Poll - New firmware: sound upgrade or downgrade?

Exactly, your poll is suggestive. You’re overthinking it.

I think it’s been said before that Naim staff do not routinely monitor the forum, though specific staff can be called in by tagging them. I guess @Stevesky may be an appropriate person to respond regarding the problems you and the remainder of 10% of thread contributors have been having.

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No, I have NDX2 with 555PS and the update is awful. Completely ruins the experience.

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Interesting. I’m NDX 2 + XPS-DR.

If there is a run-in effect that gets rid of any problems people are hearing, then the advice should be to leave the system playing 24 hours a day even if you don’t like the sound quality at the moment.

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I understand how physical things - boxes, wires, speakers - can run in and change over time, but how can software improve? Surely if it’s ’getting better over time’, then the listener is simply getting used to a changed sound. How could it be otherwise?

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I have no idea what the explanation could be of any of these claimed changes in SQ.

Please note that my post began with:

“If there is a run-in effect that gets rid of any problems people are hearing, then…”

I have noticed this effect, but didn’t mention it initially since it doesn’t seem plausible. I thought perhaps it was varying power supply quality, but other than slightly more or less transformer hum from time to time, I have never known the sound from my speakers to vary so much.

I don’t feel it’s simply getting used to it as it’s the same roller coaster of better/worse on different days that run in can produce.

Its very strange and I have no answers, only observations.

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I’ve had a similar experience but put it down to my perception changing, one forgets though that we probably had the same issue on the old firmware - some days sounding off some days sounding really good but we’re all over focusing now on the new fw. I’ve sort of got used to the new sound, it definitely has it’s merits but perhaps slightly over cooked in some areas. My speakers are pretty forgiving and I would not consider my system to be over revealing so I can appreciate that some with 555’s and bright speakers my be suffering more than others. From reading HH’s comments above I feel confident Naim will optimise the sound in the next release now that they are aware of it’s issues, hopefully it will be acceptable across all systems and also hopefully they can maintain the positive aspects of the current version.

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If there is new code that activates hardware (even part of chip) not used before. Just a guess, I have no knowledge of what hardware is involved around the Naim-streamer.

In the good old days, think HDX, Naim used software they didnt write in-house. Some company in London. I dont know how things look like now, but if they use 3rd party streamer hardware there may be some software-libraries Naim didnt write that has changed. And of course they may use 3rd party codelibs anyhow.

Or even worse - they may be using LLM:s (AI) to help write code. I saw yesterday Google now use 25% LLM-written code. This is complicated as a developer must always manually check this code (LLM:s have a high error rate) - and this last step usually means an experienced developer is faster and writes more optimal code …

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It’s the same today. They use Streaming Unlimited and awaited their major release and SDK early summer to be able to add support for Tidal Connect supporting Max for example. I’m guessing " NXP Audio Framework" could be a big change for the audio performance.

Experience enhanced audio performance and stability with the latest iteration of the NXP Audio Framework version 3 4.0.0.

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With Stream2Go: Music, you can expect a well-thought-through array of the most common streaming features, including AirPlay Audio, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, DAB+FM, and Airable. It’s perfectly suited for tabletop radios, streaming and portable speakers or even to upgrade existing Bluetooth-only speakers to WiFi-based Smart Speakers.

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So what about the service updates?
This release contains important updates for Chromecast built-in 2.0, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect and the NXP Audio Framework. They’re not just about making StreamSDK better, but making it Titanium-solid, ensuring readiness for certifications. Let’s get into it!

Google Chromecast built-in 2.0
Now upgraded to version RC10 for an unparalleled casting experience.

USB audio Soundcard Input Support for Stream1955
Titanium now enables USB-audio soundcard input support for all Stream1955 music software builds. Simply use the USB Type-B port on your StreamKit1955 and select USB-audio in the StreamControl App for seamless playback convenience. Piece of cake!

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I’ve never had days where my system sounds better or worse. I initially liked the sound because it’s an impressive change but it’s awful for long term listening. And to check I wasn’t going mad I got my mum to listen to airplay vs chromecast at the moment and she heard the difference and she doesn’t know what any of this stuff means so there is no bias with her I explained afterwards.

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Today my NSS 333-NPX 300 has at least high SQ as it had before the update. I have no idea what this is due to. It’s fun and enjoyable to listen to music again.

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A couple of glasses of wine?

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No just orange juice :blush::+1::notes:

What are you using to dilute the orange juice?

Reports say it is dangerous stuff to drink neat, all those vitamins can play havoc with your body and no doubt your hearing.

I take the risk and drink it neat :blush::+1:

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I have no problem with SQ on the update (333/332/350 into B&W 804) but I can´t get the remotes to re-pair with streamer or preamp despite following the instructions in the (awful) user manuals. I control them via Tidal Connect or the Naim app but useful to have an RC around when my phone is charging. Any suggestions on re-pairing the RCs please?

As regards SQ…it seems that most of the unhappy users are high-end 500 series owners…do you think the update is making the OC sound more like the NC? I know OC owners are often not fans of the NC presentation pre-update.

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It may require a change of batteries or a factory reset and starting from scratch.

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