New firmware 8.1.3

[Rufus McDufus]

flyer - you got a decent reply there! I logged a ticket a few days ago saying SAM for my Raidho C-1.1 has been rather unimpressive since the 8.x firmware came out and the reply basically was that no-one else has reported any problems, and because SAM v2 is better (the speakers were done when SAM was v1) then they will sound better than with firmware 7.x. Also SAM v2 adds protection to the speakers. Well hang on, I though SAM v1 did that too? And is SAM v2 better sound quality? It's now marginal with my speakers whether SAM is actually adding anything positive and I'm listening more and more with it off, and only 0% SAM if I have it turned on.

Anyhow going back to firmware, Linn and their DS have the same shenanigans each time a new firmware comes out and have done since they brought the products came out quite a few years ago. I have to admit I found most of the Linn firmware sound quality differences more subtle than the Devialet ones, but still many people swore blind there were differences and Linn denied any possibility of it, though occasionally an engineer would sheepishly confess they could hear a difference. Interestingly Linn DS is built on a similar platform to Devialet with FPGAs where it's possible to change the circuit topology of the processor so there's an added layer of complexity over a standard processor there.

The 8.1.3 beta and 8.1.3 official is a good example I think. I confess I'm a fruitloop and loving 8.1.3 beta but 8.1.3 official is giving nothing extra to me over 8.1.2.