Firmware 8.1.2 released

[miro]

An update on my issue with 8.1.2 / SAM 2 / KEF Blade issue I reported (moaned on line about) last weekend.

I received some very rapid communication from Devialet support, and by early today I received a correspondence stating that they has solved the issue and updated the Blade SAM profile on the configurator.  I have been more than happy to whinge about Devialet support in the past, but I have to say, this time around the quality of communication and speed of problem resolution was absolutely first class.

Anyway, I have just updated to the "new" SAM profile for the Blades. First impressions from listening to a few tracks.:

Firstly, the very problematic bass issue reported earlier appears to be resolved. Secondly, I did not feel that the bass was quite as "tight" as with SAM / 7.1.3 firmware, and in some cases too much bass.

I then tried with SAM 50%, this appeared to be similar to "old" SAM 100% with 7.1.3 and seemed to work better, with the bass tightening up again. It is a little late now, very hot for the UK (!) and I'm not really in the mood for too much critical listening at the moment. But from a short listen I reckon SAM at maybe 60% or 70% is going to sound about right and be very similar to "old" SAM on 7.x.x firmware, I need to experiment further some time.  I am not sure if this is due to issues with the original 7.x.x SAM profile for the Blades, or a consequence of the revised effects of SAM 2.  Has anyone else found that SAM 2 needs the SAM % to be reduced vs the SAM % with 7.x.x?  (I need to re-read this thread perhaps?)

As a last observation, after 3 failed attempts, I am finally up and running with V8 firmware.  I have only had a quick listen, but apart from the bass / SAM changes, which can be mitigated with a tweak of SAM %, I think 8.1.2 sounds very much like 7.1.3beta, which for me as a 7.1.3 fan is very good news indeed!  It looks like I have gained some SAM adjustability too, rather than my old standard of running straight 100%

Devialet should really provide an upgraded Control App, so that we can change the % of SAM from our listening positions.