Slimserver 6.2.2

jakepunk · « **on:** 30 Apr 2006, 05:08 am »

Slimserver 6.2.2 was announced this week. It has a lot of networking fixes, it fixes an annoying bug that causes a single keypress to generate multiple events, and the pause button now has a gentle rolloff effect instead of abrubtly chopping off the sound.

Since the volume control scale is different in each firmware, I calibrated a 1KHz tone to 80dB with each firmware and found that volume setting 15 of firmware 15 equals volume setting 31 with firmware 48. I have an unmodified Squeezebox2 connected wirelessly to FreeBSD 6.0 via a Linksys WRT54G version 4.

I evaluated it with three tracks I am familiar with:

1. Erasure - Erasure - Rock Me Gently. This track has a tala-like cymbal line that oscillates between the left and right speaker, and it is very revealing.

2. J.J. Johnson - Quintergy - Bud's Blues. This is a duet with trombone and upright bass. The bass has a lot of range and detail.

3. Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon - Time. The clocks at the beginning of the track are great at revealing imaging.

My conclusion: I still like firmware 15 better. I think firmware 48 "smears" the highs. The cymbals on track #1 are blurry, and the clocks on Time do not have as good imaging as firmware 15.

Sean Adams will likely read this post and write me off as yet another loon on the Internet. So be it. I am a happy loon. I am going to stick with 6.2.0 and firmware 15. I invite others to make up their own minds.

RoadTripper · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 05:30 am »

How do I determine which firmware release I am running on my SB3?

Nick B · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 05:42 am »

Scroll to settings, then information, then player information, then player firmware version

Captain Humble · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 05:49 am »

I just downloaded the newest version of Slimserver last week.
Just checked and I have firmware version 41.
How do I get version 15?

Val · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 07:32 am »

Quote from: Captain Humble

How do I get version 15?

mgalusha developed this firmware switcher, but I haven't tried it yet.

Val · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 08:07 am »

jakepunk, I understand there is a polarity change between firmware v15 (inverted with stock SB) and v24 and above (correct with stock SB). Did you include this in your evaluation?

jholtz · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 02:04 pm »

Quote from: jakepunk

Slimserver 6.2.2 was announced this week. It has a lot of networking fixes, it fixes an annoying bug that causes a single keypress to generate multiple events, and the pause button now has a gentle rolloff effect instead of abruptly chopping off the sound.

Since the volume control scale is different in each firmware, I calibrated a 1KHz ...

Hi Jakepunk,

I also concluded the same thing this week after installing the 6.2.2 version of Slim Server. However, I just used mgalusha's excellent utility to roll back to version 15 firmware and the imaging and presence was back again.

I have a Red Wine Audio modified SB2 so I thought the explanation was the reverse polarity thing but I'm using the digital out on the SB2 which was unmodified and I'm still hearing the same sound quality differences. I have no idea what changed after firmware 15 but it didn't help sound quality.

My $.02 worth....

Jim

pugs · « **Reply #7 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 10:28 pm »

I flipped back and forth between versions 48 and 15 a few times, and the sound is different. Version 48 has more bass and overall fullness. It is more of a relaxed, smooth sound, but imaging and clarity are a little fuzzy. Version 15 is more crisp with better imaging. Sound is thinner and brighter.

Each has its pros and cons. I think I like 48 better because I like a fuller sound and I am sensitive to brightness. I do like the imaging of version 15 a lot more though.

I am using RWA SB3 with new analog mods.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #8 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 11:24 pm »

Pugs,

With your unit, version 15 inverts the phase in relation to version 48.

Try version 15 with your speaker wires + and - reversed.

In my two systems, with both digital and analog outputs of a modded SB2, I do prefer the sound of version 15

tdangelo · « **Reply #9 on:** 30 Apr 2006, 11:37 pm »

I've played with 15, 29, 35, 37, 43 & 48. I like 15 and 48 the best. With 15 using WAV > FLAC sounds best to me. With 48 FLAC > FLAC. Go figure, hehe...

crooner · « **Reply #10 on:** 1 May 2006, 12:00 am »

I am running the lastest Slimserver 6.2.2 (the official release, not the nightly upgrades) and firmware 48. I am using a stock SB3 with the digital outs connected to a modded Lite Audio DAC-60 DAC.

I am tempted on trying Firmware 15. However, as it is right now my system sounds great. What I fear is other problems or bugs showing up with the older firmware....

randytsuch · « **Reply #11 on:** 1 May 2006, 02:50 pm »

Quote from: tdangelo

With 48 FLAC > FLAC.

What?

Randy

tdangelo · « **Reply #12 on:** 1 May 2006, 04:18 pm »

Quote from: randytsuch

Quote from: tdangelo
With 48 FLAC > FLAC.

What?

Randy

I meant firmware 48 sounds best to me with Slimserver file type set to FLAC - not FLAC to WAV.

Eli · « **Reply #13 on:** 2 May 2006, 12:16 am »

Quote from: Wayne1

Pugs,

With your unit, version 15 inverts the phase in relation to version 48.

Try version 15 with your speaker wires + and - reversed.

In my two systems, with both digital and analog outputs of a modded SB2, I do prefer the sound of version 15

Were you using the volume control of the signal on the digital output? If you have this disabled there should be zero difference between any of the firmware revisions, as the digital signal is passed though untouched.

Skipperrik · « **Reply #14 on:** 2 May 2006, 01:23 am »

It may not be touching the signal, but it's breathing on it pretty hard. And version 48 had something with garlic in it for lunch. I agree with Wayne that there is a definite difference between the two versions even when listening with the digital signal just passing through. Version 15 has more body, more clarity, bigger soundstage, and a smoother presentation. BTW, I'm using an unmodded SB3 with an Elpac WM075-1950 power supply into a Mark Levinson 390S. The Levinson beats the unmodded SB3 in both digital and analogue, but I'm very surprised at the quality from the Squeezbox. If anyone in the Charlotte, NC area has one with mods, let me know. I'd love to compare it to the Levinson before having my SB3 modified.

crooner · « **Reply #15 on:** 2 May 2006, 01:30 am »

I've just installed the firmware selector software and chose firmware 15. I am going to do some serious listening tonight. If I like it, I'll keep it. Signal strength is in the 90% range, so that's good...

crooner · « **Reply #16 on:** 2 May 2006, 02:54 am »

Well, version 15 does sound different. I am using the digital out. Definitely better soundstaging and more tuneful bass. A keeper!

Eli · « **Reply #17 on:** 2 May 2006, 05:00 am »

Quote from: crooner

Well, version 15 does sound different. I am using the digital out. Definitely better soundstaging and more tuneful bass. A keeper!

Are you using the volume control on the digital signal?

crooner · « **Reply #18 on:** 2 May 2006, 06:37 am »

Nope, the digital volume is disabled.

I hear a crispness in the vocals that was absent before. The bass goes deeper as well.

Quote from: Eli

Quote from: crooner
Well, version 15 does sound different. I am using the digital out. Definitely better soundstaging and more tuneful bass. A keeper!

Are you using the volume control on the digital signal?

crooner · « **Reply #19 on:** 2 May 2006, 06:39 am »

What you say here makes sense. However, there could be differences in jitter levels even if the output is bit perfect. Just a thought....

Quote from: Eli

Quote from: Wayne1
Pugs,

With your unit, version 15 inverts the phase in relation to version 48.

Try version 15 with your speaker wires + and - reversed.

In my two systems, with both digital and analog outputs of a modded SB2, I do prefer the sound of version 15

Were you using the volume control of the signal on the digital output? If you have this disabled there should be zero difference between any of the firmware revisions, as the digital signal is passed though untouched.