Gus141
100+ Head-Fier
Regarding ZX507 firmware versions with IER-Z1R/IER-M9/MDR-Z1R (balanced, high output):
On the previous firmware I preferred Direct:Off (with all effects off) because Direct:On had a slight muffled quality to it. On this firmware I prefer Direct:On. It is cleaner; less reverb in the mids. For me, that’s the biggest difference that I notice with Direct OFF, where there is a little reverb in the mids that brings the mids forward some, which may be desired if you have Sony headphones/earphones that have the classic V-shaped recessed mids (I have come to love that V Shape so I don’t like to mess with it and hence I like Direct:On better).
My impressions of new firmware:
—the Direct:On vs Direct:Off (and all Effects off) is like switching between a Linear Phase Fast (Sharp) filter and a Minimum Phase Fast (Short-Delay Sharp) filter on DACs that allow filter switching. It’s subtle. But the Direct:On is like a Linear Phase Fast (Sharp) filter and the Direct:Off/with all effects off is like a Minimum Phase Fast (Short Delay Sharp) filter. The sound is slightly “fuller” with Direct:Off but in my opinion a little less accurate. Select based on your preference. There really is no wrong answer since both settings sound great.
—DSEE HX:On (with Direct:OFF of course) is better than last firmware with less sibilance as @Sonywalkmanuser mentioned, but in my opinion is not great with high-res music and should only be used for music less than CD quality (44.1kHz/16).
—boot up and interface seems faster
—don’t see any reason not to upgrade
cheers,
Gus
Edit:
I’ve been listening to a lot of different music to try out the new firmware and I have noticed that some older recordings sound better with Direct:Off. Bad Company, Led Zep, Tracy Chapman, etc. all sound more ”opened up” with Direct:Off (no Effects on) vs Direct:ON. So, for me, looks like I can’t rely on one setting “to rule them all” and will have to change as necessary. As a general rule, older recordings with good dynamic range (ones you had to turn up the volume on always) sound best to me with Direct:Off (no effects on). Newer music with less dynamic range sounds best to me with Direct:On.
On the previous firmware I preferred Direct:Off (with all effects off) because Direct:On had a slight muffled quality to it. On this firmware I prefer Direct:On. It is cleaner; less reverb in the mids. For me, that’s the biggest difference that I notice with Direct OFF, where there is a little reverb in the mids that brings the mids forward some, which may be desired if you have Sony headphones/earphones that have the classic V-shaped recessed mids (I have come to love that V Shape so I don’t like to mess with it and hence I like Direct:On better).
My impressions of new firmware:
—the Direct:On vs Direct:Off (and all Effects off) is like switching between a Linear Phase Fast (Sharp) filter and a Minimum Phase Fast (Short-Delay Sharp) filter on DACs that allow filter switching. It’s subtle. But the Direct:On is like a Linear Phase Fast (Sharp) filter and the Direct:Off/with all effects off is like a Minimum Phase Fast (Short Delay Sharp) filter. The sound is slightly “fuller” with Direct:Off but in my opinion a little less accurate. Select based on your preference. There really is no wrong answer since both settings sound great.
—DSEE HX:On (with Direct:OFF of course) is better than last firmware with less sibilance as @Sonywalkmanuser mentioned, but in my opinion is not great with high-res music and should only be used for music less than CD quality (44.1kHz/16).
—boot up and interface seems faster
—don’t see any reason not to upgrade
cheers,
Gus
Edit:
I’ve been listening to a lot of different music to try out the new firmware and I have noticed that some older recordings sound better with Direct:Off. Bad Company, Led Zep, Tracy Chapman, etc. all sound more ”opened up” with Direct:Off (no Effects on) vs Direct:ON. So, for me, looks like I can’t rely on one setting “to rule them all” and will have to change as necessary. As a general rule, older recordings with good dynamic range (ones you had to turn up the volume on always) sound best to me with Direct:Off (no effects on). Newer music with less dynamic range sounds best to me with Direct:On.
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