@rowlocktrysail - Thanks for providing your impressions of the update. I'm looking forward to trying this update on my Terminator Plus. It already sounds great, so will be interesting to hear how it can be improved. btw - I'm not sure what you mean by TPlus II. I'm aware of the Terminator II and the Terminator Plus (as well as the 12th anniversary versions of them), but don't know what a TPlus II is. |
This is really more of a hardware update than a software update. The new code changes the configuration of the FPGA which can activate logic gates that have never been activated. That said, I'm not sure how this would need burn-in since analog signals are not flowing through these transistors. I suppose it is possible that the gate switching timing could change subtly after burn-in which could theoretically change the sound. I upgraded my Terminator + and was not crazy about the sound when I first checked it. I let it run for 72 hours with the amps off (so was not getting used to the sound), and did feel it sounded better when I listened to it again. But it had been a few days since listening to the previous version, so who knows. If there really is a change over time, then I could see how no burn-in would be required by switching back since this will use the same logic gates that are well burned in since I assume the DAC was well run-in with the old code. I sold my woofer towers just after I made the upgrade and am still waiting for the replacements. My main speakers only play down to about 170Hz so it's hard to make a final assessment of the new firmware until I have the new woofer towers. But I'm liking the sound at this point. I'm currently using the NOS mode which I always thought was a little dull sounding with the original firmware. |
I should also point out that I had to disconnect the power to the DAC when I did the update, so when I first listened after the update, the DAC was not very warmed up. I've found that my DAC takes a few hours to really sound it's best, and I generally leave it on 24/7. So this could have easily been the difference between my first listen and a few days later. |
@liquidsound - I've been using the NOS mode over the last couple weeks. Before the update, I thought NOS was too dull sounding, but I'm liking the way it sounds now. However, I haven't done any critical listening since shortly after doing the upgrade because I sold my woofer towers and haven't finished the replacements. My mains (open baffle planar magnetic line arrays) only play down to about 170Hz and rely on separate open-baffle woofer towers for the bottom ~3 octaves. I just picked up the cabinets, drivers, and amps this weekend so need to get them assembled and wired up - hopefully in the next few days. |
@deep_333 - Yes, Alvin provides a link to the original firmware as well as the new updated firmware, so you can switch back if you aren't happy. |
