A challenging question. I love the music it reproduces and I’m pretty much at end (ish) game, so not planning on any new electronics.
The firmware experience has pushed me more towards physical media for consistency of sound. I don’t do a lot of on-line streaming, but I’ll continue with the hi-res downloads for favorite new recordings if an audio Bluray isn’t available. Records are now limited to older analogue recordings.
If you guys agree with my assessment of 3.11 I’m going to ask if I can represent the civilian group and offer (at my expense) to go down to HQ to be part of listening tests at each pre FW release. That will definitely depend on how you guys feel about 3.11.
Really - no kidding. You are the saint here - really! 
Yes Paul put me straight. 3.8.2 was the last of the 8’s. No idea where 3.8.8 came from but I kept calling it that 
I thank you for that suggestion……but it means they have failed……and they have, big time.
Strange … I also don’t know, how 3.8.8 was born.
But I remember 3.8.4 - think that I remember.
You had to be there during the comparisons Drago. I was very animated. I am definitely a believer in organic is king over hifi brilliance. I feel that many of you guys agree
I couldn’t agree more. But why am I getting all this hifi brilliance with 3.8 I wonder.
We just need to look after ourselves and protect our cherished listening sessions. Right Gazza?
I agree very very much!!!
This is why I love the NDS so much. I have no problem to miss air and the last detail - but the organic togetherness … yummy.
And… I have loved to be there. But too far away for me… and if naim want me there - dunno 
I get it
You should listen (please don’t do) to 3.10 and in a second you know how organic 3.8 is.
Being a Beta tester has far less appeal to me than simply being part of the team who decide on which FW options sounds best.
I fully agree - I would love to do this as well. My ears are well trained.
Yes, otherwise we wouldn’t be buying Naim.
Not sure the corporate bean-counters see it that way though, there seems to be a massive dissonance between the traditional team at the old HQ and the new corporate “there’s no issue, go away, you know nothing” Naim.
I’m not sure what they do, given the number of bugs that get through.
The positive thing for me was that although I was the one slamming 3.10.1 during the comparisons with 3.8x neither Jas and Paul disagreed about that or just how much better 3.11 was than 3.10. It helped my case for being part of future listening sessions and also confirme my confidence in what sound Naim are trying to create sound wise. Glare is not it. Believe me.
Yes……but they need to do this…….to me it started going down hill when Roy George finally retired after Solstice……very
Naim sounding. Now we have NC……not to my liking for a long evening session. Someone decided on that sound signature. Take the very different technology in a Muso……still managed to make it sound like the old kit.
My point is who is pulling the strings on SQ sign off…….it has definitely changed.
Please don’t take this as a criticism, just my observation and sadness.
They do not test especially for sound - and even if, the sound could be altered afterwards. I think darkebear is beta-tester. He would have noticed - if not him, who else.
Seems strange though not to test for sound. The primary purpose of the product. At least ask beta testers which they prefer sound wise.