New 8.0 firmware

[AllenB]

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….

Its funny that you should say that because I moved to Devialet to get away from the 'aggressive' and fatiguing Naim sound  (Quick EDIT to say I do like Naim's top end systems NDS/552/500 )

And I very much agree with your second point - I loved the Devialet sound when I first heard it (and sold my Naim system within a couple of weeks of hearing Devialet) but the sound (with V8) has now changed and I'm afraid I don't like it

I have exactly the same feelings! I notice we have similar systems and I also moved away from Naim Amps for the same reasons. I'm now having Déja Vu!

And a third here. I think the DSP code used in 8.0 is a step back from 7.1.3, which is a bit strange because I thought the whole purpose of 7.1.3 was to try out the new code in advance of the 8.0, but then use exactly the same DSP code if it was well received. The 8.0 code seems slightly more harsh and slightly more hollow, like just a little of the music has been sucked out.