[jholtz]

I just upgraded to the 6.2.2 Slimserver version which contained the volume bug fix. I had been using 6.2.1 with version 15 firmware installed and was very, very pleased with the sound. I hoped the new version would correct the sound quality differences with the volume bug fix but my ears tell me no.

6.2.2 with version 28 firmware still has the flat lifeless sound quality in comparison to version 15 firmware. I don't know what they changed but 15 simply sounds smoother, more 3 dimensional and analog. Very, very natural.  If you've upgraded to the 6.2 Slimserver try installing version 15 firmware.

To my ears it sounds significantly better.  

Jim

[JohnnyLightOn]

Jim, will the version 15 firmware sound better if I'm only using the SB's digital output?  Thanks.

[jholtz]

Jim, will the version 15 firmware sound better if I'm only using the SB's digital output?  Thanks.

I'm sorry, I can't answer that. My SB2 is a analog modded unit by Red Wine Audio. I only use the analog outs. I'm relatively certain that it wouldn't hurt the sound quality in any way.

Jim

[Tweaker]

The firmware seems to affect both outputs. My suggestion is, unless you are running directly into an amp, to disable the digital volume control. It is reccomended to do this on the Slimdevices website (somewhere) and will make the issue of which firmware you use a moot point. You don't need two volume controls and disabling it made a big improvement in sound quality in my system. I've been preaching this quite a bit in this forum as I really feel the Squeezebox is not going to give up it's best sound untill this is done. And it's best sound is very, very good.

[jholtz]

The firmware seems to affect both outputs. My suggestion is, unless you are running directly into an amp, to disable the digital volume control. It is reccomended to do this on the Slimdevices website (somewhere) and will make the issue of which firmware you use a moot point. You don't need two volume controls and disabling it made a big improvement in sound quality in my system. I've been preaching this quite a bit in this forum as I really feel the Squeezebox is not going to give up it's best sound untill this is done. And it's best sound is very, very good.

I don't use the digital volume control. I have it disabled as you suggested. My SB2 runs into a modded Audio Refinement preamp and I'm using it as the volume control.

There is still a difference in sound quality at least through the analog out puts with Ver. 15 firmware. I don't know why but there is.

Jim

[EProvenzano]

To disable the digital volume, would I simply turn the volume all the way up?
I've fumbled around the settings in Slim Server and couldn't find where to disable it entirely.  

I'm currently running this SlimServer Version:
6.1.1 - 3774 - Windows XP - EN - cp1252

....or perhaps the setting is located in the squeeze box itself?

I have an integrated amp so I'd like to test this theory out.

Thanks.

[Tweaker]

The difference in sound quality was supposed to be due entirely to the different volume curve in the new firmware. jholtz, you are saying with the volume control disabled you can still hear a difference? Aiy-yaaa! I will have to roll back to 6.1.1. and see if I can verify that. I have the latest which was supposed to have rectified the problem and I thought it sounded ok. I will do that tonight.
EProvenzano, to disable the volume control open Slimserver and look for  Player Settings in the middle, or so, of the Home page. Click on that and then click on Audio and sroll down that page untill you see the option for the volume control. Set to disable and click "change".

[Davey]

I think there might be some confusion here.    

The volume "curve" change was implemented quite awhile back and was worthwhile because it modified each of the 40 steps of the control to 1.5db of attenuation vice the progressive "curve" that was original.  This is especially nice for those users who actually use the SB as their main volume control.

The "volume bug patch" is something different altogether and has to do with the way the DSP "forms" the gain settings.  It was an arithmetic thing.  There's an excellent thread on the Slim forum if you want to check it out.  Be warned though if your eyes easily glaze over.

The "Replay Gain" is yet another setting that can "normalize" playback levels depending upon whether this information is encoded in the source.  One of the settings of this control (not the default) is "disable."

And finally the "Digital Volume Control" which should be set to "Digital output level fixed" unless you're using the digital volume control.  However, the Slim guys have said that even when using the digital output a playback setting of "40" should not be audibly different than when the digital output level is fixed/disabled.

Also, depending upon when you downloaded, you could have server version 6.2.1 with firmware version 28.  That's what I have.  

Like Jim, you can really get yourself wrapped up in all the firmware/server changes with this gadget.  It's better not to worry too much about it and just enjoy listening to music.

Cheers,

Davey.

[jholtz]

The difference in sound quality was supposed to be due intirely to the different volume curve in the new firmware. jholtz, you are saying with the volume control disabled you can still hear a difference? Aiy-yaaa! I will have to roll back to 6.1.1. and see if I can verify that. I have the latest which was supposed to have rectified the problem and I thought it sounded ok. I will do that tonight.
EProvenzano, to disable the volume control open Slimserver and look for  Player Settings in the middle, or so,  ...

I didn't roll back Slimserver to a previous version to use Ver. 15 firmware. I have the firmware folder for 15 zipped and just stop Slimserver after the newer versions are installed, move the firmware folder to a temp directory and then copy the Ver. 15 folder back into Slimserver. Then restart Slimserver. It'll prompt you to update the firmware then.

Try both versions and report back your findings. I can hear the differences quite clearly on familiar source material. It's not a dramatic difference but it is significant enough to be clearly audible, in my system anyway.

Jim

[Val]

It's better not to worry too much about it and just enjoy listening to music.

I wish it were that simple for some of us. I have followed the original discussion over at Slim Devices and can't wait to set up my system and begin checking one firmware against the other.

It's not a dramatic difference but it is significant enough to be clearly audible, in my system anyway.

With those speakers I also could hear anything.

[jholtz]

It's not a dramatic difference but it is significant enough to be clearly audible, in my system anyway.

With those speakers I also could hear anything.

Val,

Thank you for the kind remarks. Yes, the Omegarrays are extremely revealing of any changes in the system.    

I like to get the most out of my system so I freely admit to being a die hard tweaker. I like taking good equipment and making it better, whether it's my PC, my audio system or my autos. I could hear the differences in the versions when I upgaded Slimserver some time ago and have been reinstalling Ver. 15 and comparing with each new release that was supposed to correct the sound quality differences. Version 15 is still the one to equal in my opinion.

Jim

[Eli]

To disable the digital volume, would I simply turn the volume all the way up?
I've fumbled around the settings in Slim Server and couldn't find where to disable it entirely.

Turning the volume to max (0db attenuation) is equivalent.  The setting to disable the digital volume control is in the player settings (under 'Audio'), not the server settings.

[Tweaker]

I've finally had a chance to compare the 1.5 firmware to the latest with the volume bug patch and I have to agree with jholtz that the 1.5 firmware sounds better even  with the volume control disabled. Cannot imagine why that would be and it was contrary to my expectations. Another unexplained mystery of the universe.

[jholtz]

I've finally had a chance to compare the 1.5 firmware to the latest with the volume bug patch and I have to agree with jholtz that the 1.5 firmware sounds better even  with the volume control disabled. Cannot imagine why that would be and it was contrary to my expectations. Another unexplained mystery of the universe.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that can hear the difference. Now I know that I'm not too crazy.  

Jim

[BRN]

Question, is the 1.5 firmware in V6.1.1 of SlimServer?

[jholtz]

Question, is the 1.5 firmware in V6.1.1 of SlimServer?

Yes, version 15 is in 6.1.1. If you'd prefer, send me your email address in a PM and I'll send it in a zipped file to you. Your choice.


Jm

[BRN]

jholtz,

Thanks for the offer, but I was able to download V6.1.1. I know that I read that some people have converted v6.2.1 back to firmware 15, not sure how to do this correctly, but is there any advantage to doing this?

[jholtz]

jholtz,

Thanks for the offer, but I was able to download V6.1.1. I know that I read that some people have converted v6.2.1 back to firmware 15, not sure how to do this correctly, but is there any advantage to doing this?

There certainly is an advantage to having the newer versions. You can then take advantage of any enhancement that isn’t tied to firmware. I’m using 6.2.2 with the latest volume bug fix etc. The 6.2.2 version is updated daily with the latest fixes installed.

It’s actually very simple to switch to version15 firmware since you already have 6.1.1. Stop Slimserver from the taskbar icon by right clicking it and selecting stop Slimserver. Open Windows Explorer and find Slimserver in the Program Files directory on the C: drive or whatever drive you’ve installed Slimserver. Expand out the directory and then expand the server folder that appears. You’ll see a folder named firmware. Copy this folder to a storage area like a temp or test directory.

Uninstall 6.1.1 and reinstall 6.2.2. Stop Slim server. Move the firmware folder out of the server directory by following the above directions and then copy the folder that you saved from 6.1.1 into Slimserver . Restart Slimserver and your Squeezebox will then prompt you to update the firmware.

That’s it. A lot of words but basically just move the firmware directory out of 6.2.2 and copy the version 15 firmware directory back in it’s place. Please post your thoughts after you listen to your Squeezebox with version 15.

Jim

[ctviggen]

Anyway to get just version 15 firmware?  I'm on 6.2.1 (by the way, does this automatically update the server software, or only automatically check for updates?) slim server and 28 firmware.

[BRN]

jholtz,

Thanks again. You were cristal clear on what I need to do to convert V6.2.2 to firmware 15.