New beta firmware 7.1.3 released

[Confused]

for me in my system 7.1.3 hands down is the best in terms of SQ. my system never sounded this good! everything is relaxed and controlled. it is poised when poise is needed and dynamic when swings are needed. tones are balanced and highs and lows are detailed and clear. I just love it!

I believe i will keep it for long time until either i am forced to upgrade or when the newer FW start to sound as good.

I feel much the same way, I could almost have written the same post.  For me, 7.1.3 sounds smoother, more detailed, with better control, which is a neat trick.  Forgetting all the subjective stuff, I find myself simply enjoying the music.  

But I haven't tried 8.1 or 8.1.2 yet, after abandoning the problematic 8.0.  Part of me doesn't want to bother trying 8.1.2 because I'm enjoying 7.1.3 so much.  However, this weekend in about the only time I'll have enough free time to try properly for a while, so we shall see.....