EtherREGEN: All posts about firmware moved here

[Bernstein]

There are several opinions on V1 and V2. 
Can the people happy with the V2 give some statements about their observations?

 

[Bernstein]

I am really looking forward to a feedback regarding the changes from @JohnSwenson on a technical point of view and how his observation were in comparing both. 
I think @Superdad is not very amused about this during Thanksgiving...I feel him, but this is the curse having us as customers (and fans 😎). 

[Bernstein]

4 minutes ago, Superdad said:

Chill guys! 

Since John and I are the only people on the planet currently able to compare the current firmware (A/B/A/B) to the original (and despite what someone implied I have not sent a "rollback" file to ANYONE), I'd say it was amusing how a FEW of you are getting hung up on what you THINK you remember the original sounding like.  Only I am not amused, as all you are doing sowing fear, uncertainty, and doubt.

The new firmware--aside from fixing the EEE bug--improves transmit and receive performance of the PHY circuits of the 'A'-side RJ45 ports. That is all. We reserve the right to produce a technically superior product.  Whoever said they thought we spent months "voicing" the EtherREGEN to its original release "sound" and then rushed in a change without listening is 100% wrong on both counts.

I think one vocal person is using only the optical port on the 'A' side and still claiming the new firmware "ruins" the sound him. But the code change we made does not touch the SFP cage's SGMII interface at all, so it is just imagination. 

 

I am going to listen again myself over the weekend and then make a decision about if we will make the technically poorer performing firmware file available. Until then, please tone it down a bit.  Thanks,

--Alex C. 

Thanks! Now I can get to bed with optimism and good faith... (in Germany it is late)

[Bernstein]

1 hour ago, Ehsu said:

I already have the new firmware for a week. The first impression from the first note was very positive. I could not find any faults. Then after 2hrs of listening, I thought there was something missing. I wasnt tapping my toes and just could not connect with my music for some reason. Seriously, I still do not understand why the new sound could not give me goose bumps like the original. I am still searching for answers. Is it my imagination or honeymoon ending? Is it because it was too smooth? I just dont know without going back to original firmware. I usually dont do A/B comparison if things are very obvious. But I just cant pin point what caused this feeling. If I put my critical listening hat on, everything seems to be better. Darker background. More details etc... But I just dont connect with the music as well as the original either listen seriously or casually 😞   

So your statement is: more analytical, more detail, darker meaning more “true to the source”? If this is the conclusion I am all in! I love this because it gives you the ability to tune room/convolution filter in a very neutral system. Very good! 
 

Some here mentioned that they think it is more HiFi...for me these are many opinions, but not a clear direction and no common opinion. 

[Bernstein]

4 minutes ago, Ehsu said:

I never claim true to the source! How do you ever know if something is true unless you were actually “ the source “. I’m only talking in relative terms comparing to original version. Well, maybe you made a good point here because I don’t like analytical sound. Is that why I enjoy less than before? I am still searching for answers. I never tell people here not to go for an ER here! By all means, steal one if you can find it, v1 or v2. It is really special. I just personally enjoy v1 slightly more. That’s it. 

 

That is true because it’s very personal and you can’t rely on measurements. Just use another car analogy. I have 2 fast cars. One is German and another is Italian. German car is precise and faster on track. However, it’s a little soulless achieving that faster track time and it doesn’t give me good feedback through steering wheel etc. I like it but not in love with it. The Italian is slower on track and a bit flawed. But I love every sec driving it. Good driver connection and full of emotions. Some prefer the fastest car but some just like to have a good time doing it. 
I’m not talking about ER. I’m talking about your point above. 

If it is more revealing the V2 is my friend  To make it sound “right” to your ears there are other measures (room acoustics, equalized ala Floyd Toole etc.). Thanks for the explanation!

[Bernstein]

So is the discussion of V1 vs. V2 over? This is my impression  

Reading through the latest Feedbacks the V2 (could) support the aim to be „true to the source“ which I love and appreciate a lot. Even if this is something which some aren’t used to. At the end, everybody will love it after hearing what is really IN the record. 

[Bernstein]

Either way: After having a LPS 1.2 and EtherRegen I am wondering what is potentially next. 

[Bernstein]

6 hours ago, Ehsu said:

But I am still surprised why those records I loved sounded bad now? I thought they were quite good before. Maybe I should store the music files away from the NAS? Or maybe ER is showing me the upstream noise somewhere? Maybe the wireless router that NAS plugged in or the router noise? For example, even Tracy Chapman in WAV sounded dull now. And Norah Jones in 24/192 Flac sounded flat! Just shocked with the result still.  

What are recordings which shocked you in a positiv manner?

[Bernstein]

We need to be tolerant: @Iving was so strongly addicted to ER from the first hour, doctors couldn’t help him. After the drug manufacturer (aka Uptone) slightly tuned the recipe, his emotions went all over the place seeking for the original relief without a real explanation or remedy.  After a while, he understood, that he was used to the first smell and taste of it and couldn’t contemplate the additional kick of the new recipe. To enjoy it, he needed to abandon the whiskey (aka additional equipment) and add lemon (ground cable) to swallow the pill. 
 

PS: I am not a English native, but I hope it was funny for you as it was for me while writing 😂😂😂