloads to your computer first) and then having to decide which we liked best. As you say, we all managed to agree by the end.

I know its members on this fine forum that volunteer their time to do the beta testing but after reading DBs post he only tests for sound quality not the other features that Naim may have introduced.

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Done.

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I would but like HH I run 1st gen streamers - UQ2 and 272

If one were being unkind one might reasonably ask why, if there were 14 beta versions before release, the problems being aired in this thread were not picked up. There is, clearly, plenty of room for improvement. Let’s hope more people joining can bring a bit more rigour.

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Nice one, thankyou

That’s an important point. My objective was always to try to break it.

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Morning all.

Well, the FW update still doesn’t work here; In fact, after rereading the thread, I have now the NDX2 unplugged again and I am taking an English Breakfast tea quietly while I share my impressions with you.

As for the functionality of the FW, beyond my particular case, I find it rather regrettable the problems of all kinds it is giving, and I subscribe to @anon4489532’s view that a brand with Naim’s tradition and “niche” prestige should do much better if they do not want to see that prestige and reputation diminished.

As for my particular case, I feel quite angry and disappointed, because I have been one of those that in the forum the most has always insisted on the need to review the new devices remote and screen functionality, as well as the usefulness of being able to enjoy playlists; and it’s just me that I drew the short straw… Obviously, it’s not the end of the world, and there are much more serious and important things and problems, and in its basic functionality the device and the App work, but it’s relatively frustrating. In addition, I feel, besides to a bit like “the black sheep”, also a bit like “the invisible man”, as @Richard.Dane only intermediated for me with the Naim tech service after initially telling me that he could do nothing about it and only once more people in the forum began to experience problems; and, right now, I’m really abandoned by the support service and by the technical service, at least that’s my feeling, because I don’t know if they’re working hard behind the curtains to solve it…

As for the SQ alteration with every FW update that has been discussed, the truth is that I also find it a little frustrating. Just yesterday afternoon, after days of device and App restarts, unpluggs, plugs and so, I was able to dedicate a little time to play music, and the SQ seems quite changed, more detailed, brighter, sharper, more gimmicky. I really don’t know if it convinces me or not, and this is not too good a sign…, less after I’ve spent a small fortune in wires in the last month trying to put the final touch to the system SQ; after the effort, economical and time, trying to sift the SQ a point towards the warm side with more than 7K € invested in cables, I find that the latest FW update, in addition to not working properly in my system, has taken the SQ, again, to the bright side…

Anyway, for not getting all you bored, the truth is that yesterday I had quite a few thoughts that this is going to be my last Naim, and even that, quite probably, he’s not going to see his days end with me.

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Obviously very easy to see a problem and complain - that needs to happen for sure.

Correct! And why should I?
I’m volunteering my time and effort for free - others test what they like and use and Naim collate all that toward their testing and verification effort.

My investment in my system is for the sound quality of the music replayed - all the other features mean nothing to me at all if that ends-up compromised.
Many would take another view, but I think mine should at least be represented - so I offered to help toward the testing.

I think there are people that do a great deal more than me - good for them, as there are always a very few people that offer to do most of the work, then a few more that do a modest amount and even more that do just a little - probably like me. It is not a competition.

DB.

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When VW wanted to change the firmware/software in the engine management of my VW diesel, I asked them to provide evidence of no detriment.
They could/would not. Just kept insisting the new version was better.

But I explained that it could not be. ( This was part of their diesel testing scandal). With engine management “calibration” you have three things to balance. Performance, economy and emissions. By getting the emission bit back to where it should be, they had to compromise one or both of the other two.
So, without evidence, I told them to poke their “updates”.
After all, it’s my car. I liked a car that delivered 180bhp and 57mpg- just not at the same time though

I am a bit concerned that Naim look to improve their ( or now my) sound via firmware. Yes, I get the need to integrate with externals such as Tidal etc.

Are we absolutely sure that the SQ is affected by firmware updates?

I’d rather have the sound I bought. Or at least be able to compare and make the choice.

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I agree with regard to the new SQ. In my view, NAIM should now prioritise retrieving the previous quality as a matter of urgency.

Ironically, I have come to this conclusion during a listen to Brand X’s “Not Good Enough - See Me”…

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The problem is the sonic character of which previous firmware should they aim to restore? I suspect there would be several opinions. :slightly_smiling_face:

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@Michaelb , @Clive and @Darkebear

Your firmware update positive and reassuring experience made me update my ND555.

Everything went fine.

As for the sound change, there is indeed a slight and positive change.

I perceive more airiness; the recording venue is slightly more present. Perhaps more details and clarity.

The overall result could be described as a slightly deeper soundstage.

The 3.5 firmware update undoubtedly brings a small and positive change in terms of sound.

Pity it’s been tarnished with the glitches reported previously.

My test tracks are :

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Just updated my Nova without any hitch. Blasting myself into oblivion now via Qobuz and my gorgeous Sonos Fabers

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Same here, no glitch, no effect on SQ.

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This is what I found - after a day to settle before I was more convinced - then after several days I think it is generally better SQ.

Initially it is bright - too bright - but I always found when I re-boot my ND555 that happened a bit so I never call-it for at least a day on.

I’m finding the very low bass goes a lot deeper and the phase seems improved as in large kettle drum-hits are now really hugely loud…as if they were in the room…where were they before? :slightly_smiling_face:

It is a concern that individual systems may benefit from being able to tailor the bandwidth presented from the source or to a personal preference - this has always concerned me as I’ve a lot invested in my system that could go very wrong so very aware of that as a potential issue - why I volunteered to be a tester - to keep it ‘potential’ rather than ‘actual’.

This version of SQ is fine for me - it grows on me with time and use.
I’ve heard some Beta versions I preferred a little - perhaps - and some that I definitely hated.
Naim have said that not all the SQ changes in the Beta firmware are deliberate but due to more rapid cycling of how the code is compiled and loads - causing some variation - which then is sorted-out by more extended final SQ testing before public Release, which is reassuring in principle at least.

I do think that some SQ changes are due to the source allowing more resolution that needed me at least to re-tune my system install - it did not take long. The last Release was a bit dull by comparison for me so would not like that back - but I think Naim should definitely have a ‘preferred Release version’ capacity to allow customers to maintain a given version they prefer - with the caveat that it is not supported from what it did at that point in time. That could help me in future if it ended-up going in a direction I did not like - and be generally reassuring to their customers ahead.

DB.

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I had my Golf ruined by a dealership…my original program gave me 75mpg on a run. After update 45mpg no matter what…I had a huge row with them … they refused to reinstall factory settings…

Soh. If you have a beta version of a firmware that you consider to sound superior to the later official release, presumably you can continue using the beta release. :thinking:

In the case of the 272, yes. At one stage I probably had about twenty sitting on the laptop.

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Well after reading all the above (ok, most) I can only say that I wish I could actually see/hear for myself. But my unit star is being checked somewhere by the professionals because analog inputs stopped working. So I’m waiting…