02-Jul-2015, 05:51
(01-Jul-2015, 21:14)Confused Wrote: An update on my issue with 8.1.2 / SAM 2 / KEF Blade issue I reported (moaned on line about) last weekend.
I received some very rapid communication from Devialet support, and by early today I received a correspondence stating that they has solved the issue and updated the Blade SAM profile on the configurator. I have been more than happy to whinge about Devialet support in the past, but I have to say, this time around the quality of communication and speed of problem resolution was absolutely first class.
Anyway, I have just updated to the "new" SAM profile for the Blades. First impressions from listening to a few tracks.:
Firstly, the very problematic bass issue reported earlier appears to be resolved. Secondly, I did not feel that the bass was quite as "tight" as with SAM / 7.1.3 firmware, and in some cases too much bass.
I then tried with SAM 50%, this appeared to be similar to "old" SAM 100% with 7.1.3 and seemed to work better, with the bass tightening up again. It is a little late now, very hot for the UK (!) and I'm not really in the mood for too much critical listening at the moment. But from a short listen I reckon SAM at maybe 60% or 70% is going to sound about right and be very similar to "old" SAM on 7.x.x firmware, I need to experiment further some time. I am not sure if this is due to issues with the original 7.x.x SAM profile for the Blades, or a consequence of the revised effects of SAM 2. Has anyone else found that SAM 2 needs the SAM % to be reduced vs the SAM % with 7.x.x? (I need to re-read this thread perhaps?)
As a last observation, after 3 failed attempts, I am finally up and running with V8 firmware. I have only had a quick listen, but apart from the bass / SAM changes, which can be mitigated with a tweak of SAM %, I think 8.1.2 sounds very much like 7.1.3beta, which for me as a 7.1.3 fan is very good news indeed! It looks like I have gained some SAM adjustability too, rather than my old standard of running straight 100%
Devialet should really provide an upgraded Control App, so that we can change the % of SAM from our listening positions.
D400; Stereolab Tombo Tron coaxial for master -> slave; Kubala-Sosna Elation interconnects, power, and speaker cables; Spendor D7 speakers; Bryston BDP-2 w. latest sound card & upgraded fuses; Bybee Stealth Power Purifier conditioner connected with IsoTek EVO3 Syncro SE to wall socket