Gave 8.1.3 another shot today (well, I'd tried 8.1.3beta previously), and to my surprise I quite like it.
Perhaps I had an off day before, or am having a good day today - whatever factors are involved there - but it seems somehow more 'relaxed' to listen to (via Roon USB), and the treble seems less 'thin'. of course this could all be human fdacotrs, or maybe I changed a config differently before - this time I only have a single input active, DPM disabled (as before) and the rest pretty much defaults except the power saving durations made a bit longer.
I do sense there's a lack of thump to the bass still, but I'm finding I prefer to dial in more bass (maybe +4 +6) and keep the treble at zero, whereas for the moths I've had the D200 and primarily on a 7.1.x, I was adding only a slight bass (maybe +2 max), and dialling the treble down a fair bit (-2 to -6).
Are people generally finding a slightly lowered bass with the 8.1.X series? Is it SAM v2 or just a general thing, or just me perhaps?
Will keep listening for a few days then go back, hopefully that will clear up whether its mainly been human factors or not the last time round.
I'm still very unsure of what's going on 'Le Configurator' wise when making profiles for 7.1.1 - it might have to be a support email.
(13-Aug-2015, 14:41)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]Gave 8.1.3 another shot today (well, I'd tried 8.1.3beta previously), and to my surprise I quite like it.
Perhaps I had an off day before, or am having a good day today - whatever factors are involved there - but it seems somehow more 'relaxed' to listen to (via Roon USB), and the treble seems less 'thin'. of course this could all be human fdacotrs, or maybe I changed a config differently before - this time I only have a single input active, DPM disabled (as before) and the rest pretty much defaults except the power saving durations made a bit longer.
I do sense there's a lack of thump to the bass still, but I'm finding I prefer to dial in more bass (maybe +4 +6) and keep the treble at zero, whereas for the moths I've had the D200 and primarily on a 7.1.x, I was adding only a slight bass (maybe +2 max), and dialling the treble down a fair bit (-2 to -6).
Are people generally finding a slightly lowered bass with the 8.1.X series? Is it SAM v2 or just a general thing, or just me perhaps?
Will keep listening for a few days then go back, hopefully that will clear up whether its mainly been human factors or not the last time round.
I'm still very unsure of what's going on 'Le Configurator' wise when making profiles for 7.1.1 - it might have to be a support email.
I have very similar observations. A very slight reduction in the bass "thump" as you describe it. (but nothing major) However, this goes hand in had with a greater bass extension, and what appears to be a more natural run through down into the lowest bass. The SAM % now appears to be more of a control on the extent of the lowest bass extension rather than acting a bit like a tone control in SAM V1. Overall, I find all of this to be an improvement, it sounds good. To be clear, I think these are observations of whatever SAM 2 is doing, rather than firmware changes. (Although SAM was pretty much unusable for me with 8.1.2, now splendid with 8.1.3)
(13-Aug-2015, 18:42)Confused Wrote: [ -> ] (13-Aug-2015, 14:41)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]Gave 8.1.3 another shot today (well, I'd tried 8.1.3beta previously), and to my surprise I quite like it.
Perhaps I had an off day before, or am having a good day today - whatever factors are involved there - but it seems somehow more 'relaxed' to listen to (via Roon USB), and the treble seems less 'thin'. of course this could all be human fdacotrs, or maybe I changed a config differently before - this time I only have a single input active, DPM disabled (as before) and the rest pretty much defaults except the power saving durations made a bit longer.
I do sense there's a lack of thump to the bass still, but I'm finding I prefer to dial in more bass (maybe +4 +6) and keep the treble at zero, whereas for the moths I've had the D200 and primarily on a 7.1.x, I was adding only a slight bass (maybe +2 max), and dialling the treble down a fair bit (-2 to -6).
Are people generally finding a slightly lowered bass with the 8.1.X series? Is it SAM v2 or just a general thing, or just me perhaps?
Will keep listening for a few days then go back, hopefully that will clear up whether its mainly been human factors or not the last time round.
I'm still very unsure of what's going on 'Le Configurator' wise when making profiles for 7.1.1 - it might have to be a support email.
I have very similar observations. A very slight reduction in the bass "thump" as you describe it. (but nothing major) However, this goes hand in had with a greater bass extension, and what appears to be a more natural run through down into the lowest bass. The SAM % now appears to be more of a control on the extent of the lowest bass extension rather than acting a bit like a tone control in SAM V1. Overall, I find all of this to be an improvement, it sounds good. To be clear, I think these are observations of whatever SAM 2 is doing, rather than firmware changes. (Although SAM was pretty much unusable for me with 8.1.2, now splendid with 8.1.3)
So guys. does this mean both of you prefer 8.1.3 to 8.1.3 beta?
Kerry
After endless hassle with SAM and many firmware and configuration switches since 8.0 was released, I finally got a system usable with SAM and 8.1.3. Sick to death of firmware and configuration swaps, I vowed to stick with 8.1.3 for a few weeks at the very least, just see how it goes, and resist the temptation of trying 8.1.3beta. I have kept this vow.
I'm sure I'll try the beta version before too long, but for now I'm happy just to switch the system on and enjoy some music whenever I have some free time!
(07-Aug-2015, 19:07)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ] (07-Aug-2015, 10:27)moreno1973 Wrote: [ -> ] (07-Aug-2015, 09:44)Hifi_swlon Wrote: [ -> ]Sorry for being a bit Lazy today and not reading all of this thread first (been too busy exploring new music with Roon/Tidal), but can anyone say how this compares to 7.1.1?
My replacement unit had come back to me with firmware 7.1.2 installed. No idea what that is really, but I found after a couple of days listening I had a bit of ringing ears and a headache. It had seemed a bit aggressive in the treble, albeit very detailed, and I couldnt get it quite right even with EQ. So I went back to 7.1.1 which is what I'd stuck with before, but I'd forgotten all about the firmware trials as I hadn't used it for so long. Anyway, things are instantly better to these ears. More natural. Better (more) bass. I think I was compensating to get the bass levels and sound to what I was used to by listening louder. Music seems so relaxed by comparison now. Perhaps a bit less detail, but so much nicer to listen to.
I'd be very interested to hear from anyone else that loves (or loved) 7.1.1 as to whether the latest is more along those lines or further away?
Install 7,1,3 Beta and use it with config file You have now with 7.1.1.
Than compare it with 8,1,3 Beta
These two firmwares are IMO the most musical ones.
I'd already ruled out 7.1.3 in my previous listening.
So I plumped straight for 8.1.3beta downloaded from here.
That lasted about 5 mins, maybe less, and I was straight back to 7.1.1. It just seemed brighter and bass-shy and more grating.
I guess 7.1.1 is my thing and where I'll be for the forceable future - which is fine by me, so far all the new features are things I don't use. Perhaps its my source, or my hearing, or my system or all those things, but 7.1.1 is the only one thats not felt fatiguing and a bit harsh. But then as I always say, in my setup I feel I'm already running on that line of things a bit too bright or borderline….
I've found the same as you. My system is very open, transparent and revealing and since moving to the 8's the sound has stopped me from listening for extended sessions. It's too fatiguing for me.
I swapped back to 7.1.1 and the sound is much more enjoyable. 8.1.3 seems to place too much emphasis on the top end.
The problem I have now though is my SAM profile is V8 only so I can't use SAM with 7.1.1. With SAM enabled in V8 my speakers are significantly more weighty in the bottom end and the greater extension is mightily impressive. Unfortunately I can't have the best of both worlds at the moment.
After my vacation I was happy to see my Devialet 200 back from a warranty repair (burning smell), straight away installed the 8.1.3beta and decided to play it for a week.
Today the first listening session I find it quite musical, the strange mid bass thump has gone and I can play a bit louder (Raidho X1 and JL audio Fathom F110).
But the annoying thing is that the right channel is slightly louder then the left channel, pulling the soundstage to the right for half a meter.
All in all I am getting a bit frustrated with the Devialet experience, I won't be buying the second one to make it a 400. In my first system I am using Accuphase amplification for years, never had any problem, just turn it on and enjoy the music.
(16-Aug-2015, 02:47)imprezap2 Wrote: [ -> ]After my vacation I was happy to see my Devialet 200 back from a warranty repair (burning smell), straight away installed the 8.1.3beta and decided to play it for a week.
Today the first listening session I find it quite musical, the strange mid bass thump has gone and I can play a bit louder (Raidho X1 and JL audio Fathom F110).
But the annoying thing is that the right channel is slightly louder then the left channel, pulling the soundstage to the right for half a meter.
All in all I am getting a bit frustrated with the Devialet experience, I won't be buying the second one to make it a 400. In my first system I am using Accuphase amplification for years, never had any problem, just turn it on and enjoy the music.
Has any furniture been moved or have other changes been made to/in the room? I recently moved a couch and found that the balance (and other things) of my system had changed. I repositioned the couch to its original position and everything was good again.
(16-Aug-2015, 02:47)imprezap2 Wrote: [ -> ]After my vacation I was happy to see my Devialet 200 back from a warranty repair (burning smell), straight away installed the 8.1.3beta and decided to play it for a week.
Today the first listening session I find it quite musical, the strange mid bass thump has gone and I can play a bit louder (Raidho X1 and JL audio Fathom F110).
But the annoying thing is that the right channel is slightly louder then the left channel, pulling the soundstage to the right for half a meter.
All in all I am getting a bit frustrated with the Devialet experience, I won't be buying the second one to make it a 400. In my first system I am using Accuphase amplification for years, never had any problem, just turn it on and enjoy the music.
I have had a similar experience with my D400s, requiring me to adjust the balance to the left by 24! to center the image. I have also started to experience an intermittent dropout the starts on the RHS speaker and sends a ripple or echo through the left channel. The effect is very fast and the initial dropout is over in about a second. The effect upsets the sound quality for several minutes until the system restabilizes. I'm not certain if its the slave or what, but its very disconcerting especially if one has been drawn into the music.
FWIW, both of these effects started when I switched to 8.1.3. beta from 7.1.3 (I spent little time with other 8. FW., I haven't had time to go back to any of the 7.x.x. FW.)
Kerry
I have to rectify my earlier post, when I attach my laptop (foobar) the set sounds great again, very musical and both channels at the same volume level.
When placing the streamer back it wouldn't start up again, so I imagine the problem has been in the streamer.
I've been hanging in there for a couple days. Like another poster there's something about it I do like - the bass extension especially. But I'm still finding it overall a bit fatiguing.
But I'm trying to like it!
I even tried swapping speaker cables which I haven't done for a while. Back to Naca5 from Teddy Pardo silver based cables. That definitely improved things and in fact has made my treble a bit less 'thin' and shrill, at the cost of a slightly less resolving sound. But on balance I prefer it - to the point I'm going to buy another reasonable price copper cable like the van dame hifi to see if this makes any further difference. Naca5 is the only copper cable I have and both of my silver based ones I find a bit harsh. I'm neither sceptic or believer when it comes to cables, but unless placebo effect is incredibly strong I'd say there's a noticeable difference. Considering I wasn't expecting one, I'd think placebo/expectation bias might not be at play.
My listening db's are about 5-10 higher too.
So I will definitely go back to 7..1.1 now with these in place, and see how that fares. I'm just missing the extra bass thump here, and the tones don't seem to do it. I could play with frequencies but it's just too annoying for my liking I can't be bothered with reconfiguring for it.
So 7.1.1 here we come (again) let's see how things pan out......