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New Mark Levinson 5805 Firmware Problems

Greetings.  I'm new to this group.  I wanted to share my experiences.  I bought an ML 5805 that was delivered first week of February, 2020.  I updated the firmware to current version 1.47.  Upon doing so, the PCM digital filter choices "disappeared" from the amp menu.  Also missing was the decoding info provided when the Enter button is pressed.

Levinson customer support said no one else had reported this but me and seemed to try to "blame" it on me, asking such questions like, have I had a power outage, has the unit been moved, have I disconnected/re-connected wires, etc.  After being put through the wringer and providing them their requested information, they had me do a Config Restore to the previous firmware.  When I did that, the PCM filters and decoding info returned, but, if I customized ANYTHING in the amp (i.e. startup volume, offset, naming of inputs, etc) the PCM filters and decoding info disappeared again.  At one time, the amp went into Standby Mode and could not be awakened--it had "died."  This inferred to me that both firmware versions have bugs.

So, Levinson and my Raleigh, NC dealer (who has been terrific about this) provided a brand new replacement 5805 today.  The dealer's tech person installed it, updated the firmware, and, drum roll please...the exact same problems occurred with my new replacement 5805.  The dealer's tech said it appeared both firmware versions had bugs.  This so-called luxury amp has worn me out.  I am ready for a refund and a replacement product.  Does anyone have recommendations for a superb-sounding integrated amplifier for around the same price range +/-  $2K to $4K?
paulg24
imhififan's avatar
imhififan
2,108 posts
 
For a reliable and superb-sounding integrated amplifier, my suggestion is Accuphase.

http://www.accuphase.com/integrated_amp.html
no_money
638 posts
 
I am in Raleigh as well so have the same dealer. My initial unit failed after about six months and would not power up. They replaced with a brand new amp in December. I will have to try and see what the Firmware version is on it. I have confidence ML will figure this out. 
So far I can change digital filters with no issue, but don't find a large difference really between them. 
At this level I understand your frustration, I was plenty upset waiting a few weeks for it to be settled out. 
But also at this cost level i want a dealer that I trust, and Ive been with these guys for over 20 years, and when and if I have issues, they are on top of fixing them.
I wouldve tried the Mac stuff, but ML is my favorite house sound. 

good luck to  you 

Brian

paulg24 OP
20 posts
 
Here's an update.  After the replacement 5805 Levinson amp had the same malfunctions, my dealer/person (with decades of experience) realized that Levinson's firmware update was too large (v1.41 to v1.47 when my my two units were v1.38).  He speculated Levinson's updates left out something needed to go from v1.38 to v1.41 and then to v1.47.  So, he got Levinson to email him v1.41, he reinstalled it on my returned amp, then updated it to v1.47 and the malfunctions went away.  However, when we tried to do the same thing with my replacement 5805, it wouldn't allow it.

He kindly came to my house to try installing v 1.47 himself and we were surprised that Levinson had created update v1.48 within the last 24 hours, and, it fixed the malfunctions I'd experienced.  However, after playing it for several hours, the amp locked up while on and playing music, and could not be controlled with the remote or from the front of the amp.  So, no_money, you might want to be on the lookout for this.

Thank you all for your replies and suggestions!  Much appreciated.
no_money
638 posts
 
Thanks for the update Paul, I am confident they will resolve the issues.
For now I have everything on default, and will not update FW... fingers crossed.
How do you like the unit overall? ... besides the frustration  
no_money
638 posts
 
also, where you able to power down and reset the unit? I hope....
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