PeterCraig
100+ Head-Fier
I've had to adjust a few things since my DSP update last week.
First I missed bimmer’s memo about adding a jumper to PLLEN if you have a good source (I’m using I2S via HDMI and the DI-U8). So when I first listened to the upgrade with the M7 default settings I found the treble to be too bright and too much. And there was too much bass. I wasn’t happy.
So after reviewing all the Head-Fi posts about jumper settings, and FredA’s DSP notes, I did my first experimenting with jumpers and added one to PLLEN and that solved 90% of my issues. Or another way of putting it is that it improved the sound immensely. Thank goodness for the sharing online here.
I only wish I had of heard the original M7 DSP with PLL set to OFF. Too late for that…..
Next while I was at it I tried all the different jumper settings over the last few days including Audio-Dandy’s recommendations. They were all interesting, NOS and 2x oversampling were my favourites, but I’m back at the default settings with a jumper on BYPASS and another on PLLEN. Sounds good to me.
The sound still wasn’t quite right there where I wanted it though. With the original DSP I had toned down the T1’s hot treble around 8.5khz with Xnor’s Foobar equalizer. As I find the new DSP has more action in the high frequency zone I adjusted those equalizer settings down about 35% (so an additional reduction around 8.5khz) and that sorted things out. The new DSP was a little bright for me with the gear I am using, but it’s nicely balanced now and sounds good.
I’m not a fan of using equalizers but ear fatigue be damned! I’m sensitive to treble. And yes I will get new headphones and amp when the time comes.
So after a week of fiddling around I’m very happy with this new DSP. It’s like getting a new better d/a converter and I look forward to the next upgrade (which I am sure won’t be free). I also enjoyed playing with the jumper settings too and will probably do more listening to the NOS settings.