If you don’t mind, would you please list the components in your system so I can make any possible suggestions.
(Naim Dealer)
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Sure.
I have Nucleus => NDX2 => Supernait3 => HiCapDR => Wilson Sabrinas
Yes. Please see the Unhappy thread regarding the latest streamer FW updates on the Naim forum.
Thanks, Kevin.
Are the Nucleus and NDX2 plugged into the same network switch and Line Conditioner? Please be assured I am not asking just to get into a detailed polemic!
This thread repeats every year or two. If you read the change list from Naim for the following update (that made everyone happy again), it had nothing whatsoever to do with SQ. There were also enough other people hearing no difference, as always.
Yes, the same switch and line feed both.
Just curious. Did you hear a difference between 3.10.0 and 3.10.1?
I’m not sure if I ever updated to the problematic one, I don’t think so, as I barely ever open the Naim app and don’t see updates right away (they are very rare too). I am never on the forum anymore but I happened to take a look after the excitement had died down again and had a good laugh, though it also reminded me why I’m never there.
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It didn’t though, did it?
Despite the ridiculous thread, there are a few posters whose judgement I think I’d trust that seem to confirm that actions that shouldn’t make any difference do affect the perceived sound…
I actually suspect something is ‘off’ for a subset (maybe a particular batch) of the streaming board which, as you know, is common to nearly all the current kit, not just the 555.
I read the thread days after the second update was deployed and everyone I saw in the thread at this time was „yes now it’s fine again“. I didn’t check back after.
I don’t trust many people there anymore as most of the loudest bunch think the value of their opinion is based on the number of boxes they have, and those with the highest box count say the stupidest things (hearing a difference between phone app versions being only one example)
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I find I can’t not look…
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I’ve managed to regain a mostly healthy relationship 
Every few months I stop by to read a few things and take it with humor where necessary
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A bit like this place. Try to ween myself away but cant help myself.
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Another one of these X sounds better than Y in a completely sighted and subjective comparison.
Does no one ever stop to think that there might be a rational, physical explanation for a perceived difference? We’re in the digital domain here. If it’s bit-perfect, the feed to the DAC is the same, so the analogue output is the same. And no, I’m not entertaining any of the bits aren’t bits superstitions, voodoo or witchcraft beliefs. As @Suedkiez has already discussed, a fraction of a decibel difference in level will make the louder source sound “better”. Grab a decent true RMS multimeter (not expensive and has a myriad of other practical uses), rustle up 1kHz test track, play it on each setup and measure the level at the speaker binding posts. When they’re properly, measurably level-matched, go back and do a blind check as to whether you can really hear the differences you claim to hear. I’ll bet a really good bottle of whisky you can’t.
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My Roon/Naim setup provides a UPnP stream into the Ethernet input on my NDS, so the same format type as when using a UnitiCore/UPnP server driven by Naim’s controller app.
Works very well, and I don’t have to worry about Naim’s RAAT implementation not being up to scratch or their latest firmware upgrades screwing with the SQ 
I’d love to understand how one could screw up the implementation of a network transmission protocol, which is supposed to move bits from one place to another, and manage to get thinner and less vibrant sound instead of clicks, pops and dropouts. That would be a truly great skill.
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This might happen, but the opposite is also as likely if listeners focus on which aspects of the reproduction are annoying. In this case (or if they do not like the recording) the louder variant might be perceived as inferior.
Many providers use firmware to control the operation of their DAC and associated filters, oversampling, DSP etc in their units. This enables them to tune the sound. The outcome of this is that different firmware releases sound different. Whether it should or not, given your understanding that it is just 1’s & 0’s and packet-based network transmission, but if you listen, they do, and individuals have preferences & different likes & tastes. Is this allowed, to have preferences?
What experiences have you had with Naim streamers, I presume you must have a reference ND555
Thanks for posting. I have the same SQ issue intermittently, streaming identical Qobuz tracks (exactly same edition, format etc).
For me it presents in various ways, including lack of clarity in bass, shrill edge in treble. Roon can sound painful, where native Naim gives no fatigue. I generally still use Roon for now (partly because of the UI, partly because I have a lifetime subscription and invested in kit for a Rock), but I switch when I encounter something that doesn’t sound right. Software updates have sometimes made me switch to Naim native for extended periods.
Main system is Naim Uniti Star, Focal Aria 926 and usually REL T/5x, which is admittedly a very finicky combination. I do see similar phenomena in my Naim MuSo QB though.
Roon runs from a NUC built by Inside Tech (UK) with the following spec:
CPU: i7 8650U - NUC7i7DNBE
RAM: 16GB DDR4 (2x8GB)
Storage: 128GB M.2 (Roon) and 2TB 2.5" SSD (Music)
Roon is connected via Audioquest Forest Ethernet cable direct to router. MuSo currently connected same way. Star connected by same type of cable again, to a mesh Wi-Fi extender. Wi-Fi and extenders are currently from Vodafone full fibre, previously EE full fibre, and have also tried with other mesh extender devices. (Vodafone and EE are the UK ISPs who use proprietary routers and extenders).
With regards to volume: I have compared at what I perceive to be the “same” volume, and checked at higher and lower volumes, to be sure the phenomena persists across the range and is not imagined. Replaying exact same sections of songs (exact same editions and formats, as noted above).
I too would love to have a solution that allowed me to just use Roon, ideally with the Naim kit.
As an aside, I use Marantz SR6015 for AV, with a pre-out connection to the Uniti Star (front speakers), and the REL and Aria CC900. Ironically, music on streamed movies often sounds the best of all - without Naim or Roon sound processing, and with the centre speaker possibly a factor. Frustrating, to say the least!
This isn’t how the psychoacoustics works.
In any case, how many audiophiles do you know thst listen to recordings they really don’t like when comparing equipment?
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