SAM 2

[Confused]

I have SAM problems even using a Melco. There are certain tracks where, even with SAM on 0% (so phase correction only) have a loud thumping noise noise with SAM on, and nothing with SAM off. Some of these tracks are quiet acoustic tracks, and it happens even at low volume. There's definitely something not quite right with SAM for my speakers, though it does appear to marginally improve sound quality for most tracks.

Ah yes, but here is a thought.....  I have noticed some bass issues running SAM not just with AIR as detailed above, but even more so in general listening with the microRendu via USB, and also with the Melco N1Z I auditioned earlier this year.  Obviously the Melco was also utilising USB.  With the Mutec doing USB to AES/EBU conversion, the issues are gone, and I mean 100% eliminated.  Do you have anything lying around that outputs AES/EBU?  It would be well worth giving it a try with SAM!  (Perhaps you could make Guillaume's Totaldac D1 'disappear' when he's not looking? )