New 8.0 firmware

[MusicFirst]

I didn't like V8 as although the sound was open and detailed there was too much treble in my system which emphasised hiss on older recordings, added a false ambience and also gave an unnatural 'edge' to female vocals - something which I have previously worked hard to get rid of.  I'm not sure about the bass either.  Overall I found the system to be irritating to listen to.

I think that its unfortunate that Devialet sometimes change the sound balance when introducing new firmware.  Its great that they continue to improve SQ but a lot of us spend time tweaking our systems to get the balance we want so its annoying when Devialet make a change but don't even tell us that they have. 

Its interesting how differently we all hear, and what effects firmware changes have depending on system.  I feel exactly as you about v8 - to me the Devialet with v8 has gone back more towards my former Naim amp with much more mid emphasis and more 'aggressive' sound.  Not as far, but in the direction.  Yet many find it much better in their setups so I think we may well be in trouble!

If the sound presentation can change so radically (in relative terms and to my ears) with each update, then you haven't really bought into a 'Devialet sound' in my opinion, you've got a box that is going to sound however Devialet feel at the time….

Actually, I think it would be nice if Devialet could provide us with different sounds, e.g. 1950's tube amp, Naim, Linn, standard Devialet v8, v 7.1.3, etc. Seems like they can do that with the phono stage.

I REALLY like this idea!  add a classic SE tube sound like a Kondo Ongaku and I'll have SD cards lined up around my listening chair!  It would be like when Bob Carver modified the output of his own little "T" class A/B amplifier to sound like the class A Levinson ML-2 for a Stereophile panel back in the 80's