[realstar]

Hi, I just want to share what I found to be the ultimate settings for my particular setup. (I did a lot of trial and error with almost every combination) I am using the Sony a728b with Sennheiser HD580s running
into a PA2v2 amp.

Volume on player: 17
DAC settings (firmware menu)
(enable "hold" switch, then while holding the menu button press:
up, up, down, down, right, left, up , down, up ,down, right, play/pause)
Bass: -1.5 @ 50Hz
Treble: -7.5 @ 15kHz

Clear Bass: +1
Equalizers: +2, +1, 0, +2, +1
DSEE, Clear Stereo and Normalizer: OFF

I wasn't really happy with the sound until I found these settings and now I am loving it. Really improves midrange + vocals and doesn't sound "synthetic" anymore. I mainly listen to Heavy Metal but this works good with nearly everything I played from Judas Priest and Manowar to Madonna and Tears for Fears. I hope someone else finds these settings useful.

 

[MiG(TM)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by realstar /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi, I just want to share what I found to be the ultimate settings for my particular setup. (I did a lot of trial and error with almost every combination) I am using the Sony a728b with Sennheiser HD580s running into a PA2v2 amp. Volume on player: 17 DAC settings (firmware menu) (enable "hold" switch, then while holding the menu button press: up, up, down, down, right, left, up , down, up ,down, right, play/pause) Bass: -1.5 @ 50Hz Treble: -7.5 @ 15kHz Clear Bass: +1 Equalizers: +2, +1, 0, +2, +1 DSEE, Clear Stereo and Normalizer: OFF I wasn't really happy with the sound until I found these settings and now I am loving it. Really improves midrange + vocals and doesn't sound "synthetic" anymore. I mainly listen to Heavy Metal but this works good with nearly everything I played from Judas Priest and Manowar to Madonna and Tears for Fears. I hope someone else finds these settings useful.

Just tried this on my A829 and can't see any of the Bass: Treble: Settings. I get a load of nice bubbles floating about and mostly testing settings.

?

 

[realstar]

Go down to the one labeled "DAC" and then enter B-GAIN or T-GAIN to change. Option key changes the Hz and up/down the gain. Select "ExitTest" when done changing the settings. Also take note of the original settings in case you want to revert. I think most sony players should have the same options...

 

[MiG(TM)]

Quote:

Originally Posted by realstar /img/forum/go_quote.gif Go down to the one labeled "DAC" and then enter B-GAIN or T-GAIN to change. Option key changes the Hz and up/down the gain. Select "ExitTest" when done changing the settings. Also take note of the original settings in case you want to revert. I think most sony players should have the same options...

Oh right. Was a bit dubious to go into that option

I'll have a looky

 

[BloodSugar00]

Quote:

DAC settings (firmware menu) (enable "hold" switch, then while holding the menu button press: up, up, down, down, right, left, up , down, up ,down, right, play/pause)

How the hell did you know/learn about this?! Maybe its just my naievity but is this a common thing you can do with DAps?

Also, is it reversible?

 

[realstar]

It's mentioned in the service manual and there are some other head-fi posts about it too. I have played around with it a lot without any negative effects and you can just set everything back to defaults if you want. (make note before changing) Only the DAC settings seem useful anyway.

Another note: It sounds great on my Grado sr225s too.

 

[realstar]

My dock came in today. Happy to report this player sounds a lot nicer through the line-out. Quite a bit more powerful and full sounding with smoother details all around. I actually like the equalizer set to "none" on the dock even though I keep the DAC settings from before. Here are a few pics:
http://members.shaw.ca/realstar/dock1.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/realstar/dock2.jpg
http://members.shaw.ca/realstar/dock3.jpg

 

[Pikachoa]

Nice little trick you shared there. I just did it on my 728 as well, and you're right, it does sound more natural. Hope you enjoy your new dock, hehe.

 

[chiefroastbeef]

Okay, just did it and indeed it sounds great!

My original custom EQ was pretty much the same as Realstar's in the first post. That setting definitely sounds the best, raising clear bass to 2 sounds good too.

 

[whitevitz]

anyone know what was the original setting for b-gain and t-gain? LOL

I forgot to take notes before changing..

Thx in advance.

 

[CHINABOY1021]

for activating the service menu, what do you mean "while holding the menu button..."

 

[Pikachoa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHINABOY1021 /img/forum/go_quote.gif for activating the service menu, what do you mean "while holding the menu button..."

The menu button is the option/off button, the right button.

Anyone up with those factory settings? Seems we all got too excited to write them down.

 

[realstar]

I think mine was:
Bass:-4.5 @ 50Hz
Treble: 0.0 @ 5kHz

 

[tds101]

DAC settings (firmware menu)
(enable "hold" switch, then while holding the menu button press:
up, up, down, down, right, left, up , down, up ,down, right, play/pause)
DAC Settings:
Bass: -0.0 @ 50Hz
Treble: -4.5 @ 15kHz

EQ Settings:
Clear Bass: +2
Equalizers: +2, -1, +1, +2, +1
DSEE, Clear Stereo: OFF
Normalizer: ON

These work for me. I'm glad to see I'm not alone w/my adjusting of the DAC settings to clear up Sony's strange sense of SQ upgrade. Now, this is on par w/my D2!!!!

 

[Mr_Junesequa]

my treble settings seem to go up to 1.5 but dont go down?