Firmware update to Port to fix Variable output problem?

Has this been established to be audible in a controlled blind listening test? I have’t seen any reported anywhere.

And if you are concerned about sound quality in the abstract, there is the option of using the fixed outputs of the Port, or to go even further, an external DAC.

To avoid a religious war, let me rephrase: 

Has Sonos updated - or announced an update - to the variable output functionality?

My question was not directed just to you - there has been so much said even on this site on this “issue”, but as far as I know, there is no actual objective listening test that has been able to pick this out. 

Hence what was intended to be an open question to others here as well, out of genuine curiosity. 

When I tested early on, the soft-knee limiting was very obvious with Variable Volume when running sine wave test signals at, or near to, full scale. Significant odd-harmonic distortion, clearly audible and displaying the usual patterns in a spectral analysis.

IIRC the output limiting ceased to be apparent when the volume setting was below about 85%. This was with input samples peaking at full scale.

I have no idea whether Sonos have since issued an update making the limiting less aggressive. They tend not to mention such things.

It’s worth pointing out that any digital device with an S/PDIF output that’s capable of increasing the samples (by volume or EQ) will typically have a limiter of some kind, so as to protect the S/PDIF from hard clipping. With real music, the ‘soft clipping’ which might occur occasionally at high volume levels is far preferable to hard clipping.

Clearly audible and gross enough to rule out the need for any listening blind test?

Also, this issue does not arise with the analog outputs, either in variable or fixed modes?

Good heavens, yes. But we are talking about an artificial test signal, of a sine wave at full scale.

There’s no need for such level shaping with the analog outs. The digital signal can go straight to the DAC (an AKM AK4490EQ, which is well regarded) for conversion, instead of having to be squeezed out the fixed width S/PDIF. 

So, this issue then is ONLY when digital output is being used to feed an external standalone DAC or one in an active speaker or DAC equipped amp, and with the Port in variable mode - but audibly so only when the volume levels on the Port are more than 85%. That is what I gather from the preceding posts if I have understood them correctly.

But why then do digital outputs in fixed mode, which should be the equivalent of variable mode at 100%, not have this issue?

In Fixed mode the data is taken straight through from the decoder, with no risk of volume or EQ adjustment pushing samples over full scale. 

Ok - and on both my Connects I don’t use the digital outputs, but the problem needing to be fixed for variable digital outputs must have been there all the same. So if it is only the Port that has this issue, why did Sonos adopt a different solution for the Port, one that causes the issue? 

One also hopes that this discussion gives enough insights into this issue to the OP that allows him to stay away from Bluesound that by all accounts may cause many more real problems.

Kumar, genuinely would be very interested to know what problem you have experienced with Bluesound.