I discovered that the popping sound only happens when you switch from CD to SACD or vice versa. And it only happens for the first time after switching, at least that’s what I experienced with the PST / DSD with Sunshine.
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I have been listening to reference tracks most of the day. This is big and is only getting better so far…
So far I like what I hear, can’t really place anything objective yet. Wont’ have alone time until later this week.
Sunlight sounds great, very clean and engaging. I’d say cleaner and more engaging than windom.
I did notice that my bass seems to roll-off a little faster on the really low end when compared to windom. It may simply be more correct now(not sure)…but my house isn’t shaking with some tracks at the same listening levels.
Did anyone else notice this?
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There is discussion above about less distortion making it sound ‘quieter’ in some systems. I can’t say I’ve heard it yet, but still trying to place the differences.
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It’s not at all abnormal to need to reposition and/or reintegrate your subs (if you have any) and/or to change the toe on your speakers with software updates.
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After an hour of assorted tracks:
The soundstage came forward significantly. With the musicians closer to me, I liked it best with one notch less volume on the integrated.
Clean, clean, transparent.
Transients happen faster.
More upper energy. Less low-mid and low energy. Yes, Ted, the subs may want another notch. 
Very much enjoying the listening tonight.
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I too get the popping when I go from tidal to DSD…but only on the first play.
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Any suggestions on DSD Jr volume level? 100 sounds pretty dang good!
The DS Jr is best for some at around 84 (you shouldn’t need to go lower). If you listen to quieter music you can go louder. The problem with the Jr is that it has a higher noise floor than the DS Sr so some keep it louder for that reason.
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Gotcha, Was wondering if the firmware changed that somehow. Seems like its the DSD Jr hardware that give it this characteristic.
Thanks Ted, I’ll drop it to 84 then and maybe increase the volume of my integrated ever so slightly to compensate.
The DS Sr has four digital switches instead of one. The Jr used to be and still is around 84. The Sr was initially 84 and then I got it to 92 by using the extra hardware flexibility. These shouldn’t be below 100 for the DS Mk II and TSS.
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Hey Ted, on sunlight which phase did you and Darren use when testing? In or out?
I almost always use normal polarity. Since it’s so variable on various CDs and I only rarely hear it I don’t really pay a lot of attention to it.
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I just validated the popping by going from Qobuz to DSD64 via BII with Roon. I would describe it sounding more like a high pitch “tick”.
This is repeatable. I tested from 16/44 through 192/24. Each tick when switching to DSD64.
It does not tick in reverse.
I personally wouldn’t complain if this wasn’t fixed.
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Interesting. I would assume it’s similar to the BHK preamp amp switching from a different tune gain? So if kept at or below 84, the Jr will have less noise?
No the Jr has a 6dB higher noise floor than the DS. If you don’t hear noise at 84 then that may well be the best volume setting for you. You can adjust it up some more if there it audible noise and it doesn’t seem worth any potential gain of having the volume at 84 instead of higher.
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So usually when I do these upgrade comments I try to come up with one word for my overall impression. I’ll just say the ATATATATAAACKKK is freaking amazing. The percussive quality of Piano is amazing (bill evans at montreaux jazz / gene Harris live at the loa) and when you get that little extra spaciousness/ambiance you can just hear everything about it. I think the soundstage widened and the clarity increased but not by giving up bass in my opinion. I felt like I was hearing more and deeper into the recordings. I found Ray browns bass more prominent in Live at the Loa.
Recordings just seem to have more jump. I had a long listening session and things just seemed to be getting better. Everything everyone said - ambiance … spaciousness… and a more open high end.
I have heard a little tick sounding like static at the start of an album. I play thru jriver. Do I care? Hahaha. Ain’t no way I’m touching this. Have played dsd64/dsd128/96-24
Incredible job as always Ted.
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Ted If I remember right, the optimal volume setting for the Sr was supposed to be 92. Has that changed with Sunlight?
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