IMO, the new firmware is absolutely worth installing. It essentially makes a great pre/pro even better. Much more informative display (with Video AND Audio Outputs displayed!, non-toggle 7.1, customizable labels for the audio inputs in addition to the previous video inputs, and I suspect, other more hidden changes for the better (improved DPLIIX perhaps?).

Anyhow, I strongly feel it is well worth the effort to DL and install the new firmware, as it represents a significant improvement IMO, in the 990.

I myself think that the most significant imrovement was made in the DSP department. I like the other new usability features too, but it seems that there were some major overhaul of the DPLIIx and other surround modes. I'm wondering why nobody noticed that both DPLII music and movies now sound quite different. It is possible that either some bugs were fixed (my feeling is, although I might be wrong, that there was something terribly wrong with phases when doing DSP processing), or some completely new and improved DSP code form Cirrus was loaded.

Hey guys,

I have had no interest installing the upgrade until reading this as the stated features from the upgrade are not really anything I would benefit from. Can you be more specific on what has changed with the sound? Please describe the differences of pre-ugrade/upgrade if you can.

Thanks!

Can anyone confirm that DPLIIX does have improved sound with the new update? I would guess that subjective impressions of the latter would be by nature not reliable. What do others think?

CI,
I second the noticed changes on DPLII as ASX is refering too. There is a difference between music/movie settings. Music setting sounds good.
The 'little' upgrades are nice touches.

As far as if you played w/ DPLII before update - you should have a pretty good idea of the post upgrade. It was pretty easy to hear.

The upgrade went smooooth. Very cool to take advantage of technology.

The audible enhancements in DPL II perceived by some of our listeners are, in fact, real. The software engineers quietly added improvements in this area. You know the old saying "If I were doing it again I would....."



Well, the software guys did. Enjoy the improvements!

I've been so busy checking out the Stereo Bypass and 7.1 analog I haven't even checked out the surround modes. Scott does this change DP IIx when layered on top of DD too?

Yes, the improvements affect any playback where DPL II is operational.

I will upload the firmware this weekend and see if indeed I can hear a difference in the DD+DPLIIx mode as this is what I normally use for movies. I can clearly hear things with the BA AVP7 that I have never heard before with the 990. I will give the 990 one more chance and see if this remians to hold true or if after the upgrade the 990 will close the gap on movies. Thanks for the info everyone.

Scott, this is IMO, a VERY SIGNIFICANT improvement...most users I would believe use some form of DPLIIx more than any other mode. This adds to the other features of the firmware upgrade which make the 990 one of the best on the market iin direct comparison to any prepro below $3K that I am aware of.

Thank you for including this very important change, to a set of already great features in this new firmware. It is well worth installing by any 990 owner, and as stated before, makes an already superb prepro even better.

Well done indeed!!!!!