17-Jun-2015, 18:06
(17-Jun-2015, 17:32)Vivialet Wrote: the interesting thing is that the USB firmware has not changed since 7.x, it is from 3/2014. The Devialet is like a computer, whenever some processing is done (like SAM or low pass filters) it affects SQ. While SAM V1 was always reducing the top frequencies a little bit SAM V2 makes the sound more aggressive. Of course this can be speaker dependant, different profiles, different processing.
If I go back to 7.1.3 I would really miss ICM, the other new functions are not so important for me. But 8.1 without SAM was sounding very good, not sure if 7.1.3 is really that much better. If the differences are only very small I will keep 8.1.
Based on your earlier response (and after an afternoon listening to 7.3.1) I was curious to compare again with 8.1 SAM Off
If SAM is turned off or alternatively on with 0%, 8.1 musical perception via USB is not so far away from 7.1.3 and still clearer
There however seems to be a quite significant difference between USB (better) and Air (more harshness) in my chain.
If USB FW has not changed as per your statement than 8.1 must better resolve this source (maybe caused by changes made in context to dsd)