Poll - New firmware: sound upgrade or downgrade?

Thanks - but was hoping to avoid doing that (factory reset) and seems crazy that it should be necessary

The biggest improvement I noticed (even pre-FW update, so without Tidal Max streams) is when I started using Tidal Connect rather than the Naim app (both via my iPhone) for streaming Tidal. Am I missing something here or is that just obvious?

I understand what you are saying, but think how an official statement along the lines of ‘we’ve recently released updated firmware for our Unitis, New Classics, Mu-so etc streamers. Some of our customers aren’t happy with perceived changes in sound quality, which we are investigating with a view to make further changes to address the concerns’ would go down in the wider market? It’s really not a good look, and just a alerts a much wider population to a potential issue. It’s a minority that are having issues, and it’s a small minority of Naim owners that actually look at the forum. Sledgehammers and nuts come to mind, in the bigger scheme of things.

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I had a similar problem on my 222 after I updated the firmware, which was solved when I unplugged the unit from the mains. After plugging the unit back in, it paired when I followed the instructions in the manual (on the 222 press the play button on the fron panel then hold the home button on the remote for three seconds)

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Thanks - I´ll try this before doing the factory reset solution and losing all my settings!

Can’t comment, as we barely ever open the naim app.

All Tidal listening here is via Connect (and we’ve augmented our SuperUniti in the office to allow this some time ago).

Others are making the same comment as you though

Does make you wonder if something in the StreamUnlimited SDK is influencing sound. Or maybe the naim app is chattier than Connect, could be all sorts of reasons.

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its possible, but the part of the streamer is quite separate - and is connected to the rest of the platform by LVDS. On the ND555 it’s EM isolated as well.

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I think that was a factory reset, not just a mains plug pull. It doesn’t go through the pairing cycle after every power down, obviously.

But there has been good comms on the internet radio thread(s)! Where obviously Naim are reading forum comments, requests and feedback regularly. So they are happy to communicate on good news stories, but perhaps not so much when the news is not so good.

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But the news is not so good for a small subset of owners. Publicising it does nobody any good. It’s impossible to tie down the causal factors, and why some people are unhappy while many aren’t. I’m not defending Naim here, but when you think it through, official comms really won’t be helpful.

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I think that this is the voice of reason.

I get that there is alot of emotion on the firmware situation. I don’t like the changes in sound quality to be honest.

However, these things are complicated and a quick fix is not going to happen.

Give things space and time. Continue to listen to your system and tey not to worry about it. I reckon in time everything will come good.

For me it’s the HF that give a shrill. It’s like the system is on steroids on HF.

I can listen to it no problem, but the sound quality is worse overall. I can always switch to LP12 if it becomes too much.

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It’s a tricky situation. There are far more happy users, who feel there is a worthwhile improvement, than there are unhappy ones. The balancing act is to make the unhappy happy, without making the happy unhappy. There is a big risk in this.

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Are there any ND555 + two ps users reporting sound is better? This group seems to be over represented in saying sound is worse.

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It isn’t as good. But I wouldn’t sell my system over it. I am between sounds worse and makes no difference category.

I could live with it, put it that way.

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And it still sounds great to be honest. I cannot understand that a Node sounds better tbf. It isn’t that bad.

Simple terms. It sounds like treble has been turned up 2 notches too high creating HF shrill at times.

Depends what you listen to. I like dark and deep. Now it sounds a bit too strained on HF. Not by much, but certainly enough for some to say I am turning it off.

For me I am going with it and enjoying the music stiĺl.

They need to make some subtlw adjustments on HF to get it right.

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Is this without the new power board thing you added?

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Yes.

The LP12 sounds majestic. The ND555 sounds very good but HF shrill.

Just like alot on here with 2 x 555PSDR and switches.

I gave things time. It still sounds very good but it sounds like it’s on steroids. Not quite right.

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At first I thought it might be Puritan 156. But it isn’t as that has settled in and sounds suoerb with LP12.

They need to turn the treble down by 2 notches old school and maybe the bass up by one notch!

I know my system. I know my sounds. My hearing is good. This isn’t the Puritan as the LP12 sounds better than ever.

It’s not a mssive change that is required. I can understand how the HF excess can sound fatiguing. I am still enjoying the sound but it isn’t quite right.

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I need to investigate further, I’ve been playing the LP12 mostly - I might try some CDs using the bluray transport I have into the ND555,

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I think Naim will sort it out. But it will take time. It means more time enjoying my LP12! And you, yours.

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