Hi Fred,
I am in the AudioGD camp quite some time. I have started with the HE7 in mid 2015. The DAC went through several updates (hardware/firmware), inlcuding internal Singxer F1. Even this year an update to the HE7 2020 because of a power supply failure.
HE9 joined in 2016... I think.
Beginning of 2020 the DI20HE.
So yea, it should all be burned in enough
btw, I am using the internal clocks only. No external at hand so far.
And most of the critial listening is done with headphones.
I have used v4.07b1 together with my Hifiman HE6 with Forza Audioworks Noir Hybrid HPC to get some color tonality wise. With the Harmonix TU-210 ZX feet under the HE9, a match made in heaven
I have not tried v4.07b3 but I do have tried v4.07b4 which i liked much better and which works well enough with more revealing headphones like HD800 , but still too clinical with the k812. Once again really good with the HE6 + Harmonix.
As well as v3.9 (march 2020), which was the first update after the original firmware v3.32 (nov. 2019), which was the most analog-like and live-like experiences with the DI20HE with he HD800 and K812. Again, the Harmonix were a requirement under the HE9 or HE7... I can't remember. They have a bigger effect on the sound under the HE9 for sure.
In general, the Harmonix and Shakti Stones are in use to beautify a more clinical representation
I do have a shakti stone in use mostly on top of the DI20HE when listening to speakers.
http://www.shakti-innovations.com/product/shakti-stone/
I even use Ikea bamboo cutting boards if needed
As of the current firmware v4.075 and v4.076 I have no beautifying tweaks in use. The HE7 is not even running in TDA mode. And the DI20HE is in parallel mode.
But still, very smoothed over... not enough definition going on. Specially microdynamics are suffering. Not as defined like with a friends Rega RP3 vinyl rig.
I have a cheapo low tier Pro-ject... something. And no, my digital setup can extract more details etc etc... but what comes out of the Pro-ject is well! defined, dynamic, with body and drive and.... less blurry, for example, a more solid and defined center image!!!
I can compare Vinyl vs Digital in my audio chain listening to 4 albums:
- David lynch - Crazy Clown Time
- Sara K - Are We There Yet (live in concert)
- Cassandra Wilson -Glamoured
- Malia - Convergence
For debugging purposes I can compare the
HE7 vs my old Violectric V800, the
HE9 vs my Bryston BHA-1 and the
DI20HE vs a Acousence Artistic Fidelity ARFI USB.
I guess, I dont see, where Kingwa is going with the current final versions of the firmware and I will go back to a more precise one and apply beautifying tweaks to get a better balance that my ears agree with more.
My guess is, that the firmware of the DI20HE is getting developed with the R7HE 2020, which is a bit less warm and does microdynamics and imaging better...so, its the whole chain that matters. I might get a R7HE 2020 at some point. But... I am in no hurry
cheers,
Daniel