EtherREGEN: All posts about firmware moved here

[Ehsu]

I was wrong about the latest firmware update.... It did not lose any musicality at all. Its better everywhere slightly. It was my ears!! Sorry, Alex and John. I just realised that I had some issue with my ear or ears in last few days 😞 It was partially blocked like living in a vacuum from time to time in last few days. It comes and go, never experienced this in my life. I hope that its not a sign of losing my hearing......

Anyway, I had a good listen tonight when my ears are clear and music I heard was full of life!

 

On a side note, I came across a product called Net Isolator from Jcat while I was surfing for audiophile quality ethernet cables without metal plugs. The description of it sounded so similar to ER but strangely its not powered.

• Install between the Ethernet cable which connects to home network (the router or the switch) and the network audio component (music server, network renderer)
• For best performance install in close distance to the network audio  component (music server, network  renderer)
• The Ethernet cable entering the NET Isolator from home network (the router or the switch) does not have to be very high quality, but it is recommended that the short Ethernet cable from the NET Isolator to the network audio component (music server, network renderer) is audio-grade – it is of most importance
• The NET Isolator eliminates harshness caused by the network noise and makes the listening stressfree. Noisefloor is lower, music flows more effortless and finer details can be heard easily

I wonder what's the difference if anyone knows about it? 

[Superdad]

On Tuesday, November 26th we released to the public a firmware update applicable to the first batch of 250 EtherREGENs which were shipped in November. My blog post about it was at our web site here:

https://uptoneaudio.com/blogs/news/etherregen-huge-success-new-firmware-for-november-units-reviews

 

The update successfully fixes a connectivity issue that never showed for us or our beta testers, but did for some users. And as @JohnSwenson and myself have explained, another change was made to the main switch chip code which technically improves the transmit and receive performance of the PHY circuits connected to the 'A'-side RJ45 ports.

 

The revised code does change the sound very slightly.  While most have enjoyed the new firmware or reported not noticing much difference, a very few of the many people who applied the update have expressed that they do not enjoy the EtherREGEN quite as much with the new firmware. However, they are relying exclusively on their last memory of the SQ before applying the update (which for most people required a break of about 20~30 minutes), as they are not able to reload the original code. Aural memory in this realm is a very tricky thing, and while I am by no means a dogmatic blind-A/B/X proponent, I have for decades collaborated on design decisions using sighted A/B/A/B/A testing.

 

As promised, last night I carefully repeated the comparison. (Yes, I have the original firmware file.) Full disclosure, I used two brand new EtherREGEN boards that had no time on them. This seemed more fair than using my personal unit and it allowed me to alternate boards in about 40 seconds.

As I mentioned, and can again confirm: There is a slight difference sonically. But nowhere near what a couple of the very vocal dissenters are claiming. Music with the EtherREGEN is still just as engaging; no bass is lost; no "soul" is lost. 

 

I've been at this game for a long time, and in any A/B/A/B/A design test I prefer to pick a clear "winner."  Yet last night I did not. And generally when I am unable to pick the "winner," it means the difference is not enough to worry about.  UpTone products are about the bigger things, and having folks be "wowed" by the use of our products is our goal.  Just as you all have been expressing in the EtherREGEN Listening Impressions thread and in the listening reports threads for all our other products. So while I respect others differing opinions, this firmware update is nowhere near as big a deal as their posts might lead you to believe.

 

As John explains (in this post), the PHY performance code change was not done to purposely alter SQ. It actually is an important part of the connectivity fix. Thus our extreme reluctance to make the earlier code available. Still, we will continue to consider the matter.

 

Someone suggested that people who wish to discuss the firmware issue ought to have a separate place to do so. I agree, and thus have started this thread for that purpose and moved all the related posts here.

 

Thanks and regards,

--Alex C.

[elan120]

34 minutes ago, Superdad said:

New blog post and firmware released!

https://uptoneaudio.com/blogs/news/etherregen-huge-success-new-firmware-for-november-units-reviews

Thank you, Alex,

 

The new firmware is great and very easy to update.

 

Btw...did I mention after the new firmware update, the already great sounding system moved up another step, clearly!

 

[Aidagent]

In one symbol, this is how I feel just installed the new firmware:

 

❤️

[Bricki]

Since the firmware update brings improved PHY performance on the A side... Is there something to be gained by going from B side to A side??? Assuming that there is only one endpoint connected on the A side (ie no leakage)

[JohnSwenson]

5 minutes ago, Bricki said:

Since the firmware update brings improved PHY performance on the A side... Is there something to be gained by going from B side to A side??? Assuming that there is only one endpoint connected on the A side (ie no leakage)

In a word: NO.

 

John S.

[Bricki]

12 minutes ago, JohnSwenson said:

In a word: NO.

 

John S.

Ok thanks 👍

[kennyb123]

3 hours ago, Superdad said:

New blog post and firmware released!

https://uptoneaudio.com/blogs/news/etherregen-huge-success-new-firmware-for-november-units-reviews

 

Thanks Alex!!!  Piece of cake.  

 

I was listening to Art Blakey's Moanin' prior to this.  Either expectation bias has me imagining things - or the sound is now clearer and more focused.  

[Sonic77]

Well I just updated my eR, piece of cake, took me 10 minutes tops, and it sounds great, more clarity and air, in my opinion. 😎

[Morph]

Well despite not being affected by drop outs etc I have installed the new firmware without issue and am delighted I did! In my system the new release has definitely seen a drop in bass which in V1 I was finding a bit too heavy for my listening tastes. Lighter, airier and with less 'grunt' V2 has nailed it.

 

Thank you Uptone.

 

Morph

[pl_svn]

firmware update installed  (Mac user here: no issue whatsoever)

definitely need a screwdriver with "large-ish" handle to apply the necessary force (tried a thin one, first, but couldn't unscrew those bolts)

 

I do confirm too both an overall clarity increase and tighter bass

 

thank you once more John and Alex

[Iving]

35 minutes ago, pl_svn said:

I do confirm too both an overall clarity increase and tighter bass

 

very much agree

massive increase in transparency

significant drop in bass

i'm telling myself this is better but i'm not yet fully convinced

less body

is this just such an elevation in sq - maybe clock related - that muddiness we never knew was there is removed

surely not any kind of "tuning"

[Iving]

21 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Well thanks guys, now I’m too scared to update, afraid I’ll lose that strong foundation I raved about. 😂

 

Since there’s no way back I now really hope there’s a possibility Alex&John will release a firmware version with just the EEE issue fixed (or even the original with that EEE bug present)

 

i love the transparency and detail

i don't like the loss of body - the music is technically better but has lost its soul

I'll give it a while - see if there is a cooking effect

otherwise i'd like to understand how *this* firmware change could have such dramatic effects

and what options may lie ahead apart from return

[Superdad]

22 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Since there’s no way back I now really hope there’s a possibility Alex&John will release a firmware version with just the EEE issue fixed (or even the original with that EEE bug present)

 

That is not going to happen. We are not making a "tunable" switch!

The new firmware code results not only in fixing of the EEE issue, but it improves both transmit and receive performance of the PHYs in the switch for the RJ45 jacks on the ‘A’ side. It is technically—and sonically—better. Period. 

[Dutch]

1 minute ago, Superdad said:

 

That is not going to happen. We are not making a "tunable" switch!

The new firmware code results not only in fixing of the EEE issue, but it improves both transmit and receive performance of the PHYs in the switch for the RJ45 jacks on the ‘A’ side. It is technically—and sonically—better. Period. 

But, but..you already tuned it! 😉😁

 

Seriously, I can understand that position and since I don’t suffer from the EEE issue I’ll stay where I am now and await further feedback, generously given by other owners.

[esmit]

31 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Well thanks guys, now I’m too scared to update, afraid I’ll lose that strong foundation I raved about. 😂

 

Since there’s no way back I now really hope there’s a possibility Alex&John will release a firmware version with just the EEE issue fixed (or even the original with that EEE bug present)

I think you can make a backup of the original firmware and put it back if you so desire. That is probably not approved in any way, but I guess it is technically possible. 

 

 

[Johnnydev]

3 minuten geleden zei esmit:

Ik denk dat je een back-up van de originele firmware kunt maken en terug kunt zetten als je dat wilt. Dat is waarschijnlijk op geen enkele manier goedgekeurd, maar ik denk dat het technisch mogelijk is. 

 

 

waarom????

[Johnnydev]

2 minutes ago, esmit said:

I think you can make a backup of the original firmware and put it back if you so desire. That is probably not approved in any way, but I guess it is technically possible. 

 

 

why???? Trust alex and john 😎

[Superdad]

5 minutes ago, Iving said:

... i don't like the loss of body - the music is technically better but has lost its soul

I'll give it a while - see if there is a cooking effect

otherwise i'd like to understand how *this* firmware change could have such dramatic effects

 

Sorry Martin, but there is no “loss of body or soul” (though that is a great jazz standard ) with the new firmware. I have compared them side-by-side (two new units with same zero hours on them), and while the new firmware is better, the difference is not huge and there is no loss of bass.

[esmit]

3 minutes ago, Johnnydev said:

why????

Sorry, I thought I was answering in a private message to Dutch (in Dutch). 

 

Why? True... Because it is possible? 

 

By the way, I am not going back. Like this better and if I were you : you do not want to have those dropout issues. Not now, not later. 

[Iving]

Just now, Superdad said:

 

Sorry Martin, but there is no “loss of body or soul” (though that is a great jazz standard ) with the new firmware. I have compared them side-by-side (two new units with same zero hours on them), and while the new firmware is better, the difference is not huge and there is no loss of bass.

 

loss of body or soul is something we may agree or disagree about

likewise whether firmware is better or not

i can tell you categorically that the difference is very substantial and that the bass is significantly diminished

mine is an ethernet-based local playback system - revealing enough

[Superdad]

2 minutes ago, Iving said:

likewise whether firmware is better or not

i can tell you categorically that the difference is very substantial and that the bass is significantly diminished

 

Since you can not A/B/A compare, you can not know that for sure. Your mind may be imagining the difference. 

Of course if you are not happy with your EtherREGEN we will cheerfully refund your purchase. 

[Iving]

1 minute ago, Superdad said:

 

Since you can not A/B/A compare, you can not know that for sure. Your mind may be imagining the difference. 

Of course if you are not happy with your EtherREGEN we will cheerfully refund your purchase. 

 

please don't level that anti-subjective crap at me

enough of that at ASR

perhaps PM is better

i'll listen a while longer

[Superdad]

10 minutes ago, Iving said:

please don't level that anti-subjective crap at me

 

There is nothing “anti-subjective” about performing simple A/B/A/B listening comparisons. (Not talking about blind, A/B/X, etc.) I’ve been doing such for more than 4 decades, even down to with things like resistors and small parts changes. Sometimes it takes a bit of back and forth to get a handle on if something is truly better, worse, or the same—as well as to identify any trade offs.  And with many actual advances, the change can reveal the true nature of the other components in the system and recordings—for better or worse.

Such is the realm that the EtherREGEN works in...

[stevebythebay]

57 minutes ago, Dutch said:

Well thanks guys, now I’m too scared to update, afraid I’ll lose that strong foundation I raved about. 😂

 

Since there’s no way back I now really hope there’s a possibility Alex&John will release a firmware version with just the EEE issue fixed (or even the original with that EEE bug present)

I wouldn't be too gun shy about the update.  I've found that if I power off the eR and later power it on again, the SQ has reverted quite a bit.  So, there's likely quite a bit of thermal stabilization that need take place before the eR gets to a peak steady state performance.  Will hope that those who feel the "bottom as dropped out" will provide updates once they allow the eR a few days to "recover".