Exaktbox update for Majik 140s

[wildwildWes]

ooh la la ooh la la did I just get a little upgrade?

sounds like it (expectation bias at work no doubt)...

 

[akamatsu]

Did the updates this morning. Notice I said "updates."

 

[Moomintroll]

I knew there were updates pending, as I looked at the beta releases at the weekend. After reading @wildwildWes post, I looked in the Linn app and updated my DSM. However, from earlier, I knew there were also Exakt engine updates for my 350s, but these hadn’t lit up indicating update in progress. So, looked in Konfig and, sure enough, updates for each 350 and also for Urika II. Pressed “Update All”. First 350 updated OK. Next one and Urika failed. Tried updating again and in a different order, still failed. Now, you can’t close down Konfig with updates outstanding, but you can put the system into standby from the Linn app. Updates worked after that.

Hmm, now right speaker not working - comes on, “pops” but no sound. Trying power cycling whole system, no different. This speaker is daisychained from the one that does work…

Later - have spoken to Richard at Linn and raised a Ticket. Awaiting response.

Just posted this in case anyone has issues.

’troll

 

[Peter_P]

@Moomintroll
You can execute 'RESTORE' in Konfig under "EXAKT" for the speaker where the update failed and then set up the speaker again. You will be asked for the serial number of the speaker.
The current software would then have to be loaded. - I assume that "Participate in beta program" is not ticked under "ADVANCED".

I would run the update for the Urika II again afterwards.

 

[Moomintroll]

@Moomintroll
You can execute 'RESTORE' in Konfig under "EXAKT" for the speaker where the update failed and then set up the speaker again. You will be asked for the serial number of the speaker.
The current software would then have to be loaded. - I assume that "Participate in beta program" is not ticked under "ADVANCED".

I would run the update for the Urika II again afterwards.

Thanks for that. I’m in conversation with Colin at Linn and have a couple of things to try first. It currently looks like Konfig and my Linn Account are very confused.

’troll

 

[Moomintroll]

Well, that was ”entertaining”…
Firstly, to answer @Peter_P suggestion: I had already tried a restore on the problem speaker with no success. I‘m running current firmware, no beta.

In discussion with Colin, we spotted an issue with the Exakt LEDs on the slave 350 - it looked like it wasn’t connected to Exaktlink. Colin suggested I investigate the wiring first and then, if no success, to use Fallback, for which he emailed me instructions.
It was fairly easy to test the wiring. I have the speakers daisychained, but a spare cable to the slave is already in place. I disconnected my Urika II from the DSM and ran Exaktlink directly to each speaker.
No difference.
So, into Fallback mode. First attempt, the working speaker failed to restore! Konfig now thought it was an Akudorik Kolumn!
Right… continue to follow the instructions and don’t panic. Power cycled the DSM, brought the system out of Standby and reloaded Konfig. Try again. This time, the restores worked, SOv2 optimisations available again in Linn Account. System now working. Phew!
Now I just have to return to daisychain setup and reconnect the Urika II and keep my fingers crossed.

’troll

 

[anatius]

Well, that was ”entertaining”…
Firstly, to answer @Peter_P suggestion: I had already tried a restore on the problem speaker with no success. I‘m running current firmware, no beta.

In discussion with Colin, we spotted an issue with the Exakt LEDs on the slave 350 - it looked like it wasn’t connected to Exaktlink. Colin suggested I investigate the wiring first and then, if no success, to use Fallback, for which he emailed me instructions.
It was fairly easy to test the wiring. I have the speakers daisychained, but a spare cable to the slave is already in place. I disconnected my Urika II from the DSM and ran Exaktlink directly to each speaker.
No difference.
So, into Fallback mode. First attempt, the working speaker failed to restore! Konfig now thought it was an Akudorik Kolumn!
Right… continue to follow the instructions and don’t panic. Power cycled the DSM, brought the system out of Standby and reloaded Konfig. Try again. This time, the restores worked, SOv2 optimisations available again in Linn Account. System now working. Phew!
Now I just have to return to daisychain setup and reconnect the Urika II and keep my fingers crossed.

’troll

I would be interested to read your assessment of the improvements in sound brought about by these updates.

 

[Moomintroll]

I would be interested to read your assessment of the improvements in sound brought about by these updates.

There aren’t any. They’re all functional:

Davaar 95 Build 468 (4.95.468) Released on 04 Oct 2022Click to view more..​

• Fixed issue with fallback discovery over WIFI on certain devices
• Fixed Airplay 2 playback failure when volume control is disabled on the Linn device
• Fixed issue where pops and clicks were heard during DSD playback on certain devices that support DSD

I can’t remember what the 350 Exakt updates were for, but it wasn’t SQ related. The Urika II update added Koil and Kendo to the supported cartridges.

If anyone hears an improvement as a result, bonus!

‘troll

 

[LSPC]

Seem to think the update to my AEBI Kat has improved the sound seems like I'm hearing more detail, I wasn't expecting any but enjoying it .Although could be just me enjoying the cotton bud effects

 

[arm]

LSPC, you are not imaging it. Detail from my M140s via AEBi has improved greatly. I find that the bass drums are crisper, maybe deeper? All instruments are crisper and have better separation. Nice update, I feel like I dropped 5 grand on a new upgrade but my back account is still intact.
Curious thing though is the gain on my Kandid was set at 50db and this new upgrade killed all the volume when playing an album. Streaming volume was still the same as prior to the upgrade. I upped the gain on the Kandid to 64bd via config and all is good again.

 

[Moomintroll]

I would run the update for the Urika II again afterwards.

This step wasn’t necessary as I hadn’t restored the DSM.

Ah, looking back I can see why you suggested that. I did say that the Urika II update had failed. Perhaps it didn’t, as it’s no longer an option in Konfig.

’troll

 

[LSPC]

LSPC, you are not imaging it. Detail from my M140s via AEBi has improved greatly. I find that the bass drums are crisper, maybe deeper? All instruments are crisper and have better separation. Nice update, I feel like I dropped 5 grand on a new upgrade but my back account is still intact.
Curious thing though is the gain on my Kandid was set at 50db and this new upgrade killed all the volume when playing an album. Streaming volume was still the same as prior to the upgrade. I upped the gain on the Kandid to 64bd via config and all is good again.

Glad I'm not the only one Anthony , its a great freebie as you say separation is better bass tighter and easier to follow individual instruments Hope it doesn't end here, and one day they do an Organik DAC upgrade for the Exaktbox I🤞🤞

 

[Pennypacker]

Well, I can’t see the update for the M140 in Konfig, is this beta only?

 

[LSPC]

Well, I can’t see the update for the M140 in Konfig, is this beta only?

No its for the Exaktbox I not the M140's

 

[Moomintroll]

LSPC, you are not imaging it. Detail from my M140s via AEBi has improved greatly. I find that the bass drums are crisper, maybe deeper? All instruments are crisper and have better separation. Nice update, I feel like I dropped 5 grand on a new upgrade but my back account is still intact.
Curious thing though is the gain on my Kandid was set at 50db and this new upgrade killed all the volume when playing an album. Streaming volume was still the same as prior to the upgrade. I upped the gain on the Kandid to 64bd via config and all is good again.

Looking at @wildwildWes screenshot in post #1, I read the AEB-I update being for M140 filters, so it is entirely possible that you hear an improvement, whereas @akamatsu and I only have the KDSM Davaar updates and Urika II update (and I have Exakt 350 updates). What do the release notes say for the AEB-I?

Added - the only Exakt Release I can see is:

Public Release: 04 Oct 2022 (4.75.526)​

• Fix for issue with surround channel volume offsets on Klimax Organik Exaktbox
• Bug fix for surround passthrough balance control and drive unit gain assignment on certain devices

@Pennypacker not beta, these are latest stable releases.

’troll

 

[akamatsu]

Looking at @wildwildWes screenshot in post #1, I read the AEB-I update being for M140 filters, so it is entirely possible that you hear an improvement, whereas @akamatsu and I only have the KDSM Davaar updates and Urika II update (and I have Exakt 350 updates). What do the release notes say for the AEB-I?

@Pennypacker not beta, these are latest stable releases.

’troll

It seems that there were Exakt updates for Akubariks as well as for Urika II. I didn't even take mental notes of the updates, so my memory isn't very reliable.

 

[Moomintroll]

It seems that there were Exakt updates for Akubariks as well as for Urika II. I didn't even take mental notes of the updates, so my memory isn't very reliable.

See my addition above for 4.75.526; that would have been applicable to all Exakt engines.

 

[Moomintroll]

This was the Urika II update:

Public Release: 01 Aug 2022 (4.74.497)​

• Added support for the Linn Kendo cartridge
• Added support for the Linn Koil cartridge
• Added support for the new Series 3 part shortage variant (PCAS 1111)

 

[akamatsu]

I just checked in Konfig for the Akubarik filters. They are from 2017, so no change.

 

[arm]

Just got home and put on a record and all of a sudden the volume I left the LP12 at this morning is through the roof. It seems that 64Db gain is now way too much for the Kandid. Changed to 50 Db where it is recommended ( and was there before the updates today) and , all has returned to normal. Odd.