[zybar]

I am using Mike's firmware selector to go back and forth between v15 and various newer versions.

This afternoon when I went back to v15, the spl at the same volume number is substantially louder (25+ db's) than the previous version (v64).  Also, the preamp attenuation function seems to no longer function.

If I switch back to v64, all is normal.

Any ideas why?

Should I just simply reinstall the Slimserver software?  I wanted to upgrade to v6.5.1 anyway....

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

George 

[gitarretyp]

I'm running 6.5.1 with FW 15 without incident. It sounds like you were using v64 prior to switching to v15? If that's the case, you should know that v15 uses a linear volume control versus later versions' log control, ie volume increases much faster. The preamp attenuation function was not implemented until a later FW and has never functioned with v15. It sounds like things are working as they should be.

[zybar]

Ok, if it is working as designed, I would need to have the volume setting very low with v15 (between 30-55) instead of the 60-95 with v64.

I thought that it was bad to go below 40 on the volume control?

If that is the case, I won't be able to use v15.

George

[gitarretyp]

I believe the going below 40 bug is only associated with later FW because they were altered to drop bits at lower settings due to the calculation method. I might be wrong about this.

[mgalusha]

V15 has steps from 1-40 while the V64 FW is 1-100. Supposedly on the V15 FW it can drop bits below "16" on the volume control, at least I *think* that's what I remember reading. I haven't read much on the V64 FW but have been running it since I had a Transporter over for a demo as it required 6.5 and that installed the new FW. FWIW this was the first FW version I've tried that didn't make me want to switch back to V15 though I did not do A/B comparisons to V15.

mike

[zybar]

V15 has steps from 1-40 while the V64 FW is 1-100. Supposedly on the V15 FW it can drop bits below "16" on the volume control, at least I *think* that's what I remember reading. I haven't read much on the V64 FW but have been running it since I had a Transporter over for a demo as it required 6.5 and that installed the new FW. FWIW this was the first FW version I've tried that didn't make me want to switch back to V15 though I did not do A/B comparisons to V15.

mike

Thanks Mike.

Since the server stays with steps going from 1-100 regardless of the firmware version, I will just need to play around and see which I prefer.

George

George

[gitarretyp]

V15 has steps from 1-40 while the V64 FW is 1-100. Supposedly on the V15 FW it can drop bits below "16" on the volume control, at least I *think* that's what I remember reading. I haven't read much on the V64 FW but have been running it since I had a Transporter over for a demo as it required 6.5 and that installed the new FW. FWIW this was the first FW version I've tried that didn't make me want to switch back to V15 though I did not do A/B comparisons to V15.

mike

I'm pretty sure the dropping bits issue only arose after they switched to the log volume style, ie post FW 15. Regardless, i've always preferred FW15. Based on your opinion, i may try out the newest FW.

[mgalusha]

Thanks Mike.

Since the server stays with steps going from 1-100 regardless of the firmware version, I will just need to play around and see which I prefer.

I didn't know that George, thanks for the info. I hadn't tried V15 with 6.5.

[gitarretyp]

I found the post on the slim forum that details the dropped bits issue. FW 15 does not drop bits at any setting. Aside from one or two intermediate FWs following 15, bits are dropped below 20 (50? on the new scale).

[crooner]

Fellas,

I've been using firmware 15 for quite some time, and installed Mike's excellent firmware selector program.

I am using a nightly of current version 6.5, that I downloaded in December. The firmware included was 67. Been using it with firmware 15 until this evening.

With firmware 67, I have the impression that the soundstage is not as wide and the sound is a little muffled or dark on top. Not bad, but I think I'm going back to 15.

Please note that I'm using the digital outs, and supposedly there shouldn't be any difference..

[DSK]

I've been using 6.2.1 & V15 since November '05 and have been reluctant to 'upgrade' due to many comments of performance degredation in post V15 updates.

A few weeks back I crawled through the SlimDevices forum trying to determine whether the issue had been resolved once and for all. I found comments from a few people who were adamant that performance dropped after V15, and a lot of pondering over the reason and a potential fix. A patch was discussed and applied some months back but nobody has since posted that they have A/B'd and found the current versions to sound as good as V15. I e-mailed one of the naysayers involved in the design of the patch and his response was a bit short and vague. It did not convey a strong sense of confidence that the patched version has been A/B'd with V15 and deemed to be rectified. So, I have stayed with 6.2.1/V15.

As for the 'bits dropping', V15 suffers degredation under '16' and the post-patch versions suffer under '30' or '35' (it was initially proposed to be '30' but further discussion proposed '35' ... or was it the other way around? ... I forget).

[gitarretyp]

From what i found and linked to a couple posts up, v15 does not drop bits at any volume, while newer versions drop bits below a certain chosen level. I'm running v15 with 6.5.1 just fine. With 6.5.1, the volume goes to 100, so you have a slightly finer volume control. I unscientifically compared the latest firmware to 15 and preferred v15.

[ctviggen]

So, if one keeps the output of the SB maxed out, do you need to install v15?  Does v15 provide any benefit?

[gitarretyp]

So, if one keeps the output of the SB maxed out, do you need to install v15?  Does v15 provide any benefit?

Some say yes, other no. I haven't experimented with configuration. If your sb is modded, firmware post v15 will have inverted polarity.

[ctviggen]

Thanks.  Maybe I'll give it a shot one day and see if I can tell the difference.  I have one modded and one unmodded SB. 

[Paul_Bui]

Bob,

Please try it and let us know.  My only RWA modded SB2 sounds better with FW v15, although I wanted to find FW v72 as good or better.  My setup is with an external DAC, so digital level is fixed at maximum, and pre-amp volume is set at minimum (63).  It works for me. 

[ctviggen]

I will try this out, perhaps the weekend I get back from St. Croix (gotta escape the sub-freezing temps!).

[DSK]

Here's another SlimDevices forum thread on this topic ....

http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=18439&highlight=Volume+Bug