Caution - Firmware Update 19.0C for Esoteric Streamers

[Ritmo]

The subject firmware was installed on my Esoteric N01-XD this evening. It appeared to have installed ok; however, my Esoteric is stuck in the “initialize” step of the startup process. Shutting it down and completely disconnecting it from power and network didn’t make a difference.

There is at least one Lumin owner reporting an issue with this same update; therefore, I recommend owners of Esoteric and Lumin streamers to hold on this upgrade until we get clarity on the issue.

 

[Audiofan57]

Yes, I am the other Esoteric user having the same issue. Hopefully Peter can help.

 

[Ritmo]

I also sent a request to the Lumin customer service.

 

[Mr Peabody]

There's a post on the Esoteric Facebook page advising to contact the Esoteric distributor for help. It also provides links for certain models so I wonder if a fix is available. It may be worth checking the Esoteric website for your model to see if a new update shows.

 

[Audiofan57]

Hi MR. Peabody. I pulled up the Esoteric FB page, but I did not see a post on this. Do I need to scroll down further or is there a tab to hit on the page?

 

[Mr Peabody]

Hi MR. Peabody. I pulled up the Esoteric FB page, but I did not see a post on this. Do I need to scroll down further or is there a tab to hit on the page?

The page is called "Esoteric Audio Fans". If you sort the posts to "new posts first" it's the second post by Michael (last name sounds like Marching but not sure how it's spelled) Looks like he is sharing info from Esoteric Asia.

Sorry I read AS on my computer but use FB on my phone or I'd give you a link.

 

[Ritmo]

I’m told Esoteric working on it. I’m sure they’ll get right. In the mean time, a bit frustrating since this shouldn’t have happened.

 

[Audiofan57]

I think there is a new software update in their web site. Looks like I need a micro b usb

 

[Audiofan57]

I think there is a new software update in their web site. Looks like I need a micro b usb

I think there is a new software update in their web site. Looks like I need a micro b usb

take a look at their website. I think the download is what we need. Let me know.what you think. Perhaps we could talk directly to figure this out.

 

[Ritmo]

I didn’t see a description of the software file. Not clear that update fixes the issue created by the firmware update 19.0c.

I would advise you reach out to your dealer. I will do that as well.

 

[Audiofan57]

The software is dated 4-29-25, and somewhere I saw it was to fix the error of the previous update.
I did contact my dealer and he thought it was the one to fix this, but let me know Wgat your dealer says.

 

[brodricj]

I didn’t see a description of the software file. Not clear that update fixes the issue created by the firmware update 19.0c.

I would advise you reach out to your dealer. I will do that as well.

The fix was posted on the Esoteric website yesterday. Update the I/F firmware with the zip file and then update the network module via Soundstream.

 

[Audiofan57]

It worked !

 

[Ritmo]

It worked for me as well. Back in business!

Now, I hope there’s a lesson learned with this debacle. I’ve never had ny issues with Lumin or Esoteric updates before. I still like and endorse both brands but somebody didn’t do the appropriate level of QA.

I do appreciate the high sense of urgency to get the fix out within 24 hrs.

 

[brodricj]

Hardly a debacle. It was fixed the same day it was discovered it was broken. Considering Lumin is responsible for the network module firmware and Esoteric is responsible for the I/F firmware, to get it fixed in the time it took - whether that required a joint collaboration - is a credit to them.

 

[Audiofan57]

Yes, back in business! Sounding as good as ever! But i agree, this should never have happened with a high end company such as Lumin and Esoteric.
I spent 2 days stressing trying to figure out what to do. I am not that computer savvy, and I had never done a manual update for any of my equipment before, so I was a bit concerned.

My dealer and my son helped me quite a bit. He has a master’s in computer technology, so I knew I was in good hands. It ended up being easier than I thought.

Thank you Lumin annd Esoteric for working so fast on this.

I also appreciate being able to discuss this issue with you guys.

 

[mep]

I'm glad this story had a happy ending!

 

[brodricj]

...I am not that computer savvy, and I had never done a manual update for any of my equipment before, so I was a bit concerned.

The I/F firmware can only be updated via the software port on the back of the Esoteric device. So yeah, you need a computer for that. But as you found it's relatively a straight forward process. And I'm guessing an Esoteric dealer would probably be happy to do it if the owner was not confident with computers.